Fear of the Dark (album)

:"FOTD" redirects here. For the Doctor Who episode, see Forest of the Dead."Infobox Album
Name = Fear of the Dark
Type = Studio album
Artist = Iron Maiden


Released = May 12 1992
Recorded = 1991 - April 1992
Genre = Heavy metal
Length = 58:29
Label = EMI
Producer = Martin Birch
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|2|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:crm8b5x4tsqh link]
Last album = "No Prayer for the Dying"
(1990)
This album = "Fear of the Dark"
(1992)
Next album = "A Real Live One"
(1993)

"Fear of the Dark" is the ninth studio album released by British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It topped the UK albums chart. Released on 12 May 1992, it was the final studio album to feature Bruce Dickinson as lead vocalist (until his return to the band in 2000's Brave New World) who left the band following the album's support tour to pursue a solo career. He was succeeded by Blaze Bayley, formerly of Wolfsbane, for two studio albums until Dickinson returned to Iron Maiden in 1999.

History

The album cover of "Fear of the Dark" was the first Iron Maiden album cover not to be designed by artist Derek Riggs. In an interview with MTV, Bruce Dickinson said they had asked three different artists to design a cover, and they then picked the best one. Melvyn Grant's illustration was chosen over the one Riggs submitted. Melvyn Grant has since drawn two more album covers for Iron Maiden, and the cover for their single "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg" makes him the second most-used artist for Eddie after Riggs.

The album's musical style showed some experimentation with "Be Quick or Be Dead", a speed metal song released as the album's first single, and "Wasting Love", the group's sole power ballad. The Gulf War track "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" was the band's most political song since "2 Minutes to Midnight". The album featured first time songwriting credits for Janick Gers and featured more keyboard work than the previous album.

Only two songs off of the album, the title track, and "Afraid to Shoot Strangers", would survive on tours past 1993. "Fear of the Dark" became a popular live track and is still played often today. "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" became a frequent addition on setlists during Blaze Bayley's tenure with Iron Maiden, but it has not been played since Bruce Dickinson's return to the band.

"Be Quick or Be Dead," "From Here to Eternity," "Wasting Love," and a live version of the title track were released as singles.

Fear Of The Dark Tour was the tour supporting the album.

Track listing

All songs written by Steve Harris, unless indicated otherwise.

# "Be Quick or Be Dead" (Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers) – 3:24
# "From Here to Eternity" – 3:38
# "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" – 6:56
# "Fear Is the Key" (Dickinson, Gers) – 5:35
# "Childhood's End" – 4:40
# "Wasting Love" (Dickinson, Gers) – 5:50
# "The Fugitive"– 4:54
# "Chains of Misery" (Dickinson, Dave Murray) – 3:37
# "The Apparition" (Harris, Gers) – 3:54
# "Judas Be My Guide" (Dickinson, Murray) – 3:08
# "Weekend Warrior" (Harris, Gers) – 5:39
# "Fear of the Dark"– 7:18

1995 reissue bonus CD

#"Nodding Donkey Blues"
#*B-side of single "Be Quick or Be Dead"
#"Space Station #5" (Montrose cover)
#*Double B-side of 12" single "Be Quick or Be Dead"
#"Roll Over Vic Vella" (Parody of Roll Over Beethoven by Chuck Berry)
#*B-side of single "From Here to Eternity"
#"I Can't See My Feelings" (Budgie cover)
#*B-side of 12" single "From Here to Eternity"
#"No Prayer for the Dying (live)" (Harris)
#*Double B-side of single "From Here to Eternity"
#"Public Enema Number One (live)" (Dickinson, Murray)
#*Double B-side of single "From Here to Eternity"
#"Hooks in You (live)" (Dickinson, Adrian Smith)
#*B-side of single "Fear of the Dark (live)"

Personnel

* Bruce Dickinson – vocals
* Dave Murray – guitar
* Janick Gers – guitar
* Steve Harris – bass guitar, backing vocals
* Nicko McBrain – drums

with

* Michael Kenney - Keyboards

Chart performance

Album

ingles

succession box
before = "Stars" by Simply Red
title = UK number one album
years = May 23, 1992 – May 29, 1992
after = "Michael Ball" by Michael Ball