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.
