Maiden Voyagers

It's 1998. It's nearly the new millennium. Virtual reality is all the rage (sort of). France '98 (the footie world cup) is imminent.

And who else is better placed to bring all these disparate elements together in to one cohesive artistic statement? Why, only Iron Maiden of course.

This week, Sam and Bledd start exploring the second album of a new era of Maiden - Virtual XI. Join them as they take a perhaps unsurprisingly skeptical glance at the band's follow up to The X Factor. 

Alright, time to get down to brass tacks (or whatever the expression is). This week, we continue our look into one of Iron Maiden's most maligned albums - the first featuring young upstart, Blaze Bayley.

Join Bledd and Sam as they reflect on Blaze trying to fill some of the biggest boots in heavy metal and whether 'The X Factor' deserves its negative rep.

It's all change in the Iron Maiden camp... again. Exit Bruce Dickinson and enter Blaze Bayley of Wolfsbane.

Recorded way back in the distant past (well, okay, spring this year), you can finally join Bledd and Sam as they jump in to the next chapter of Maiden history. New singer, new album, same old hijinks?

After a... longer and slightly more sudden hiatus than planned, Bledd and Sam are coming home to talk about all things Iron Maiden. Before we get stuck in to The X Factor and Virtual XI (and boy, do we get stuck in), join us for a bit of a chat about current band events* and Bruce Dickinson's UK tour.

(*Not that current, as this was recorded just before the 'Run For Your Lives' tour announcement. Classic.)

We're excited to be back... again!

This week, we're continuing our foray into Bruce Dickinson's swansong with Maiden, 'Fear of the Dark'. How does it compare to the album before? And is it a fitting note for Maiden's iconic frontman to end on (for now)? Join us and find out!

Right. No more detours. We're charting the good ship Maiden Voyagers on a course back to the band's studio albums.

But what about Iron Maiden themselves? After the uh... mixed 'No Prayer For The Dying', can the band course correct with 'Fear of the Dark'? Join Bledd and Sam as they fare the rising tides of the '90s and Bruce Dickinson hops out on a life boat.

In a slight change to our scheduled programming, we're not jumping in to 'Fear of the Dark' just yet. Instead, Bledd and Sam talk all things 'The Mandrake Project' - including their ultimate fanboy experience of meeting Bruce Dickinson at the album's launch event. Good times!

After a... little break, Bledd and Sam are back to continue their voyage through Iron Maiden's storied discography. Honestly though, they needed that time to steel themselves for the choppy waters of Maiden in the 1990s.

But first, before they get in to the rumbling waves of Fear of the Dark, join the two seafarers as they talk shop about Maiden current affairs (well, "current" to January, when this episode was recorded) and put Bledd's trivia knowledge to the test.

It's the final episode of the season! Join Bledd and Sam as they cast a critical eye on 'No Prayer For The Dying' and round up the ranking results for the discog so far.