Iron Maiden are a band that need no introduction. They have been on the metal scene since almost the beginning, consistently releasing fantastic albums and artwork and pulling off amazing live shows. They are true music legends (a word that gets thrown about like cheap confetti at times but not today) and I have been a fan since Day One, when I first noticed their debut album on cassette in WHSmiths with the bands mascot Eddie seeming to order me to 'buy me! Buy me now!'
After turning on my 10 year old charms and begging my mother for the money I came home, pressed PLAY and instantly turned into a Maiden fan.
In fact I had a fantastic introduction to the Heavy Metal world owing to the fact that the first albums I ever bought were Iron Maiden's debut, Kiss - Destroyer, Ozzy - Bark At The Moon and AC/DC - High Voltage which are all classics, able to turn anyone into a mosh baby. But back to Eddie's guys.
I have come to look upon the band as one of the engines of Heavy Metal, taking the music, OUR music, onward with each generation. If Heavy Metal was a temple, Iron Maiden would be one its mighty columns holding it all in place and the anthems played would include the bands classic after classic songs. And boy do they have some songs to choose from! Iron Maiden must have one of the strongest back catalogue of any band in existence. Truly. How about these ditties; The Trooper, Number Of The Beast, Iron Maiden, Aces High, Wasted Years, Can I Play With Madness?, Wrathchild, Running Free. And im only skimming the surface there. I could pick ANY one of their albums and be sure to find a classic tune or three, if only we ignore the silly hic-up they had when they temporarily replaced Bruce (but less said about that the better.)
It wasn't just about the music either. Whenever the band released a new album I would rush and get it on tape or vinyl (cds didn't exist when Maiden started) and just drool over whatever cool cover their artist Derek Riggs had come up with next. Vinyl was best being the biggest thus showing off every stroke of Riggs' work with even more detail. Good thing too because the artist always included little things in Iron Maiden album covers that weren't seen with the first look. A good example being on Somewhere In Time with its futuristic theme and the 'Aces High Bar' and West Ham winning football score. Neat little touches which were often missed on first glance. Buying a new Maiden release always brought its ritual to me of soaking up the art then getting immersed in the lucious rock melodies.
The gigs were brilliantly done. I mean how could any fan not get thrilled at seeing a giant Eddie appear midway through the set and loom over Bruce or bassist Steve Harris as they churned out another live hit? As ive said, it all made for an excellent package and hasn't aged one bit. Maiden is a timeless beast.
Naming my favourite album is something ive tried before and failed because of the wealth of material on offer, but definately Piece Of Mind and Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son are strong contenders. But then I think of Number Of The Beast and Powerslave and I soon find myself having a change of mind. Iron Maiden is all kinds of Awesome, and yes Awesome with a capital A.
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