Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden is a British heavy metal band from East London. Formed in 1975 by bassist Steve Harris, previously of Gypsy's Kiss and Smiler, they are one of the most successful and influential bands in the heavy metal genre, selling over 70 million albums worldwide. more...

Iron Maiden has so far released thirteen studio albums, four "best of" compilations, nine live albums, and four limited boxed-sets. They won the Ivor Novello Award for international achievement in 2000 .

Iron Maiden's mascot, Eddie, is a perennial fixture in the band's horror-influenced album cover art, as well as in live shows. Eddie was originally drawn by Derek Riggs but has had various incarnations by Melvyn Grant. Eddie is also featured in a first-person shooter video game, Ed Hunter as well as numerous books, graphic comics and band-related merchandise.

Iron Maiden has achieved international fame with its distinctive style of melodic metal. Their blend of heavy metal, highly melodic riffs, and intelligent lyrics have become instantly recognizable. The band is also renowned for their down-to-earth and genuine approach towards their music, their impressive stage shows and their openness with fans.

Many of the band's songs are historical in reference to England, others based on folklore, movies, and books, such as "Children of the Damned", "The Duellists", "The Clansman", "Aces High", "Paschendale", "Revelations", "The Wicker Man", "The Prisoner", "Lord of the Flies", "Where Eagles Dare", "Out of the Silent Planet", "To Tame A Land" (based on Frank Herbert's novel Dune), "The Trooper" (based on the poem The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson), "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" – in which words from the Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem are sung, and "Man On The Edge" (based on the movie Falling Down).

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