Description
Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone – Children Of Madness – Red Vinyl Record
Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone – Children of Madness (1987) is the second studio album from the British heavy metal band Battlezone, fronted by former Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di’Anno. Released during the height of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) era, Children of Madness presents a powerful blend of traditional heavy metal, showcasing Di’Anno’s gritty vocal style and Battlezone’s heavy, aggressive sound. The album is a mix of melodic metal, hard-hitting riffs, and Di’Anno’s distinctive vocals, marking a continuation of the raw energy and attitude that characterized his time with Iron Maiden.
Children of Madness received attention within the metal community, both for Di’Anno’s reputation as the original voice behind Iron Maiden’s early classics and for its no-nonsense, straightforward approach to heavy metal.
The album sticks closely to the traditional heavy metal style that emerged during the NWOBHM movement. Fast guitar riffs, pounding drums, and galloping rhythms are present throughout, with a focus on driving melodies and heavy, anthemic choruses. Di’Anno’s voice, known for its mix of melodic delivery and raw, aggressive edge, is the defining feature of the album. His vocal performance brings both a sense of toughness and emotion, combining his punk-influenced style with more melodic metal elements.
The production on Children of Madness is typical of 1980s metal albums, with a sharp, clean sound that emphasizes the twin-guitar attack and heavy rhythm section. The album balances heavy riffs with catchy hooks, making it accessible to both NWOBHM fans and traditional metal listeners.
Key Tracks
“Rip It Up”: One of the album’s standout tracks, “Rip It Up” is a fast-paced metal anthem with Di’Anno’s gritty vocals driving the energy. The song’s upbeat tempo, catchy chorus, and aggressive guitar riffs make it a quintessential 80s metal track.
“I Don’t Wanna Know”: A mid-tempo, melodic track, “I Don’t Wanna Know” shows the band’s ability to blend heaviness with more accessible, radio-friendly melodies. The song features strong guitar work, with memorable solos and harmonized riffs that add depth to the track.
“Nuclear Breakdown”: This track highlights the band’s more aggressive side, with darker lyrical themes and a heavier, more intense sound. Di’Anno’s vocals take on a more menacing tone, and the song’s pounding rhythm reflects the darker, apocalyptic subject matter.
“Children of Madness”: The title track is a powerful, atmospheric piece that builds slowly with melodic guitar lines before exploding into a heavy, driving chorus. The song’s lyrics and Di’Anno’s emotive vocal delivery reflect a theme of chaos and societal collapse, making it one of the more introspective and intense tracks on the album.
“Whispered Rage”: This track showcases Di’Anno’s ability to convey raw emotion through his vocal performance, with a slower tempo and more melodic arrangement. The song’s moody atmosphere contrasts with the album’s more straightforward, high-energy tracks, adding variety to the overall sound.
The lyrics on Children of Madness reflect themes of societal breakdown, personal struggles, and chaos. Songs like “Nuclear Breakdown” and the title track explore darker subject matter, reflecting on the state of the world, conflict, and human behavior. Di’Anno, known for his rebellious and hard-living persona, brings themes of personal struggle and defiance to the forefront. Tracks like “I Don’t Wanna Know” and “Rip It Up” reflect a tough, no-nonsense attitude, combining his raw, punk-influenced worldview with the larger-than-life style of heavy metal.
Throughout the album, there is a sense of anger and frustration, but also resilience and strength. Di’Anno’s lyrics often address confronting obstacles and fighting back against adversity, themes that are central to both his personal life and the heavy metal genre.
Di’Anno’s gritty, raw vocal delivery is the highlight of Children of Madness. Known for his ability to shift between aggressive, almost snarling tones and more melodic passages, his performance on the album showcases both the toughness and emotional depth that made him a standout vocalist in Iron Maiden’s early years. The guitar work on the album, performed by John Wiggins and Graham Bath, follows the NWOBHM tradition of harmonized riffs and fast, intricate solos. The dual-guitar leads on tracks like “Rip It Up” and “I Don’t Wanna Know” are energetic and polished, adding both melody and aggression to the songs. The bass and drums provide a solid, driving foundation for the album’s sound. The rhythm section is tight and fast-paced, with Peter West’s basslines and Steve Hopgood’s drumming locking in with the twin guitars to create a powerful, cohesive sound that embodies the classic 80s metal vibe.
Children of Madness is often seen as a hidden gem within the 80s metal scene. While it didn’t achieve the same level of commercial success as some of Di’Anno’s contemporaries, the album has gained a cult following among fans of traditional heavy metal and NWOBHM. It represents a key moment in Di’Anno’s post-Iron Maiden career, showcasing his ability to front a band and deliver powerful, no-frills metal. Although Di’Anno’s career has had its ups and downs, his early work with Iron Maiden and subsequent projects like Battlezone have cemented his status as an influential figure in the metal world. Children of Madness stands as a testament to his vocal abilities and his contribution to the development of British heavy metal.
As part of the NWOBHM movement, Battlezone’s music, including Children of Madness, reflects the raw, powerful sound that defined the genre in the 1980s. The album is a snapshot of the era, capturing the intensity and energy of British heavy metal during its peak.
Children of Madness by Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone is a powerful representation of 1980s heavy metal, blending the raw energy of the NWOBHM with melodic elements and Di’Anno’s distinctive vocal style. The album showcases Di’Anno’s ability to lead a band outside of his Iron Maiden fame, delivering a collection of songs that are both aggressive and emotionally resonant. While it remains somewhat under the radar compared to other metal albums of the era, Children of Madness has earned its place as a cult favorite among fans of traditional heavy metal, highlighting Di’Anno’s enduring influence on the genre.
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Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Rip It Up
Overloaded
Nuclear Breakdown
Torch Of Hate
Children Of Madness
I Don’t Wanna Know
The Promise
It’s Love
Metal Tears
Whispered Rage
