IRON MAIDEN somewhere in time S33-1003

Futuristic Metal Deluxe: Iron Maiden’s ‘Somewhere In Time’ Special Edition (S33-1003)

Today’s entry highlights one of the most elaborate and sought-after packages in the entire Iron Maiden discography. We are examining the incredibly rare 1986 Japanese Promo Sample “Special Edition” of Somewhere In Time, released on EMI/Toshiba with the catalog number S33-1003. This release is famous not just for the music, but for the sheer volume of exclusive bonus material included, making it a “Holy Grail” item for Maiden collectors worldwide.

A Bold Sonic Departure

Released in 1986, Somewhere In Time marked a brave stylistic shift for the band. Visually inspired by the cyberpunk aesthetic of Blade Runner, the album saw the group incorporating guitar synthesizers for the first time, creating a spacious, futuristic atmosphere. The songwriting, heavily driven by guitarist Adrian Smith on this record, produced enduring anthems like “Wasted Years” and “Stranger In A Strange Land,” alongside Steve Harris’s historical epic “Alexander The Great.” Mastered by George Marino, the production by Martin Birch is lush and dynamic, perfectly captured on this high-fidelity Japanese pressing.

The “Wide Mouth” Special Edition

What distinguishes the S33-1003 pressing from the standard version is its packaging. This edition comes in a unique “Wide Mouth” sleeve—a slightly oversized, thicker jacket designed specifically to house the massive amount of supplementary material. Unlike standard LPs, this feels more like a slim box set in your hands.

The Exclusive Bonus 7-Inch

A key feature of this Special Edition is the inclusion of a bonus 7-inch single titled “On Their Own Words” (Catalog No. BRP-1012). This non-music disc features interviews with the band members:

Side C: Bruce Dickinson discusses his history and the track “Stranger In A Strange Land.”
Side D: Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Nicko McBrain discuss their off-time and break down specific tracks like “Heaven Can Wait” and “Alexander The Great.”
This 7-inch comes with its own 4-page insert featuring transcriptions of the interviews in Japanese.

A Treasure Trove of Memorabilia

This Promo Sample is the ultimate complete set. Because it is a “Mihon” (Sample) copy, it includes a numbered sticker on the back and “Not For Sale” characters printed on the labels. The included accessories are staggering:

16-Page Color Photo Booklet: A high-quality booklet separate from the liner notes.
B2 Size Color Poster: A massive, fold-out poster featuring the band’s sci-fi imagery.
Iron Maiden Logo Sticker: A die-cut sticker often missing from used copies.
4-Page Liner Note Insert: Features lyrics and text by Hiro Arishima.
Survey Postcard: A rare “Enquête” card used for market research.

The “Pizza Hut” Detail

For the eagle-eyed collector, this first pressing holds a specific visual detail. The intricate cover art by Derek Riggs, filled with hidden references, features a futuristic “Pizza Hut” sign. On some later reissues and international pressings, this was altered to read “Pizza Hot” due to copyright concerns. This original Japanese pressing preserves the artwork exactly as Riggs intended it.