Accident of birth (1997)

Tracks
The Freak
Toltec 7 Arrival *
Starchildren
Taking the Queen
Darkside of Aquarius
Road to Hell *
Man of Sorrows
Accident of Birth
The Magician *
Welcome to the Pit
Omega
Arc of Space

Recording info
Produced by Roy Z
Recorded in SilverCloud, Sound City Recording, LA
Mixed at Brooklyn Recording by Stan Katayama & Roy Z
* mixed at SilverCloud Recording by Joe Floyd & Roy Z

Richard Baker - Piano
Silvia Tsai - Violin
Rebecca Yeli - Cello

Lineup
Bruce Dickinson - Vocals
Adrian Smith - Guitar
Roy Z - Guitar, Mellotron, Piano
Eddie Casillas - Bass
Dave Ingraham - Drums

Singles
(releasedate, top chart position)

Accident of Birth
(3/5-97)
No.54 (1 week)

Man of Sorrows
(Japan only)

Promo videos
Accident of birth, Road to hell, Man of sorrows

After Skunkworks decline, Bruce found himself in a rather disillusioned state and even considered quit doing music altogether. But when things looked very dark he got in touch with Roy Z who had written a couple of Heavy Metal which he thought would suit Bruce. Bruce wasn't totally convinced but decided to have a go at it, well aware that it might be the last thing he would ever record.

When the two of them got together and started working Bruce became very enthusiastic though and they once again brought in Roy's "Tribe of gypsies" to do the backingtracks. Bruce asked his old Maiden mate Adrian Smith to come in and make a few features on a couple of tracks and in the end Adrian ended up playing on the entire album! This time Roy also produced the album.

Bruce was convinced that he wanted an illustration for the album cover and enter Derek Riggs! After it became obvious that Derek wouldn't work for Iron Maiden for a while Bruce took the opportunity to use his talent. A character was created for the cover; Edison (Edison, Eddie's son - geddit?).

The album was released in Europe on the 12th of May 1997.

Click here for the lyrics

American 1997 promo shot

Another American promo pic from 1997

European promo shot from 1997