It's hard to imagine a more famous British metal band than Iron Maiden. For several decades, the Iron Maiden group has remained at the pinnacle of fame, releasing one popular album after another.
And even now, when the music industry offers listeners such an abundance of genres, Iron Maiden's classic records continue to be hugely popular all over the world.
early stage
The band's history dates back to 1975, when young musician Steve Harris wanted to form a band. While studying in college, Steve managed to master the bass guitar playing in several local formations at once.
But to realize his own creative ideas, the young man needed a group. Thus was born the heavy metal band Iron Maiden, which also included vocalist Paul Day, drummer Ron Matthews, as well as guitarists Terry Rance and Dave Sullivan.
It was in this line-up that the Iron Maiden group began to perform concerts. The band's music was notable for its aggression and speed, thanks to which the musicians stood out among hundreds of young rock bands in the UK.
Another hallmark of Iron Maiden is their use of a visual effects machine, which turns the show into a visual attraction.
The first albums of the band Iron Maiden
The original composition of the group did not last long. Having suffered the first personnel losses, Steve was forced to "patch holes on the go."
In place of Paul Day, who left the group, a local hooligan, Paul Di'Anno, was invited. Despite his rebellious nature and problems with the law, Di'Anno had unique vocal abilities. Thanks to them, he became the first famous vocalist of the band Iron Maiden.
Also joining the line-up were guitarist Dave Murray, Dennis Stratton and Clive Barr. The first success can be considered cooperation with Rod Smallwood, who became the band's manager. It was this person who contributed to the increase in the popularity of Iron Maiden, "promoting" the first records.
The real success was the release of the first self-titled album, which was released in April 1980. The record took the 4th position in the British charts, turning heavy metal musicians into stars. Their music was influenced by Black Sabbath.
At the same time, Iron Maiden's music was faster than that of the representatives of the classic heavy metal of those years. Punk rock elements used in the first album led to the emergence of the "new wave of British heavy metal" direction. This musical offshoot has made a serious contribution to the "heavy" music of the whole world.
After the successful first album, the group released the no less iconic album Killers, which cemented the group's fame as the new stars of the genre. But the first problems with vocalist Paul Di'Anno soon followed.
The vocalist drank a lot and suffered from drug addiction, which affected the quality of live performances. Steve Harris fired Paul, finding a worthy replacement in the person of the artistic Bruce Dickenson. No one could have imagined that it was the arrival of Bruce that would bring the team to the international level.
The Beginning of the Bruce Dickinson Era
Together with new vocalist Bruce Dickinson, the band recorded their third full-length album. The release of The Number of the Beast took place in the first half of 1982.
Now this release is a classic, included in a significant number of different lists. The singles The Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills and Hallowed Be Thy Name remain the most recognizable in the band's work to this day.
The album The Number of the Beast was a success not only at home, but also far beyond its borders. The release entered the top 10 in Canada, the United States and Australia, as a result of which the group's "fan" base increased many times over.
But there was another side to success. In particular, the group has been accused of Satanism. But it did not lead to anything serious.
Over the following years, the band released several albums that also became classics. Records Piece of Mind and Powerslave were warmly received by critics. The British have gained the status of the No. 1 heavy metal band in the world.
And even the experimental Somewhere in Time and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son did not affect the prestige of the Iron Maiden group. But in the late 1980s, the group began to experience its first serious difficulties.
Change of vocalist and creative crisis of the group
By the end of the decade, many metal bands were in deep crisis. The genre of classic heavy metal and hard rock gradually became obsolete, giving way. The members of the Iron Maiden group did not escape the problem either.
According to the musicians, they lost their former enthusiasm. As a result, recording a new album has become a routine. Adrian Smith left the band and was replaced by Janick Gers. It was the first line-up change in 7 years. The team was no longer so popular.
Album No Prayer for the Dying was the weakest in the work of the group, exacerbating the situation. A creative crisis led to the departure of Bruce Dickinson, who took up solo work. Thus ended the "golden" period in the work of the Iron Maiden group.
Bruce Dickinson was replaced by Blaze Bailey, selected by Steve from hundreds of options. Bailey's singing style was very different from Dickinson's. This divided the "fans" of the group into two camps. The albums recorded with the participation of Blaze Bailey are still considered the most controversial in the work of Iron Maiden.
Return of Dickinson
In 1999, the band realized their mistake, and as a result, Blaze Bayley was hastily disposed of. Steve Harris had no choice but to beg Bruce Dickinson to return to the band.
This led to a reunion of the classic line-up, which returned with the Brave New World album. The disc was distinguished by a more melodic sound and was warmly received by critics. So the return of Bruce Dickinson can be safely called justified.
Iron Maiden now
Iron Maiden continues its active creative activity, performing all over the world. Since the return of Dickinson, four more records have been recorded, which have gained serious success with the audience.
After 35 years, Iron Maiden continues to release new releases.
