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10 reasons why Iron Maiden deserved their Brit Award
MusicRadar salutes British metal royalty
Rob Laing, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 3:35 pm UTC
5. Few metal bands are more erudite
Heavy metal has a reputation as being music for idiots. That's not just unfair, it's also completely inaccurate – and nobody proves it more than Maiden. They are metal's most bookish band.
Founder/bassist Steve 'Arry' Harris is not just extremely well-read, his passion for classic literature has inspired numerous Iron Maiden songs: To Tame A Land (based on Frank Herbert's sci-fi classic Dune), Rime Of The Ancient Mariner (Samuel Taylor Coleridge's 18th century poem of the same name), Lord Of The Flies, The Phantom Of The Opera, Seventh Son Of The Seventh Son (Orson Scott Card) and Murders In The Rue Morgue (Edgar Allen Poe) to name but a few.
6. There's only one Bruce Dickinson
Pilot, world class fencer (that's swords, not fence installation), author, radio DJ, historian… somehow Iron Maiden's frontman manages to fit world tours around all his other pursuits.
But multi-tasking and flying his bandmates to shows isn't the reason why he's held in such high regards by the Maiden faithful. Bruce's air-raid siren vocal power has remained in remarkably fine fettle after all these years – he can still hit those operatic high notes.
It's part of the reason why Maiden are still such an incredible experience to see live and coupled with Bruce's energy and enthusiasm, it's a force to be reckoned with onstage.
7. They have the best mascot
Everyone should own at least one Iron Maiden t-shirt. Maiden invented much of the imagery we take for granted as being part and parcel of the metal experience with visuals that have consistently embodied the spirit and imagination of their music.
But they still do it better than anyone else. Their past album covers created by Derek Riggs are truly iconic (especially so for the Killers and Powerslave albums), while their skeletal mascot Eddie has become as famous as the band themselves – he's been with them every step of the way.
8. They are Britain's biggest and best metal export
Despite maintaining underdog status and being consistently ignored for years by mainstream media in the UK, Maiden have stomped on regardless to become cherished around the world from Mexico to Malmo.
The UK has produced three of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time in the form of Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. But no homegrown metal talent since has threatened to justify a place amongst these three kings.
It makes for even more reason to cherish Maiden; the finest of the trio and still delivering the goods live and on record with their most recent A Matter Of Life And Death album.
9. They've never chased a scene
Maiden are the ultimate inspiration that sticking to your guns is the best way forward. They were innovators in the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, but when that faded away they didn't surrender.
When grunge, nu metal and heinous rap metal pillaged the land, they fought on with their twin harmony axes. And now as metal comes full circle and the traditional approach becomes popular again who has the last laugh? Maiden are still top dog.
10. Just listen to those guitar harmonies
Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest and Wishbone Ash innovated the twin guitar harmony sound for heavy metal and rock. We salute them for it. But nobody does it better than Maiden. It's become their trademark and is truly something to behold live – especially now they bring in three part harmony parts on some songs with Janick Gers.
For a masterclass in the art just listen to Aces High, Caught Somewhere In Time, Die With Your Boots On, Phantom Of The Opera and, of course, the genius of Hallowed Be Thy Name…
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Now read Interview: Iron Maiden on their enduring appeal
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