Thomas Zwijsen - Nylon Maiden (2013)
Bernd Manison
Thomas Zwijsen - Nylon Maiden (2013)
Thomas Zwijsen is a Dutch classical guitarist who is known for his arrangements of rock and metal songs on the nylon string guitar. He has released several albums of his own compositions and covers, including the Nylon Maiden series, which features acoustic versions of songs by the legendary British heavy metal band Iron Maiden.
Nylon Maiden is the first album in the series, released in 2013. It contains 11 tracks, each one a reinterpretation of an Iron Maiden classic, such as "Aces High", "The Trooper", "Can I Play With Madness", and "Wasted Years". Zwijsen showcases his virtuosity and creativity on the guitar, playing both the vocal melodies and the guitar solos with flair and finesse. He also adds some original elements to the songs, such as flamenco rhythms, percussive effects, and harmonics.
The album features some guest appearances by other musicians, such as Blaze Bayley, who was the lead singer of Iron Maiden from 1994 to 1999. He sings on the epic track "The Clansman", which is based on the historical events of the Scottish clan wars. Another guest is Anne Bakker, a violinist and singer who performs on the ballad "Wasting Love". The album also includes two instrumental tracks, "Blood Brothers" and "The Talisman", which showcase Zwijsen's expressive and emotional playing.
Nylon Maiden was well received by both fans and critics, who praised Zwijsen's skill and originality. The album was released in Japan by King Records, with two bonus tracks: "Phantom Of The Opera" and "Run To The Hills". Zwijsen also made a video for each song on the album, which can be viewed on his YouTube channel. Nylon Maiden is a tribute to one of the most influential bands in metal history, as well as a demonstration of the versatility and beauty of the nylon string guitar.
Sources:
- [Discogs]
- [Apple Music]
- [Wikipedia]