Released at probably the highest point of Maiden's popularity, Somewhere In Time has a quite different feel than the previous albums. It represents a change of direction for the band, which was beginning to explore different sounds and styles. Perhaps the most immediately noticeable difference is the addition of guitar and bass synths. The synth sound is not overpowering, compared to Judas Priest's 'Turbo' for instance, and in most cases it is more of a background filler.Many fans have mixed feelings about the addition of the synths. The effect doesn't seem to hurt the songs, but it doesn't seem to make them better than they would have been without it. Faith No More comes to mind as a band that based its entire sound on the unique combination of synthesizer and metal guitar, with brilliant results. But Maiden had already carved a different niche, so why fix something that isn't broken? Still, one has to respect an artist's right to experiment and innovate. Although it is not a concept album, Somewhere In Time has a bit of a futuristic theme, which begins with the album cover. It is by far the most complex and detailed of Maiden's album covers, reminiscent of the sci-fi masterpiece Blade Runner, and contains almost 40 references to other Maiden songs and trivia.

I've read people on the net who consider this to be Maiden's best album, but to me it isn't quite as good as the previous three. Still, this is a very good album, containing some classic material.

Bass, bass synth and drum tracks recorded at:
Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas

Assistant engineer:
Sean Burrows

Guitars, vocals and guitar synth recorded at:
Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Holland

Assistant engineers:
Albert Boekholt, Ronald Prent

Tape op and tea:
Marvin Birch

Mixed at:
Electric Ladyland Studios, New York

Second engineer:
Bruce Buchhalter

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 "Master Of The Universe" Riggs

Photos by:
Aaron Rapaport (original 1986 release)
Aaron Rapaport, Ross Halfin (1998 re-release)

Sleeve preparation:
The Artful Dodgers

Iron Maiden is managed by:
Rod "Rufus the Red" Smallwood for Sanctuary Music (overseas) Ltd. and Andy "Razzle Dazzle" Taylor For Sanctuary Music Ltd.

Iron Maiden thank the following: Rod and Andy; Derek Riggs; Somewhere in the Killer Krew Tony Wigens, Dicky Bell, Dave Lights, Doug Hall, Warren Poppe, Rangi, Bill Barclay, Michael Kenney, Steve Gadd, Rob Price; John Whitehead; Eva, Karen and Platinum Travel; Ronan, Roger, Derek, Dizzy and Meteorlites; Charlie Kail and his Brilliant Constructions; Sanctuary Staff Terri, Val, Karen, Cathi, Tom, Bill; John Jackson for his Fair Warnings; Bill Elson and all at ICM; Keith Wilfort FC; Howard Jones; Bill Leibowitz; Pat McKenna; Masa and the Burrners; Kerrang!; Clive, Ralph, Jan and Rachelle at Zomba; Ira and Homeboy; Barry, Keith, Clutch and the Bravado Boys; The Tehe's Bar (Amsterdam); Mob for vocal support on 'Heaven Can Wait'; All the mums, dads, wifes, kids, girlfriends, and friends for putting up with us; Marvin; Pat Cash and Ian Barclay; Chris Ambler; the travelling fans who are always with us Yeah! You!; Steve Lazarus; Melbourne F.C. You'll Never Play Alone; Halfin and Bodnar; Andy Strange; Justin Pitman; Maitre Van Severen; London Thames Fencing Club; OFC Bonn; The Jersey bears; Tommy and Debbie Beal; Geoff Hammer; Leo Matta; Bruce and Terry; Rufus Lewis; Donny Robin and the Waterloo; Steve Kemp; Colin, Freddie and the Poop Deck, Nassau; Steve and Caroline Yorke; Chris Godfrey; Channel Islands Aero Club and all at Minstrel Bay; Vic Vella; Ian Branston, Bill Bright; John Williams; Audrey Mahoney, Andy Currant, Dave O'Brien, Mark Malevani; The lads from HMS Invincible; L'Amour (New York); Jimmy Shulman; Trevor Searle; Alex Alexandrou; C.C. Star; Cafe Toye; Safy, Jeff Rolat; Big Sal; Jim, Ken and Mike at Marshall; Peter Cornish; Pauline at Rotosound Strings; Dave Storey at Kahler Tremelo Systems; Chris at Dean Markley (USA); Larry and Steve at Di Marzio; Norms Music Brooklyn; Steve Angela; Guitars MD; Nady Wireless Systems; RSD Amplification; Dean Guitars, Chicago; Stuart and Billy H at Mannys New York; Roger and Melvin at Giffin Guitars London; Joe Lado Guitars Toronto; Gallien Krueger USA; Rick Gould; Jackson Charvel Guitars; Pawnshops of America; Seymour Duncan Pick-ups; Oliver, Horst, Elizabeth Link and all at Sonor Drums; Bobby Leiser, Mr. R. Paiste and all at Paiste Cymbals; Eddie at Footes and W. Shaw for me sticks; William Ludwig Jun. for the Skins; Studiomaster; Seat Belts; Alec at Alectron; Hotel L'Emeraude, Longuebille, Jersey; Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Holland; Sonesta Hotel, Amsterdam, Holland; Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas... and last, but by no means least... The Entire Population Of Hackney.

'Raised on infinity... somewhere down the pub'

Iron Maiden F.C.:

For North America:

P.O. Box 5080, San Francisco, CA 94101 (original 1986 release)

Japan:

Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku, Yubinyoku-Dome, Tokyo 160 (original 1986 release)

For rest of World:

P.O. Box IAP, London, W1A 1AP(original 1986 release)

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

Telephone/Fax: +44 (0)1279 442666

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