Formed on Christmas Day 1975, Iron Maiden went through several years of playing a variety of pubs, often with the regulars of said pubs forming a rotating lineup of players until the band settled on the classic configuration of Steve Harris on bass guitar/live bass gun, fraternal guitar twins Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, air raid siren Bruce Dickinson, the happiest man to ever sit behind the kit in the Form of Nicko McBrain, and who could forget the Iconic Eddie the Head!
The band produced genre-defining work in the ’80s, and every metal band since has owed a huge debt to Iron Maiden, with their galloping rhythms, blazing dual guitar work, and lyrics that pulled from the annals of history, while being completely timeless. But even Maiden wasn’t immune to the decline of metal that the ’90s would bring, losing their lead singer and one-half of their iconic guitar duo, recruiting an inferior singer and guitarist in their wake.
This decline saw its own decline in 1999, with the return of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith (the band was kind enough to let Jannick Gers stay, despite his sloppy hair and playing), introducing the Metal Lords to a whole new generation, with work rivalling their ’80s classics coming along the way. Maiden are a band of no more lies, with songwriting so sincere and as a result, they’re too hard to hate.
So let’s start this countdown to midnight by ranking every Iron Maiden Album from worst to best.
17. No Prayer for the Dying (1990)
First album to be released since their self-titled debut without Adrian Smith on guitar, there was a noticeable step down in songwriting quality that seemed to have gotten lost somewhere along the line, and performances all suffered as a result. For the first time in their career up until that point, Maiden seemed to be at a loss for words, sounds, and needed to cover new grounds instead of retreading old if they were to stay relevant.
Play It Again: “Holy Smoke”
Skip It: “Bring Your Daughter…To the Slaughter”
16. Senjutsu (2021)
A meandering rehash of music previously explored, lacking in both songwriting and actual songs, “Senjutsu” fell flat after the late career high that was “Book of Souls,” ironic since this album could use some souls from that book. When your songs become unrelatable (with sometimes unpronounceable names), it’s time to look into sejuts-you.
Play It Again: “Stratego”
Skip It: “The Writing on the Wall”
15. The X Factor (1995)
Named for their recently departed singer, the album sees replacement Blayze Bailey provide a balance between the raw vocals of Paul Di’Anno and the Operatic Bruce Dickinson, without the visceral punch of either. The songwriting, on both the more straightforward and longer songs, drag and bore when compared to other Maiden releases, so do yourself a favor and release yourself from this album.
Play It Again: “Sign of the Cross”
Skip It: “Look For the Truth” (elsewhere)
14. Fear of the Dark (1992)
Maiden’s last album of the millennium to feature Bruce Dickinson on vocals was marred with infighting and disagreement, evidenced by the lack of collaboration between Dickinson and Harris, at this point the songwriting team in Iron Maiden. “Fear of the Dark” showcases Maiden at both their best and worst simultaneously, with future lullaby “Fear of the Dark” reaching the scared child in metalheads everywhere, and the straight-up lies of “Be Quick or Be Dead,” since while that song is fast, it hits dead in the water.
Play it Again: the title track and “From Here to Eternity”
Skip it: “Fear is the Key”
13. Virtual XI (1998)
What the Fuck is “Virtual XI” anyways? It is a step up from the X Factor, and to be honest, kind of a kickass entry into the Maiden mythos, with all the standard Maiden trademarks, even ’80s style synths on “The Angel and The Gambler.” There is a lot going on with this album, and the band was making the most of a not-great situation, so props to them, it lands with magnificence and grace, sooo, um Maiden Bro?
Play It Again: “The Clansman”
Skip It: “Como Estais Amigos” (worst Maiden song title ever)
12. The Final Frontier (2015)
Going forward there are no bad Maiden Albums, but we must rank these albums with as much journalistic integrity as possible, so someone has to be the least best, eh. Which is a real shame because this album is also great, and may not have as many “classics” as other albums on this list, “The Final Frontier” dares us to look beyond our earthly coil, or Maiden’s early career, proving that while they’re old, they’re far from obsolete. So good job boys, good job indeed at making ours harder.
Play It Again: “The Alchemist”
Skip It: “Satellite 15… The Final Frontier”
11. Brave New World (2000)
Maiden’s millennium comeback, featuring the return of both Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith, with an unprecedented 3 guitar lineup. Maiden’s recovery from the Metal-unfriendly ’90s is as refreshing as their trooper brand ale. That’s not to say that this album is flawless, but since they had just re-enlisted their PILOT lead singer, course correction would be a simple task, and with heart to give, Maiden were begging to be set free.
Play It Again: “Ghost of the Navigator”
Skip it: “Out of the Silent Planet”
10. A Matter of Life and Death (2006)
Recovering from the terrible cover of “Dance of the Dead” with one of the more kickass album covers of any band, Maiden continued their millennium march of majestic proportion, with not just one, but two discs of your typical thrashers and a healthy amount of prog epics to boot. The band was truly playing as if this were a matter of life and death, and they chose life, to the dismay of longtime fan Mark Renton!
Play It Again: “Brighter than a Thousand Suns”
Skip It: “Out of the Shadows”
9. Seventh Son of A Seventh Son (1988)
Closing out the ’80s in the most ’80s way possible, this record sees Maiden at their cleanest production-wise, at times too clean for the discerning metal head (they’re not known for hygiene). It was also the most keyboard-heavy and prog-tinted record the band had put out at this point, marking an inflection between the older, rawer Maiden and the middle-aged metal gentlemen they were becoming. Like everything else on this list, it’s essential listening
Play It Again: “The Evil that Men Do”
Skip It: “The Prophecy”
8. Self-Titled (1980)
Maiden’s official debut featured a more raw, more punk production which didn’t detract from the proggier songs, proving that you could have both raw aggression and compositional competence. The only record with guitarist Dennis Stratton, it set the stage for what was to come, and the cover art has one of the most popular t-shirt designs worldwide to this very day.
Play It Again: “Phantom of the Opera”
Skip It: “Remember Tomorrow” (still Rules though)
7. Killers (1981)
Featuring one of the second most popular t-shirt designs, and guitarist Adrian Smith for the first of many successful outings, “Killers” refined the previous rawness of the band’s debut with noticeably better production and one of metal’s defining guitar duos. This would unfortunately be the last outing with singer Paul Di’Anno, as he succumbed to powder, negatively affecting his performance, but check out his work in Battlezone if you ever wanna feel like a Wrathchild.
Play It Again: “Wrathchild” and “Killers”
Skip It: “Another Life”
6. Dance of Death (2003)
Looking to the new millennium with a renewed sense of optimism, the band decided to use CGI art for the cover, to disastrous results. But don’t let the album art fool you, Maiden look to the day that we all dance to death, and with this collection of catchy, propulsive songs, who could resist the call of the dance.
Play It Again: “No More Lies”
Skip It: “Gates of Tomorrow” (now please)
5. Piece of Mind (1983)
Church groups to the left of them. PMRC to the right. But still, regardless of opposition, Maiden was determined to rule the night, and with a chunk of brain serving as tribute, the metal gods determined that Maiden had earned the status of Lords of Metal (the title, not the film), and it’s a title well earned. This is also the first album with Nicko McBrain, so big smiles everyone, that’s an order (RIP Clive Burr).
Play It Again: “The Trooper”
Skip It: “Sun and Steel”
4. Book of Souls (2015)
A late-career gem from Iron Maiden sees the band in golden god form that would make Dennis Reynolds both proud and jealous, “Book of Souls” fuses Maiden’s metal, prog, and symphonic influences into holy perfection, reinforced by decades of experiments coming to this glorious occasion. Even including a tribute to the late great Robin Williams in the form of “Tears for a Clown,” this album is a career on glorious display.
Play It Again: “If Eternity Should Fail”
Skip It: “Speed of Light” (by default, no skips going forward)
3. Somewhere in Time (1986)
Sometime in the ’80s, the synthesizer became the instrument de jour, allowing many bands and musicians to explore newer, more ethereal sounds. And while their metal compatriots on the other side of the pond were going for a more jagged and raw sound with the burgeoning thrash scene, Steve Harris and Co. were fusing their love of ’70s prog with modern technology, proving that Maiden are neither stuck in the past, present, or future, but somewhere in time.
Play It Again: “Wasted Years”
Skip It: Nah
2. Number of the Beast (1982)
A metal and Maiden milestone, debuting the all mighty Bruce Dickinson for all to see and experience, with his iconic scream on the title track becoming a historical moment in metal, so much so that we predict there will be songs written about it in the future. Every song on this album is either a live staple, or a certified classic, or a certified classic that was removed to give room to other future classics (looking your way “Run to the Hills”).
Play it Again: Being Mesmerised to the point where you can’t avoid their eyes, the Maiden Lads compel you to play it again.
Skip it: Nope
1. Powerslave (1984)
Opening with one of Rock’n’Roll’s best one two punches and condensed WW2-Cold war history lessons in the form of “Aces High” and “2 Minutes to Midnight,” this album sees the band at the height of their power, with not succumbing to this power, and becoming a slave. Plus that album artwork is the cherry on top with its majestic and presumably accurate portrayal of ancient Egypt. Just like how Maiden sings the praises of historical events, future generations are bound to sing about the wonders of this masterpiece. Maiden Bro!
Play It Again: “Aces High” and “2 Minutes to Midnight”
Skip It: No