As pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal movement, Iron Maiden achieved initial success during the early 1980s. After several lineup changes, the band went on to release a series of UK and US Platinum and Gold albums, including 1980's eponymous debut album, 1981's Killers, 1982's The Number of the Beast, 1983's Piece of Mind, 1984's Powerslave, 1985's live release Live After Death, 1986's Somewhere in Time, 1988's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, 1990's No Prayer for the Dying and 1992's Fear of the Dark. In 1982, the band released The Number of the Beast – its first album with Bruce Dickinson, who replaced Paul Di'Anno as lead singer – which was a turning point in their career, helping establish them as one of heavy metal's most important artists. The Number of the Beast is among the most popular heavy metal albums of all time, having sold almost 20 million copies worldwide.
Since the return of lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith in 1999, the band has undergone a resurgence in popularity, with a series of new albums and highly successful tours. Released in 2006, A Matter of Life and Death, their 14th studio album, reached top sales in dozens of countries, initiating the series of Iron Maiden's highest-ranked albums. Their 2010 album, The Final Frontier, peaked at No. 1 in 28 countries and received widespread critical acclaim. Their 16th studio album, The Book of Souls, was released on 4 September 2015 to similar success, debuting at No. 1 in the album charts of 24 countries with physical sales and summary in 43 territories with physical and digital sales. Most recently, their 17th studio album, Senjutsu, was released on 3 September 2021 and eventually reached No. 1 in 27 countries.
Iron Maiden have sold over 130 million copies of their albums worldwide, despite minimal radio and mainstream media support. The band's catalogue has sold over 200 million copies worldwide, including albums, singles, compilations and videos. By 2022, their releases have been certified Silver, Gold and Platinum around 600 times worldwide. Iron Maiden have become one of the most influential and revered rock bands of all time, and is credited with influencing countless bands and genres. Critics have stated that the band elevated heavy metal to an art form, proving that academic and musical inspirations can coexist. The band is also hailed as one of the greatest live acts of all time.
The band and its members have received multiple industry awards, including the Grammy Awards and its equivalents in other countries. Other accolades the band has received include Brit Awards, Silver Clef Award, Nordoff-Robbins Award, Ivor Novello Awards, Juno Awards, Guinness Book of World Records, Public Choice International, Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards, ECHO Awards, Top.HR Music Awards, Žebřík Music Awards, honorary doctorates, State Prizes, sales recognition, marketing achievements recognition awards, charity and sport awards among many others. Iron Maiden were inducted into the Hollywood RockWalk, BPI Hall of Fame and Kerrang! Hall of Fame. The band is also a part of permanent exhibitions of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, British Music Experience, Rock in Rio Wall of Fame and Wacken Open Air Hall of Fame. Iron Maiden were honoured by Royal Mail UK with dedicated postal stamps and cards. The band as 'bona fide' rock legends belongs to an elitarian circle of British iconic bands honoured with an unique range of stamps, including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen and Iron Maiden as the fifth one.
Iron Maiden's lyrics cover such topics as history, literature, war, mythology, society and religion. Many of their songs are based on history, classic literature and film. As of October 2019, the band have played some 2500 live shows, performing for tens of millions of fans. For over 40 years, the musicians have been supported by their famous mascot, "Eddie", who has appeared on almost all of their album and single covers, videos and merchandise. Originally designed by Derek Riggs, Eddie became the main attraction of Iron Maiden live shows, which feature theatrical elements like coloured backdrops, inflatables, pyrotechnics, elaborate lighting rigs, props and stage sets.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Maiden
Studio albums
Iron Maiden (1980)
Killers (1981)
The Number of the Beast (1982)
Piece of Mind (1983)
Powerslave (1984)
Somewhere in Time (1986)
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)
No Prayer for the Dying (1990)
Fear of the Dark (1992)
The X Factor (1995)
Virtual XI (1998)
Brave New World (2000)
Dance of Death (2003)
A Matter of Life and Death (2006)
The Final Frontier (2010)
The Book of Souls (2015)
Senjutsu (2021)
Flash of the Blade
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With your wooden sword so mighty
You're St. George or you're David and you always killed the beast
Times change very quickly and you had to grow up early
A house in smoking ruins and the bodies at your feet
You'll die as you lived
In a flash of the blade
You lived for the touch
For the feel of the steel
One man and his honor
The smell of resined leather, the steely iron mask
As you cut and thrust and parried at the fencing master's call
He taught you all he ever knew, to fear no mortal man
And now you'll wreak your vengeance in the screams of evil man
You'll die as you lived
In a flash of the blade
In a corner forgotten by no one
You lived for the touch
For the feel of the steel
One man and his honor
You'll die as you lived
In a flash of the blade
In a corner forgotten by no one
You lived for the touch
For the feel of the steel
One man and his honor
You'll die as you lived
In a flash of the blade
In a corner forgotten by no one
You lived for the touch
For the feel of the steel
One man and his honor
The lyrics of "Flash of the Blade" by Iron Maiden delve into the theme of growing up and the constant struggle between good and evil. The song starts with a reference to childhood, where the singer was a fearless dragon slayer with his wooden sword. However, as he grew older, life became more unpredictable and unforgiving, shown through the imagery of a house in smoking ruins and dead bodies at his feet. This shift from innocence to a harsh reality is a reminder that things change quickly and unpredictably.
The second verse reveals that the singer learned the art of fencing from his master and was taught to fear no mortal man. The idea of wielding a sword becomes a metaphor for having power and the ability to fight against evil. The chorus emphasizes that the singer will die the same way he lived, with a flash of the blade. It signifies that his honor is everything to him and he will fight for it till the end. This is evident in the line "You lived for the touch, for the feel of the steel, one man and his honor."
Overall, "Flash of the Blade" is a song about growing up and the battle between good and evil. The singer evolves to become a sword wielder, signifying someone with power and the ability to protect what is good. The song showcases the importance of honor and how it is worth dying for.
Line by Line Meaning
As a young boy chasing dragons
When you were young and innocent, you played games of make-believe, pretending to fight dragons with your trusty wooden sword.
With your wooden sword so mighty
To you, your wooden sword was the most powerful weapon in the world.
You're St. George or you're David and you always killed the beast
In your imaginary world, you were a hero like St. George or David, and you always defeated the dragon or beast.
Times change very quickly and you had to grow up early
As you grew older, you learned that the real world is full of challenges, forcing you to mature faster than you expected.
A house in smoking ruins and the bodies at your feet
You have witnessed tragedy, perhaps war, where you have seen destruction and death firsthand.
The smell of resined leather, the steely iron mask
As a warrior, you are familiar with the protective armor you wear and the equipment you use.
As you cut and thrust and parried at the fencing master's call
You have honed your sword-fighting skills under the guidance of a fencing master who taught you how to attack, defend, and counter.
He taught you all he ever knew, to fear no mortal man
Your fencing master passed on to you all of his knowledge and experience, giving you the courage to face any opponent.
And now you'll wreak your vengeance in the screams of evil man
With your skills and confidence, you will face your adversaries and defeat them mercilessly.
You'll die as you lived
In a flash of the blade
In a corner forgotten by no one
You lived for the touch
For the feel of the steel
One man and his honor
As a warrior, you know that death may come quickly, but you are prepared to defend your honor and fight to the end, always seeking the thrill of battle.
You'll die as you lived
In a flash of the blade
In a corner forgotten by no one
You lived for the touch
For the feel of the steel
One man and his honor
Your life may not be long, but it will be intense, and your courage and reputation will be remembered after you are gone.
You'll die as you lived
In a flash of the blade
In a corner forgotten by no one
You lived for the touch
For the feel of the steel
One man and his honor
You will be proud to have lived and died by the sword, always striving for excellence and maintaining your honor in all battles.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bruce Dickinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it