The Best Of Heavy Metal With Iron Maiden

Tags: band posters, Iron Maiden albums, music merch

It isn’t an understatement to say that Iron Maiden is now on a pedestal of its own. After more than three decades as a band, the group still manages to sell albums and music merch and inspire numerous novice bands and performers.

As of today, the group has sold 75 million records worldwide. For this accomplishment and for their work, they have been included in the Hollywood RockWalk. To further illustrate the wide and enduring influence of this band, one only has to look at the various films, video games and songs in which the group is mentioned. The continuing popularity of Iron Maiden simply can’t be stopped.

Band Past

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Iron Maiden especially when it comes to band lineups. Steve Harris started the group in 1975, taking the name from the iron maiden torture tool featured in The Man in the Iron Mask. Harris who is the bassist and studio keyboardist is joined by guitarist David Murray as the only two members who have endured the longest with the band.

Michael Keeny joins the group as keyboardist on live performances. Other current band members are lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson; guitarist Janick Gers; guitarist and backup vocals Adrian Smith and drummer and percussionist Nicko McBrian. The change in lineup wasn’t always a smooth transition. Some of the past members or the group had to leave due to disagreements and some were even fired outright. Nonetheless, hardcore fans still consider Doug Sampson, Clive Burr, Paul Di’Anno, Paul Day, Dennis Wilcock and Dennis Stratton as important former parts of the band.

Albums Out

From 1975 to 2010, Iron Maiden has generated thirty different pieces of work. These are made up of fourteen Iron Maiden albums, four extended plays, five compilations and seven live albums. Because of the band’s outstanding music and work, the group has firmly established itself in numerous recognition lists. Among the many recognitions that the group has received are the MTV Top 10 Greatest Heavy Metal Bands of All Time, the VH1 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock and the Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement.

It’s impossible to describe here in detail all of Iron Maiden’s significant works. Here are among the most notable:

• Iron Maiden- This was released in 1980 and is the group’s debut album. Among its memorable songs are Sanctuary and Phantom of the Opera. Of course, the song Iron Maiden is in it too.
• The Number of the Beast- This is a 1982 release that first includes Bruce Dickinson on lead vocals. It is regarded as the band’s bestselling album, having sold fourteen million copies. A number of bands turn to this piece of work for inspiration.
• Seventh Son of a Seventh Son- This came out in 1988 and is highly prized for its lyrical display. It tackles themes revolving around mysticism and reincarnation among others.
• The Final Frontier- This is a yet to be released album and will be the band’s fifteenth. Its scheduled release will be late summer.

The group is definitely not in danger of disappearing from band posters any time soon. As the fans of Iron Maiden always say in greeting and farewells, up the irons!

Iron Maiden – The best heavy metal band