IRON MAIDEN no prayer for the dying 0190295852351

Back to Basics: Iron Maiden’s ‘No Prayer For The Dying’ (0190295852351)

Today’s entry looks at the 2017 heavyweight vinyl reissue of a pivotal transition album for the metal giants. We are examining No Prayer For The Dying by Iron Maiden, released on Parlophone with the catalog number 0190295852351.

A Raw New Direction

Originally released in 1990, this album marked a distinct shift in the band’s sound and lineup. Following the complex, synth-laden production of Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, Steve Harris and the band opted for a stripped-down, “back to basics” approach. Recorded using the Rolling Stones Mobile studio stationed at Harris’ own barn in England, the production by Martin Birch is dry and direct. It is historically significant as the debut album for guitarist Janick Gers, who replaced Adrian Smith. The record features the band’s only UK number one single, Bring Your Daughter…To The Slaughter, alongside the furious opener Tailgunner and the social satire Holy Smoke.

Format

This European reissue is pressed on substantial 180-gram black vinyl. The audio is sourced from the 2015 high-resolution digital remasters, aiming to bring clarity to the original “barn” recordings.

Packaging

The release faithfully reproduces the original aesthetic. It includes an inner sleeve featuring lyrics and credits on one side, with band photos on the reverse. Collectors should note that this specific pressing features the correct front cover artwork by Derek Riggs, avoiding a misprint found on some other variations.

Manufacturing

The dead wax reveals quality control in the production chain. The initials “CB” in the runout grooves indicate that the lacquer was cut by the renowned engineer Chris Bellman. The matrix numbers confirm that the record was manufactured by Optimal Media GmbH in Germany, a plant known for consistent pressing quality.