Iron Maiden

• Genre: New Wave of British Heavy Metal
• Hometown: London
• Iron Maiden Website

About

Iron Maiden's heavy metal assault has soldiered on since the band's inception in 1980. As frontiersmen of the massively significant New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Maiden has influenced metal's many branches, from power and prog to speed and thrash. Rhythmic velocity, epic lyrics, operatic vocals and tremendous, wailing TRIPLE guitars with ripping solos to match are what made them kings early on, from 1981's Killers to 1988's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. After weathering several lineup changes and directional departures during the '90s, Maiden's legendary status was restored when famed singer Bruce Dickinson returned in 1999. They charged into the new millennium by touring and releasing new albums. 2008 found Maiden flying around the world on the Somewhere Back in Time Tour, performing an all-vintage set -- complete with the original 1985 Powerslave stage design. Maiden continue to conquer and inspire. Up the irons!

- Jen Guyre