Iron Maiden
photo: fernando catalina landa · cc by 2.0 ↗Formed in East London in 1975 by bassist and chief songwriter Steve Harris, Iron Maiden became the standard-bearers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, defined by galloping basslines, twin-guitar harmonies, literary and historical lyrics, and their skeletal mascot Eddie. Their landmark 1980s run of albums, from 'The Number of the Beast' to 'Powerslave,' made them one of the most influential and enduring metal bands in the world.
Iron Maiden emerged from the British hard-rock lineage Black Sabbath founded, and Sabbath's heavy, minor-key riffing and dark, occult-tinged imagery run straight through Maiden's early work.
listen forPlay Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid' and then Iron Maiden's 'The Number of the Beast' — both barrel forward on a fast, doom-laden riff paired with an ominous lyric and relentless momentum.
Maiden founder Steve Harris has cited Deep Purple among his formative influences, and Purple's fast, virtuosic hard rock and extended instrumental workouts feed directly into Maiden's breakneck tempos and dueling guitar leads.
listen forPlay Deep Purple's flat-out 'Highway Star' and then Maiden's 'Run to the Hills' — both gallop at full pace under high, wailing vocals and showpiece guitar solos.
Led Zeppelin's thundering blues-heavy hard rock and mythic, story-driven lyricism helped set the template Maiden built on, from a pummeling rhythm-section drive to epic, widescreen songwriting.
listen forCue Led Zeppelin's pounding 'Immigrant Song' and Maiden's 'The Trooper' — both charge on a galloping rhythm behind a warlike, battle-cry vocal.