Written By Kevin McSweeney
Paul Di’Anno, the former Iron Maiden vocalist who sadly passed away last October at the age of 66, will be honoured this week with the release of In Memory of Paul Di’Anno, an album consisting of material recorded by him, solo or with Architects of Chaoz, for Metalville Records. As the official announcement from the label states:
“The album contains a selection of the best songs that Paul recorded during his time at Metalville Records.
In addition, In Memory Of includes 9two bonus tracks that have never been released in physical form before. Je Suis Charlie is a track from Paul’s Architects Of Chaoz phase, which was previously only available digitally. Killers is a live version recorded at Wacken Open Air 2015.
To honor the unforgettable artist, a portion of the proceeds from every CD and LP sold of In Memory Of will be donated to the charitable organization Metality e.V. (@metality.foundation).”
We are sure that the album will be a fine way to say goodbye to a legendary figure in heavy metal, and hope that it will raise substantial funds for such a worthy cause. Di’Anno himself was outspoken about his own struggles with physical and mental health, and it is touching that this tribute to him will do some good for others facing similar struggles.
Paul Di’Anno in 1981. l Natkin/Getty Images
On a personal note, I had the honour of meeting the great man once, when, as a socially awkward and utterly nondescript teenager, I saw him in a small music venue that sadly no longer exists. His band Killers were touring the Menace to Society album at the time. This was long before social media had demystified celebrities and made them accessible, so seeing him at the bar in that small venue was as if a God had descended from Mount Olympus to walk amongst the mortals. Nervously, I approached him and, with a handshake and a cheerful: “alright, mate?” He made an awkward, nondescript teen feel, for a while at least, as if he belonged in such exalted company. He called me his mate! OK, so men from his neck of the woods call eveyone mate, but still, I was his mate, and I was absolutely delighted! I will always be grateful to him for that, and I urge you to consider paying tribute to him, and supporting the Metality foundation by purchasing this album.
In Memory of Paul Di’Anno is available via www.metalville-shop.com
Tracklisting:
01. Paul Di’Anno – Impaler (live)
02. Architects of Chaoz – Je Suis Charlie
03. Architects of Chaoz – Switched Off… Released
04. Paul Di’Anno – The Beast Arises (live)
05. Paul Di’Anno – Marshall Lockjaw (live)
06. Architects of Chaoz – Rejected
07. Architects of Chaoz – You’ve Been Kissed by the Wings of the Angel of Death
08. Paul Di’Anno – Running Free (Live)
09. Architects of Chaoz – Apache Falls
10. Paul Di’Anno – Blitzkrieg Bop (live)
11. Architects of Chaoz – Killers (live)
12. Architects of Chaoz – Soldier of Fort