*Who owes this album on either vinyl, CD or tape and loves staring at the cover while listening to music?* And thanks again, Gthic, for sponsoring this video. Check 'em out here - gthic.com?aff=298 Also get 20% off coupon with the promo code "Metal20"
I still have my original viynl that I bought new when I was in high school, and I had to dig it out when this video showed up on my suggestion list. Glad I clicked on it because even 35 years later, I discovered stuff I'd missed, like the cat with the halo. I didn't buy it for the art though...I was just excited for their new album. It remains one of my favorite albums of all time, and would make my list of '10 albums I'd take to a desert island'
I am firmly convinced that part of Iron Maiden' success was achieved ALSO thanks to the genius and impressive work of arts of Derek Riggs. These guys owe a lot to him, and it was a shame they let him go.
@@MetalPilgrim Yes indeed , As with me and the Killers Lp bitd , saw at a record store "Never heard the music before" Picked up Bought Played , Fell in Love with Maiden \\m//
@@MetalPilgrim As i said on your recent video asking that exact question, the 'Eddie' artwork was great for getting people to pick up an LP or Single in their local music retailer, but if the music wasn't awesome, you wouldn't buy the next album just because the artwork was cool! But who hasn't picked up a Judas Priest or Megadeth album for the same reason? Fortunately, their music is also as awesome as their album covers!
I remember how absolutely fascinated we all were when this album was released and looking at this artwork was like looking at the stars: you just kept seeing more. I also remember the iconic artwork for the track "Stranger in a Strange Land", which to me is just Eddie as a cyborg, personified. The lit match, the almost Clint Eastwood like snarl on his face, the guy at the card table (in the foreground) losing it as he notices Eddie... all the work of a genius artist. Iron Maiden's EP, album and poster artwork were almost as popular as the band themselves. At least back in the 80s...
So true, I was already a fan of Iron Maiden, but this artwork put you in a place to absorb the music and be a part of the futuristic world that Derrick Riggs had created. By far my favorite Maiden album cover.
Yeah, my friend in high school had the Stranger in a Strange land poster. I was always jealous of that especially seeing as he would casually throw darts at it.
The artwork lends an atmosphere to the music which your mind connects, and of course, it adds an extra dimension to the experience. Long live Derek Riggs!
Whenever I stream the album off TH-cam, I end up spending a good bit of time looking at the artwork to get in the proper mood. I can imagine an alternate dimension where the artwork was made first and then the album recorded to accompany it.
This is still my favourite album cover of all time. It really inspired me as a kid. Derek really killed it with all the album and single covers for both Somewhere in Time and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. Derek and Giger are still my favourite artists.
It was at the same time about that Adrian Smith would leave as well, due to creative differences with Steve Harris. Steve wanted to revert back to The Number of the Beast format. Where Adrian felt they should've went forward with what they put out with Powerslave, Somewhere In Time and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, Seventh Son being my favorite and I believe their best to this day. I feel Adrian was correct I mean look at what we got! No Prayer for the Dying....garbage!! Not up to Iron Maiden standards. I did like the opener Tailgunner Then even worse than No Prayer we got Fear of the Dark??? Are you serious?? Fear of the Dark??!! What the fuck is that on the album?? Is that supposed to be Eddie?? FAIL FAIL FAIL. To make it all worse we got Adrian's replacement Gers (who I know is a really great individual, just doesn't fit into the band) doing these onstage antics that I was not use to seeing from Dave or Adrian...... ever! I was bitter that Adrian was replaced period. The icing on the cake was how their tours were no longer the big productions they were on Powerslave, Somewhere In Time and Seventh Son of a Seventh It was very depressing how Steve chose to tear down everything from the music, the shows and even the artwork! I think someone might have control issues and I'm not going to mention Steve Harris' name...... nope! Not at all
I have to agree with The Shape. I think they are still touring. Anyway, nice to hear opinions from brothers from another mother. I think I saw them on Powerslave Tour at Long Beach Arena, floor seats ( everyone standing on the fucking chairs!) 40th row or so. I took many liberties this day. Yeah I need Adrian.
As a 12 year old in the mid ‘80s I spent a lot of of time looking at this album cover and would draw it in pencil the best I could on my desk at school.
This was the first Iron Maiden album I ever heard. I bought it because the artwork got my attention, it was $10, and I had $10 in my pocket (I was in 6th grade). It was where I discovered what real music was and Maiden has been my favorite band ever since.
A buddy named Rob, he and I would spend some time pouring over this cover, wondering saw everything. He died from cancer a few years back. I wish he could have seen this! Thanks for posting, mate!
This album cover was what lured me into Iron Maiden and Heavy metal. I loved all the details and decided that I loved the band, even before hearing them. But that was enough to make me give the music a chance, and I realised that I really DID like the music. I was all aboard when they released Seventh son of a Seventh son and the 12 year old me went to see them live with a pretty unknown opening act called Helloween. Nothing have come close to that experience. Thank you, Derek Riggs =)
Same here. 1st metal album I heard, borrowed from a friend, taped it😄, then bought my own. My journey listening to metal had begun. Before 7th Son had been released, I had the whole Maiden back catalogue. I remember the 1st time listening to 7th Son and not liking it at all. To me, it sounded completely different.
Spent many a friday and saturday nights in Hammerjacks bar in Baltimore. When big bands played, many visited after shows, like Maiden, Priest, and others. I saw Saxon there, and got my Strong Arm of the Law album cover signed by the whole band! Great times!
Even though it's not a concept album each sing just about has something to do with TIME. I think the only one that doesn't necessarily have TIME as a main aspect or theme in the song is Sea Of Madness They hinted at that in a way with Powerslave as well. Their entire 80s catalog is just EPIC. Steve chose to sever that chemistry they had and still have not really fully recaptured it to this day. Even though Adrian is back in the band to me it's just not the same It's true in all aspects of life. Through music/bands (Iron Maiden),sports teams the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990s were never really the same after Jimmy Johnson left. Yes they were able to scotch tape it back together for one more trophy, but they were merely a shell of that 92 team Johnson created and put together Point being once that vital decision is made for better or worse to disconnect and replace and throw away something that never needed fixing. You live with your decision...... and we're left to deal with it Thanks, Steve, for those following albums to your band's masterpiece Seventh Son of a Seventh Son!!😟😕☹😭 Much appreciated It's almost as if you were trying to sabatoge the band's existence! You're not going to hear this from too many of your fans but I'm gonna be straight with you...ok? Steve, Fear of the Dark is absolute GARBAGE! The title track is GARBAGE!! Why on earth would you think that getting rid of Derek Riggs was even remotely, somewhat near of a good idea??? You ditched Adrian Smith earlier and then you get rid of like some people have said is the true 6th member of Iron Maiden Derek Riggs!??!! Why? Because you were afraid that his artwork was somehow a major role in album sales!? You're right! He was a good reason for your sales ....... and you go and treat him to make him feel not wanted to where he bailed out or you ultimately firing him, whichever way it was.... shame on you Mr Harris! Do I sense a bit of a God complex with you, Steven? Huh Esteban?! El jefe I still love you Steve.... just doing a little venting in a way
hey! Russian native speaker here. 'меня рвет' means ONLY 'I'm puking'. this is never used in context of 'I really like it'. 'kefir' is really a fermented drink. for over 15 years it baffles me what were those two references supposed to mean. your channel is awesome, dude 🤘
Their artwork back then definitely drew me to them when I was 12 in the 80s. This was my first IM album and I spent a lot of time starting at this cover. It’s my favorite of theirs, and I loved discovering new things on it. My most exciting was the backwards text, I found it pretty funny.
Derek Riggs was a huge part of Maiden's success here in The States. Their merch line is iconic and the main reason Americans at least know of Iron Maiden even though their music isn't really played on the radio. Somewhere in Time is my all-time favorite Maiden cover and is in my Top 5 Maiden albums. Hell, I even had a big-ass back panel patch of this cover on my jean jacket back in the day.
Eddie was the prototype for all other band-mascots, and perhaps the first to inspire a whole line of merch IM owes a lot of their succes to the visual appeal of their albums
My childhood bedroom walls were covered with Maiden posters including Aces High, Piece of Mind, The Trooper, Number of the Beast, and Somewhere in Time. I also had a small square tapestry of World Slavery tour with Eddie as the handcuffed mummy. Seriously, Derek Riggs’ artistic talent is sky high. I wonder what he’s done since Maiden?
I wrote to mr. Riggs some time ago, asking about Batman being painted on the cover. Here’s what he had to say: “Hi it's Derek here. I had painted a bunch of tiny spaceships from sci fi all over the background, like the uss enterprise and millennium falcon but maiden's lawyers made me change them because they were frightened of being sued... which they wouldn't have been because it comes under the heading of a tribute and not really infringement for monetary gain. but I painted over them anyway and I stuck a batman on the rooftop as a kind of "fuck you" to maiden's stupid lawyers and never told them it was there. Maiden had about thirty lawyers back then because they were always being sued by lunatics over nothing.” Cheers! ;)
Texas Records And Tapes refers to a now defunct Houston music store where some infamous in-store record signings were held, Maiden being one of them. Some of the staff from TTR (it was really called Texas Tapes and Records) were in the choir on Heaven Can Wait, they were probably the only choir members who got to do the song live with the band
I bought this album on vinyl the day it was released in the UK. By the time I had finished listening to it I had found all those references. There are a few hidden in the Powerslave artwork too.
O.k. Bought this album upon it's release. Analyzed it front to back while playing it for years. Still, All these decades later I can't believe I missed the 23:58 reference staring me straight in the face. WTF?
Somewhere in Time is a case where buyers of the LP had a big advantage, especially the Japanese release. It was very thick and had a $35 price tag as opposed to the usual $7 or so back then. I bit the bullet and made that purchase. It has a large color book inside with lots of live show and other photos of the band, including one of Bruce wearing what looks like a KGON shirt. (That's a Portland, Oregon radio station that unfortunately turned into an "oldies station," since then: you know, "classic rock.") The real bonus is a 7" disc that plays at 33RPM. It has it's own sleeve and features five tracks: short interviews with each member of the band, starting with a cool monologue by Bruce. But yeah, that cover is Derek's masterpiece and is best seen on a 12"x12" album cover. The CD version is a bit brutal on the eyes, heh heh.
Man, why couldn't you have posted this last week? Just met Derek Riggs over the weekend. Asked him to sign this very album and could have had much better questions, lol. I was curious about his musical tastes though, the dude likes Jazz, Reggae, and some Black Sabbath.
Man , must be WONDERFULL to be in controll of this solo,coz all behind is sucha boost of energy of every instrument galloping...fantastic job man, you nailed it and did it like original ...YEEEAAHHH 👍🏼💪🤘🏽
Being raised in Maryland, the Hammerjack's reference was tits. But there's so much cool stuff going on that I wish more artists would put this much thought into their album covers.
Great video! One of my favorite Maiden albums and artwork and now I realize this could be the most complex album artwork of my entire album collection. Powerslave artwork was very complex and had many "Easter Eggs" as well. Maybe a next video on that one? =)
We where doing this in the 80s with maidens art work . That was the best thing about the new tapes and records coming out . The art work . Nice to see some one doing it again. Have e a great day brother.
This is still my favorite album covers. You have to stare at it to find all these amazing details in it. It is in my opinion one the best work of art out there.
The pyramids are certainly a nod to Powerslave, but also capturing the BladeRunner theme too (at least the original. I have not seen the remake from a few years ago)
The Chinese letters on the store are actually Japanese: it says “danger, white pimples”. The word for “pimples” read backwards is “bikini” but then the word above would make no sense (you can’t read “danger” backwards”).
This was one of my favorite stage sets as well, loved the lighting and I remember roadies scurrying about to unfold Eddie’s gigantic inflatable hands, looked like he was lifting the stage. Awesome production.
Thanks for a great video! This is my fave Maiden cover (got the jigsaw puzzle as well as the vinyl 🤣) as not only is the artwork amazing but there is so much to see. I don't think you mentioned that the poster has "Eddie Lives" graffiti on it - a nod to Eddie bursting out of his grave on the Live After Death cover.
Somewhere in Time is my favorite album cover. Period. I purchased two records and had them framed spine to spine to create the panorama as one piece of art. It hangs just above my laptop's screen so that I can take a break from work and ponder all that is going on in Mr. Derek Riggs' amazing painting. In Martin Popoff's book covering Mr. Riggs' artwork, one of the reasons cited for the switch to Melvin Grant and others was that Derek Riggs was simply tired of creating this endless stream of Eddies and wanted to do something new. He did actually return to create the spectral Eddie for Brave New World, but left the project unfinished due to his frustration with the band's management. Artist Steve Stone was called in to finish the project, adding his cityscape. This cover now adorns the back of my jacket, as it's a bit unusual and I really like the finished product. The final tidbit of interest involves Derek Riggs' signature. While it's closely related to his Iron Maiden covers, it first appears on Budgie's album Nightflight, the cover of which was painted prior to Electric Matthew Says Hello, which became the cover of Iron Maiden's first album.
My very first concert ”somewhere on tour” Stockholm IceStadium, fall of 1986, pretty amazing when after bladerunner-intro the whole futuristic city of the album cover just backdropped the entire stage🌺One fav album ever since, great songs, very fine production👍
Growing up in 80s and early 90s that's how a lot of people picked out albums by the art work. You could pick something up and know what type of music you were buying from the art. You could tell if it was metal or punk or something shitty for the most part by the art. I found some of my favorite stuff by taking a chance on the art on the cover
I don't get why people don't understand this. The artwork was not created for the Somewhere in Time album. It was originally created for a book on Maiden released prior to that album, and it covered all sorts of the topics that are touched on in the artwork (Gypsy's Kiss, etc.)
The Asian language on the sign just to the right of Eddie’s leg is actually Japanese, not Chinese. It says “Warning, white pimple”….Must be another joke from the sense of humor of Riggs! For those who are interested, The 2 larger characters on top say “Warning”. (警告 - pronounced keikoku - For English speakers it sounds like “kay coke coo”). The part below says “white pimple”. (白ニキビ - shiro nikibi…for English speakers it sounds like “she row knee key bee”. The characters for “Warning” and “white” are the same in both Chinese and Japanese but the word for pimple is written using Katakana, a writing system only used in Japanese. BTW if read backwards, the word for pimple (ニキビ) would be bikini (ビキニ)! Thanks for the translation of the Russian words on this album cover. How cool it is that the internet now connects all of us Iron Maiden fans from across the world! I love your channel, especially the Iron Maiden content. Slava Ukraina!
Also under the eye of Horus is the Japanese characters for “Tamai”, a Japanese family name. I don’t know the significance here or what it refers to. Kudos for spotting Asada Akira!
Hammer jacks has been torn down, turned into a parking lot for Camden yards, and rebuilt. And being not too far from Baltimore, that’s one of the cooler parts for me!
I'm not surprised that Derick didn't want to do such complicated album covers again, but I still think that Seventh Son is a fantastic piece of art too! So much to pick out in this cover - I wondered if the 'Bradbury' referred to Ray Bradbury, rather than a pure Blade Runner reference??? I hadn't caught the lamp-post link to the first album, but I do think that the hand, rather than a general reference to sci-fi films, is more of a nod to the Killers album cover, (have a look and see).
Dude! You're video showed me a few depictions " not going to say which ones" that missed. Being a huge fan of Maiden from the time I bought Killers to the present, Somewhere in Time is #1in Maidens cover art in my top3. Love the videos brosky! In my opinion is the go-to youtube channel for any Iron Maiden fan. Mike from the states.
The Texas Records and Tapes sign was most definitely a shout out to the legendary Houston TX store located on Spencer Highway throughout the 1980s , we'll known for a massive selection of Iron Maiden posters, shirts, patches, stickers, etc - - , as well as having the big rock and metal bands of that time, making in store appearances, along with the local radio stations. I've always seen that piece of the cover art to be a good jester to the heavy metal paradise that the store was to the Houston Rock and metal community , but I have never heard any actual reason confirming why that sign appears in the cover art.
The funny thing is, Fear of the Dark is a very simple artwork as well being limited to a 3 color design. Of course, they had later famously commissioned Derek for Dance of Death, felt like his art was too simple, then had some 3d art student barf all over it with bad computer renders.
Being from Houston, Texas there is a reference to Texas Tapes and Records on the building behind Eddy before the Pyramids in the background. TTnR was big bank in the 80's and was big on metal !
The funny thing is the detailed references but it takes 13 mins to mention 2 minutes to midnight, despite zooming in the nearby, or on it... so many times! Great work!
My 1st metal album ever was Live After Death, and I bought it because of the cover lol. Back then I would go to the music store and choose albums judging the cover.
As "Wasted Years" has been released,i got it for 5 DM after school,run home,put it in my Stereo,made a Cassette Copy for my Aiwa Walkman and listened to it all day long ('til the Album were released)!!! WY is Adrian's finest Hour on the Album, together with"Sea of Madness" and "Stranger..."!!!!
My favourite album, got it when I was like 12, I was away from home in another city. Took it back to my grandma's house and played it, and she said, yes it's very good! ✌️☺️
Fascinating stuff! Thank you! By the way, just to clarify, the "Chinese" sign is actually Japanese. Of course, it's partially obscured, but the visible part says; "warning (警告)" (top) and "white pimple （白ニキビ)" (bottom). So, there you go.
1986! Sophomore year of high school for me. I liked IRON MAIDEN then, I LOVE EM NOW! But in 1986 "Somewhere in Time" was my favorite LP from IRON MAIDEN then and still is to this day. What awesome artwork for an awesome LP. The art fit the music and then some. IMO Iron Maiden hit their PEAK with S.W.I.T.
Great video! I love this album, but never noticed the Hammerjack's logo!!! I used to hang there at their original location when it was the old warehouse in the late 80s and 90s before they tore it down to build the football stadium. I cannot tell you how many great bands I saw there back in the day before they got big and were still doing the club circuits! Wow that brings back some great memories. Thanks for pointing that out!!! \m/
I always thought that Eddie is a Time Traveller and that he had come back or forward in time and shot his other self. The guy in the window is a mannequin?
Iron Maiden were so successful in thier classic period as the band were essentially an 8 piece. Rod Smallwood's astute managemnt, Martin Birch's skills as a recording engineer and Derrek Riggs art work were why Maiden were so consistently brilliant. They weren't chopping and changing all the time.
This album cover was also one of the few covers Derek did on a canvas that large. Most his covers he worked on were 12x12 inches. The same size as a record. This one however he did on a larger canvas.
Bought the LP when it came out! Still have it. First gig I went to as a 15-year old was IM on that tour, still have the ticket, great times! The album artwork is one big nod to IM's back-catalogue up untill that point, the music is on another level, their best....
I’m a 42 years old man I was 11 when I purchase somewhere in time original tape in my native country El Salvador at that time I only new 2 or 3 maiden songs remember going home put the tape on my cassette player listening to the first song and then after I became an Doncella de acero fan up the irons \m/
Speaking only of myself, I bought this cassette album on the basis of it being reduced in price to a more modest £3:99 - at Our Price records in the UK. For a twenty pound note which I paid at the till, I also bought Def Leppard's video compilation, 'Historia.' One of the very bands who rewired my teenage brain from 80s pop to a more guitar based, organic sound. And for the record, that was £15:49. Yes, we were ripped off back then. But hey, compared to what I've spent on alcohol since then, it's literally small beer. That aside, great video. Only when unfurled do you really appreciate the majesty of the artwork. So did this influence my decision, beyond the price that is? All told, no. Image and paraphernalia are secondary to the music itself. If you're born blind and never literally clapped eyes on any album covers at all, it's the notes/lyrics transcribed on paper that really do the talking!
I'm a huge Iron Maiden fan, but I've never busted out the old magnifying glass to take a good long look at the album covers, for me it's all about the music, and Somewhere In Time is my favorite album, followed closely by Powerslave and Piece of Mind. I had all three album posters hung on my bedroom walls in high school, and it caused my parents to have more than a little anxiety (they were definitely on team Tipper lol) thinking I was gonna slaughter the whole family Amityville style. All that never discouraged me from being a pot smoking, beer loving lowlife metal head to this day, and I will give the Western Puritans the cold shoulder till the day I die.
*Who owes this album on either vinyl, CD or tape and loves staring at the cover while listening to music?*
And thanks again, Gthic, for sponsoring this video. Check 'em out here - gthic.com?aff=298
Also get 20% off coupon with the promo code "Metal20"
I still have my original viynl that I bought new when I was in high school, and I had to dig it out when this video showed up on my suggestion list. Glad I clicked on it because even 35 years later, I discovered stuff I'd missed, like the cat with the halo. I didn't buy it for the art though...I was just excited for their new album. It remains one of my favorite albums of all time, and would make my list of '10 albums I'd take to a desert island'
Still have the tape it's a big foldout
I remember buying it on vinyl as it was the latest album released by them. Up until then I was listening to. copies on cassette
@@billcarroll986 got it on viynl aswell ;D
listened to these since i wos a kid it wos the art work that got me into them got the somwhere in time on vinyl and cd aswell as many more ;D
I am firmly convinced that part of Iron Maiden' success was achieved ALSO thanks to the genius and impressive work of arts of Derek Riggs. These guys owe a lot to him, and it was a shame they let him go.
I totally agree about Iron Maiden's success being achieved at least partially due to their artworks. Not many bands had something like that
@@MetalPilgrim Yes indeed , As with me and the Killers Lp bitd , saw at a record store "Never heard the music before" Picked up Bought Played , Fell in Love with Maiden \\m//
You are ABSOLUTELY right !!!
I knew a guy who loved their posters and bought them, but couldn't stand the music.
@@MetalPilgrim
As i said on your recent video asking that exact question, the 'Eddie' artwork was great for getting people to pick up an LP or Single in their local music retailer, but if the music wasn't awesome, you wouldn't buy the next album just because the artwork was cool!
But who hasn't picked up a Judas Priest or Megadeth album for the same reason? Fortunately, their music is also as awesome as their album covers!
This hands down is my favourite Maiden album cover - I never tire of looking at it.
Eddie 'the cyborg' is totally badass.🤘
It's a close second to The Trooper for me 🤟
Iran Maiden is boring pop rock. Trooper is poppiest of pop ever.
I remember how absolutely fascinated we all were when this album was released and looking at this artwork was like looking at the stars: you just kept seeing more. I also remember the iconic artwork for the track "Stranger in a Strange Land", which to me is just Eddie as a cyborg, personified. The lit match, the almost Clint Eastwood like snarl on his face, the guy at the card table (in the foreground) losing it as he notices Eddie... all the work of a genius artist. Iron Maiden's EP, album and poster artwork were almost as popular as the band themselves. At least back in the 80s...
So true, I was already a fan of Iron Maiden, but this artwork put you in a place to absorb the music and be a part of the futuristic world that Derrick Riggs had created. By far my favorite Maiden album cover.
I had a flag of the stranger in strange land artwork…good old times
Yeah, my friend in high school had the Stranger in a Strange land poster. I was always jealous of that especially seeing as he would casually throw darts at it.
The artwork lends an atmosphere to the music which your mind connects, and of course, it adds an extra dimension to the experience. Long live Derek Riggs!
Amen🙏
Whenever I stream the album off TH-cam, I end up spending a good bit of time looking at the artwork to get in the proper mood. I can imagine an alternate dimension where the artwork was made first and then the album recorded to accompany it.
This is still my favourite album cover of all time. It really inspired me as a kid. Derek really killed it with all the album and single covers for both Somewhere in Time and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. Derek and Giger are still my favourite artists.
For me, Riggs was like a sixth member of Iron Maiden, something was lost when he left.
It was at the same time about that Adrian Smith would leave as well, due to creative differences with Steve Harris.
Steve wanted to revert back to The Number of the Beast format. Where Adrian felt they should've went forward with what they put out with Powerslave, Somewhere In Time and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, Seventh Son being my favorite and I believe their best to this day.
I feel Adrian was correct
I mean look at what we got! No Prayer for the Dying....garbage!! Not up to Iron Maiden standards. I did like the opener Tailgunner
Then even worse than No Prayer we got Fear of the Dark??? Are you serious?? Fear of the Dark??!! What the fuck is that on the album?? Is that supposed to be Eddie?? FAIL FAIL FAIL.
To make it all worse we got Adrian's replacement Gers (who I know is a really great individual, just doesn't fit into the band) doing these onstage antics that I was not use to seeing from Dave or Adrian...... ever!
I was bitter that Adrian was replaced period.
The icing on the cake was how their tours were no longer the big productions they were on Powerslave, Somewhere In Time and Seventh Son of a Seventh
It was very depressing how Steve chose to tear down everything from the music, the shows and even the artwork!
I think someone might have control issues and I'm not going to mention Steve Harris' name...... nope! Not at all
@@SamuelDavidDeLuce You don't play a guitar or bass, do you? It shows.
I have to agree with The Shape. I think they are still touring. Anyway, nice to hear opinions from brothers from another mother. I think I saw them on Powerslave Tour at Long Beach Arena, floor seats ( everyone standing on the fucking chairs!) 40th row or so. I took many liberties this day. Yeah I need Adrian.
The art just wasn’t the same without derek riggs
Senjutsu and The Book of Souls artwork is cool. I make an acception for Mark Wilkinson.
As a 12 year old in the mid ‘80s I spent a lot of of time looking at this album cover and would draw it in pencil the best I could on my desk at school.
This was the first Iron Maiden album I ever heard. I bought it because the artwork got my attention, it was $10, and I had $10 in my pocket (I was in 6th grade). It was where I discovered what real music was and Maiden has been my favorite band ever since.
I remember always excitingly searching each new album cover for derek riggs signature logo.
Its implied that Eddie is chasing the Tardis, as it can be seen in space in the middle of the Wasted Years cover
A buddy named Rob, he and I would spend some time pouring over this cover, wondering saw everything.
He died from cancer a few years back.
I wish he could have seen this!
Thanks for posting, mate!
This album cover was what lured me into Iron Maiden and Heavy metal. I loved all the details and decided that I loved the band, even before hearing them. But that was enough to make me give the music a chance, and I realised that I really DID like the music. I was all aboard when they released Seventh son of a Seventh son and the 12 year old me went to see them live with a pretty unknown opening act called Helloween. Nothing have come close to that experience. Thank you, Derek Riggs =)
Same here. 1st metal album I heard, borrowed from a friend, taped it😄, then bought my own. My journey listening to metal had begun. Before 7th Son had been released, I had the whole Maiden back catalogue. I remember the 1st time listening to 7th Son and not liking it at all. To me, it sounded completely different.
Man I’m
Loving these Maiden deep dives into random art and albums. Keep it up!
Spent many a friday and saturday nights in Hammerjacks bar in Baltimore. When big bands played, many visited after shows, like Maiden, Priest, and others. I saw Saxon there, and got my Strong Arm of the Law album cover signed by the whole band!
Great times!
It's their best Album,so fucking timeless!!!
Somewhat humorous, since the theme was space and *time*
Even though it's not a concept album each sing just about has something to do with TIME. I think the only one that doesn't necessarily have TIME as a main aspect or theme in the song is Sea Of Madness
They hinted at that in a way with Powerslave as well.
Their entire 80s catalog is just EPIC.
Steve chose to sever that chemistry they had and still have not really fully recaptured it to this day. Even though Adrian is back in the band to me it's just not the same
It's true in all aspects of life. Through music/bands (Iron Maiden),sports teams the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990s were never really the same after Jimmy Johnson left. Yes they were able to scotch tape it back together for one more trophy, but they were merely a shell of that 92 team Johnson created and put together
Point being once that vital decision is made for better or worse to disconnect and replace and throw away something that never needed fixing. You live with your decision...... and we're left to deal with it
Thanks, Steve, for those following albums to your band's masterpiece Seventh Son of a Seventh Son!!😟😕☹😭
Much appreciated
It's almost as if you were trying to sabatoge the band's existence!
You're not going to hear this from too many of your fans but I'm gonna be straight with you...ok?
Steve, Fear of the Dark is absolute GARBAGE! The title track is GARBAGE!!
Why on earth would you think that getting rid of Derek Riggs was even remotely, somewhat near of a good idea??? You ditched Adrian Smith earlier and then you get rid of like some people have said is the true 6th member of Iron Maiden Derek Riggs!??!! Why? Because you were afraid that his artwork was somehow a major role in album sales!? You're right! He was a good reason for your sales ....... and you go and treat him to make him feel not wanted to where he bailed out or you ultimately firing him, whichever way it was.... shame on you Mr Harris!
Do I sense a bit of a God complex with you, Steven? Huh Esteban?! El jefe
I still love you Steve.... just doing a little venting in a way
hey! Russian native speaker here. 'меня рвет' means ONLY 'I'm puking'. this is never used in context of 'I really like it'. 'kefir' is really a fermented drink. for over 15 years it baffles me what were those two references supposed to mean. your channel is awesome, dude 🤘
Their artwork back then definitely drew me to them when I was 12 in the 80s. This was my first IM album and I spent a lot of time starting at this cover. It’s my favorite of theirs, and I loved discovering new things on it. My most exciting was the backwards text, I found it pretty funny.
Derek Riggs was a huge part of Maiden's success here in The States. Their merch line is iconic and the main reason Americans at least know of Iron Maiden even though their music isn't really played on the radio. Somewhere in Time is my all-time favorite Maiden cover and is in my Top 5 Maiden albums. Hell, I even had a big-ass back panel patch of this cover on my jean jacket back in the day.
Eddie was the prototype for all other band-mascots, and perhaps the first to inspire a whole line of merch
IM owes a lot of their succes to the visual appeal of their albums
Agreed.
My childhood bedroom walls were covered with Maiden posters including Aces High, Piece of Mind, The Trooper, Number of the Beast, and Somewhere in Time. I also had a small square tapestry of World Slavery tour with Eddie as the handcuffed mummy. Seriously, Derek Riggs’ artistic talent is sky high. I wonder what he’s done since Maiden?
It's the greatest album ever written, and painted. It saved my life , and I love every single bit of it.
I wrote to mr. Riggs some time ago, asking about Batman being painted on the cover.
Here’s what he had to say:
“Hi it's Derek here. I had painted a bunch of tiny spaceships from sci fi all over the background, like the uss enterprise and millennium falcon but maiden's lawyers made me change them because they were frightened of being sued... which they wouldn't have been because it comes under the heading of a tribute and not really infringement for monetary gain. but I painted over them anyway and I stuck a batman on the rooftop as a kind of "fuck you" to maiden's stupid lawyers and never told them it was there.
Maiden had about thirty lawyers back then because they were always being sued by lunatics over nothing.”
Cheers! ;)
Texas Records And Tapes refers to a now defunct Houston music store where some infamous in-store record signings were held, Maiden being one of them. Some of the staff from TTR (it was really called Texas Tapes and Records) were in the choir on Heaven Can Wait, they were probably the only choir members who got to do the song live with the band
I remember spending hours looking at this album cover. Epic.
I bought this album on vinyl the day it was released in the UK. By the time I had finished listening to it I had found all those references. There are a few hidden in the Powerslave artwork too.
O.k. Bought this album upon it's release. Analyzed it front to back while playing it for years. Still, All these decades later I can't believe I missed the 23:58 reference staring me straight in the face. WTF?
Somewhere in Time is a case where buyers of the LP had a big advantage, especially the Japanese release. It was very thick and had a $35 price tag as opposed to the usual $7 or so back then. I bit the bullet and made that purchase. It has a large color book inside with lots of live show and other photos of the band, including one of Bruce wearing what looks like a KGON shirt. (That's a Portland, Oregon radio station that unfortunately turned into an "oldies station," since then: you know, "classic rock.")
The real bonus is a 7" disc that plays at 33RPM. It has it's own sleeve and features five tracks: short interviews with each member of the band, starting with a cool monologue by Bruce.
But yeah, that cover is Derek's masterpiece and is best seen on a 12"x12" album cover. The CD version is a bit brutal on the eyes, heh heh.
Had this poster on my wall as a kid. Loved staring at all the details. Derek Riggs' art definitely inspired me to get into art myself. I
Man, why couldn't you have posted this last week? Just met Derek Riggs over the weekend. Asked him to sign this very album and could have had much better questions, lol. I was curious about his musical tastes though, the dude likes Jazz, Reggae, and some Black Sabbath.
I love this album, and this album cover! Caught Somewhere in Time is such an epic tune, quite possibly their best song!
Bruce's vocal, high watermark. I'm surprised it doesn't get more kudos?
Man , must be WONDERFULL to be in controll of this solo,coz all behind is sucha boost of energy of every instrument galloping...fantastic job man, you nailed it and did it like original
...YEEEAAHHH 👍🏼💪🤘🏽
Being raised in Maryland, the Hammerjack's reference was tits. But there's so much cool stuff going on that I wish more artists would put this much thought into their album covers.
Great video! One of my favorite Maiden albums and artwork and now I realize this could be the most complex album artwork of my entire album collection. Powerslave artwork was very complex and had many "Easter Eggs" as well. Maybe a next video on that one? =)
Somewhere in Time is my all time favorite album, and yes, I was 12 at the time and I only bought it because of the cover.
We where doing this in the 80s with maidens art work . That was the best thing about the new tapes and records coming out . The art work . Nice to see some one doing it again. Have e a great day brother.
This is still my favorite album covers. You have to stare at it to find all these amazing details in it. It is in my opinion one the best work of art out there.
The pyramids are certainly a nod to Powerslave, but also capturing the BladeRunner theme too (at least the original. I have not seen the remake from a few years ago)
The Chinese letters on the store are actually Japanese: it says “danger, white pimples”. The word for “pimples” read backwards is “bikini” but then the word above would make no sense (you can’t read “danger” backwards”).
I learned an incredible amount here. I also learned that I need the vinyl of this. I only ever had the CD which is lacking a lot of this great detail.
Absolutely dude 🤘 I also think that the CD has some parts of the artwork that have been removed/changed.
This was one of my favorite stage sets as well, loved the lighting and I remember roadies scurrying about to unfold Eddie’s gigantic inflatable hands, looked like he was lifting the stage. Awesome production.
I remember buying this LP and staring at the cover for HOURS as I played it over and over again.
Thanks for a great video! This is my fave Maiden cover (got the jigsaw puzzle as well as the vinyl 🤣) as not only is the artwork amazing but there is so much to see. I don't think you mentioned that the poster has "Eddie Lives" graffiti on it - a nod to Eddie bursting out of his grave on the Live After Death cover.
Somewhere in Time is my favorite album cover. Period. I purchased two records and had them framed spine to spine to create the panorama as one piece of art. It hangs just above my laptop's screen so that I can take a break from work and ponder all that is going on in Mr. Derek Riggs' amazing painting.
In Martin Popoff's book covering Mr. Riggs' artwork, one of the reasons cited for the switch to Melvin Grant and others was that Derek Riggs was simply tired of creating this endless stream of Eddies and wanted to do something new. He did actually return to create the spectral Eddie for Brave New World, but left the project unfinished due to his frustration with the band's management. Artist Steve Stone was called in to finish the project, adding his cityscape. This cover now adorns the back of my jacket, as it's a bit unusual and I really like the finished product. The final tidbit of interest involves Derek Riggs' signature. While it's closely related to his Iron Maiden covers, it first appears on Budgie's album Nightflight, the cover of which was painted prior to Electric Matthew Says Hello, which became the cover of Iron Maiden's first album.
I don't understand?
My very first concert ”somewhere on tour” Stockholm IceStadium, fall of 1986, pretty amazing when after bladerunner-intro the whole futuristic city of the album cover just backdropped the entire stage🌺One fav album ever since, great songs, very fine production👍
Growing up in 80s and early 90s that's how a lot of people picked out albums by the art work. You could pick something up and know what type of music you were buying from the art. You could tell if it was metal or punk or something shitty for the most part by the art. I found some of my favorite stuff by taking a chance on the art on the cover
Love this cover art!! I think they used this concept when they made the Mars colony in the original Total Recall movie. Dereks stuff was always best!!
I don't get why people don't understand this. The artwork was not created for the Somewhere in Time album. It was originally created for a book on Maiden released prior to that album, and it covered all sorts of the topics that are touched on in the artwork (Gypsy's Kiss, etc.)
The Asian language on the sign just to the right of Eddie’s leg is actually Japanese, not Chinese. It says “Warning, white pimple”….Must be another joke from the sense of humor of Riggs!
For those who are interested, The 2 larger characters on top say “Warning”. (警告 - pronounced keikoku - For English speakers it sounds like “kay coke coo”).
The part below says “white pimple”. (白ニキビ - shiro nikibi…for English speakers it sounds like “she row knee key bee”.
The characters for “Warning” and “white” are the same in both Chinese and Japanese but the word for pimple is written using Katakana, a writing system only used in Japanese.
BTW if read backwards, the word for pimple (ニキビ) would be bikini (ビキニ)!
Thanks for the translation of the Russian words on this album cover. How cool it is that the internet now connects all of us Iron Maiden fans from across the world!
I love your channel, especially the Iron Maiden content.
Slava Ukraina!
Also under the eye of Horus is the Japanese characters for “Tamai”, a Japanese family name. I don’t know the significance here or what it refers to.
Kudos for spotting Asada Akira!
There’s definitely a Def Leppard D on there in the shop window by Bruce. They came up together & are still good friends.
Hammer jacks has been torn down, turned into a parking lot for Camden yards, and rebuilt. And being not too far from Baltimore, that’s one of the cooler parts for me!
Thanks! That was awesome. I've spent a lot of time staring at that picture.
I had a lot of fun with this album cover, finding all the song references was brilliant.
Absolutely the best album cover of all time. One of the best albums they released, singles were awesome also.
I bought this album at 12 years old STRICTLY Based on the album cover. Wasted years is still my favorite song from them.
Until I watch this video, I've never realized that there was so many details and references on it. Thanks bro and keep rockin'.
I'm not surprised that Derick didn't want to do such complicated album covers again, but I still think that Seventh Son is a fantastic piece of art too! So much to pick out in this cover - I wondered if the 'Bradbury' referred to Ray Bradbury, rather than a pure Blade Runner reference??? I hadn't caught the lamp-post link to the first album, but I do think that the hand, rather than a general reference to sci-fi films, is more of a nod to the Killers album cover, (have a look and see).
When I first saw the album, I had thought that Bradbury was referring to Ray Bradbury as well.
Dude! You're video showed me a few depictions " not going to say which ones" that missed. Being a huge fan of Maiden from the time I bought Killers to the present, Somewhere in Time is #1in Maidens cover art in my top3. Love the videos brosky! In my opinion is the go-to youtube channel for any Iron Maiden fan. Mike from the states.
The Texas Records and Tapes sign was most definitely a shout out to the legendary Houston TX store located on Spencer Highway throughout the 1980s , we'll known for a massive selection of Iron Maiden posters, shirts, patches, stickers, etc - - , as well as having the big rock and metal bands of that time, making in store appearances, along with the local radio stations. I've always seen that piece of the cover art to be a good jester to the heavy metal paradise that the store was to the Houston Rock and metal community , but I have never heard any actual reason confirming why that sign appears in the cover art.
The funny thing is, Fear of the Dark is a very simple artwork as well being limited to a 3 color design. Of course, they had later famously commissioned Derek for Dance of Death, felt like his art was too simple, then had some 3d art student barf all over it with bad computer renders.
Being from Houston, Texas there is a reference to Texas Tapes and Records on the building behind Eddy before the Pyramids in the background. TTnR was big bank in the 80's and was big on metal !
The funny thing is the detailed references but it takes 13 mins to mention 2 minutes to midnight, despite zooming in the nearby, or on it... so many times! Great work!
Awesome, this is the first time anyone has discussed the Somewhere In Time Cover!
This is the album that got me into metal and I studied this cover and missed 90% of this shit. Thank you!
My 1st metal album ever was Live After Death, and I bought it because of the cover lol. Back then I would go to the music store and choose albums judging the cover.
That was my first metal album too, Live After Death and Rush’s 2112 totally defined my taste in music.
As "Wasted Years" has been released,i got it for 5 DM after school,run home,put it in my Stereo,made a Cassette Copy for my Aiwa Walkman and listened to it all day long ('til the Album were released)!!!
WY is Adrian's finest Hour on the Album, together with"Sea of Madness" and "Stranger..."!!!!
I always wondered what the vertical TEXAS sign was referencing, since I am proudly a Texan resident!!!
One of my favourite Iron Maiden album covers.
One of my favorite pieces of album artwork. There's so much in it, like Eddie's eye in the cloud.
Two minutes to midnight on the clock is my favorite detail.
My favourite album, got it when I was like 12, I was away from home in another city. Took it back to my grandma's house and played it, and she said, yes it's very good! ✌️☺️
Fascinating stuff! Thank you!
By the way, just to clarify, the "Chinese" sign is actually Japanese. Of course, it's partially obscured, but the visible part says; "warning (警告)" (top) and "white pimple （白ニキビ)" (bottom). So, there you go.
Great episode Vladyslav! Always look forward to your videos. 🤘
1986! Sophomore year of high school for me. I liked IRON MAIDEN then, I LOVE EM NOW!
But in 1986 "Somewhere in Time" was my favorite LP from IRON MAIDEN then and still is to this day.
What awesome artwork for an awesome LP.
The art fit the music and then some.
IMO Iron Maiden hit their PEAK with S.W.I.T.
I saw Iron Maiden live back in 91 along with skid row and Wasp and many others at Donington Park England
Great video! I love this album, but never noticed the Hammerjack's logo!!! I used to hang there at their original location when it was the old warehouse in the late 80s and 90s before they tore it down to build the football stadium. I cannot tell you how many great bands I saw there back in the day before they got big and were still doing the club circuits! Wow that brings back some great memories. Thanks for pointing that out!!! \m/
I never noticed it either.I live in PA and went there quite a few times in the 90's.
I remember i used to scan the illustrations of my Maiden's CDs n Tapes for clues and hints. I would spend hours in front of my stereo and VCR
I saw them live at Long Beach arena for somewhere in time . It was by far the best concert I ever saw.
I remember the amazing foldout on the cassette version. The thing that I remember the most though was the smell of the cassette cover.
I still have the first/original vinyl copy. And yes,you can spend the whole albums time looking at the cover,just like every Maiden album.
Great trivia brother.....Up with the irons....
35 years. My favorite Maiden album. And somehow... I never caught the TARDIS.
I found this poster in a box of my old stuff the other day...I bought it in the 80's & I think I'll keep it lol
I always thought that Eddie is a Time Traveller and that he had come back or forward in time and shot his other self.
The guy in the window is a mannequin?
Iron Maiden were so successful in thier classic period as the band were essentially an 8 piece. Rod Smallwood's astute managemnt, Martin Birch's skills as a recording engineer and Derrek Riggs art work were why Maiden were so consistently brilliant. They weren't chopping and changing all the time.
This album cover was also one of the few covers Derek did on a canvas that large. Most his covers he worked on were 12x12 inches. The same size as a record. This one however he did on a larger canvas.
Holy shit! So batman and Eddie exist in the same universe?
He'd better be in the new batman movie.
Bought the LP when it came out! Still have it. First gig I went to as a 15-year old was IM on that tour, still have the ticket, great times! The album artwork is one big nod to IM's back-catalogue up untill that point, the music is on another level, their best....
Back in the day in school during art class we had to analyze a famous painting.
I did the Somewhere In Time vinyl/lp cover. 😎
This was the only Maiden lp I’ve ever had. Not sure why. But I love it.
Somewhere In Time is my FAVOURITE album by Iron Maiden
I’m a 42 years old man I was 11 when I purchase somewhere in time original tape in my native country El Salvador at that time I only new 2 or 3 maiden songs remember going home put the tape on my cassette player listening to the first song and then after I became an Doncella de acero fan up the irons \m/
Favorite Iron maiden album and favorite album cover of all time
Speaking only of myself, I bought this cassette album on the basis of it being reduced in price to a more modest £3:99 - at Our Price records in the UK. For a twenty pound note which I paid at the till, I also bought Def Leppard's video compilation, 'Historia.' One of the very bands who rewired my teenage brain from 80s pop to a more guitar based, organic sound. And for the record, that was £15:49. Yes, we were ripped off back then. But hey, compared to what I've spent on alcohol since then, it's literally small beer.
That aside, great video. Only when unfurled do you really appreciate the majesty of the artwork. So did this influence my decision, beyond the price that is? All told, no. Image and paraphernalia are secondary to the music itself. If you're born blind and never literally clapped eyes on any album covers at all, it's the notes/lyrics transcribed on paper that really do the talking!
I would lock myself in my room for hours pouring over the cassette sleeve, looking for easter eggs, although back then was not called easter eggs
The best Iron Maiden album cover
Somewhere in time cover made me buy the cassette. I wasnt really a fan at first but the artwork and music grew on me. Its their best!
I'm a huge Iron Maiden fan, but I've never busted out the old magnifying glass to take a good long look at the album covers, for me it's all about the music, and Somewhere In Time is my favorite album, followed closely by Powerslave and Piece of Mind. I had all three album posters hung on my bedroom walls in high school, and it caused my parents to have more than a little anxiety (they were definitely on team Tipper lol) thinking I was gonna slaughter the whole family Amityville style. All that never discouraged me from being a pot smoking, beer loving lowlife metal head to this day, and I will give the Western Puritans the cold shoulder till the day I die.
All you guys sound brilliantly excellent. History is why there baddasses!!
The “cloud Eddie” on the cover of Brave New World was done by Riggs I do believe
Somewhere in Time was my first time listening to Iron Maiden when I was 12.