The 10 Best Iron Maiden Albums Ranked
The heavy metal band Iron Maiden was formed in London in 1975 by primary songwriter and bassist Steve Harris. Iron Maiden was considered a pioneer in the new wave of heavy metal, and they were at the height of their fame and success during the 1980s. However, the band is still going today, although the line-up has changed many times over the years. Since the band was formed, they have released a total of 40 albums, including 16 studio albums, 13 live albums, seven compilations, and four Eps. They have also released 45 singles and 20 video albums. Here are the 10 best Iron Maiden albums ranked.
10. Brave New World (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlhXigypYqc
Entering the new millennium, Iron Maiden decided to make another comeback after the reinstatement of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith. They released the album ‘Brave New World,’ and it did not disappoint fans. There were some excellent tracks on the album, including ‘The Wicker Man,’ which many Iron Maiden fan’s considered one of the band’s best singles since the 1980s. Other excellent tracks on the album include ‘Blood Brothers,’ ‘Ghost of the Navigator,’ and ‘Dream of Mirrors.’
9. The Book of Souls (2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqldUqkhRMU
‘The Book of Souls’ is the most recent album released by Iron Maiden. By the time this album was released, the band had been going for 40 years, yet they had not lost their edge. ‘Tears of a Clown’ was one of the catchiest tracks on the album, while ‘Speed of Light’ and ‘If Eternity Should Fail’ pack the punch you expect from heavy metal music.
8. Iron Maiden (1980)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De31N__fHcI
‘‘Iron Maiden’ was the band’s debut album, and many fans still consider it one of their best offerings. When the album was released, the power and passion in the music were clear. The tracks have remained popular and become established classics in this music genre. By Steve Harris’ own admission, the production of the album is a bit flat, but the tracks more than make up for it.
7. Killers (1981)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlGIFNS3Idc
By the time Iron Maiden released their second album, ‘Killers,’ in 1981, they had established themselves as one of the best heavy metal bands and grown a huge fanbase. Right from the start of the album, when ‘The Ides of March’ begins to play as the album’s intro, the standard of the music to come is clear. Throughout the rest of the album, the quality of the music continues, with tracks such as ‘Murders in the Rue Morgue’ and ‘Wrathchild.’
6. Piece of Mind (1983)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46TKmvPDGGs&list=PL4YsnucVIwWpi7bt1Z9FH9AXgwuiEXTIh
‘Piece of Mind’ was the first of Iron Maiden’s albums to feature Nicko McBrian, and he made his presence known. Some of the tracks that showcase his talents include ‘To Tame a Land,’ ‘Flight of Icarus,’ ‘The Trooper,’ and ‘Revelations.’ However, it is not only the talents of McBrian that make this album special, as many of the other tracks not featuring him are amazing, including ‘Quest for Fire,’ ‘Still Life,’ and ‘Die with Your Boots On.’
5. A Matter of Life & Death (2006)
Iron Maiden proved they could stand the test of time with the release of their 2006 album ‘A Matter of Life & Death,’ as the album was evidence that they could continue releasing phenomenal music beyond the 80s. It was one of the darkest, heaviest, and most thrilling albums the band produced during the 2000s. Some of the album’s highlights include ‘The Longest Day’ and ‘These Colours Don’t Ruin.’
4. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PptHWHfnCnY
Kerrang lists the 1988 album ‘Seventh Son of a Seventh Son’ as one of the best Iron Maiden albums. It was Iron Maiden’s seventh album, and it peaked at number one on the charts in both the UK and Finland. It was also in the top ten in album charts in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. In the United States, the album peaked at number 12.
3. Somewhere In Time (1986)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IywvYKzmTyY
Of all the albums released by Iron Maiden during the 80s, ‘Somewhere In Time’ is the one that is sometimes forgotten. However, it was one of the most successful albums in the United States, reaching number 11 on the charts. It was also a popular album in Europe, peaking at number two in the UK and reaching the top spot in Finland. Iron Maiden released the singles ‘Wasted Years’ and ‘Stranger in a Strange Land from this album.’
2. The Number of the Beast (1982)
The third album Iron Maiden released was ‘The Number of the Beast,’ and it reached number one in the UK album charts. It was certified Platinum in the UK and the United States and Triple Platinum in Canada. The album is jam-packed with Iron Maiden classics, such as ’22 Acacia Avenue,’ ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name,’ and ‘Children of the Damned.’ Despite the quality and popularity of the album, it became controversial as it was opposed by social conservatives, and the band was accused of being Satanists.
1. Powerslave (1984)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-34JJPM–s
According to Louder Sound, the best Iron Maiden album is ‘Powerslave.’ It was the band’s fourth album, and it peaked at number two in the UK and number 12 in the United States. The album features the single ‘Flash of the Blade,’ which some music critics describe as being one of the greatest heavy metal songs of all time. Some other powerful tracks from the album include the title track, ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner,’ ‘2 Minutes to Midnight,’ and ‘Aces High.’