It's about the torture device AND the band ("Iron Maiden's gonna get you wherever you are"). And yes, it's probably the most "punk" song they did. Although Steve Harris always claimed he hated punk and denies any punk influence. On the other hand Paul Di'Anno was pretty much into punk, so maybe he was partly responsible for roughening up the sound, because on the few rehearsal / live snippets with their previous singer (available on youtube) you can hear that they were more tame and traditional sounding before he joined. But then again punk had a such a big influence on the whole pop culture, that the band themselves probably didn't consider their music to be punky but just "modern" sounding.
A pretty good song for a title track and band name track, but not the best on the album . The song is about the medieval torture device of the same name. It was a specifically shaped iron coffin that resembled a sarcophagus. The door was embedded with long spikes. It was held vertically so the victim could be placed inside, and the door slammed shut under its own massive weight. The victim was skewered, as well as crushed. Steve Harris, who started the band, first saw the Maiden in an old film adaptation of The Man In The Iron Mask. My favorites on this debut Iron Maiden album - Phantom of the Opera (Live though), Transylvania, Strange World and Prowler (but the 88 version). Sarah, I was hoping to hear you do an album review of the debut Iron Maiden album. Look forward to the Killers album.
So the medieval torture device thing is actually a myth - no such medieval torture device has ever been proven to be a real thing and they're only mentioned in works of fiction. The first Iron Maiden was built some time in either the 18th or 19th century (I forget which) by an escapologist to use in his act, and he created a whole backstory for theatrical purposes about how he found it and it dated back to medieval times. They covered the subject on a really great UK tv show called QI (which stands for Quite Interesting).
Thank you for reacting to the whole album! I really appreciate your honesty, and I dig your whole vibe, so count me in for the rest of your Maiden reactions. As far as the song goes, I agree that it's not their best - I have it at #7 of 9 on the debut album (yes, I count Sanctuary since it's been on every version of the album I've owned since 1986, haha); however, the song is orders of magnitude better when you experience it at one of their live shows. Anyway, thanks again for the wonderful reactions! :)
It's cool, love your honesty. I get the punk reference. I am a fan of some punk rock. Either they were influenced by some punk or they influenced some punk artists, there is some crossover IMO. In any case they were not mainstream, this is what I mostly listened to in the 80's, heavy metal and punk, not mainstream. I also feel these genres would merge at the end of the 80's with bands like Nirvana and become mainstream so I was ahead of the curve in that regard. Thank You!
This song was a never a single or a "most popular" song... but it was basically written as a 'set closer' for Iron Maiden concerts, and Maiden has always closed their shows w/ 'Iron Maiden' - which is about the medieval torture device, where a live, condemned person is forced into a casket and locked in, and metal spikes are slowly inserted into the casket ... victims would usually bleed to death inside.
Original Lead Singer Paul Mario Day fronted a re-formed Sweet in 85/86. Currently lives in Newcastle Australia. While with Sweet he recorded the amazing live album "Live at the Marquee".
Ahhh.... Finally getting to this song has such a great vamp intro.
It's about the torture device AND the band ("Iron Maiden's gonna get you wherever you are").
And yes, it's probably the most "punk" song they did. Although Steve Harris always claimed he hated punk and denies any punk influence. On the other hand Paul Di'Anno was pretty much into punk, so maybe he was partly responsible for roughening up the sound, because on the few rehearsal / live snippets with their previous singer (available on youtube) you can hear that they were more tame and traditional sounding before he joined. But then again punk had a such a big influence on the whole pop culture, that the band themselves probably didn't consider their music to be punky but just "modern" sounding.
A pretty good song for a title track and band name track, but not the best on the album . The song is about the medieval torture device of the same name. It was a specifically shaped iron coffin that resembled a sarcophagus. The door was embedded with long spikes. It was held vertically so the victim could be placed inside, and the door slammed shut under its own massive weight. The victim was skewered, as well as crushed. Steve Harris, who started the band, first saw the Maiden in an old film adaptation of The Man In The Iron Mask.
My favorites on this debut Iron Maiden album - Phantom of the Opera (Live though), Transylvania, Strange World and Prowler (but the 88 version).
Sarah, I was hoping to hear you do an album review of the debut Iron Maiden album. Look forward to the Killers album.
So the medieval torture device thing is actually a myth - no such medieval torture device has ever been proven to be a real thing and they're only mentioned in works of fiction. The first Iron Maiden was built some time in either the 18th or 19th century (I forget which) by an escapologist to use in his act, and he created a whole backstory for theatrical purposes about how he found it and it dated back to medieval times. They covered the subject on a really great UK tv show called QI (which stands for Quite Interesting).
Thank you for reacting to the whole album! I really appreciate your honesty, and I dig your whole vibe, so count me in for the rest of your Maiden reactions. As far as the song goes, I agree that it's not their best - I have it at #7 of 9 on the debut album (yes, I count Sanctuary since it's been on every version of the album I've owned since 1986, haha); however, the song is orders of magnitude better when you experience it at one of their live shows. Anyway, thanks again for the wonderful reactions! :)
It's cool, love your honesty. I get the punk reference. I am a fan of some punk rock. Either they were influenced by some punk or they influenced some punk artists, there is some crossover IMO. In any case they were not mainstream, this is what I mostly listened to in the 80's, heavy metal and punk, not mainstream. I also feel these genres would merge at the end of the 80's with bands like Nirvana and become mainstream so I was ahead of the curve in that regard. Thank You!
This always works better live, they close the main part of the set with it, and bring out the giant Eddie stage prop at the end.
This song was a never a single or a "most popular" song... but it was basically written as a 'set closer' for Iron Maiden concerts, and Maiden has always closed their shows w/ 'Iron Maiden' - which is about the medieval torture device, where a live, condemned person is forced into a casket and locked in, and metal spikes are slowly inserted into the casket ... victims would usually bleed to death inside.
I appreciate your honesty, keep it real!
I'm a lifelong maiden fan, and I don't like it either ;)
Thank you and thank you for sharing your opinions. Means a lot qnd knowing I'm not alone. Much love.
Original Lead Singer Paul Mario Day fronted a re-formed Sweet in 85/86. Currently lives in Newcastle Australia. While with Sweet he recorded the amazing live album "Live at the Marquee".
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Killers is a good one
Good song
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