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Somewhere in Time
‘Somewhere in Time’, published 1986, 30 years ago, is one of the most intriguing music albums ever written. If you think you know everything about ‘Somewhere in Time’, 6th Iron Maiden studio album, you need to check this book and ask yourself same question again! 256 pages about one Maiden album? Yes, but this album deserves even more. Author Stjepan Juras is very proud on his book: ‘This book is my the best Iron Maiden book so far. It is my gift to the all Iron Maiden fans, especially fans of this magical album from 1986.” Shipping with tracking number is included in book price!
- GenresMusic
256 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 24, 2020
From the fans' point of view, in the late 1986, all of the metal audience were waiting to see what Iron Maiden was going to deliver, being the biggest metal act of the eighties. The media was on fire with Dickinson's announcements of drastic sound and style changes. They even gave some hints reporting that this was actually the first time they have ever been completely satisfied with all the
songs on an album. We have many testimonials from the band and sources of inspiration for writing these album depicted wisely on these book.
Stjepan Juras also shares a childhood memory which was crucial for him to become a lifelong Iron Maiden Fan and later on, the author of these interesting book among many others. He recalls going to the record store with his mother and asking the clerk to show what albums where available at that time. Whitesnake, Judas Priest where there among others, but he chooses the mighty Somewhere In Time from Iron Maiden just by looking at the amazing album sleeve depicting Cyborg Eddie in a Futuristic City prowling around with his guns. These is the first time he is hearing the band that will change his life forever. Our lives!
After the immense success of The World Slavery Tour a massive test was laid ahead for the band to show the music media and fans what was the next step to take, as the metal media pumped up and encouraged thrash and early forms of Death, Black and other metal subgenres. True Metal was at a crossroads of whether to change into something more brutal or to follow the soften sound with keyboards. All the songs on these album are explained and dissected to an extent, but one song, the third song of Adrian Smith, 'Sea of Madness' is a metaphorical song filled with highly pessimistic lyrics about the human species in general but it's more likely that they speak of the life in a big city. Stjepan reflects so deeply on these lyrics that I have to quote him (spoiler alert):
"We need to understand that not everything around us is ideal and that we're often ignoring the horror unveiling all around us. How many times did you stumble across someone begging for a
piece of bread on the street or freezing wrapped in carton bags in front of a warm store, breathing the scents of the unreachable bakeries and food stores? What did you do? What did we all do? At best we'd notice the sad fate before turning away. Sometimes we would just walk pass without
noticing them as if they didn't exist. In rare occasions we'd leave a coin or
offer any help. Yes, that's what we are…"
songs on an album. We have many testimonials from the band and sources of inspiration for writing these album depicted wisely on these book.
Stjepan Juras also shares a childhood memory which was crucial for him to become a lifelong Iron Maiden Fan and later on, the author of these interesting book among many others. He recalls going to the record store with his mother and asking the clerk to show what albums where available at that time. Whitesnake, Judas Priest where there among others, but he chooses the mighty Somewhere In Time from Iron Maiden just by looking at the amazing album sleeve depicting Cyborg Eddie in a Futuristic City prowling around with his guns. These is the first time he is hearing the band that will change his life forever. Our lives!
After the immense success of The World Slavery Tour a massive test was laid ahead for the band to show the music media and fans what was the next step to take, as the metal media pumped up and encouraged thrash and early forms of Death, Black and other metal subgenres. True Metal was at a crossroads of whether to change into something more brutal or to follow the soften sound with keyboards. All the songs on these album are explained and dissected to an extent, but one song, the third song of Adrian Smith, 'Sea of Madness' is a metaphorical song filled with highly pessimistic lyrics about the human species in general but it's more likely that they speak of the life in a big city. Stjepan reflects so deeply on these lyrics that I have to quote him (spoiler alert):
"We need to understand that not everything around us is ideal and that we're often ignoring the horror unveiling all around us. How many times did you stumble across someone begging for a
piece of bread on the street or freezing wrapped in carton bags in front of a warm store, breathing the scents of the unreachable bakeries and food stores? What did you do? What did we all do? At best we'd notice the sad fate before turning away. Sometimes we would just walk pass without
noticing them as if they didn't exist. In rare occasions we'd leave a coin or
offer any help. Yes, that's what we are…"
April 6, 2020
This is a very useful book for die-hard fans of Maiden. It contains in-depth analysis of songs, the band's background at the time, the tour, marketing decisions, photographs, great content.
In spite of its many great qualities, which I do think overcome its bad ones, there are some slightly annoying issues with the book. The first thing that bothers me is its typography, which could have been a serif one, way better for reading. The book could also use some better edition, since its untidiness, or better, lack of writing guide or style, is often visible.
However, since this is a fan-written book, all of this is pretty forgettable, because that's undoubtly a work of love --- what I highly appreciate, also as a fan.
In spite of its many great qualities, which I do think overcome its bad ones, there are some slightly annoying issues with the book. The first thing that bothers me is its typography, which could have been a serif one, way better for reading. The book could also use some better edition, since its untidiness, or better, lack of writing guide or style, is often visible.
However, since this is a fan-written book, all of this is pretty forgettable, because that's undoubtly a work of love --- what I highly appreciate, also as a fan.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews