Iron Maiden - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son

9.1 | 2387 votes |

Release date:	11 April 1988
Style:	New wave of British heavy metal
Owners:	3068 have it 119 want it 3 trade it

Disc I
01. Moonchild
02. Infinite Dreams
03. Can I Play With Madness
04. The Evil That Men Do
05. Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
06. The Prophecy
07. The Clairvoyant
08. Only The Good Die Young

Disc II [1995 reissue bonus CD]
01. Black Bart Blues
02. Massacre
03. Prowler 88
04. Charlotte The Harlot 88
05. Infinite Dreams [live]
06. The Clairvoyant [live]
07. The Prisoner [live]
08. Killers [live]
09. Still Life [live]

Top 20 albums of 1988: 1
Top 200 albums of all time: 17

Reviews (4)

Lyrics (17)

Line-up
Bruce Dickinson - vocals
Dave Murray - guitars
Adrian Smith - guitars
Nicko McBrain - drums
Steve Harris - bass

Session musicians
Michael Kenney - keyboards

Additional info
Producerd & mixing by Martin Birch.
Engineering by Martin Birch, Ronald Prent, Albert Boekholt & Stephane Wissner.
Mastering by George Marino.
Cover art & photography by Derek Riggs, Rod Smallwood & Ross Halfin.

Album is based on the novel Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card.

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Staff review by
Pierre Tombale

Rating:
10

Among Iron Maiden's studio albums 'Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son' to me is the second best. It has the most famous songs of the band on one album. Of most albums you might know (if you're not a fan!) two or three songs, this album contains at least 6 songs that you should know, if not you have never lived.

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published 24.12.2003 | Comments (25)

Guest review by
Storchillarn

Rating:
10

You're probably wondering why I wrote a review of an almost twenty year old album; the answer is quite simple: because it is my absolute favourite album and one of the best Heavy-Metal-albums of all time. "Seventh Son..." was the last album that was recorded with Adrian Smith until 2000's "Brave New World." It's a concept album telling the story of a gifted child, a so called "seventh son of a seventh son," and how his gift carries with it many burdens and problems. The concept itself is not what carries the album but it adds a different touch to the lyrics and surely the music as well.

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published 12.05.2007 | Comments (19)

Guest review by
tominator

Rating:
10

What is there to say about Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son? It's my absolute favourite album ever made. In fact, it's the only album I personally consider flawless.

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published 18.12.2016 | Comments (13)

Guest review by
omne metallum

Rating:
8.9

Seeing the 80s and the band's golden era out, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son is a high note to go out on. The band took a tighter embrace of their progressive tendencies but managed to balance this with their pennant for creating catchy tunes like they had for the decade up until then. Iron Maiden find a golden ratio that they have spent much of the rest of their career trying to replicate.

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published 30.05.2020 | Comments (1)

Found in 132 lists
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Comments page 2 / 2

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Comments: 57 [ 1 ignored ] Visited by: 1826 users

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Lião Account deleted	29.04.2013 - 09:14 Lião Account deleted The peak of Maiden career. Loading...
Copernicus Posts: 51 From: Serbia	17.05.2013 - 07:53 Rating: 10 Copernicus Posts: 51 From: Serbia One of the greatest heavy metal albums out there! Loading...
Illog1cal Account deleted	28.05.2013 - 02:09 Illog1cal Account deleted Written by Jaeryd on 20.08.2012 at 23:26 My only problem with most of Iron Maiden's stuff after the first two albums is Bruce Dickinson. Imagine, if you will, that one of the guitars was not tuned properly, and continued to hit every note a little too flat for a good portion of the track. Vocals are the instrument of the voice, when used they make a huge impact on the overall sound of each song. Bruce, with his faux-operatic style and forced vibrato, seems to put to much pressure and coercion on his voice, and ends up being off-key very often because of it. If Paul Di'Anno didn't get his ass kicked out, he would've made this album twice as good as it already is. Unfortunately, while I do enjoy this CD, I still get put off by that forced vibrato and all the flat notes. I think my favorite part of this album is that it was inspired by none other than one of my favorite book series by Orson Scott Card: the Alvin Maker series. First book is Seventh Son, and I believe that the second Red Prophet is my favorite of the series. Some badass historical fiction makes for a pretty cool source of inspiration, I guess. I think you have to keep in mind that Iron Maiden are aiming for a heavy sound (duh!), even though this was one of their less heavy albums. Therefore Bruce has to emphasize that with his voice too, its suites the music that his voice is forceful regardless of the fact that it may be slightly off key on occasion. Vocals are a certainly a matter of opinion though, its a matter of ones own ears and mind. Loading...
Jaeryd Nihil's Maw Posts: 1062 From: USA	28.05.2013 - 06:25 Rating: 7 Jaeryd Nihil's Maw Posts: 1062 From: USA Written by Guest on 28.05.2013 at 02:09 I think you have to keep in mind that Iron Maiden are aiming for a heavy sound (duh!), even though this was one of their less heavy albums. Therefore Bruce has to emphasize that with his voice too, its suites the music that his voice is forceful regardless of the fact that it may be slightly off key on occasion. Vocals are a certainly a matter of opinion though, its a matter of ones own ears and mind. I posted that a while ago, while I was still busy listening to all the stuff I missed out on (I grew up in a Christian family that didn't like me listening to metal, so I missed out on a lot of classic bands and have had to play catch-up). It's been nearly a year since than and I have since fleshed out and modified my opinion. It's true, his voice really does fit the music, and the main feature of that voice is its raw power. Paul Di'Anno most likely wouldn't have made this album any better--in fact his voice could've made it worse as it might not have fit the overall sound. When I listen to Bruce, I can still hear him when he is off-key... but I like what he does for the music, so it's perfectly OK. ---- Loading...
Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 53006 From: Norway	26.07.2015 - 18:01 Rating: 8 Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 53006 From: Norway I would say its most power metal IM album, still like it, band what had a talent enver write same and make ''new sound'' good ---- Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!! Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing Loading...
MichaelAngeloT Posts: 69 From: Greece	05.11.2015 - 19:48 Rating: 6 MichaelAngeloT Posts: 69 From: Greece Its a boring album except last few songs.. "overrated" i think Loading...
majormalfunction Posts: 626	+1 30.06.2016 - 22:50 Rating: 10 majormalfunction Posts: 626 Grand and dramatic, that's what Iron Maiden is best at! ---- And what do you call assassins who accuse assassins anyway, my friend? Loading...
Jope of Steele Posts: 2263 From: Finland	26.10.2016 - 15:35 Rating: 9 Jope of Steele Posts: 2263 From: Finland Cut "Can I Play With Madness" (not a huge fan of the title track either, but that's not as bad as CiPWM) and this would be 10 material. ---- The Plannedemic by Hibbeler Productions: https://odysee.com/The-Plannedemic---2020-Documentary-1:7 Loading...
tominator At best deranged Posts: 886 From: Belgium	26.10.2016 - 18:14 Rating: 10 tominator At best deranged Posts: 886 From: Belgium This is what I call a perfect album. It is by far my absolute favourite album I've ever heard. Excellent lyrics, nice concept, amazing musicianship and an overall epic feel are the reasons why I love it so much. The absolute best from Maiden! Loading...
VIG Account deleted	24.06.2017 - 15:35 VIG Account deleted Written by Jope of Steele on 26.10.2016 at 15:35 Cut "Can I Play With Madness" (not a huge fan of the title track either, but that's not as bad as CiPWM) and this would be 10 material. What's wrong with those tracks? Loading...
Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands	+1 24.06.2017 - 16:24 Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands Written by Guest on 24.06.2017 at 15:35 Written by Jope of Steele on 26.10.2016 at 15:35 Cut "Can I Play With Madness" (not a huge fan of the title track either, but that's not as bad as CiPWM) and this would be 10 material. What's wrong with those tracks? Totally nothing wrong with those tracks. For me the horrendous track is The Evil That Men Do.... my God that song is so goddamned boring. ---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 Loading...
VIG Account deleted	24.06.2017 - 16:25 VIG Account deleted Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 24.06.2017 at 16:24 Written by Guest on 24.06.2017 at 15:35 Written by Jope of Steele on 26.10.2016 at 15:35 Cut "Can I Play With Madness" (not a huge fan of the title track either, but that's not as bad as CiPWM) and this would be 10 material. What's wrong with those tracks? Totally nothing wrong with those tracks. For me the horrendous track is The Evil That Men Do.... my God that song is so goddamned boring. Yeah, I can see why not to like The Evil That Men Do, but CIPWM and the title track are great tracks Loading...
Jope of Steele Posts: 2263 From: Finland	24.06.2017 - 18:06 Rating: 9 Jope of Steele Posts: 2263 From: Finland Written by Guest on 24.06.2017 at 16:25 Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 24.06.2017 at 16:24 Written by Guest on 24.06.2017 at 15:35 Written by Jope of Steele on 26.10.2016 at 15:35 Cut "Can I Play With Madness" (not a huge fan of the title track either, but that's not as bad as CiPWM) and this would be 10 material. What's wrong with those tracks? Totally nothing wrong with those tracks. For me the horrendous track is The Evil That Men Do.... my God that song is so goddamned boring. Yeah, I can see why not to like The Evil That Men Do, but CIPWM and the title track are great tracks Well, I can't, as TETMD always seemed to me as one of the two strongest of these tracks (with Infinite Dreams) especially live. As for CiPWM = Typical maiden hit song, lame chorus that ruins it for me, ok song otherwise, I suppose. As for SSoaSS = Not exactly a weak song, but forgettable and takes too long to build up, I do enjoy the last couple of minutes though. Somehow the song reminds a lot of "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" which I rather listen to. ---- The Plannedemic by Hibbeler Productions: https://odysee.com/The-Plannedemic---2020-Documentary-1:7 Loading...
Redel Posts: 770 From: Germany	24.06.2017 - 22:32 Rating: 9 Redel Posts: 770 From: Germany Infinite dreams as well as the title track are the outstanding highlights here for me.Then a huge gap to Moon Child and The Evil that Men do. CIPWM, but also the Prophecy, get skipped often. Loading...
VIG Account deleted	25.06.2017 - 03:39 VIG Account deleted Written by Jope of Steele on 24.06.2017 at 18:06 Written by Guest on 24.06.2017 at 16:25 Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 24.06.2017 at 16:24 Written by Guest on 24.06.2017 at 15:35 What's wrong with those tracks? Totally nothing wrong with those tracks. For me the horrendous track is The Evil That Men Do.... my God that song is so goddamned boring. Yeah, I can see why not to like The Evil That Men Do, but CIPWM and the title track are great tracks Well, I can't, as TETMD always seemed to me as one of the two strongest of these tracks (with Infinite Dreams) especially live. As for CiPWM = Typical maiden hit song, lame chorus that ruins it for me, ok song otherwise, I suppose. As for SSoaSS = Not exactly a weak song, but forgettable and takes too long to build up, I do enjoy the last couple of minutes though. Somehow the song reminds a lot of "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" which I rather listen to. I completely disagree. CIPWM chorus is bery catchy, and while catchy does not equal good, it is an absolute classic tune because most fans love it. And the title track is one of my favorites off the whole album, I think the long build up is fun and amazing. Honestly I always listen to the whole album, even The Evil That Men Do, and recently I decided this is my favorite Maiden record Loading...
Azarath Free as a.. Fish Posts: 890 From: Finland	26.06.2017 - 22:38 Rating: 10 Azarath Free as a.. Fish Posts: 890 From: Finland Listening to "The Evil That Men Do" now. It was one of the reasons I picked up Seventh Son of a Seventh Son back in the day (the concept album part also intrigued me), as a radio station I listened to used to play it often. It's a big part of me getting into Maiden. Great song. Glorious intro. And of course better than "Can I Play With Madness". Loading...
Tyrannical Hero Super Normal Posts: 3420	06.01.2019 - 05:32 Tyrannical Hero Super Normal Posts: 3420 Their last great album. R.I.P. Iron Maiden (1975-1988) ---- Crackhead Megadeth reigns supreme. Loading...
Metal Rambo Posts: 421 From: Finland	16.02.2020 - 02:28 Rating: 10 Metal Rambo Posts: 421 From: Finland This is it. This is where Iron Maiden peaked imho. If it wasn't for that annoying Can I Play With Madness this would be my favorite album from them, but still the individual songs are outstanding and the performance as flawless as it can possibly get. It's 80's Iron Maiden at their best after all, so even with that one less enjoyable song it's still one of the crowning achievements of metal music. ---- You've got a lot of guts. Let's see what they look like. Loading...
Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 53006 From: Norway	16.02.2020 - 11:25 Rating: 8 Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 53006 From: Norway Written by Tyrannical Hero on 06.01.2019 at 05:32 Their last great album. R.I.P. Iron Maiden (1975-1988) Whole 90 they have good albums, only last 2 are bad, you seems are influenced by wrong persons ---- Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!! Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing Loading...
The Shape 1973 Posts: 4225	16.02.2020 - 13:30 Rating: 9 The Shape 1973 Posts: 4225 Written by Bad English on 16.02.2020 at 11:25 Written by Tyrannical Hero on 06.01.2019 at 05:32 Their last great album. R.I.P. Iron Maiden (1975-1988) Whole 90 they have good albums, only last 2 are bad, you seems are influenced by wrong persons Fear Of The Dark is the only decent album after 7th Son. Everything since has been a muddled mess. ---- So many chips on the world's shoulder. Low on ketchup. Loading...
Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 53006 From: Norway	16.02.2020 - 13:39 Rating: 8 Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 53006 From: Norway Written by The Shape 1973 on 16.02.2020 at 13:30 Written by Bad English on 16.02.2020 at 11:25 Written by Tyrannical Hero on 06.01.2019 at 05:32 Their last great album. R.I.P. Iron Maiden (1975-1988) Whole 90 they have good albums, only last 2 are bad, you seems are influenced by wrong persons Fear Of The Dark is the only decent album after 7th Son. Everything since has been a muddled mess. Prayer is my fav IM album even daughter song is overated, Blaze albums was good 3 Bruce come backs specially 1th are awesome, How many metal bands if we compare put good albums out after 5th? Few and IM is one of them ---- Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!! Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing Loading...
Redel Posts: 770 From: Germany	16.02.2020 - 21:32 Rating: 9 Redel Posts: 770 From: Germany Written by The Shape 1973 on 16.02.2020 at 13:30 Fear Of The Dark is the only decent album after 7th Son. Everything since has been a muddled mess. I would call Fear of the Dark a tad more than decent, No Prayer a decent one, and the Book of Souls good to very good. As for the rest, I agree. Loading...
Redel Posts: 770 From: Germany	16.02.2020 - 21:35 Rating: 9 Redel Posts: 770 From: Germany Written by Metal Rambo on 16.02.2020 at 02:28 This is it. This is where Iron Maiden peaked imho. If it wasn't for that annoying Can I Play With Madness this would be my favorite album from them, but still the individual songs are outstanding and the performance as flawless as it can possibly get. It's 80's Iron Maiden at their best after all, so even with that one less enjoyable song it's still one of the crowning achievements of metal music. I largely agree. This is where they peaked. CIPWM can be pretty annoying, also The Prophecy gets skipped by me regularly. As for the rest, amazing album. Loading...
DeathMetal Posts: 335 From: Canada	01.05.2020 - 10:31 Rating: 8 DeathMetal Posts: 335 From: Canada Not the best from Maiden but it's still pretty good. Can't stand Can I Play With Madness. Loading...
Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 53006 From: Norway	01.05.2020 - 10:56 Rating: 8 Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 53006 From: Norway Written by DeathMetal on 01.05.2020 at 10:31 Not the best from Maiden but it's still pretty good. Can't stand Can I Play With Madness. Bring your daughter is worst band song, here Claywonant, can I play whit madness and moonchild stands out ---- Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!! Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing Loading...
DeathMetal Posts: 335 From: Canada	01.05.2020 - 23:26 Rating: 8 DeathMetal Posts: 335 From: Canada Written by Bad English on 01.05.2020 at 10:56 Written by DeathMetal on 01.05.2020 at 10:31 Not the best from Maiden but it's still pretty good. Can't stand Can I Play With Madness. Bring your daughter is worst band song, here Claywonant, can I play whit madness and moonchild stands out I listened to Bring Your Daughter once and I never went back. I try to pretend like it doesn't exist. Loading...
Redel Posts: 770 From: Germany	01.05.2020 - 23:50 Rating: 9 Redel Posts: 770 From: Germany Written by DeathMetal on 01.05.2020 at 23:26 I listened to Bring Your Daughter once and I never went back. I try to pretend like it doesn't exist. That is what there is to do with (at least) one song on each Maiden album. Everybody makes their choice as to which song to ignore. Loading...