Following its greatest success yet with the concept album SEVENTH SON OF A SEVENTH SON, Iron Maiden changed out Adrian Smith for ex-Ian Gillan guitarist Janick Gers on NO PRAYER FOR THE DYING. Rumours swirled that the band was breaking up,especially when Bruce Dickinson issued a solo album, but the band re-congregated for 1990's NO PRAYER FOR THE DYING. The album marked a musical move back to the basics, as Maiden dropped the synth shadings of its previous two albums in exchange for a more guitar-driven sound. Standouts include "Holy Smoke" and "Bring Your Daughter...To the Slaughter", as well as the album-opening "Tailgunner".