'Maiden' start to change things with 'Somewhere in Time' and not everyone was totally happy with the decision. The main addition here is the introduction of synthesizers into the mix, which was pretty unusual for a band as heavy as 'Maiden' back in 86'. Fortunately they have always been aware of the need to keep reinventing their style while remaining true to their roots, and that is what they have done on this release. As with 'Powerslave' the album is themed, what that theme is, it's hard to tell, a sort of futuristic / forewarning concept, anyway this approach gives variety and makes direct comparisons to earlier releases harder to make, in effect maintaining the classic sound but at the same time keeping the music fresh. This is one of the main reason's 'Iron Maiden' remained at the forefront of Metal for so many years and although this isn't one of their best albums, enough strong cuts are included for a very creditable release.

A quality seven minute epic was chosen for the opener and a good choice its was to, 'Caught Somewhere in Time' is not only one of the best tracks but a brilliantly layered classic. The synthesizer laden intro isn't what you would expect from 'Maiden' but it lives up to expectations and acts as a nice forerunner for the thumping riff, drum and bass fuelled rhythm, vocally 'Bruce' is on good form and it is supported with wonderful guitar solos by 'Dave Murray' and 'Adrian Smith'. Continuing in superb form is the first single release from the album 'Wasted Years', the song kicks off with a haunting keyboard heavy intro which gives way to a melodic flowing approach which is braced by cracking lyrics and another knockout guitar solo. The pace is stepped up even further for the hard rocking 'Sea of Madness', while the rhythm work is strong, it's not really one of my favourites, 'Bruce Dickinson' seems too distant in the mix and the mid track slow down feels out of place and character, overall slightly reminiscent of a weaker 'Back in the Village' from 'Powerslave'. Side one closes with 'Heaven can Wait', a solid song which features some great powerful vocals, but is ultimately let down by the weak, overused and predictable chorus. Side two opens with another epic the 'Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner', despite this being a decent track with lots of quality guitaring, it feels drawn out and at over six minutes it is, I'm sure even 'Maiden' themselves would admit that this is one of their weaker efforts, the chorus, to be frank is fairly dreadful. Back on track is my pick of the album and the second single released, 'Stranger in a Strange Land' is a hearty rocker which sees 'Bruce' ripping through the quality lyrics in the fashion we have become accustom to, the laid back melodic rhythm is unusual for 'Maiden', but it works oh so well. The fine form is sustained with the punchy 'Deja-Vu', the tame intro leaves you off balance when the pummelling drums and guitars crash in, the chorus is pretty quirky but I kind of like it, again it's not the stable from 'Maiden' but this works well in my opinion. Last up is 'Alexander the Great' another epic, better than 'Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner', but not on a par with some of their other classic historical based songs. Driven by a great plodding gallop not too dissimilar from 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner', this tracks is supported by a fine all round performance but is let down by another awkward sounding chorus and at nine minutes does tend to drag.

This is another solid cut from 'Maiden' but a bit of a departure from the last three cracking studio releases and at times does sound weaker especially on the epic tracks.