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)
Invaders
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Many Nordic fighting men their swords and shields all gleam in the sun
Call to arms defend yourselves get ready to stand and fight for your lives
Judgment day has come around so be prepared don't run stand your ground
They're coming in from the sea
They've come the enemy
Beneath the blazing sun
Invaders, pillaging
Invaders, looting
Set ablaze the campfires alert the other men from inland
Warning must be given there's not enough men here for a stand
The Vikings are too many much too powerful to take on our own
We must have reinforcements we cannot fight this battle alone
They're coming over the hill
They've come to attack
They're coming in for the kill
There's no turning back
Invaders
Fighting
Invaders
Marauding
Axes grind and maces clash as wounded fighters fall to the ground
Severed limbs and fatal woundings bloody corpses lay all around
The smell of death and burning flesh the battle weary fight to the end
The Saxons have been overpowered victims of the mighty Norsemen
You'd better scatter and run
The battle's lost and not won
You'd better get away to fight another day
Invaders
Raping
Invaders
Plundering
The song Invaders by Iron Maiden is a hard-hitting heavy metal track with powerful lyrics that depict a fierce battle between the Vikings and the Saxons. The lyrics speak of the Nordic fighting men who are seen emerging from their longboats, armed with swords and shields, ready to invade and pillage the Saxon lands. The Saxons, in turn, call for reinforcements and ready themselves to stand their ground and defend their lives. The battle turns out to be a bloody and terrible one, with axes grinding and maces clashing, wounded fighters falling to the ground, and smoke rising from the burning camps.
The song is a portrayal of a historical incident that took place in England during the 9th century. The Vikings from Scandinavia invaded the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and engaged in a series of brutal and savage wars. The lyrics of Invaders capture the ferocity of these battles and the sense of desperation that would have been felt by the Saxons as they stood against the Viking invaders. The song's powerful and hard-hitting lyrics make it a classic heavy metal track that has stood the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Longboats have been sighted the evidence of war has begun
The arrival of enemy ships has been spotted, indicating the start of war.
Many Nordic fighting men their swords and shields all gleam in the sun
The Nordic warriors are preparing for battle and their weapons shine in the sunlight.
Call to arms defend yourselves get ready to stand and fight for your lives
Fighting back is essential to survive, so prepare for battle and defend yourself.
Judgment day has come around so be prepared don't run stand your ground
The decisive moment has arrived and running is not an option; be ready to fight till the end.
They're coming in from the sea
The enemy is arriving by sea.
They've come the enemy
The enemy has arrived.
Beneath the blazing sun
The battle is taking place under the sun.
The battle has to be won
Victory in the battle is necessary.
Invaders, pillaging
The enemy is attacking and looting.
Invaders, looting
The enemy is stealing goods and valuables.
Set ablaze the campfires alert the other men from inland
Light up the signal fires to inform the other troops who are further inland.
Warning must be given there's not enough men here for a stand
The warning needs to be sounded that there aren't enough soldiers to hold the enemy back.
The Vikings are too many much too powerful to take on our own
The Viking army is too large and strong for the current soldiers to fight alone.
We must have reinforcements we cannot fight this battle alone
Additional troops are needed as the current soldiers cannot win this battle alone.
They're coming over the hill
The enemy is coming over the nearby hill.
They've come to attack
The enemy has come to attack.
They're coming in for the kill
The enemy is approaching with the intent to kill.
There's no turning back
Retreating is not an option.
Invaders
Fighting
The enemy is fighting against the soldiers.
Invaders
Marauding
The enemy is attacking and plundering.
Axes grind and maces clash as wounded fighters fall to the ground
The sound of metal on metal is heard as soldiers strike each other and injured troops are falling down.
Severed limbs and fatal woundings bloody corpses lay all around
The brutal and violent battle has led to severe injuries and death, leaving behind bloody bodies.
The smell of death and burning flesh the battle weary fight to the end
The stench of death and burning flesh fills the air as exhausted soldiers continue fighting till the end.
The Saxons have been overpowered victims of the mighty Norsemen
The Saxon soldiers have been defeated by the powerful Nordic warriors.
You'd better scatter and run
The battle's lost and not won
You'd better get away to fight another day
The battle has been lost, and it's time to retreat and live to fight another day.
Invaders
Raping
The enemy is sexually assaulting and violating women.
Invaders
Plundering
The enemy is stealing and ransacking towns and villages for valuable goods.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stephen Percy Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it