1 Overlooked Gem Song From Every Iron Maiden Album

With the exception of 'Futureal' and 'The Clansman', the second Iron Maiden album to feature Blaze Bayley is largely forgettable. Not as dark and depressing as its predecessor, but at least 'The X-Factor' had an identity, 'Virtual XI' fell way short in every department.

Outside of the two tracks that have continued on in Maiden memory since Bruce Dickinson returned, 'The Angel and the Gambler' is at least memorable. Though not on the same level as many of the band's nine-minute epics, it brings something different to the table.

As already mentioned, 'The X Factor' was dark and dreary, while this was far more upbeat, and far removed from the Iron Maiden norm. In this instance, it isn't necessarily a bad thing, and makes the song definitely worth a listen. Bayley's vocal work still doesn't stand out like Dickinson's, but in this part of Maiden's history we take what we can get.

No Iron Maiden fan is ever going to claim that 'The Angel and the Gambler' is their favourite, but even if it is for no other reason than to hear Steve Harris playing keyboards like never before for Maiden, and a much brighter tone than usual, it stands out from the majority of Bayley's two albums.