Iron Maiden - Heavy Metal Legends in the Making

Many bands have worshiped at the foot of IronThe studio Iron Maiden albums released since 1975
Maiden. Such is the staying power of the banduntil 2010 now number 30 in all comprised of 14
that more than 3 decades after its inception, itstudio albums, 4 extended plays (EPs), 5
continues to move albums off shelves to reachcompilations and 7 live albums. With such an
platinum and gold status.impressive collection of albums to its name, the
The group has sold over 75 million records, hasband has been cited in many music industry
been inducted into the Hollywood RockWalk, andrankings including the VH1 100 Greatest Artists of
has been hailed as one of the most influential rockHard Rock, the MTV Top 10 Greatest Heavy
bands in music history. The band has also beenMetal Bands of All Time and the Ivor Novello
prominently featured in films, video games andAward for International Achievement, amongst
songs by other groups, all in acknowledgment ofother accolades heaped on the band.
its musical influence. Indeed, Iron Maiden is aJust to describe a few of the 14 studio albums
legend in the making, if the band is not alreadyreleased in the three-decade long career of the
one.group:
Band History• Iron Maiden (1980)- This is the eponymous
Iron Maiden has had its fair share of ups anddebut album of the band, which contains classics
downs in line-up changes. Steve Harris formed thelike The Phantom of the Opera, Sanctuary and, of
original group on Christmas Day 1975 with thecourse, Iron Maiden
name being taken from the iron maiden torture• The Number of the Beast (1982)- Widely
device seen on the movie The Man in the Ironconsidered as one of the most influential albums in
Mask. Harris (bass, backing vocals and studiothe heavy metal genre, it is also the band's
keyboards) and David Murray (guitar) are thehighest-selling album with worldwide sales of over
longest-standing members of the group.14 million, not to mention that this is also the
Other current members include Bruce Dickinsondebut of Bruce Dickinson as lead vocalist
on lead vocals, Adrian Smith on guitar and backing• Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)-
vocals; Janick Gers on guitar; and Nicko McBrainProbably the most lyrical of the group's body of
on drums and percussion while Michael Kenneywork, it centers on topics like mysticism,
performs with the group during live performancesprophecy, reincarnation and the afterlife
as the keyboardist. The former members were• The Final Frontier (2010)- This is the band's
either fired from or left the group due to personallatest and fifteenth album slated for release in late
and professional differences. These formersummer and is gearing up to be yet another
members were Doug Sampson and Clive Burr onreason to worship at the altar of the this fantastic
drums and percussions; Paul Di'Anno, Paul Day andband
Dennis Wilcock on lead vocals; and DennisAs the fans always say in greeting and farewells,
Stratton on guitars and backing vocals.up the irons!
Studio Albums