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Seeing that the first show I ever took my son to was Iron Maiden, I get a special feeling every time the legendary metal act makes its way to our area. Anyone who calls themselves a metalhead knows the "hits," so in honor of the band playing tonight at Gexa Energy Pavilion, here is my list of the ten most underrated Iron Maiden songs.
1. "Charlotte the Harlot" From Iron Maiden's 1980 debut. Sure, Bruce Dickinson wasn't the singer back in those days, but Paul Di'Anno did just fine on this sweet little number concerning the oldest profession.
2. "No More Lies" From 2003's Dance of Death. Dickinson returned on the previous album, but made his presence known on songs like this one. Extra points for the soft/hard/ soft dynamics that give "Lies" its evil ambiance.
3. "Childhood's End" Although 1992's Fear of the Dark wasn't one of Maiden's best efforts, the song is a heady rumination on poverty. Iron Maiden has always been three steps ahead of most metal bands when it comes to lyrics. Here's proof.
4. "Déjà Vu" Uh-oh, the band decided it was time to use synthesizers, but it doesn't detract from most of the album. Although lyrically clichéd (a rarity for Iron Maiden), "Déjà Vu" has a super cool vibe.
5. "Out of the Silent Planet" From 2000's Brave New World. This album featured the return of Dickinson, but just as important was the unveiling of the three-guitar attack. And on this particular song, Dickinson sounded like his head was going to explode.
6. "Moonchild" From 1988's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, this was the first Maiden effort to have keyboards. The album's opening track, "Moonchild," featured some ponderous lyrics, but some amazing riffs.
7. "Different World" Iron Maiden gets sort of progressive, and the opening song is considered a tribute to Thin Lizzy. Enough said.
8. "Where Eagles Dare" The first song off 1983's Piece of Mind. The Misfits actually have a better song of the same name, but this one is a close second.
9. "Genghis Khan" 1981's Killers was the last album to feature original vocalist Paul Di'Anno, and is mighty from start to finish. Tucked in the middle is the instrumental "Genghis Khan."
10. "Tailgunner" From 1990's No Prayer for the Dying, which wasn't a great album, but the opening track is a Maiden classic. War and death and blood and gore and the listener beaten into submission.
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