Iron Maiden are one of metal’s most beloved and enduring arena acts for bountiful reasons. Of course, the NWOBHM titans are master songsmiths, having written dozens upon dozens of classically galloping songs that showcase a mix of toweringly joyous, now-triple-sized guitar harmonies and the everlasting foghorn howl of iconic frontman Bruce Dickinson.
The onstage energy levels of the veteran metal faction likewise remain as peak-performance as when they first started selling out massive venues in the Eighties. Maiden’s impressive stage show has also thrilled many through elaborate set pieces, pyro galore, and the occasional appearance from metal’s most famous undead mascot, Eddie.
As permanent fixtures on the live scene, they’ve played some of their greatest hits thousands of times. But was one Maiden cut built to rule them all? We asked Revolver readers to pick the anthem that makes them want to Up the Irons the most, and these were the top five vote-getters.
“The Trooper”
As far as battle anthems go, none may be as legendary in the metal canon as this Piece of Mind highlight. And while based on the mortally blunderous 19th-century Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War, Maiden are a NWOBHM force to be reckoned with once they charge into these especially hard-galloping rhythms and musket-firing melodies.
The patriotic British Calvary song is one of Maiden’s most energized classics, and it stands as a testament to fighting like hell while you still can. It remains a go-to set staple even 40 years on from its initial release, thanks in large part to its hell-of-an arena-galvanizing “whoa” section in the chorus, and live you may even catch a 10-foot red-coated Eddie chasing the band around the stage.
“Aces High”
Another of Maiden’s military-minded masterworks, “Aces High” is a top-gunning shot of adrenaline that just doesn’t quit. Nicko McBrain’s pulse-quickening pound fuels the WWII fighter pilot anthem, while Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers rattle off harmonic, guitar-based gunfire with aplomb. Dickinson, of course, is the veritable air-raid siren warning us of — or, perhaps, reveling in — the coming attack.
As such, the Powerslave starter has served as the opening battle cry through many Maiden tours. And it’s positively electrifying every damn time.
“Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
Powerslave’s closing epic — based on and including lyrics from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’ 18th century poem of the same name — remains one of the band’s most enchanting, ambitious and enduring favorites. Chiefly because of how batshit out-there the whole thing is.
Like the choppy waters of the cursed in-song voyage, the 13-minute thrill ride undulates wildly from a patented Maiden gallop, towards Steve Harris’ creep-mode bass solo section, and into a rip-roaring finale. For many bands, throwing this kind of an outsized arrangement into your set could be a total momentum killer — the veritable albatross around the neck, if you will — but Maiden proved they were masters of their craft with this one.
Though it hasn’t been in the setlist since about 2009, many Maiden fans are still caught up in the spell of “The Mariner.”
“Hallowed Be Thy Name”
There are punchier hallmarks on Iron Maiden’s monumental The Number of the Beast — take the motoring “Run to the Hills,” the Satanically sweat-inducing title track or the awesomely agitated “Invaders” — but there’s something undeniably wow-worthy about the slow-roiling, suspense-driven intro to “Hallowed Be Thy Name” that pushes the track into a class of its own.
From its muted but melodic guitar presence, to the mournful requiem bell, to Dickinson’s mortality-musing lines as a man condemned to death, it’s a heavy start to things — but then it cathartically kicks into one of Maiden’s most overjoyed twin guitar sections ever! It’s a moment that absolutely pops in a live situation.
The sands of time have been running low since ’82, apparently, but the appeal of “Hallowed Be Thy Name” is everlasting.
“Fear of the Dark”
“Fear of the Dark” taps into something quite elemental: the terror of the unknown. That relatability may in part be why the ghoulish title track to the band’s 1992 album remains a fan favorite. That and, of course, the music.
While it all begins with a shadowy and tender guitar melody, “Fear of the Dark” is also the song where you’re going to hear 100,000 Maiden fans just absolutely power-bellowing every one of those notes at the top of their lungs. And when the song ramps into gleefully nightmarish overdrive, you’re in for a hell of a show.
Bruce Dickinson may be singing about being the “man who walks alone,” but this is the ultimate moment for Maiden fans to come together with their favorite band.