Tag: Iron Maiden

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Please stop being an over-the-top Christian, it does not represent Jesus in a good light

As a Christ follower I am a bit up in arms over the display of harsh Christianity that took place outside of Nationwide Arena in Columbus Ohio, Friday night. As fans were waiting for the doors to open to see Iron Maiden, they were yelled at they were going to hell for seeing the band. That is not Christ-like at all.

Holy Bible on a wooden table under a dusk sun light.

It is not in the bible: There is not one book, verse or translation that says that listening to music of any kind will condemn a person to hell. That is simply not true. It is baring false witness however. Which simply does not represent Jesus well.

Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden during Iron Maiden in Concert at Long Beach Arena on August 25, 2003 at Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California, United States. (Photo by Annamaria DiSanto/WireImage)

The fact is Iron Maiden has Christian themes in some songs: Is Iron Maiden a Christian band? No. Drummer Nicko McBrain is a 20 year Christ Follower. Songs like ‘Hallowed By Thy Name” and a few others point to God. Again the band is not a Christian band. When the album “The Number of the Beast” came out these same harsh Christians took aim. The album speaks of poor choices and how Satan can influence. Yet, “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” we hear a person who is in prison, on death row who winds up before God. A redemption moment for sure.

How are these harsh Christians showing and leading people to Jesus? This is THE question. Did Jesus and/or any of his disciples or any followers stand and yell at people they were going to hell? I read through the bible every year, I have never come across a book or verse where yelling took place. As a Christ follower we are called to be salt and light be the seasoning people want. Shine the light of Jesus that is in you so others are drawn to it. Yelling people are going to hell drives people away from Jesus which is the opposite of what we are called to do.

Christians need to be better. Starting with me, I would not ask anyone to do something I was not willing to. I am willing to be salt, I am willing to be light. Join me.

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With the release of “Senjutsu” Iron Maiden show why they are metal’s best

Iron Maiden established themselves as one of the most original metal bands to date. While most heavy metal bands focus on doomsday material, Maiden found footing diving into subjects like history, war, God, Satan success and failures. The band took the COVID shutdown of sports, entertainment and may other things to record a new album. “Senjutsu” released 9/3/2021 has immediately taken it’s place as one of Iron Maiden’s best albums, ever.

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden during OZZFEST 2005 at the PNC Arts Center in Holmdel – July 26, 2005 at PNC Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, United States. (Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage)

Iron Maiden is and always has been a fearless band that never repeats the bands past accomplishments. Always looking for new material both in song writing as well as musically.

With “Senjustsu,” Maiden has top themselves yet again and show why there is no threat to them losing the crown as metals best band. The album is long ( 1 hour and 21 minutes) it dives into a of a rang of subjects such as “The writing on the wall” which has an Old Testament feel to it. “Days of future past” which looks at the end of the world.

While the band has successfully found a new sound (again) the album’s spotlight is on lead singer Bruce Dickinson. Dickinson who survived a cancerous tumor on the back of his tongue in 2015. Shows absolutely no ill effects from the cancer or from the treatment he endured.

Musically, Iron Maiden has never and I stress never sounded better. “Senjustsu” is a more free sounding album than than many of the bands past material.

From the opening track “Senjustsu” until the finale track “Hell on earth,” Maiden is at their best. Standout tracks are difficult to identify as each track holds it’s own.

As a big fan of Iron Maiden, it is both exciting and rewarding it is also a  privileged to have “Senjustsu” to listen to.  It is a must have for Maiden fans everywhere or metal fans. If you just want good music to listen to you could do worse.

DONNINGTON PARK, ENGLAND – MAY 31: Iron Maiden perform live on stage at the “Download Festival” on May 31, 2003 in Donnington Park, Derbyshire, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)

Iron Maiden’s “Senjustsu” is so good that upon it’s release it joins such Maiden classics such as “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son,” “Somewhere in Time,” “Powerslave” and “The Number of the Beast” as the best Iron Maiden albums. The album also cements Maiden as metal’s greatest band ever.

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A list of the best Iron Maiden songs

Embed from Getty Images British legends Iron Maiden could quite easily be seen as the definitive heavy metal band. As big as Maiden’s legend is time and again, they rise to meet their legend with daring new albums and tours. It was mission impossible to make a best of list for a band who’s entire albums are instant classics. But, in this opinion write up I tried to narrow it down.

“Wasted Years”- album, Somewhere in Time (1986): This Iron Maiden  beauty starts with complex guitar riffs starts  before the band starts in. “Wasted Years”  chorus is instantly unforgettable, while the band is at full power.

“Aces High”- album, Powerslave (1984), I have to admit this is perhaps my favorite Maiden song. With that said, from start to finish “Aces High” is full throttle rock, with another first class Maiden riff at it’s core. Lead singer Bruce Dickenson, tells the wartime story.

“2 Minutes to Midnight”- album Powerslave (1984), Written by guitarist Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickinson, “2 Minutes To Midnight” is powered  once again by classic metal riffs. Countless bands tried similar riff styles after the songs release, but to nowhere near as great effect as Maiden did with this monster.

“The Number of the Beast”- album The Number of the Beast (1982), When Iron Maiden released this in 1982 it turned more than a few heads and made instant fans for the band. This song was strongly opposed  by social conservatives. In the United States people claimed Maiden were satanic. People obviously had not read the lyrics.

Where as I stated “Aces High” was perhaps my favorite Iron Maiden song “Hallowed be They Name”-album The Number of the Beast (1982) is not far behind. This song is about a man who is on death row and about to be executed, it is from the perspective of that man.

 

Iron Maiden is not satanic. They are a very good group who sing about, God, Satan, War, history, evil, what drives a man to do the things he does. This list is short. That is because I could have gone on for a long time.