IRON MAIDEN - 2 MINUTES 2 MIDNIGHT 12" MAXI Vinyl Album

- German Release

Teutonic Irons, heed the call! "2 Minutes to Midnight" shreds from the German vinyl thrall. This 12" maxi-single, the second track from Powerslave's saga grand, finds a new home in your metallic hand. Witness the tension rise with each tick of the clock, a sonic assault to shatter and shock. Is this fate's cruel hand or a warmonger's decree? Unleash the fury on this German press and set your spirit free.

IRON MAIDEN - 2 MINUTES 2 MIDNIGHT

IRON MAIDEN - 2 MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT 12" MAXI Vinyl Album - German Release
Album Description:

In the heart of 1984, Iron Maiden unleashed a storm upon the world with their 12" Maxi vinyl single, "2 Minutes to Midnight," a German release that carved a fierce path through the heavy metal landscape. This era saw the band pushing the boundaries of their musical prowess, diving deep into themes of global conflict and the impending doom that loomed over a world entrenched in Cold War tensions.

The historical context of "2 Minutes to Midnight" is as dark and tumultuous as the track itself. The song's title references the Doomsday Clock, a symbolic clock face representing the likelihood of a man-made global catastrophe. As the minute hand crept closer to midnight, the band mirrored this anxiety through their relentless riffs and potent lyrics, capturing the essence of a world on the brink.

Musically, "2 Minutes to Midnight" is a masterclass in heavy metal exploration. The track begins with a powerful, chugging riff that immediately sets a foreboding tone. Adrian Smith and Dave Murray's twin guitar assault is both melodic and aggressive, weaving intricate solos that elevate the song's intensity. Steve Harris' galloping bass lines and Nicko McBrain's thunderous drumming lay a solid foundation, while Bruce Dickinson's soaring vocals deliver the lyrics with a sense of urgency and menace.

The genre of heavy metal in the mid-'80s was undergoing a metamorphosis, and Iron Maiden was at the forefront of this evolution. "2 Minutes to Midnight" encapsulates the band's ability to blend narrative depth with musical ferocity. The song's anti-war message and critique of political corruption resonated with fans who were disillusioned by the world's state of affairs. The lyrics, co-written by Smith and Dickinson, pull no punches in their condemnation of war-mongering leaders and the senseless violence perpetuated in their wake.

Controversy was never far from Iron Maiden, and "2 Minutes to Midnight" was no exception. The graphic imagery in the lyrics and the bold anti-establishment stance sparked debates among critics and fans alike. Some viewed it as a necessary wake-up call, while others saw it as an affront to the status quo. Regardless, the song's impact was undeniable, solidifying Iron Maiden's reputation as fearless commentators on global issues.

The production of "2 Minutes to Midnight" was helmed by the formidable Martin Birch, a long-time collaborator whose expertise helped shape the band's signature sound. Recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas, the sessions were marked by a relentless pursuit of perfection. Birch's production is crisp and powerful, allowing each instrument to shine while maintaining the raw energy that defines Iron Maiden's live performances.

Essential Album Information

Music Genre:

NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal)

Label & Catalognr:

EMI 1C K 062 2002896

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Year & Country:

  1984 Made in Germany

2 Minutes 2 Midnight (Germany) Production & Recording Information

Watch: IRON MAIDEN - 2 MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT :
Producers:

Produced by: Martin "Jah" Birch

  • Martin Birch – Producer, Sound Engineer Martin Birch was the steady hand behind some of the most powerful rock and metal records of the 1970s and 1980s. As an engineer and producer, he shaped the sound of Deep Purple and Fleetwood Mac before becoming the defining sonic architect for Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Rainbow. His productions balanced clarity with raw force, turning heavy riffs into timeless statements and albums into genre benchmarks.
    Martin Birch Wiki
    • Sound & Recording Engineers:

    Frankie Gibson, Bruce Dickinson

    Frankie Gibson one of the sound engineer's of the "Iron Maiden" albums "Piece of Mind" and "Powerslave".

    Bruce Dickinson was responsible for the engineering of the track "Mission from 'Arry'"

    George Marino - Mastering Engineer

  • George Marino - Mastering Engineer at Sterling Sound, N.Y.C. George Marino was a legendary mastering engineer whose expertise shaped the sound of countless iconic albums. Born in 1947, he honed his craft at Capitol Records before joining Sterling Sound in 1973. His mastering work on albums by AC/DC, Metallica, and Guns N' Roses defined rock and metal's sonic power. His legacy endures through his meticulous audio craftsmanship.
    Read about George Marion

    •  

    Recording Location:

    Compass Point (Nassau, Bahamas)

    • Compass Point Studios (Bahamas) Compass Point Studios, founded in 1977 by Chris Blackwell, the visionary owner of Island Records, stands as a pivotal and iconic institution in the realm of music production, particularly during the vibrant decades of the 1970s and 1980s. Nestled in the picturesque Bahamas, just outside Nassau, this studio emerged as a tropical oasis that not only offered a breathtaking setting but also fostered a distinctive creative atmosphere that left an indelible mark on the global music scene. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed a plethora of influential albums recorded at Compass Point Studios, spanning various genres such as rock, reggae, funk, and pop. Artists like Bob Marley, Grace Jones, Iron Maiden Talking Heads, and The Rolling Stones all left their mark on the studio, contributing to its legacy as a hub of musical innovation.
      Compass Point Studios Wiki

     

    Album Cover Design & Artwork:

    Derek Riggs - Illustrator

  • Derek Riggs – Illustrator, Cover Artist Derek Riggs is the artist who gave Iron Maiden its visual soul by creating Eddie, one of the most recognizable mascots in heavy metal history. Since the band’s 1980 debut, his artwork fused sci-fi, horror, and dark fantasy into covers that were as confrontational and imaginative as the music itself. Riggs’ paintings didn’t just decorate records, they built a world that became inseparable from Maiden’s identity.
    Derek Riggs Wiki

    • Photography:

    Ross Halfin - Photography

  • Ross Halfin – Photographer Ross Halfin is one of the defining eyes of heavy metal, capturing the genre’s raw power on film since the late 1970s. His photographs of Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Led Zeppelin freeze live intensity, sweat, and backstage reality into instantly recognizable images. More than documentation, his work helped shape how metal looks and feels, turning fleeting moments into permanent pieces of rock history.
    Ross Halfin Wiki
    • Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: IRON MAIDEN - 2 Minutes 2 Midnight
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • Bruce Dickinson - Vocals
    • Bruce Dickinson – Vocals Bruce Dickinson, born August 1958, is the powerhouse vocalist who propelled Iron Maiden to legendary status. Joining the band in 1981, his operatic range, sharp phrasing, and commanding stage presence reshaped the group’s sound and ambition, defining era-classic albums like The Number of the Beast and Powerslave. Beyond Maiden, he built a parallel career as a solo artist, commercial pilot, author, and broadcaster, giving his legacy a reach that stretches well beyond heavy metal.
      Bruce Dickinson Wiki
    • Dave Murray - guitar
    • Dave Murray – Guitar Dave Murray, born 1956, is the melodic mastermind behind Iron Maiden’s signature twin-guitar attack. A founding member, his fluid, expressive solos and perfectly locked harmonized leads have shaped the band’s sound since 1975. His playing blends bluesy phrasing with precision and restraint, never flashy for its own sake, always serving the song. That balance made him a quiet but essential pillar of heavy metal guitar.
      Dave Murray Wiki
    • Adrian Smith - guitar, backing vocals
    • Adrian Smith – Guitarist, Songwriter Adrian Smith is one of those players I always associate with Iron Maiden’s classic sound and its later revival. Joining in 1980, leaving in 1990, and returning in 1999, his melodic solos and sharp songwriting helped define albums from The Number of the Beast to Brave New World and beyond.
      Adrian Smith Wikipedia
    • Steve Harris - bass guitar, backing vocals
    • Steve Harris – Bass, Songwriter Steve Harris, born 1956, is the driving force behind Iron Maiden’s galloping bass lines and long-form, story-heavy songwriting. Founding the band in 1975, he defined their identity with ambitious compositions that mixed punk urgency, progressive structure, and pure metal muscle. Anthems like The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name carry his fingerprints all over them, making him one of NWOBHM’s most influential architects.
      Steve Harris Wiki
    • Nicko McBrain - drums
    • Nicko McBrain – Drums Nicko McBrain, born 1952, is the powerhouse drummer who has driven Iron Maiden’s thunderous engine since joining in 1982. His playing combines brute force with swing and pinpoint timing, giving albums like The Number of the Beast and Powerslave their unstoppable momentum. Before Maiden, his work with Trust and the Pat Travers Band sharpened his style, culminating in a career that redefined metal drumming.
      Nicko McBrain Wiki
    Complete Track-listing of the album "IRON MAIDEN - 2 Minutes 2 Midnight"

    The detailed tracklist of this record "IRON MAIDEN - 2 Minutes 2 Midnight" is:

      Side One:
    • 2 Minutes to Midnight
      Side Two:
    • Rainbow's Gold
    • Mission From 'Arry'
    High Quality Photo of Album Front Cover  "IRON MAIDEN - 2 Minutes 2 Midnight"
    Album Back Cover  Photo of "IRON MAIDEN - 2 Minutes 2 Midnight"
    Album Back Cover  Photo of "IRON MAIDEN - 2 Minutes 2 Midnight"  
    Close-up Photo of "IRON MAIDEN - 2 Minutes 2 Midnight" Record Label 
    Close-up Photo of "IRON MAIDEN - 2 Minutes 2 Midnight" Record Label   

    Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash.

    IRON MAIDEN - Vinyl Records Discography Home Page