The X Factor

About

"The X Factor" is the tenth studio album by Iron Maiden, released on 2 October 1995 through "EMI Records", with "CMC International" handling the North American release. It is the first of two albums by the band to feature Blaze Bayley as vocalist, following the departure of Bruce Dickinson after the preceding tour. It also marked the end of the band’s long collaboration with producer Martin Birch, who retired after "Fear of the Dark" (1992). The album is noted for its darker tone, with lyrics reflecting personal circumstances affecting Steve Harris at the time. The cover artwork depicts the band’s mascot Eddie undergoing a vivisection. The album title originated during the recording proce. Producer Nigel Green stated that the title reflected the perceived qualities of the material and the introduction of a new vocalist, while also referencing the band’s tenth studio release. The cover artwork, created by Hugh Syme, led to the album being issued with a reversible sleeve due to the graphic nature of the imagery. "The X Factor" was the last album until "The Book of Souls" (2015) to feature the band’s original logo design, as subsequent releases from "Virtual XI" (1998) to "The Final Frontier" (2010) used a modified version. The recording sessions produced more material than usual, with three song, "I Live My Way", "Justice of the Peace", and "Judgement Day", omitted from the final track listing and later released as B-sides; the latter two also appeared on "Best of the 'B' Sides". The album became Iron Maiden’s tenth consecutive top ten release in the United Kingdom, although it remained on the chart for four week, the shortest run for one of their studio albums at that time. The band supported the release with "The X Factour", during which several United States dates were cancelled due to vocal issues experienced by Bayley. Although "Sign of the Cross" was initially considered as the lead single, "Man on the Edge" and "Lord of the Flies" were released instead. All three songs continued to appear in live setlists after Dickinson rejoined the band. Live versions featuring Dickinson were later released on recordings such as "The Wicker Man", "Death on the Road", "Rock in Rio", and "Nights of the Dead", while versions of "Man on the Edge" and "Sign of the Cross" were also included on the compilation "From Fear to Eternity" (2011). Several songs on the album are based on literary and film source. "The Edge of Darkness" is inspired by the film "Apocalypse Now" (1979), itself adapted from the novella "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad. "Man on the Edge" is based on the film "Falling Down" (1993). "Lord of the Flies" draws on the novel "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding, and "Sign of the Cross" is influenced by "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco. Live recordings of "Blood on the World's Hands" and "The Aftermath" were later issued as B-sides and included on "Best of the 'B' Sides". .

via Last.fm

The Clerk says

Start your shelf to read the full take →