IRON MAIDEN - SEVENTH SON OF A SEVENTH SON Vinyl Picture Disc 12"

A kaleidoscope of sound and vision, Iron Maiden's _Seventh Son of a Seventh Son_ Picture Disc is a testament to the band's conceptual mastery. This 12-inch vinyl artifact captures the essence of their 1988 progressive metal opus, with Derek Riggs' iconic artwork etched into the vinyl itself. A sonic odyssey brought to life, where Eddie, the Seventh Son, beckons listeners into a realm of prophecy and destiny.

IRON MAIDEN - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son Picture Disc 12" Vinyl vinyl lp record

Infinite Dreams Etched in Vinyl: Seventh Son's Pictorial Prophecy
Album Description:

From the depths of heavy metal lore, a visual and sonic marvel emerged. Iron Maiden's "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" Picture Disc, a 12-inch vinyl testament to the band's conceptual odyssey, captivated fans with its mesmerizing artwork and sonic power. Released in 1988 alongside the standard album, this limited edition collectible became a treasured artifact for Maiden devotees, embodying the mystical themes and musical exploration that defined the era.

Historical Context and Artistic Vision

In the late 1980s, the music industry was embracing the visual potential of vinyl records. Picture discs, featuring album artwork or band imagery on the vinyl itself, became popular among collectors and fans. Iron Maiden, always keen to push boundaries, seized this opportunity to enhance the "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" experience.

The picture disc featured Derek Riggs' iconic album artwork, depicting Eddie, the band's mascot, as the Seventh Son, surrounded by symbols of prophecy and destiny. This visual representation of the album's concept added another layer of depth to the listening experience, immersing fans in the mystical world that Iron Maiden had created.

Musical Exploration and Genre Fusion

"Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" marked a departure from Iron Maiden's earlier sound, incorporating progressive elements and complex arrangements. The album's concept, inspired by Orson Scott Card's novel, allowed the band to explore a wider range of musical ideas. Lush keyboard arrangements, atmospheric interludes, and intricate song structures intertwined with their signature heavy metal power.

The picture disc, with its enhanced visual appeal, further amplified the album's sonic journey. As the needle traced the grooves of the vinyl, fans were transported to a realm where heavy metal met progressive rock, where powerful riffs and soaring vocals intertwined with ethereal melodies and atmospheric soundscapes.

Controversies and Critical Acclaim

The album's conceptual nature and progressive elements sparked debate among fans and critics. Some purists felt the band had strayed too far from their roots, while others embraced the new direction, praising the album's ambition and creativity. Despite the controversy, "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" achieved commercial success and critical acclaim, solidifying Iron Maiden's position as innovators within the heavy metal genre.

The picture disc, with its limited availability and collectible nature, became a sought-after item among fans. Its unique blend of visual and sonic artistry further cemented the album's legacy, making it a treasured piece of Iron Maiden history.

Production Team and Recording Studio

The album was produced by Martin Birch, a longtime collaborator of Iron Maiden. Birch's expertise and understanding of the band's vision were instrumental in bringing the "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" concept to life. The album was recorded at Montserrat Studios, a legendary recording facility nestled on a Caribbean island. The studio's secluded location and creative atmosphere provided the perfect environment for Iron Maiden to craft their masterpiece.

A Pictorial Legacy

The "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" Picture Disc stands as a testament to Iron Maiden's artistic vision and willingness to experiment. It's a visual and sonic artifact that captures the essence of a pivotal moment in the band's history. As the needle dances across the vinyl canvas, fans are transported back to a time when heavy metal was evolving, and Iron Maiden was leading the charge, leaving an enduring legacy etched in vinyl for generations to come.

Collectors information: 

Rare Picture Disc edition of this album "IRON MAIDEN - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son PD Picture Disc"

Music Genre:

NWOBHM New Wave of British Heavy Metal 

Album Production Information:

Produced by Martin Birch, Zombie Music Publishers
  • Martin Birch – Producer, Sound Engineer

    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.

    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?

    Martin Birch Wiki

    • Record Label & Catalognr:

    EMI EMDP 1006  

    Media Format:

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

    Year & Country:

    1988 Made in England
    Band Members and Musicians on: IRON MAIDEN - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son PD Picture Disc
      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

      Maiden’s calm killer: smooth leads, twin-guitar harmony for days, and that melodic bite that makes the “gallop” feel cinematic instead of chaotic.

      Dave Murray (born 23 December 1956, Edmonton, Middlesex, England) is one of the defining lead guitar voices of heavy metal, and in my book he’s the melodic “second spine” of Iron Maiden. His timeline with the band starts early: joining in 1976, getting briefly pushed out in 1977, then returning in 1978 and staying locked in ever since—making him one of the longest-serving members in the whole Maiden saga. During that 1977 gap he spent around six months with Urchin (Adrian Smith’s band), which is a fun little historical glitch in the matrix if you like your Maiden lore messy and human. Beyond the main band, his most notable “outside the mothership” credit is the all-star charity metal project Hear ’n Aid (1985), because apparently even guitar lifers sometimes leave the bunker to do side quests. Dave Murray Wiki

    • Adrian Smith guitar, backing vocals, synth
    • 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, string synth
    • Steve Harris – Bass Guitar, Songwriter

      Iron Maiden’s engine room: galloping bass lines, history-nerd lyrics, and “captain of the ship” energy baked into every riff.

      Steve Harris (born 12 March 1956, Leytonstone, England) is the rare bassist who doesn’t just hold the floor—he draws the whole blueprint. In my book, he’s the founder and primary songwriter who’s kept Iron Maiden on its rails from 1975–present, with that instantly recognizable “gallop” driving huge chunks of the catalogue. The pre-Maiden grind matters too: first band days in Influence/Gypsy’s Kiss (1973–1974, including a documented gig run in 1974), then the older, blues-leaning Smiler period (1974–1975) where his more ambitious writing basically forced the next step: forming Maiden. Outside the mothership, he’s fronted his own hard-rock outlet British Lion (2012–present), a project that grew out of connections going back to the early 1990s and finally hit the world as his solo debut in 2012.

      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: IRON MAIDEN - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son PD Picture Disc

    The Song/tracks on "IRON MAIDEN Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" are

    • Moonchild (Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson) 5:39
    • Infinite Dreams (Steve Harris) 6:09
    • Can I Play with Madness (Smith, Dickinson, Harris) 3:31
    • The Evil That Men Do (Smith, Dickinson, Harris) 4:34
    • Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Harris) 9:53
    • The Prophecy (Dave Murray, Harris) 5:05
    • The Clairvoyant (Harris) 4:27
    • Only the Good Die Young (Harris, Dickinson) 4:41

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