The Metal Files

Somewhere I hear a voice that’s calling
Out in the dark there burns a dream
You got to hope when you are falling
To find the world that you have seen

I remember it well, the weekend in 1986 before Iron Maiden released Somewhere In Time. I had gone in to Unicorn Records to see Drew and ask if he had the new Maiden yet…on cassette of course. He said he did but couldn’t sell it yet…legally. I asked to at least look at it and after much badgering, he finally conceded. It was all I could do to not just run out of the store with it. Of course I wouldn’t have as the owner and I were friends, but I did consider it.

He told me to come back Tuesday. I told him I’d have to wait until the following weekend. I think he could see the pain in my face and he definitely knew that Maiden was my favorite band. I handed it back to him and was about to leave and when he stopped me and said, “OK. I’ll sell it to you. Just don’t tell anyone!” Drew was such a softie! I handed him the money and bolted out to my old 66 Nova 4dr.

Flash forward to this morning. I had to actually work on a Saturday (it was actually a class at work). After it was finished, I got into my car and decided to listen to some Maiden. I when to the Maiden folder on the iPod and decided that I wanted to hear Somewhere In Time. I was in the mood for Sea of Madness and Wasted Years specifically.

When that first synth in Caught Somewhere In Time started, I suddenly felt a chill come over me, in a good way. It took me right back to that day in 86, sitting in my car and popping that cassette in for the first time. I was completely awed by the album. It was quite different than Powerslave (my all time #1). The ride back to my town was about 30 minutes or so and I got through half of the album. I had to call someone! So I called, Kelz. “Dude, Drew sold me the new Maiden today.” “No he didn’t.” “Yes, he did! Listen!” “Man, you suck.” Kelz and I repeated this conversation when Seventh Son came out. haha

While Somewhere is a damn fine album, I still find myself skipping Alexander the Great.