IRON MAIDEN - Can I Play With Madness First Ten Years 12" Vinyl 2LP Album
- Limited Edition Double LP Album
Limited Edition: Double 12" Record Gatefold/FOC (Fold Open Cover) Album Cover Design with artwork / photos on the inside cover pages.
- Limited Edition Double LP Album
Limited Edition: Double 12" Record Gatefold/FOC (Fold Open Cover) Album Cover Design with artwork / photos on the inside cover pages.
Amid the shadows of prophecy and the ferocious energy of heavy metal, Iron Maiden's "Can I Play With Madness" takes on new life in the "First Ten Years" 12" Vinyl 2LP Album, a limited edition double LP that stands as a testament to the band's monumental decade of dominance. Released in 1990, this collection commemorates a pivotal period in Iron Maiden's history, encapsulating their rise to metal supremacy with tracks that have become anthems for generations.
"Can I Play With Madness," originally released as a single in 1988, is a standout track from the conceptual masterpiece "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son." This album delves deep into themes of clairvoyance, fate, and the eternal battle between light and darkness. The song tells the story of a young man seeking answers from a seer, only to be met with visions of chaos and doom, reflecting the existential angst of a world in flux.
Musically, "Can I Play With Madness" exemplifies Iron Maiden's intricate and powerful sound. The track begins with an infectious, anthemic riff that grabs the listener from the first note. Adrian Smith and Dave Murray's twin guitar assault creates a rich, melodic backdrop, their solos soaring with precision and passion. Steve Harris' bass lines gallop with relentless intensity, while Nicko McBrain's drums thunder with unwavering power. Bruce Dickinson's vocals, a blend of defiance and introspection, deliver the song's probing questions with a compelling urgency.
The late '80s and early '90s were a time of evolution for heavy metal, and Iron Maiden stood at the forefront of this transformation. "Can I Play With Madness" showcases the band's ability to blend complex narratives with their signature sonic ferocity, creating music that is both intellectually stimulating and viscerally thrilling. The song's catchy hooks and memorable chorus made it an instant classic, highlighting Iron Maiden's unique talent for crafting thought-provoking anthems.
Controversy has always followed Iron Maiden, and the release of "Can I Play With Madness" was no different. The song's dark themes and the album's overarching narrative of a prophetic seventh son sparked debates among critics and fans alike. While some praised the band for their ambitious and daring approach, others questioned the commercial viability of such a concept. Nonetheless, the song's impact was undeniable, reinforcing Iron Maiden's reputation as fearless pioneers in the heavy metal genre.
The "First Ten Years" collection, produced by the legendary Martin Birch, captures the essence of Iron Maiden's rise to greatness. Birch's meticulous production work on "Can I Play With Madness" ensures that every element, from the soaring vocals to the galloping bass lines, is perfectly balanced and impactful. Recorded across various studios during their storied career, this double LP album showcases the band's dynamic range and the evolution of their sound.
Music Genre: NWOBHM New Wave of British Heavy Metal |
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Album Production Information: The album: "IRON MAIDEN - Can I Play With Madness First Ten Years Double LP" was produced by: Martin Birch I first noticed Martin Birch on those early Iron Maiden sleeves—the ones with the typography that felt like a threat. At twelve, I didn’t care about "production value"; I just liked that the guitars didn't sound like mud. He was the man behind the sound mixer, the one who made the snare snap like a dry branch in a cold forest. He was "The Headmaster," and we were all just students of his high-voltage curriculum. Read more... Birch didn’t just record noise; he organized aggression. By 1972, he was already wrangling the messy brilliance of Deep Purple’s Machine Head, turning Ian Gillan’s banshee wails into something that didn't just clip the tape but lived inside it. In 1980, he pulled off the ultimate renovation, giving Black Sabbath a much-needed shower and a new spine. Heaven and Hell shouldn't have worked, but Martin polished that Birmingham sludge into something operatic and gleaming. It was a pivot that felt like fate, mostly because he refused to let the mid-range get lazy.
Then came the long, obsessive stretch with Iron Maiden from 1981 to 1992. It was a twelve-year marriage to the fader. From the moment Killers (EMC 3357, for those who care) hit the shelves, the sound was physical. He knew how to let Steve Harris’s bass clatter like a machine gun without drowning out the melody—a sonic miracle that still feels fresh. You can almost smell the ozone and the dust on the Marshall stacks when the needle drops on The Number of the Beast. He stayed until Fear of the Dark, then simply walked away. No victory lap, no bloated memoir. He preferred the hum of the desk to the noise of the crowd, leaving us with nothing but the records and a slight sense of abandonment. But then, when you’ve already captured lightning on tape for twenty years, why bother hanging around for the rain? |
Record Label & Catalognr: EMI IRN 91 |
Media Format: 2x 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone RecordTotal Album (Cover+Record) weight: 480 gram |
Year & Country: 1990 Made in UK |
Complete Track Listing of: IRON MAIDEN - Can I Play With Madness First Ten Years Double LP |
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The Song/tracks on "IRON MAIDEN - Can I Play With Madness First Ten Years Double LP" are
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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. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )
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EMI IRN 91 Record Label Details: © 1990 EMI Records Ltd ℗ 1988 The Copyright in this sound recording is owned by the EMI Records LTD. EMI logo in a Red box