When hardcore punkers D.O.A. covered Led Zeppelin's "Communication Breakdown" in 1981, they would become one of many bands and artists to cover the Zep classic from their earthshaking 1969 debut. Other artists covering "Communication Breakdown" include The Dickies (1983), Sebastian Bach (2001), Slash and Myles Kennedy (2010) and Iron Maiden, who took on the song in 1990.
Maiden released the second single for their album No Prayer for the Dying as the B-side for "Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter," (a song Dickinson originally recorded for the fifth installment of the Nightmare on Elm Street film franchise, A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child). Later, on Steve Harris' urging (noted in Mick Wall's book, Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography), Maiden would record the song with Dickinson. In addition to a cover version of Free's "I'm a Mover" (also recorded in 1969) on the B-side, Maiden added their stellar take on "Communication Breakdown." As far as covers go, this one is a pretty straight forward homage to the original with Maiden putting a tight little spin on it by way of Dickinson's vocals. Fellow headbangers, here's Iron Maiden becoming Iron Zeppelin for 2:43 in 1990.
