Iron Maiden's Brighter Than A Thousand Suns: HEAVY and Awesome!

An in-depth, section-by-section look at one of the highlights of Iron Maiden's 206 album, A Matter Of Life And Death.
Guitars:
Jackson USA Signature Adrian Smith San Dimas
Fender Janick Gers Inspired Stratocaster
Plugin: Neural DSP Archetype Petrucci
DAW: Reaper Audio
Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
Strings: Ernie Ball 9-46 (Jackson) and 10-46 (Fender)
Picks: Licks of the Beast Custom (JAZZ III XL 1.5mm)

[@fmoe87]

As you said this is one of those rare occasions where Adrian and Janick plays guitar solos and Dave doesnt, in fact its actually the ONLY time to this day that it happens

[@mathstwinkle]

There is out of the silent planet too

[@fmoe87]

@@mathstwinkle only janick in that one

[@PolarisCastillo]

Bruh did you hear about Maiden's new FUTURE PAST Tour!? I'm so freaking PUMPED! It's going back to Somewhere in Time!!

[@ariskaraiskos8079]

Aren't they supposed to do the same with the somewhere Back in time tour 2008-2009?

[@j.s.3297]

This is one of my favorite Maiden songs..🌞🌞

[@stilts121]

Most underrated Maiden album, IMHO, and one of my faves from it!

[@GloriaaCristo2011]

Definitely one of my favorite songs ever

[@olivergarner1746]

An excellent breakdown of one of their most unique songs. I don’t understand why this one doesn’t get more attention. The whole atmosphere of the song is something else. It really is a complete package. I’ve always thought the riffs under the solos are actually 2 of the best riffs they’ve ever written, which says something about the quality of the song really. Interesting how they took they chord progression from the clean section and reused it in lord of light too.

[@azzajames7661]

As always love your work, Brother😉 Keep up the great indepth break downs🤗 Maiden do have a lot of hidden Gems😜 Up the mighty Irons 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@stavrosmaiden]

Thank you! What a song indeed 🤘 Remarkable

[@danbal4185]

Man, i hope that one day you'll make one of these breakdowns for Adrian's "Lord Of Light", another super-underrated track!

[@Nightshade1881]

I’d say that probably the best track on that whole amazing album!

[@ryos.5974]

I’m over the moon with how deeply you analysed this gem of a song that always seems to be overshadowed by the other masterpieces in this album! I once visited a WWII memorial in Kagoshima, which is near the southern end of Japan. The wreckage of the fighter plane on display with a solemn note next to it condemning war and its senseless, inhumane violence reminded me painfully of this song. The mysterious, “unnatural” time signature, intense solos and the cri de coeur of Bruce’s vocal delivery never fails to give me shivers. I might’ve fallen in love with this song all over again. Thank you Nico for the fantastic video!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I'm really glad to hear you enjoyed this video, my friend! If anyone can understand just how deep the meaning of this song is, it is undoubtedly (and unfortunately) you. 日本一番 🤘

[@ondrejbudinsky7326]

Just awesome, as usual. I really love these analysis of hidden gems like BTATS. I would love to see songa like Starchild, Mother of mercy, FF is kind of forgotten album imho. Something tells me, that we will see those things in future, so im just looking forward. I´m so glad the channel is growing, been there almost since the birth. Best Maiden channel by far!

[@viniciusleaoa]

Underrated af

[@potorrero]

Oh man, this is such a great song, I'm going to listen to it now, chances are I'll end up listening to the whole album though. So it's a win-win situation.

[@bradgrant3338]

I did the same today - the whole amazing album.

[@tillyvick14]

Thank you so much for this! I’ve always been very interested in this song…. Peak Maiden creativity!

[@toddgarber988]

Awesome!! What a great breakdown, as usual, of course. Love this album. How about Breeg? One of Dave's finest and very heavy as well.

[@JJames666male]

This song is so incredible, and to think that it's not even the best track on the album says a lot on how good of a record it is

[@fegiglio]

Great song, great video. Congrats.

[@ap19918]

Glad someone is covering this song! What an epic this is! One of the best albums of Maiden

[@Ser_Xav]

Man, when I watch your videos it’s like you supercharge the song for me, and makes me go and revisit whole albums with a newfound sense of wonder and precision in my hearing, and appreciation of the detail and interplays. It’s like listening to whole new songs. You have me scouring every square inch of every album. And I love it when you highlight and cover some small detail that I think only I noticed or appreciated (like when you said ‘moonchild-esque’ on your Hell on Earth vid for example 🤘). Your dedication and talent are immense. Chapeau, Sir!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Wow that is a very flattering and encouraging comment! Thank you very much 🙏🙏 It's a great feeling to know I could help you enjoy the music of this great band even more. Cheers! 🤜🤛

[@antkel72]

One of their best, one of my best

[@alekskot9240]

Your Maiden guitars sound and tone, is so perfect and close to the originals songs, that sometimes i wanna cry!!! 😆😆❤

[@gica028]

Great video, great analysis. This album is great. Once I saw a live of brazilian magazine Rodie Crew if i'm not mistaken, v=aFTsR4hZ1SA&t=4832s, one of them said that he loves this album. He said that this album doesn't have a big hit like Run to The Hills, or The Number of The Beast, but the album as a whole is great, he said that this album is better listened as a whole, like The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

[@emilyinoregon6967]

I love these breakdowns. Been a fan for about 7 years, but I feel like I've barely scratched the surface! AMOLAD is one of my favorites, too.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I feel that way too sometimes and I've been a fan for 35 years 😄😄 Glad you enjoy the breakdown videos because I have many more coming 😃

[@MorleyRobertson1975]

One of my all time favorite riffs, hands down.

[@ReZhorw]

Yeees more 2000 - 2010 maiden please!

[@JJames666male]

That open string in Adrian's solo is so classy

[@jonkerrmusic]

I routinely play parts from this song for fun and warm-ups. It has all the good stuff! Dynamic shifts, great arpeggios, massive sounding refrain riffs, everything.

[@tomasporco7468]

Unique song and album. Really heavy. Iron maiden's heaviest guitars ever!

[@josephgerard8084]

That poster behind you Nicko it becomes a reality! The future past tour 2023 is here!... Its a fabulous song brighter than a thousands suns... There's a version in a Abbey road gig 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 tremendously version... Up the irons Nicko... Awesome this video 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@longestday9727]

The best IM album, IMO. This song, The Longest Day and The Legacy are my favourites on it.

[@UltraPvnk]

AMOLAD is truly a masterpiece of an album. You ready for their new Tour Coming Up??? I hope they FINALLY play No Prayer!!!!

[@joeverastegui8399]

Strange thing about this song the very 1st time I heard it , it didn't really grab me for whatever reason although the rest of the album wowed the Beast in me. However this CD stayed in my car's player for about 2 weeks straight and I'd listen to it to and from work. Somewhere around the fourth listen the song finally dawned on me pretty hard and I was like "How did this song not grab me and pull me in like this on the first few listens?" Somewhere about the fifth listen of the whole CD all the way through is when I realized this is my favorite Maiden CD and it had took the place of DOD as my favorite. Even after TFF BOS and Senjutsu it remains my all time favorite. Anyway , enjoyed the vid very much, love to see what they are doing in the ways of the riffs and licks. Keep up the fantastic work. Great Channel and I always look forward to the next new vid. Cheers! and Up The Irons!

[@darrenc8776]

Bruce's vocal is so so good. Right on the edge

[@joshd3192]

I love this man's channel. Maiden is my favorite band his breakdowns are pretty awesome.

[@chrisvanallsburg]

Excellent video thank you! Excellent analysis and it's one of my new favorite Maiden tunes. (Been listening since 1984).

[@SanSevero]

...thx again Nico, this is the stuff you won't find anywhere else!

[@cicerobarbiero]

6:38 The chorus is the same chord progression of the verses of Megadeth's Trust. No problem, since they're my two favorite bands ✌ ! Nice video! Amolad is their best "reunion" album!

[@buffwhiner]

Another great representation from you,good sir! Your passion for what you do,really shows. Keep it up!

[@maximusemperor]

Really great song! This album man, is amazing!

[@marillionman8811]

Nico always at his meticulous best great observation as is always expected from this channel. 👍👍

[@lukassnoeijer8270]

One of my favourites

[@MrCold012]

I wouldnt mind this song played with big orchestra. Btw, great job. Thanks for detailed analysis.

[@carzz185]

don't know why i never liked the intro to this song... but the instrumental part and bruce vocals really blow me away! this, lord of light and benjamin breeg have some really heavy riffs which i love great analysis!

[@tonictonetomrockstar1931]

one of my favorite Maiden albums

[@darrenc8776]

Nico so glad you've gone through brighter than a thousand suns. As I said on your cover of janick solo this is my absolute fave maiden song it's so heavy !!!! I think maybe montsegur is as heavy but is not as dynamic. First time I heard it I had goosebumps I literally played it five or six times back to back. The whole album swings so well off this song brilliant. As you have said before maiden are so good at setting a visual scene in your mind as you listen to the songs. Looking forward to the new tour

[@CC-qb9sm]

A spectacular analysis Nico! I enjoyed this immensely!

[@SoySky42]

My favourite song of AMOLAD, great solos, great singing of Dickinson, great acoustic section.

[@mdrakic]

Amico, that's why you had the solo video a few days back 🤘🏼 As for the song itself, really one of the best Maiden songs. Heavy, deep and just beautiful. But what else could you expect when Adrian is credited 🤌🏼

[@sea_of_madness667]

Hey Nico, great video man, as always!! This is my favorite song from AMOLAD, and I have to say that my all time favorite riff by Maiden is that powerful riff behind Adrian’s solo in this song, it is so fun to play. And also, this song has everything, great lyrics, powerful riffs, both Adrian and Janick’s solos are great, playing it on guitar is very cool, and as you said in the video, this is a rare occasion where Jan and H take solos but Dave doesn’t (actually, this is the only song where that happens), and I love that, because the combination of the elegant and melodic style of H and the fast and raw style of Jan makes the song greater and more powerful. I loved this video Nico, greetings mate!!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Hey thanks man! Really happy to know you enjoyed this one... it's a huge song and album for me so it's nice to hear from others who appreciate it as well 🙂

[@paulwells6131]

Great stuff Nico, thanks for this breakdown. Absolute classic song, wish they’d play it live again.

[@alexandermanzanares3879]

The longest day might be as heavy too. Great vid 🔥

[@egrsok9388]

Thanks! This is a fantastic breakdown of an awesome song. Two questions I've always been curious about: 1- When multiple band members are given credit for a song, does the order the names are listed in have any significance and what do you think each member contributes (lyrics, main riff, something else)? 2- How do you think the band chooses who gets the solo or solos in a song? Keep 'em comin'! These are great videos!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!! The order of names doesn't necessarily mean anything. Maybe for some bands it does but it's not a hard and fast rule. For Maiden, I really don't know. Some songs you can tell that they're riff based so maybe the guitarist wrote a lot of the music and maybe Harris did some of the chorus and maybe a bridge and Bruce might have written the lyrics and some of the melody... Songs come about in many different ways. As for the solos, in a band you kinda know whose playing would fit best for a song. Sometimes it's simple: you have an instrumental section of a decent length, so you have three solos. Other times it's more of a short song like Rainmaker or Days of Future Past so one solo is enough and in that case it's typically whoever wrote the song who will solo on it because they know the vibe they were going for.

[@egrsok9388]

@@LicksOfTheBeast Thank you!

[@Khron0s]

This album has Nicko's most creative drum playing in my opinion, and this song is no exception and really compliments the main riff.

[@jasonm3602]

Thanks, Nico, brilliant video. I love the new background and setting, by the way. (even though it's not so new anymore.) Up the Irons!👍👍

[@z4p0tek]

Great work! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

[@ilikepie5733]

My favorite song from my favorite album :) Thank you for making this!

[@Pepper4573]

Nico, this was terrific. I love this song so much (it was the first track off of AMOL&D that truly "grabbed" me), and I loved hearing and seeing your breakdown of it. I want you to know that every time you do one of these videos (for songs that I like/love), it always ends up the same way for me - I think about it afterwards, and then I add it to my current Spotify playlist. Thank you for that. It enables me to have the opportunity to... Idk, "re-discover" all of these wonderful songs that I already loved - but relegated away from my current playlist. That is, quite honestly, so much fun to experience. In the event that you are questioning yourself, you need to stop that with the quickness. :-) Your videos are so entertaining, so enjoyable, so informative. Keep doing exactly what you're doing. As always, cheers from The Big Easy.

[@greyraven9164]

My favorite and first Maiden album.

[@rockvenom]

excellently done Nico, as usual!!

[@JordanFlayer]

did anyone else notice that it sounds like Nicko drops his stick at the beginning of the first verse? the hi-hat disappears randomly and then comes back like a bar or two later

[@OldGuitarMan]

Thanks for giving some love to AMOLAD 💪🏻💀 When I hear you play just that opening pedal riff it makes me want to go listen to the whole album again 😎 It’s crazy you take the time to learn the bass parts, too! Idea for a second channel focused on Judas Priest: Licks of the Priest. 😁

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

That would be the funniest and most unfortunate of names for a channel 😄

[@straati]

I don't play any instrument so I don't understad half of what you're talking about, but I love Maiden and these videos help me get new perspecitves on song I've listened to thousand of times. I really appreciate you taking the time to make these videos. If you had a patreon, I'd absolutely be a subscriber!

[@RicardoVelozo]

Outstanding work! Believe me, you make me listen these songs many times over too! Thank you!

Love this album. Great video. Thank you buddy!

[@samsbudgetguitars830]

I just bought this album recently haven't had a chance to listen to it yet tho but I will make time too asap ...thanks for sharing nico.atb.👍👍🤘🤘🇬🇧

[@bradgrant3338]

This is probably one of your best posts - and that is saying something since all your posts are great! Thank you and Up the Irons!

[@fredericadda]

I rediscovered with pleasure this song, thanks to you! I love these deep analyses of songs ❤

[@MrPoilleke]

Played it differently, thanks for this Nico!

[@robinbennison9225]

I requested you do a deep dive on this a little while ago. Thanks Nico! Brilliant work as always.

[@AdrianOlivas_]

I've always loved the bridge part. Those chords sound so gritty and gives the song some great tension and a very emotional movement. Great video for one of my favorite songs!

[@massis1sp]

Great sound (and great job as always 🤘🏻🎸) appreciate all effort you put on those videos, and always nice hear your thoughts about all related their music and 🎸style! Up the Irons 🤘🏻

[@juanneman]

Great and detailed anaylisis as usual Nico of a song from my fave 21st century Maiden album. It sounds intrincate, dark and powerful and is guitar-oriented, it sounds as they really enjoyed its whole creation. Many thanks and horns up!!!

[@ghastlynavigator]

Great video Nico! Love this song! one of the greatest albums ever made. UP THE IRONS 🤘

[@CharliesMaidenCovers]

love your songs breakdown

[@watvat8]

The thin line next please :)

[@watvat8]

Who can forget that B4-C5# trill when he sings the title

[@TheRealJackMahoffer]

This is the Maiden song that I enjoyed the most trying to decipher the meaning of the lyrics. Obviously, I knew it was about the atomic bomb. But, what was the meaning of, "shadow fingers rise above, iron fingers stab the desert sky?" And, "are your children ready for the fall?" I loved working through the meaning of the lyrics and learned a lot about the Manhattan Project from researching the lyrics.

[@Hallowed82]

Your stuff is so good Nico. One of my fav songs of all time at this point, probably! \m/

[@miguelanxomuradolo2638]

Very interesting harmonically; thank you for describe that nice sounding chords, Nico 👍🎶

[@harryess5]

Agree one of the best Iron Maiden album

[@WhoDaF0ok1sThatGuy]

Oh I absolutely love that all white Jackson San Dimas! That’s one of my 10 guitars I plan on getting in the next 5 years!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I hear ya! I had been wanting one ever since the first year they made them available 😅 I can say it was definitely worth the wait!

[@WhoDaF0ok1sThatGuy]

@@LicksOfTheBeast yea I plan on picking up one of the cheap ones, probably all white. Then installing the mods you showed on the review of them! You’ve got great taste in guitars Nico, but that’s obvious!🤘

[@TurboWeird]

Great job as usual

[@bradchervel5202]

I love this song...seems like a perfect backing track for the project knothole grable film.

[@richardrondon8843]

My 3rd favorite song after The Longest Day (1st) and The Legacy (2nd) from my favorite record from the reunion!!! And they plaid it awsome at Abbey Raod

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

That Abbey Road performance is so good! Too bad I can't seem to find the video of the full session anymore 🤷🏻

[@jesusguerra1093]

@@LicksOfTheBeast it is nowhere to be found anymore, and I agree that was so far the best performanceof this song i have seen, great video by the way it helpedme to fix some things i was playing wrong. keep up the good job. Maiden 4 life.

[@mylovesongs2429]

Great video, as usual, Nico!! This killer song shoulda been on the Oppenheimer soundtrack!!! The lyrics are so awesome!!! I love all things atomic/nuclear!!!! It's so fascinating!!!

[@SergioKoolhaas]

It could work well if it's played during the credits. Kinda like Godsmack's I stand alone during the credits of The Scorpion King.

[@MetalGildarts]

Wow I didn't know Brighter Than a 1000 Suns is about the manhattan project. Great analysis.

[@danbal4185]

Amazing Song. And the 2006 show, when they've played the album in its entirery, was awesome, like a true theatrical piece.

[@Nightshade1881]

They didn’t film that tour?? I heard so many people complaining on that tour because they played the whole album Sadly I didn’t appreciate this album when it came out But now it’s one of my favorites

[@danbal4185]

@@Nightshade1881 there are no official video releases but you can find online (i think even on KZbin) some good pro-shots of that show. A couple of my friends at the time were also disappointed, but just because It was their first Maiden concert and they played only 5-6 other songs from their catalogue. Their playing was absolutely stunning, a perfect recreation of the whole record!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I loved that tour so much!

[@checpneumo5261]

I love this song and this album 🤟🏻

[@suetruett3812]

I just love this Maiden song and I love to play it too...Love the sound and the notes/choeds aew obviously jusr perfect.

[@butter5144]

A great teacher ❤️🤘

[@yanikem6655]

Fantastic breakdown - thanks Nico!! BTATS is my favourite on AMOLAD too - one of those songs that instantly catches you the first time you hear it. Great playing by everyone…and BRILLIANT vocals by Bruce!! 😉🤟🏻

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Absolutely! The Live at Abbey Road version is especially good 😊

[@maiden4greece572]

Wonderful...

[@alfwalker5698]

Great song off this album... love it.

[@ReZhorw]

Picked up my guitar and learned all the parts along with you 😁

[@AnthonyWabo]

6:37 the same progression Megadeth use for the verse of Trust. Off topic but it really struck me. Phenomenal album, i remember skipping school so i can be the first in town to buy a ticket for the concert of this tour.

[@RChinini]

My favorite song from AMOLAD. Amazing punch!! and the band tried different things

[@D3Alm3ida]

Very well done. It is one of my favourite songs. The intro i can play, i can spend hours just playing it. in a accoustic guitar sounds better than clean guitar

[@Ippido]

Great song 🙏👍

[@maiden4greece572]

Awesome..

[@felipehoferdenecken9332]

Please KZbin.. Raise a monument to Nico for the best explanations of lick`s of the best band in the world! Up the Nicos :D (By the way, thank you so much for show me your VST and setup a few months ago :D)

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Hahaha thanks so much man! And yeah anytime... Always happy to share what I find works for me. 🤜🤛

[@MatteoAn93]

Heavy sound!!! 🤘