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)
Massacre
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's no place left to go
Six hundred unknown heroes
Were killed like sleeping buffalo
Through the devil's canyon
Across the battlefield
Death has no companion
There goes the bandolero
Through the hole in the wall
He's a coward but doesn't care though
In fact, he doesn't care at all
The general that's commanding
He's defending what he fears
While the troops they are depending
On reinforcements from the rear
If God is in the heavens
How can this happen here?
In His name, they used the weapons
For the massacre
There is a point below zero
Where the sun can see the land
Six hundred unknown heroes
Lay dead in the sand
Iron Maiden's song Massacre is a track from their 1981 sophomore album, Killers. The song is about a historical event called the Wounded Knee Massacre that happened on December 29, 1890, where U.S. soldiers killed 300 Native American men, women, and children in South Dakota. The lyrics depict the horror, bloodshed, and brutality of the event. The opening lines of the song "At a point below zero, there's no place left to go" set the mood of the song, reflecting the cold and bitter nature of the massacre. The phrase "six hundred unknown heroes" refers to the number of Native Americans that were in that area at that time and emphasizes the bravery and resolve of the victims who stood up against the unconscionable forces.
The lyrics of Massacre also touch upon themes such as cowardice, fear, and questions of faith. The line "He's a coward but doesn't care, though, in fact, he doesn't care at all" refers to the bandit who flees on sight of the violence. The general who is leading the troops is defending himself out of fear. The sense of despair and helplessness is further accentuated in the lines "If God is in the heavens, how can this happen here? In His name, they used the weapons for the massacre," questioning the presence of God in such a horrific fate.
Line by Line Meaning
At a point below zero
The situation is so dire that there is no turning back
There's no place left to go
There are no viable options or escape routes available anymore
Six hundred unknown heroes
A large group of brave and honorable individuals who went unrecognized
Were killed like sleeping buffalo
They were slaughtered mercilessly and with no chance to defend themselves
Through the devil's canyon
A dangerous and challenging terrain that represents the evil and malevolent forces
Across the battlefield
The brutal and unforgiving arena where lives are lost
Death has no companion
Even in the midst of numerous fatalities, there is no one to accompany the dying
The spirit is forced to yield
The essence of humanity is conquered and defeated
There goes the bandolero
A criminal and outlaw who flees in cowardice
Through the hole in the wall
Escaping through desperate measures and cutting corners
He's a coward but doesn't care though
He knows he chose the wrong path and actions, but continues them anyway
In fact, he doesn't care at all
He is completely indifferent to the consequences of his choices
The general that's commanding
The person in charge of the army and operations
He's defending what he fears
Acting defensively instead of taking bold steps for the good of the mission
While the troops they are depending
The enlisted soldiers are counting on their superiors for guidance and support
On reinforcements from the rear
Additional troops and resources are much needed to win the battle
If God is in the heavens
Questioning the existence and action of a higher power
How can this happen here?
Expressing disbelief and shock at the atrocities committed
In His name, they used the weapons
Performing ghastly acts and killings in the justification and authority of religion
For the massacre
The destruction of countless lives with no regard for humanity or morality
There is a point below zero
Repeating to emphasize the terrible, hopeless state of affairs
Where the sun can see the land
Even the brightest, most natural light can observe the bloodshed and suffering below
Six hundred unknown heroes
Stressing the bravery and heroism of the fallen- despite their unsung status
Lay dead in the sand
Uniform, anonymous corpses lying in the barren, uncaring wilderness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Philip Parris Lynott, Brian Michael Downey, William Scott Gorham
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JJRJ 85
ah, the classic, unmistakable Seventh Son sound/production
DJ Mortimer
Wow! Amazing cover. If I didn't know any different I would have thought that Maiden had written this. You can see how much TL had an influence on their sound with this song.
Rory
Yup. The twin lead guitars, the driving bass and the groove in the drum kits. It all goes back go Phil Lynott’s genius brain. Iron Maiden are my 2nd favourite band but Thin Lizzy are top for sure.
Savox
Unpopular opinion, but I think this would've suited Paul Di'anno's voice better.
Oak Honest Records
When you're right, you're right!
Declan O Shaughnessy
A great brilliant cover version of thin Lizzy by Iron Maiden much appreciated! From an Iron Maiden fan
Drew Smith
Leigh Burne's assessment is quite accurate. It's neat hearing those Seventh Son guitars.
But I do wish they would have recorded it during the "Piece of Mind" or "Powerslave" sessions.
J C
I can’t even imagine how good a 83 version sounds for sure that would be wicked!
EdHell Banger
Thin lizzy and iron maiden, perfect
mrpositronia
Iron Lizzy. Would have loved Phil to appear on a Maiden track with Bruce.