The Trooper Single is Officially Announced
After months of speculation among fans fueled by all the information available on Maidenfans.com, Iron Maiden.com has finally confirmed the obvious: the Trooper is to be released as a single.We're not in 1983 fokes... it's just to promote the latest Maiden DVD effort 'Death on the Road' out for the last day of August.
Promo singles of this release have already been out in many countries, including Spain ahead of the Lorca Rock Festival.
The official release date is on August 15.
11/07/2005 Maiden announce new single 'The Trooper' - out August 15th
Iron Maiden have confirmed they are to release their classic track ‘The Trooper’ as a single to precede their hugely-anticipated headline appearances at the Reading & Leeds Festivals and their double live album ‘Death On The Road’. The single will be released on 15th August as a maxi CD, Limited Edition blue 7' vinyl and 12' picture discs, all featuring a live recording of ‘The Trooper’, taken from their forthcoming new album/DVD 'Death On The Road', plus previously unavailable live tracks recorded on the 7th June 2005 at Reykjavik Egishorllin Stadium.
‘The Trooper’, taken from the classic Iron Maiden album ‘Piece Of Mind’ was originally released as a single in July 1983 and reached number 12. It has long been a live favourite and is a particular highlight of the current tour which is based around the band’s first four albums. Iron Maiden's last single 'The Number Of The Beast' entered the UK chart at No 3 when it was released early this year.
The Reading and Leeds appearances will complete Iron Maiden’s busy summer touring schedule that includes top billing at major European Festivals and their own headlining stadium dates like their record breaking show in Gothenburg at the 55,000 capacity Ullevi Stadium that sold out in a mere two and a half hours. Just prior to Reading and Leeds the band will be joining Black Sabbath on Ozzfest in North America, plus playing plus playing sold out gigs in Denver, Quebec and Toronto.
On August 29th Iron Maiden release ‘Death On The Road’, the double live album recorded in Dortmund Germany during their 2003 ‘Dance Of Death’ world tour.
The single ‘The Trooper’ is released on August 15th in the following three formats:-
7” Limited Edition Blue Vinyl
The Trooper (Live 2003)
C/w ‘Another Life (Live 2005)
12” Picture Disc Limited Edition in die cut sleeve
The Trooper (Live 2003)
The Trooper (original version)
C/w Murders in the Rue Morgue
Enhanced Maxi CD
Audio Tracks
Trooper (Live 2003)
Trooper (original version)
Prowler (live 2005)
Videos
Trooper (Live 2003)
Trooper (original promo)
Iron Maiden have also just announced that they are to play a special benefit concert in aid of former drummer Clive Burr MS Trust Fund at London’s Hammersmith Carling Apollo on Friday 2nd September with Special Guests PIG IRON and VOODOO SIX.
Source: IronMaiden.com
31 Comments
Ok, I told you (a loooooooong time ago) that this release was to promote the DVD and pretty much everyone got on me saying how I could have such a stupid idea since the Trooper and Dance of Death are not time-related.
He, you should all ask Maiden why they do that now !
Cheers
I never doubted you mate. It's a stupid idea though 
At large.nl (site where you can buy merchandise,...) you can also buy the Trooper picture disc (rel. 29/08) with title track & live version of murders in the rue morgue => or is that just the old picture disc ?!
why do they need to bring out out the trooper again?
Don't they have enough money?
It's sooo nice to see you all bitching again. You've got to love Maiden: they release stuff and that allows us to constantly bitch and moan. And when they don't release anything we could always bitch about the setlists... ![lol[1].gif](style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/lol[1].gif)
not all releases are received with bitching. The Early Days was a substantial rerelease of material that was really needed and it was perceived greatly. Don't expect the majority not to react to crappy releases by Maiden just because they seem to be doing it all the time and the fans thus repeat themselves. Edward the Great was crap, 3 rereleased singles was crap, so was The Essential IM. So seems to be the editing of the new DVD, so have been most covers in the last 10 years. Fans of Maiden have been spoiled by the quality and substence of older releases. AMATEURISMS they are not used to. It's a fact for me. Maiden are a shadow of what they were 10 years ago. Yes, ten. It was much more of a band during The X Factor. It was the last time everybody in the band gave a shit.
I think its cool, the Trooper rules!
I know, I've entered the bitching camp a little
It's just that Maiden seems to be more and more a nostalgia act and I don't really like it.
I mean, ok, they want to release some of their past glory hits, so be it, but since they're getting coverage from their current tour, why not put some newer material as b sides ?
Why limit these to Prowler or 20+ years hits ?
If Maiden wants to defend itself as a meaningful band, they could have gone with some 'Paschendale' or 'Dance of Death' just to prove the non-fan buyer that they're still somewhat relevant. It could have helped them for their future releases and improve their current sales (not only the best of and past albums).
Anyway.
Cheers
Why limit these to Prowler or 20+ years hits ?
If Maiden wants to defend itself as a meaningful band, they could have gone with some 'Paschendale' or 'Dance of Death' just to prove the non-fan buyer that they're still somewhat relevant.[right][snapback]113214[/snapback][/right]
Because if they did that they would have had fans moaning that they were all songs that they could get on DOTR. At least the songs they are putting on b-sides are more unusual than normal. Im more than happy to see another life and prowler on there. Also, don't forget it also has the purpose of raising interest in Maiden for the Leeds and Reading gigs so using b-sides from the early days fits in that context too.
I see your point. I still maintain that the strategy should have been different. A strategy towards newer fans not knowing the current Maiden that well and not towards a more installed base of fans. The Live 2005 numbers will be included in a future DVD anyway 
Cheers
I appreciate the fact that every 6 months or so I have something new to add to my Maiden collection. I don't really see the problem with shelling out $8 cdn. for a CD single. No one forces me to buy them and I can just as easily not.
I don't really understand all the bitching about re-releasing 20+ year old singles.
Run to the Hills was released to support Clive and his battle with MS. What would be the point of releasing a single that he did not play on? Granted, they could've released 22 Acacia Avenue as a single or Die With Your Boots On, but they made the wise choice in selecting Run to the Hills as it would more than likely sell more copies than the 2 possibilities I mentioned, thus resulting in more money for their mate, Clive.
The Number Of the Beast was released to "introduce newer fans to older Maiden". Whether you believe that or not is up to you. Sure it was unnecessary, but who cares? Buy it or don't. People argue that they could've released a song from DOD as a single but having already released 3 songs from that album I guess they decided to go for some nostalgia. And judging by the reception to The Early Days DVD, nostalgia is what a lot of Maiden fans want.
The Trooper: Same argument as above applies.
The bottom line is that we all know that Maiden is a marketing machine surpassed only by that of Kiss, and even that is questionable. I prefer to have something released every few months as opposed to having them release an album, tour, and then not hear or see anything from them until 2 years later when a new album is released. But maybe that's just me. 
Speaking of b'sides I'm sick of live b'sides in general. If you want live recordings get a bootleg. There'll be plenty of good quality bootlegs of the current tour soon enough (the Gothenburg TV broadcast for one). For the next album I sincerely hope they'll do some studio b'sides...
As for the single it could be compared to earlier singles promoting live albums but as it doesn't have a new cover artwork and includes the original version of the song it's more of a re-release than the others were IMO.
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I'd rather have quality releases instead of re-heated old crap in large quantities. But maybe that's just me.
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You make a good point.
Although, being the sheep that I am, I'm pretty sure Steve Harris could crap in a CD jewel case, heat it in the microwave, and sell it as a new single and I would buy it the day it came out.
As for the single it could be compared to earlier singles promoting live albums but as it doesn't have a new cover artwork and includes the original version of the song it's more of a re-release than the others were IMO.
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I’ve always liked live b-sides. I thought the Wickerman and OOTSP singles were great (the last value for money singles IMO), with 2 ‘new’ live versions and a video on each CD single and, unless my memory is faulty, no need to buy the vinyl single for an extra track. I haven’t got a record player anyway… This 3 singles with 3 different B-sides approach is just a cynical cash cow. A lone CD EP with The Trooper 2003 and the 2005 live tracks would have sufficed for DVD and up-coming tour date promotion purposes. As the Saint says, the 2005 tracks will doubtless appear on a future release, so there's no point buying 'limited edition' singles. I sometimes wish that so many Maiden fans weren't obsessive collectors, then we'd get more decent releases.
Despite my love for live B-sides, I agree that it’s high time Maiden actually used original studio tracks (and not alternative versions/remixes of existing songs) or cover versions, but please no more jams!
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What's your point with this remark? You think they are not a good live band anymore? What do you mean with the 'band'-thing? I highly doubt that the band has anything to do with such single releases. It's the Record Company.
Well, I think you all should quit your bitching! Maiden will be gone in 5 years and you`ll have plenty to bitch about then.
So there!
Lets see, they have been around for some 30 years now. If they want to re-release the Trooper 100 times, I dont give a shit. YOU DONT HAVE TO BUY IT!
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Oh yeah, 10 years ago when they released the Steve Harris solo album...
IMHO they are a better band nowadays and certainly live are much stronger than they have ever been. The problem is that they don't record albums as usual as during the 80s and they have to fill the gaps between them with different releases.
I agree that some of these releases weren't necessary from a fan's point of view, but at least "The trooper" is going to feature some B-sides that won't appear elsewhere. Yeah, obscure Maiden tracks that haven't been played for quite a while (and have never been recorded by the current line-up). And yet some people is complaining than some of them won't appear on the CD-single (if they were to release 2 CD-singles, the bitching wouldn't stop either). It's true that they shouldn't have included the original version on the single, just the new live one, but they are giving us another thing to moan about. We should be grateful.
I believe live b'sides are in order for a live single and the selection of songs is definitely better than usual, although Murders... is the only one of them I like. I'd be more annoyed if it had been another version of Hallowed!
Having said that, for the singles from the next album I'd rather have comedy tracks, piss-takes, cover versions or whatever as b'sides than more live stuff.
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I would love to get more cover versions too.
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No we dont and I personally DONT buy this kind of stuff but many MANY fans of the band are "collectors" and feel they have to own everything. I know people who have every copy of every Maiden album ever released including re-releases, different formats ie. vinyl, cd, cassette, and some even have them when only the catalog number changes. Sanctuary know that and given the size of the fan base will make the most of it especially given the band only have 5 more years of new material to go - thats what, two more studio albums?
Fine if they want to re-release stuff but make it worthwhile. Early Days was a great package. Re-releasing Trooper is not. Because of the complex booklet, the original limited Best of the Beast was a classic compilation album. Edward the Great was not.
I personally think the last four albums were among the best they ever released. Am I biased because I discovered the band only with BTW? Perhaps.
I am a bit sad that Maiden indeed are selling out when it comes to pointles re-releases and compilations. But all the while they still make original music, and that's all I care for.
I know some of the qualities the band once had have drowned. The cover artwork is mostly a joke these days, the production is certainly not as good as in the eighties, and the band do not seem to stick together as much as they used to. But all this has not come in the way of their songwriting, or their performance. Yes, Bruces vocals on "Montségur" are a tour-de-force, and the choruses on some songs are quite repetitive. But, honestly, all this is nothing new. Bruces vocals on "Back In The Village" are terrible, the production of "No Prayer For The Dying" and "Fear Of The Dark" does not deserve the name and songs such as "Prowler", "Iron Maiden" and "Another Life" repeat the same verses THREE TIMES. Is that not repetitive?
And about re-issues... dare I mention "The First Ten Years" singles, the CD re-issues during the early nineties or the "First Ten Years" and "From There To Eternity" videos? What about "A Real Live One", "A Real Dead One" and "Live At Donington", all released within ONE year?
Sorry, but I simply HATE the fact that whenever a band like Iron Maiden release something new (or re-release something, for that matter), people go about whining "They lost it" or "They're just selling out these days".
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The Essential Iron Maiden is even worse. They had promised a nice and thick booklet, full of interesting stuff. All we get is some inane bullshit by a doped-up would-be music journalist and a poxy discography... oh, and the track list too!
'The Trooper' 7" single, blue vinyl + 12" Picture Disc...
...yeah, give it to me, that's what I need as a vinyl collector! 
Thank you Maiden for keeping releasing vinyls. 
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Yeah. Thanks a lot Maiden. I love these releases!
Let me tell you guys about reality. People are always going to complain about anything. That's a fact. Everyone is not satisfied at one point or the other.
If there was a person giving out five US dollars as dollar bills, people would still complain because they wanted their money in a single five dollar bill or even worse to have quarters, dimes, and nickels.
It is just the way people are. Complain, complain, complain.
By saying more of a band I mean more of a unit with something to prove and a common goal. Ofcourse they are better live now then what they were with Blaze but that isn't the only thing that makes a band.
Being a fan also allows for fair criticism.
The 'don't buy' argument is correct and I have always supported it. But let's be clear: the management knows that a hardcore fanbase is there to buy those, so it's a lot easier to say it.
I wish that both the band and the management would use that same stamina to defend the relevancy of Iron Maiden in the 21st century.
Cheers
Well, Im one of those "hard core" fans who generally collects it all. Do I feel like Im being taken advantage of by the band? No..... Why? Because its still MY CHOICE to buy everything they release or not. So I will not complain.
And any other serious collector shouldnt either, because it just creates that much more stuff to hunt for. Maiden collecting is a life long hobby. You dont have to get it all right away. Shit Ive been collecting Maiden seriously for over 10 years now. I take my time with it.
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Not the only thing but surely the most important thing, together with songwriting.
By the way, this unit has a common goal. It has something to prove. They even want to play for younger American audiences this summer. They are still a very ambitious band if you ask me.
I hope they can prove to write a better album than DOD.
Iron Maiden are trying to appease their older and newer fans.
Let's see what they've done for their older fans since 1999.
1. They toured and played "old" songs during the Ed Hunter Tour.
2. They toured and mostly played older songs on the Gimme Ed Tour.
3. They re-released Run to the Hills, The Number of the Beast, and The Trooper singles.
4. The Early Days DVD was released and are currently touring and strictly playing songs from that time period.
Let's see what they've done for their newer fans since 1999.
1. Brave New World and supported it with a world tour.
2. Dance of Death and supported it with a tour.
3. Rock in Rio CD and DVD.
4. Edward the Great and the Essential Iron Maiden CDs.
For both older and newer since 1999.
1. Visions of the Beast DVD.
In my opinion that is what they are trying to do. They want to appeal to their entire fan base.