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)
Sun and Steel
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Killer instinct, animal supreme
By sixteen you had to learn to fight
The way of the warrior, you took it as your rite
Sunlight, falling on your steel
Death in life is your ideal
Life is like a wheel
Sunlight, falling on your steel
Death in life is your ideal
Life is like a wheel
Through earth and water, fire and wind
You came at last, nothing was the end
I'll make a cut by fire and stones
Take you and your blade, break you both in two
Break you both in two
Sunlight, falling on your steel
Death in life is your ideal
Life is like a wheel
Sunlight, falling on your steel
Death in life is your ideal
Life is like a wheel, rolling on and on
Sunlight, falling on your steel
Death in life is your ideal
Life is like a wheel
Sunlight, falling on your steel
Death in life is your ideal
Life is like a wheel
Sunlight, falling on your steel
Death in life is your ideal
Life is like a wheel
Sunlight, falling on your steel
Death in life is your ideal
Life is like a wheel
And it's rolling still
The song "Sun and Steel" by Iron Maiden describes the life of a warrior and his love for battle. It starts by talking about how the singer had a killer instinct when he was just thirteen and how at sixteen he had to learn to fight. The way of the warrior became his calling, and he saw it as his rite of passage. The chorus "Sunlight, falling on your steel, death in life is your ideal, life is like a wheel" presents a powerful metaphor. The steel symbolizes the weapon, a sword, that has brought death to his enemies; the sunlight portrays the warrior shining with pride and satisfaction, as it hits the steel, a representation of the victory he has achieved. The metaphor continues with the idea that death in life is his ideal since battles are what make him feel alive, and the ups and downs of life resemble the rolling of a wheel.
The bridge uses the elements of earth, water, fire, and wind to illustrate how nothing can stop the warrior from achieving his goals. He has been through everything, and nothing can break him. Even if someone were to try and break him or his blade, the warrior sees this as a battle to be won.
Overall, "Sun and Steel" by Iron Maiden portrays the samurai's mindset, one of discipline, and an unrelenting love for the fight. Nothing could keep them down, and achieving victory was their most outstanding accomplishment.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you killed your first man at thirteen
At the young age of thirteen, you took the life of another human being.
Killer instinct, animal supreme
You possess an instinctual urge to kill, like a wild animal.
By sixteen you had to learn to fight
At only sixteen years old, you were already forced to learn how to defend yourself.
The way of the warrior, you took it as your rite
You have adopted the path of a warrior as your way of life.
Sunlight, falling on your steel
The sun is shining on your sword, illuminating it.
Death in life is your ideal
You find that the idea of death is desirable, perhaps due to your warrior lifestyle.
Life is like a wheel
Life is cyclical in nature, like a wheel that continues to turn.
Through earth and water, fire and wind
You have faced the elements of the natural world, perhaps through your warrior travels/experiences.
You came at last, nothing was the end
Despite facing challenges, you have persevered and nothing has brought about your demise.
I'll make a cut by fire and stones
Someone (the singer/another warrior?) will make a deep wound on you using fire and stones, which are violent means.
Take you and your blade, break you both in two
Whoever is in control will break both you and your sword apart, inflicting significant harm.
And it's rolling still
The wheel of life continues to turn, despite any harm done to you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adrian Frederick Smith, Bruce Dickinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it