Album Description:
In the vast landscape of heavy metal, Iron Maiden stands tall as one of the genre's most influential and enduring bands. With their powerful sound, captivating lyrics, and iconic imagery, Iron Maiden has left an indelible mark on the world of music. Among their extensive discography, "The Trooper" stands out as a timeless classic. Released as a 12" vinyl maxi single in 1983, this Super Sound Version produced by Martin Birch, and featuring an illustration by Derek Riggs, encapsulates the band's raw energy, musical prowess, and artistic vision.
The Trooper: A Battle Cry of Heavy Metal:
"The Trooper" is a monumental song that perfectly embodies the essence of Iron Maiden. With its thunderous riffs, galloping rhythm, and soaring vocals by Bruce Dickinson, it is a sonic assault that resonates with listeners. The song's lyrics draw inspiration from the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War, recounting the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers in the face of war. This battle anthem became one of Iron Maiden's most recognizable songs, showcasing their ability to merge historical narratives with intense heavy metal.
Maxi Single Format: A Collector's Delight:
Released in the 12" vinyl maxi single format, "The Trooper" provided fans with an expanded experience of the song. This extended format allowed for additional tracks, remixes, and B-sides, offering a deeper immersion into Iron Maiden's musical universe. With the Super Sound Version, fans were treated to a higher audio quality that enhanced the impact of the band's performance. This format became a collector's delight, cherished by dedicated fans and vinyl enthusiasts alike.
Production by Martin Birch: Shaping Iron Maiden's Sound:
Martin Birch, renowned for his work with numerous rock and metal bands, played a crucial role in shaping Iron Maiden's sound during their golden era. With his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to capture the band's live energy in the studio, Birch elevated Iron Maiden's music to new heights. His production work on "The Trooper" maximized the song's dynamic range and allowed each instrument to shine, resulting in a powerful and polished recording.
Illustration by Derek Riggs: Visualizing Iron Maiden's Legacy:
Derek Riggs, the artist behind Iron Maiden's iconic mascot, Eddie, has become synonymous with the band's visual identity. For "The Trooper" maxi single, Riggs created a striking illustration that depicts Eddie as a British soldier, complete with a redcoat uniform and a tattered Union Jack flag. This artwork captures the essence of Iron Maiden's rebellious spirit and their ability to weave captivating narratives through visual imagery.
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Music
Genre:
Heavy Metal, NWOBHM
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Producers:
Produced by Martin Birch.
Martin Birch – Producer, Sound EngineerTreat 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. Read more... 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. Illustration by Derek 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.
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Tracks side 1:
The Trooper
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Tracks side 2:
Cross Eyed Mary
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Record Label:
EMI 1C K 052 1077646
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Media Format
12" Single, PS Picture Sleeve
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Year & Country
1983 Made in EEC
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