Nineteen Eighty-three was a significant year in the world of Iron Maiden. A band who had already released three albums prior, their most recent being 1982’s highly successful Number of the Beast, 1983 would come with new ambitions for the collective of musicians (Steve Harris, Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, Bruce Dickinson, Nicko McBrain). Set out to create something special, they joined together in the earlier part of 1983 to write and record the songs that would become their most acclaimed album of all-time, Piece of Mind.
Initially released on May 16, 1983, Piece of Mind was the second album to feature their most distinctive vocalist, Bruce Dickinson, and the first to include long-time Drummer Nicko McBrain. Two extremely significant factors; Dickinson had settled in comfortably as the voice of Iron Maiden, and McBrain gave them a fire behind the kit as clearly exemplified from the album’s opening track “Where Eagles Dare.” This all considered, Piece of Mind would make Iron Maiden more than just a special guest on North American tours, but now one solidified as arena headliners. Outstanding when you think of the impact, in 2023 the album turned 40 years old, with still an aura of glory surrounding it.
Something that the band and fans universally celebrate, in Piece of Mind’s honor Iron Maiden joined forces with Z2 (a premier graphic novel brand) to create the Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind book which was released on November 21, 2023. Explaining this further, the gentlemen in Iron Maiden wanted a unique way to celebrate the anniversary of Piece of Mind… so they thought what better way than a graphic novel. Doing this, they expanded upon the storylines of Piece of Mind and the songs that encompass the record, bringing in outsider writers and illustrators to offer their own interruptions of the material. An interesting concept, what transpired was an assembly of accomplished writers/illustrators creating unique storylines and illustrations for each of Piece of Mind’s nine tracks. Doing so individually, each plot is inspired by the music and lyrics of each song, however without mimicking the lyrics, they are separate entities unto themselves.
Curious exactly what this all means? It means that the team which drafted this book all created the art and stories that make up each chapter based on their own concepts of each said song. Easier said than done, the best part is each respective creator has a personal relationship with Iron Maiden’s music… so their visions are sincere and from the heart. That said, each chapter offers something different both in the drawings and words on the page. A factor that could also make the collection non-cohesive, due to so many voices included, it all actually works out well, with each story flowing seamlessly into the other.
Some stories are more lengthy than others, but each feature a different theme that coincides with Piece of Mind’s music. In fact, there are times while reading this book and scanning the art, you may feel the rhythm of the tracks parading in the back of your psyche. A testament to the work put in by each of those who worked on the book, it is safe to say they do the band and the Piece of Mind album justice.
Bringing it all together, Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind is presented in a lovely hardcover bound book. Available either as a standard hardcover edition, a deluxe edition (featuring a clamshell box), or a Asylum Edition (with many bonus including a replica 1983 Piece of Mind ticket and a Eddie Piece of Mind model kit in a collector’s box), what you choice to invest in is really up to you. If you are a true-blue collector, you may want the Asylum Edition, but no matter the selection you make, you cannot go wrong with the context of the book itself.
Adding more intrigue to everything, Bruce Dickinson himself even wrote the story for the Revelations chapter of the book. This is while there are also a slew of quotes from others (from Muse to Amon Amarth) thoughts on Iron Maiden and this album, a lovely introduction with keen insight about the times of Piece of Mind from the band’s manager Rod Smallwood. Bringing it all together nicely, there is a must read closing love letter from Anthrax’s Scott Ian to Iron Maiden and the fans that will leave you smiling.
In the end, Iron Maiden did something special and memorable for the 40th anniversary of Piece of Mind. A book you will want to add to your collection, Cryptic Rock gives Z2’s Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind 5 out of 5 stars.
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