Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son is a special album. It is the last of the great classic albums and represents the culmination of the creative evolution that began with Somewhere In Time. It's also Iron Maiden's seventh studio album, which makes a neat tie-in with the album's title and the subject. The guitar and bass synths are still present, but are somewhat less intrusive and seem to complement the music more effectively than before. For Maiden, guitar synth is like a woman's make-up if you specifically notice it, then there's too much of it. Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son seems to have achieved a good synth balance in most songs.

Other albums have had the feel of concept albums, most notably Killers because of the incredible cohesiveness and similar feel of its songs. However, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son is the first album with a definite theme and story that carries through the songs. Although all of the songs have mysterious, magical, and occultic themes, the true story is told on the last half of the album, beginning with 'Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son'. It might be possible to tie in the earlier songs, but not without wild speculation. However, the album does begin and end with similar passages:

Seven deadly sins, seven ways to win

Seven holy paths to hell, and your trip begins

Seven downward slopes, seven bloodied hopes

Seven are your burning fires, seven your desires...

According to ancient western myth (of which I've been unable to find a source), the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter or the seventh son of a seventh son possesses heightened occultic abilities. The album is based on the fantasy novel Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card that tells the story of such a child, who from the moment of his birth is subject to manipulation by the forces of good and evil, and must come to terms with his powers and how to use them.

The story that unfolds along the various songs on this album can possibly be summarised as follows:Moonchild': the Devil addresses the parents of the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, mostly the mother, and warns them that "all resistance is futile."

Sadly, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son represents the end of an era for Maiden. It is the last album with the classic lineup of Harris, Murray, Smith, Dickinson, and McBrain that had remained stable since Piece Of Mind. It is the last Maiden album with Dickinson in top vocal form and the last album with a unified mood and feeling until years later with The X Factor

Produced, engineered and mixed by:
Martin "Disappearing Armchair" Birch

Recorded at:
Musicland Studios, Munich, Germany

Second engineer:
Stephane "The Vardengrip" Wissner

Studio boffin:
Bernd Maier

Mastered by:
George Marino at Sterling Sound, New York

Remastered by:
Simon Hayworth at Chop 'Em Out (1998 re-release)

All titles published by:
Zomba Music Publishers Ltd

Sleeve concept and design by:
Derek Riggs and Rod Smallwood

Sleeve illustrations by:
Derek Riggs

Photography:
Ross Halfin

Packaging:
The Complete Works (original 1988 release)

Hugh Gilmour @ Diablo Design Ltd. (1998 re-release)

Iron Maiden is managed by:
Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor for Sanctuary Music

Iron Maiden thank the following: Rod and Andy; Derek Riggs; The Killer Krew Tony Wigens, Dicky Bell, Doug Hall, Rangi, Peter Lokranz, Bill Barclay, Michael Kenney, Steve Gadd, Rob Price, John Whitehead, Jim Silvia, Cathy Rowe; The Sanctuary Staff Bill, Terri, Val and Cathi; Keith Wilfort FC; Peter Hingle; Vicky Pelmore; Ronan Wilson, Roger, Derek, Dizzy at Meteorlites; Charlie Kail and his Brilliant Constructions; Platinum Travel; John Jackson and all at Fair Warning; Bill Elson and all at ICM; Howard Jones; David Gentle; Bill Leibowitz; Pat McKenna; Clive, Ralph, Jan and Rachael at Zomba Music; Ira and Homeboy at Great Southern; Barry, Keith and Tom at Bravado; Roland hyams; Michael, Kevin, Heidi and all at Jensen Communications; Keith Sharpe; Jim, Ken and Mike at Marshall Amplification; Rotosound Strings; E.S.P. Shibuya (New York); Gallien Krueger (Campbell, Calif.); Peter Cornish Musical Accessories; Di Marzio; Lado Guitars; Carl "Sikorsky" Bobrow; Norm's Music, Brooklyn; Peter Michalski, P.M.E. Audio (West Germany); Allbang and Strummit (London); Jackson Guitars, Calif.; Angels Instruments, Maryland; Tom Mates for guitars well repaired; Dean Markley Strings, Calif.; Rick Gould; Pete's guitars, Minneapolis St Paul; Packhorse Cases; Griffin Guitars; Kahler Tremelo Systems; Floyds Rose Tremelo Systems; Woody and all at Warwick Basses (West Germany); Seymour Duncan Pick-ups; Shure Microphones; Horst, Oliver, Elizabeth Link, Karl, Heinz, Manzil and all at Sonor Drums; Bobby and Eric Paiste, Bobby Leiser and all at the Paiste Factory; Chas Foote; Renee Schaller; Ian at Session Music (London); Rainbow Guitars, Tucson; Tommy and all at Puma; Alex Alexandrou; Julian Doyle; Ross Halfin; George Bodnar; Garry Bushell; Mick Wall

Jeff Hammer; Tommy and Debbie Beal; Aces High Jet Centre; Steve Yorke; Martin Connolly; Neal Kay; Trevor Searle; Vic and Rio Vella; Jenny Wood; John Smith; Andy Curran; Mark Malevani; Steve Altman; Manu DaSilva; Fatima; Tom Bennett; Jeff Lovell; Steve Lazarus; Steve Hunter; Bob Verschoyle; Mike Goodchild; Mick Cocks; Melbourne Sports F.C.; Golden Earring; Ossy Hoppe; Otto Weyer; Pat Cash and Ian Barclay; Bridie; Clutch and Short; Shaun Hutson; all the mums, dads, kids, wifes and girlfriendsfor still putting up with us. As always, thinks to you the fans.

So it shall be written so it shall be done!

Up the Irons!

Iron Maiden F.C.:

Japan: Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku, Yubinyoku-Dome, Tokyo 160 (original 1988 release)

Rest of World: 12, Deerpark Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 3TU (original 1988 release)

P.O. Box 3803, Harlow, Essex, CM17 0NZ, England

Telephone/Fax: +44 (0)1279 442666

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(1998 re-release)