IRON MAiDEN - Somewhere In Time 12" Vinyl LP Album

- French Release, SACEM, DMM, No Label Code

This is the French release of "Somewhere In Time" recorded by Iron Maiden. It can be identified by the label's rim-text printed in French and the SACEM/SDRM Marketing Rights

IRON MAiDEN - Somewhere In Time France 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover

Somewhere in Time: A Voyage Through Iron Maiden's Futuristic Soundscapes
Album Description:

In the heart of the neon-lit 1986, amidst a world captivated by technological marvels and dystopian visions, Iron Maiden embarked on a sonic odyssey that would forever alter the landscape of heavy metal. Their sixth studio album, "Somewhere in Time," wasn't merely a collection of songs; it was a conceptual masterpiece that blended the raw power of their signature sound with a futuristic aesthetic and introspective lyricism.

Historical Context and Musical Exploration

The mid-1980s marked a transformative era for Iron Maiden. Fresh off the heels of their monumental "Powerslave" album and the ensuing "Live After Death" tour, the band sought to push their creative boundaries and explore uncharted territories. "Somewhere in Time" became the vessel for this exploration, a sonic time machine that transported listeners to a world where science fiction met hard rock.

One of the most notable aspects of the album was the band's foray into the realm of guitar synthesizers. This innovative approach added a new dimension to their sound, creating a sonic landscape that was both familiar and otherworldly. The synthesizers weren't simply an afterthought; they were seamlessly integrated into the music, enhancing the overall atmosphere and adding a layer of complexity that had never been heard before in Iron Maiden's repertoire.

Genre-Bending Fusion and Controversies

While "Somewhere in Time" retained the band's signature heavy metal elements, it also incorporated elements of progressive rock and even hints of electronic music. This genre-bending fusion was a bold move that sparked some controversy among purists who preferred the band's earlier, more straightforward approach. However, it was precisely this willingness to experiment that propelled Iron Maiden forward and solidified their status as innovators in the metal scene.

The album's lyrical content also delved into deeper themes than ever before. Songs like "Wasted Years" and "Stranger in a Strange Land" explored feelings of isolation, longing, and the passage of time. These introspective lyrics resonated with fans on a personal level, adding another layer of depth to the album's already rich tapestry.

Production Team and Recording Studio

The production of "Somewhere in Time" was a collaborative effort that involved some of the most talented individuals in the music industry. Martin Birch, who had produced several of Iron Maiden's previous albums, once again took the helm, bringing his expertise and experience to the project. The recording process took place at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas, and Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands. These state-of-the-art facilities provided the band with the tools they needed to bring their sonic vision to life.

French Release: A Collector's Gem

The French release of "Somewhere in Time" holds a special place in the hearts of collectors and fans. The SACEM (Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Éditeurs de Musique) marking on the vinyl indicates that the album was manufactured in France and adheres to French copyright laws. The DMM (Direct Metal Mastering) engraving technique used in the production process ensures superior sound quality, making this particular release a sought-after item among audiophiles.

 

Music Genre:

NWOBHM Heavy Metal 

Album Production Information:

Produced, Engineered and Mixed by Martin 'Mesa' Birch.

  • Martin Birch – Producer, Sound Engineer

    Treat Martin Birch like the invisible band member: you don’t see him on the sleeve, but you sure hear him in the punch, the bite, and that “turn it up” clarity. His run is legendary—starting as an engineer in the late 1960s, sharpening the sound with Deep Purple in the early 1970s, helping Rainbow hit that dramatic hard-rock stride in the mid-to-late 1970s, powering the Dio-era Black Sabbath in 1980–1981, then basically going exclusive with Iron Maiden from 1981 to 1992 before he bowed out.

    Martin Birch, to my ears, is the guy who made heavy records feel both massive and surgical—tight low end, bright attack, and a midrange that cuts like fresh steel without turning into ear-pain. He built long relationships instead of quick drive-bys: Deep Purple, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, and then that famous Iron Maiden stretch from "Killers" (1981) through "Fear of the Dark" (1992), after which he retired. That’s not just a resume, that’s a whole era with his fingerprints on it.

    Martin Birch Wiki

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    Boss, Boss Synth and Drum trucks recorded at Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas.

    • Compass Point Studios (Bahamas) Compass Point Studios, founded in 1977 by Chris Blackwell, the visionary owner of Island Records, stands as a pivotal and iconic institution in the realm of music production, particularly during the vibrant decades of the 1970s and 1980s. Nestled in the picturesque Bahamas, just outside Nassau, this studio emerged as a tropical oasis that not only offered a breathtaking setting but also fostered a distinctive creative atmosphere that left an indelible mark on the global music scene. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed a plethora of influential albums recorded at Compass Point Studios, spanning various genres such as rock, reggae, funk, and pop. Artists like Bob Marley, Grace Jones, Iron Maiden Talking Heads, and The Rolling Stones all left their mark on the studio, contributing to its legacy as a hub of musical innovation.
      Compass Point Studios Wiki

    Assistant Engineer Sean Burrows,

    Guitars, Vocals and Guitar Synth recorded of Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Holland.

    Assistant Engineers: Albert Boekholt, Ronald Prent.

    Tape Op and Tea: Marvin Birch.

    Mixed at Electric Ladyland Studios, New York.

    2nd Engineer Bruce Buchhalter.

    Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, New York City, New York.

  • George Marino – Mastering Engineer

    When my site brain goes full 1980s metal mode, his name keeps showing up like a hidden signature in the dead wax.

    George Marino is one of those behind-the-glass legends who made heavy music feel larger than the room it was playing in. Before the mastering console became his throne, he was a Bronx guitarist doing the NYC band grind in the 1960s with groups like The Chancellors and The New Sounds Ltd. Then he went pro for real: starting at Capitol Studios in New York (1967), and eventually becoming a long-running force at Sterling Sound (from 1973 onward). For a collector like me—living in that sweet spot where 1980s heavy metal, hard rock, and a dash of prog-minded ambition collide—Marino’s credits read like a stack of essential sleeves: Holy Diver (Dio), Tooth and Nail (Dokken), Stay Hard (Raven), Master of Puppets (Metallica), Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden), Among the Living (Anthrax), Appetite for Destruction (Guns N’ Roses), Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi), and Blow Up Your Video (AC/DC). That’s the kind of resume that doesn’t just “master” records—it weaponizes them, but with taste. George Marino Wiki

    • All titles published by Zomba Music Pub Ltd.

    Sleeve Concept and Design: Derek Riggs and Rod Smallwood

    Sleeve Illustrations: Derek 'Master Of The Universe' Riggs.

  • Derek Riggs – Illustrator, Cover Artist Derek Riggs is the artist who gave Iron Maiden its visual soul by creating Eddie, one of the most recognizable mascots in heavy metal history. Since the band’s 1980 debut, his artwork fused sci-fi, horror, and dark fantasy into covers that were as confrontational and imaginative as the music itself. Riggs’ paintings didn’t just decorate records, they built a world that became inseparable from Maiden’s identity.
    Derek Riggs Wiki

    • Inner Sleeve Photograph: Aaron Rapoport

    Sleeve Preparation: The Artful Dodgers.

    The Artful Dodgers were a Hertfordshire-based graphic design company, fronted by Keith Peacock, Neil Smith, and Michael Faulkner. Known for their sharp, distinctive visual style in the 1980s, they collaborated with major rock and metal acts, creating memorable sleeve layouts and packaging that complemented the dramatic artwork of illustrators like Derek Riggs for Iron Maiden.

    Iron Maiden is managed by Rod 'Rufus the Red' Smallwood for Sanctuary Music (Overseas) Ltd, and Andy 'Rzzle Dozzle' Taylor for Sanctuary Music Ltd

    Record Label & Catalognr:

    EMI 2405971

    Album Packaging:

    This album includes the original light cardboard custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by "IRON MAIDEN and a band photo.

    Media Format:

    12" LP DMM Direct Metal Mastering   

    Year & Country:

    1986 Made in France
    Band Members and Musicians on: IRON MAIDEN . Somewhere in Time
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • Bruce Dickinson
    • Bruce Dickinson – Vocals Bruce Dickinson, born August 1958, is the powerhouse vocalist who propelled Iron Maiden to legendary status. Joining the band in 1981, his operatic range, sharp phrasing, and commanding stage presence reshaped the group’s sound and ambition, defining era-classic albums like The Number of the Beast and Powerslave. Beyond Maiden, he built a parallel career as a solo artist, commercial pilot, author, and broadcaster, giving his legacy a reach that stretches well beyond heavy metal.
      Bruce Dickinson Wiki
    • Dave Murray
    • Dave Murray – Guitar

      Maiden’s calm killer: smooth leads, twin-guitar harmony for days, and that melodic bite that makes the “gallop” feel cinematic instead of chaotic.

      Dave Murray (born 23 December 1956, Edmonton, Middlesex, England) is one of the defining lead guitar voices of heavy metal, and in my book he’s the melodic “second spine” of Iron Maiden. His timeline with the band starts early: joining in 1976, getting briefly pushed out in 1977, then returning in 1978 and staying locked in ever since—making him one of the longest-serving members in the whole Maiden saga. During that 1977 gap he spent around six months with Urchin (Adrian Smith’s band), which is a fun little historical glitch in the matrix if you like your Maiden lore messy and human. Beyond the main band, his most notable “outside the mothership” credit is the all-star charity metal project Hear ’n Aid (1985), because apparently even guitar lifers sometimes leave the bunker to do side quests. Dave Murray Wiki

    • Adrian Smith
    • Adrian Smith – Guitarist, Songwriter Adrian Smith is one of those players I always associate with Iron Maiden’s classic sound and its later revival. Joining in 1980, leaving in 1990, and returning in 1999, his melodic solos and sharp songwriting helped define albums from The Number of the Beast to Brave New World and beyond.
      Adrian Smith Wikipedia
    • Steve Harris
    • Steve Harris – Bass Guitar, Songwriter

      Iron Maiden’s engine room: galloping bass lines, history-nerd lyrics, and “captain of the ship” energy baked into every riff.

      Steve Harris (born 12 March 1956, Leytonstone, England) is the rare bassist who doesn’t just hold the floor—he draws the whole blueprint. In my book, he’s the founder and primary songwriter who’s kept Iron Maiden on its rails from 1975–present, with that instantly recognizable “gallop” driving huge chunks of the catalogue. The pre-Maiden grind matters too: first band days in Influence/Gypsy’s Kiss (1973–1974, including a documented gig run in 1974), then the older, blues-leaning Smiler period (1974–1975) where his more ambitious writing basically forced the next step: forming Maiden. Outside the mothership, he’s fronted his own hard-rock outlet British Lion (2012–present), a project that grew out of connections going back to the early 1990s and finally hit the world as his solo debut in 2012.

      Steve Harris Wiki
    • Nicko McBrain
    • Nicko McBrain – Drums Nicko McBrain, born 1952, is the powerhouse drummer who has driven Iron Maiden’s thunderous engine since joining in 1982. His playing combines brute force with swing and pinpoint timing, giving albums like The Number of the Beast and Powerslave their unstoppable momentum. Before Maiden, his work with Trust and the Pat Travers Band sharpened his style, culminating in a career that redefined metal drumming.
      Nicko McBrain Wiki
    Complete Track Listing of: IRON MAIDEN . Somewhere in Time
      Side One:
    1. Caught somewhere in Time
    2. Wasted Years
    3. Sea of Madness
    4. Heaven can Wait
      Side Two:
    1. The Loneliness of the long distance runner
    2. Stranger in a Strange Land
    3. Deja-Vu
    4. Alexander the Great

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