Everything about Iron Maiden: biography, style & influences

Iron Maiden, a cornerstone of heavy metal, was formed in London in 1975 by bassist Steve Harris. From the beginning, the band stood out with an ambitious and narrative approach, combining technical musicianship, epic themes and strong visual identity.

Alongside bands like Judas Priest and Motörhead, Iron Maiden played a major role in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, shaping the sound of the 1980s.

With the arrival of Bruce Dickinson, the band reached its peak. Albums such as The Number of the Beast, Powerslave and Somewhere in Time became essential releases, defined by melodic and epic songwriting.

Beyond music, Iron Maiden built a unique visual universe through its iconic mascot Eddie. This imagery plays a central role in metal culture and is deeply connected to patch aesthetics, as explored in our dedicated Iron Maiden patch guide, highlighting the evolution of Eddie across albums.

From Seventh Son of a Seventh Son to Senjutsu (2021), the band continues to evolve while staying true to its identity. With over 100 million albums sold, Iron Maiden remains one of the most influential metal bands in history.

On MusikMachine, discover official Iron Maiden items including embroidered patches, flags, t-shirts and accessories — all available within our metal collection, perfect for heavy metal fans 🤘

Also explore Judas Priest, Saxon and Black Sabbath, other pillars of heavy metal.