Adrian... think about it. He left and they went through the weakest period of their career... Adrian comes back... AND RAWK!
Sure Bruce leaving was bad... but SSOAS was the last truly solid album until BNW. Bruce sang on the weaker NPFTD and FOTD.
I don't want to get in an argument about the quality of these albums. Maiden would tell you as well. There are tracks I like on all their albums and I have a special place for NPFTD, cuz it is so dark and raw... but Adrian propelled the group to greater heights.
Sure Bruce leaving was bad... but SSOAS was the last truly solid album until BNW. Bruce sang on the weaker NPFTD and FOTD.
I don't want to get in an argument about the quality of these albums. Maiden would tell you as well. There are tracks I like on all their albums and I have a special place for NPFTD, cuz it is so dark and raw... but Adrian propelled the group to greater heights.