SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PAUL DI’ANNO – IN MEMORY OF

PAUL DI’ANNO
IN MEMORY OF
METALVILLE

Following the recent passing of punk/metal legend and former Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di’Anno, Metalville Records delivers a powerful tribute that honours Di’Anno’s ferocious legacy as both a frontman and a songwriter.

The album kicks off hard with “Impaler”, a ripping live track that wastes no time reminding us of the raw intensity Di’Anno brought to every stage he touched. It’s heavy, urgent, and loud, just the way he lived.

While Di’Anno’s name will forever be linked to his groundbreaking work on Iron Maiden’s first two albums, his influence extends far beyond that iconic era. Blending punk’s snarl with metal’s muscle, Di’Anno helped define the early ’80s New Wave of British Heavy Metal with a streetwise swagger and a bad-boy charisma that still resonates. Post-Maiden, he released 14 albums under various banners, Battlezone, Warhorse, Gogmagog, Di’Anno, and more, each carrying his signature grit and fire.

Next up is “Je Suis Charlie”, a powerful studio track that punches hard with both attitude and relevance. That’s followed by “Switched Off”, a haunting ballad that shows off the depth and range of Di’Anno’s vocals, equal parts rage and reflection.

“Rejected” stands out as a highlight. It’s got top-shelf studio production and serious Killers-era Maiden vibes. Di’Anno’s harmonized guitars and searing vocals throw down in a way that feels both classic and fresh, possibly the best track on the record.
Track 8 brings us an electrifying live cut of “Running Free” from Maiden’s 1980 self-titled debut. It’s loud, loose, and everything you want from that early Maiden chaos.

Then comes a full-throttle version of “Blitzkrieg Bop”, a nod to Di’Anno’s punk roots. It’s played at nearly double the Ramones’ original speed, and it absolutely RIPS!!!

The album closes with the poignant “Soldier of Fortune”. Softer, but no less powerful, it’s a fitting farewell to a man who never played it safe and never backed down.

Paul Di’Anno’s In Memory Of is a raw, loud, and heartfelt reminder of just how much this guy gave to the world of heavy music. Punk soul, metal heart. Legend, always.

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