Hey RMR you do some really great album reviews.
I`ve started a number of threads on MB, but never done an in-depth album review (will probably do one soon)
I agree largely with what you say about this album as well, its considered a landmark metal album, an essential metal album, one of the places to start for people getting into metal, the album where Iron Maiden became household names, the album where Bruce Dickenson became a metal god etc. BUT its extremely patchy and doesn`t flow as a true classic album should, it has some great songs but a number of average tracks as well, but most importantly most Maiden fans wouldn`t put this anywhere near their favourite album by the band and I think that kind of says it all really. Their debut, Piece of Mind and Powerslave are usually regarded as the seminal albums by Maiden.
If you like NWOBHM check out this thread below, its not an in depth album reviews but mini reviews of albums in the NWOBHM.
http://www.musicbanter.com/rock-meta...avy-metal.html