MovieChat Forums > Iron Maiden: Flight 666 (2009) Discussion > Maiden needs Adrian Smith to be at its b...

Maiden needs Adrian Smith to be at its best

posted 14 years ago by Silent_Bob01
4 replies | jump to latest

Aside from the debut album, every great Maiden album has had Adrian playing on it. When he was absent from the band, there was a key ingredient missing.

No offense to Janick Gers, but Adrian is one of the best guitarists in metal, and was a perfect foil for Dave Murray.

Had Bruce re-joined the band without Adrian in 1999, I don't think the reunion would have been nearly as successful. His songwriting, attention to detail and guitar solos are a HUGE part of what made Maiden great in the '80s, and he's been responsible for some of the best moments on the three reunion albums.

He's often overlooked because of his low-key personality and subdued stage presence (at least compared to Janick's antics) but he's the lynchpin of the band in my opinion.

Discuss.

[–] WarBringer 14 years ago

I agree! He has written some great music for the band and his playing is top-notch, both on its own and when teamed with Dave & Janick's work

Excuse me... I believe you have my stapler

[–] MalkSmash 10 years ago

Well said. No disrespect to the others, and there's not a single one of them I'd want Maiden to be without, ever, but Adrian is without doubt the secret weapon. What he brings to the band cannot possibly be overestimated.

Plus, I hear one of his conditions for coming back was "Janick doesn't lose his job because of me", which is not only a 'top-bloke!' thing to say, but led to the triple-axe attack, which is one of the big strengths of the current line up.

"I didn't do it for him..."
http://malcandbenjy.blogspot.com

[–] bigal_a 9 years ago

I agree. Adrian and Dave play so well off each other: the guitar harmonies and the smoothly-swapped solos, not to mention Adrian's underestimated backing vocals, that Bruce does let shine through a couple of times on Flight 666.

Janick does add a certain something as well. I like the new line-up fine. I just want the next Hallowed Be Thy Name...

The restitution of life is no great feat. A variety of deaths may well enter into your punishment

[–] dalefl 9 years ago

I don't agree with that. I know what you're saying and there was a time I may have even thought it. But, after further review.... They were all tired at that point. All of them. He just chose to get out while the getting was good. And he came back in when the getting back in was good. What did he do in the meantime? They are one the most unique bands this planet has ever seen. They need to function on all cylinders. And when they do you can look out. When they don't... But Iron Maiden made Adrian Smith; he didn't make them. And that was proven when he left and came back. They need all the parts, and Adrian is one of them and they are better when he's there. That's as Iron Maiden as it gets.