- FAME Records, Holland and Germany Release
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This release of Iron Maiden's first official full length album, has the Fame-logo printed on the right hand side of the front cover, just below the "white" moon.
In the smoldering embers of the 70s, a new beast was stirring, a British behemoth forged in the fires of punk and heavy metal. Iron Maiden, their very name a battle cry, unleashed their self-titled debut not just upon their homeland, but across the channel, onto the unsuspecting shores of mainland Europe.
The FAME Records pressing, bearing their logo like a brand beneath Eddie's haunting visage, is more than a mere artifact. It's a sonic snapshot of a cultural invasion, a testament to how raw power transcends borders and language. Germany and the Netherlands, steeped in their own musical traditions, were about to be rocked by a force as relentless as a Viking raid.
This was no polite introduction. Produced by Will Malone, forged in the crucible of Kingsway and Morgan Studios, this album was a defiant roar against the bland backdrop of the era. Punk had sneered, but Maiden brought muscle and melody back to rebellion. The European audience, perhaps lulled by prog rock's complexities, was met with Steve Harris's galloping basslines, a rhythm section tight as a clenched fist.
Dave Murray and Dennis Stratton, twin guitar heroes in the making, unleashed a whirlwind of riffs, both intricate and aggressive. Paul Di'Anno, no soaring tenor, but a streetwise brawler of a vocalist, spat lyrics of darkness, history, and fantasy. This wasn't escapism, it was a head-on collision with reality, a mirror reflecting society's underbelly.
The FAME release, though identical in track listing to its British counterpart, became a cultural touchstone. It wasn't just the music, it was the context. European fans, hungry for something fresh, found in Maiden a kindred spirit. The vinyl grooves weren't just carrying songs, they were carrying a movement, a new wave of British heavy metal poised to conquer the world.
Collectors information: This album "IRON MAIDEN - Self-Titled (Fame)" includes the original custom Fame inner sleeve. "Iron Maiden", released on 14 April 1980, is the debut album by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released by EMI in the UK, reaching number 4 in the UK charts, and a few months later in the U.S., originally on Harvest/Capitol Records and subsequently Sanctuary Records/Columbia Records. |
Music Genre: Heavy Metal / NWOBHM |
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Album Production information: The album: "IRON MAIDEN - Self-Titled (Fame)" was produced by: Will Malone Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Martin Levan. This album was recorded at: Kingsway Studios, Morgan Studios London. Album Front cover design: Derek Riggs Discover the man behind the monster: Derek Riggs, the artist who brought Iron Maiden's Eddie to life. Explore his artistic journey beyond heavy metal. Read it Here Album cover photography: Terry Walker and Yuka Fujii |
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Record Label & Catalognr: Fame - 1C 038 1575481 |
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Media Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone RecordTotal Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram |
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Year & Country: 1985 Europe |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: IRON MAIDEN - Self-Titled Fame |
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Complete Track-listing of the album "IRON MAIDEN - Self-Titled Fame" |
The detailed tracklist of this record "IRON MAIDEN - Self-Titled Fame" is:
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Note: The photos on this page are taken from albums in my personal collection. 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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Original FAME Custom Inner Sleeve, Black and White Colour with Red Letting
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Original FAME Custom Inner Sleeve, Black and White Colour with Red Letting
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"Iron Maiden ( self-titled )" Record Label Details: Yellow Colour EMI 1C 038-15 7548 , LC 0542, DMM, Boxed GEMA, Unboxed STEMRA ℗ 1980 Sound Copyright
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