![[2025] A roundup of IRON MAIDEN’s popular and classic songs](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/X4bgXH3sJ2Q/maxresdefault.webp)
[2025] A roundup of IRON MAIDEN’s popular and classic songs
Formed in 1975 and boasting an activity history approaching 50 years, Iron Maiden is the ultimate heavy metal band, still going strong as a fully active act in the 2020s.
In September 2024, they realized their first Japan tour in about six years, electrifying metalheads across the country—a memory still fresh for many.
For those who’ve recently become interested in this iconic band—emblematic of heavy metal not only for their music but also for their mascot “Eddie,” a figure even people who haven’t heard their songs have likely seen—this article compiles and introduces their signature and most popular tracks.
The lineup also includes songs frequently performed at recent live shows, so be sure to check it out!
[2025] Summary of IRON MAIDEN’s Popular and Classic Songs (1–10)
The TrooperIron Maiden
A track included on the 4th album, Piece of Mind.
The title means “cavalry,” and the lyrics are based on a poem depicting the Battle of Balaclava, one of the engagements of the Crimean War.
The driving, palm-muted guitar riff evokes advancing horsemen, making the Japanese title “A Battle With No Tomorrow” feel spot-on.
The nearly one-minute technical guitar solo and the twin-lead main theme are irresistible for metal fans—truly a classic of Western metal.
Aces HighIron Maiden
A track that opens their fifth album, Powerslave, released in 1984.
The song’s theme is an aerial dogfight between British and German fighter planes set against the backdrop of World War II, and you can feel that speed and tension in the music itself.
From the irregular rhythm at the start and the thrilling twin-lead guitar intro riff to the flurry of guitar solos, it’s a metal number packed with highlights from beginning to end, even as it races by.
Fear of the DarkIron Maiden
The title track from their ninth album, released in 1992, Fear of the Dark.
Starting with a quiet intro featuring clean guitar arpeggios, it shifts into a driving, distorted-guitar riff with powerful vocals, delivering the dynamics and contrast that define a great metal number.
With a technical yet wistful guitar solo and multiple tempo changes throughout, it’s a piece that arguably only works with a band of truly high caliber.
Hallowed Be Thy NameIron Maiden
A track included on their third album, The Number of the Beast, released in 1982.
The lyrics quote lines from “Life’s Shadow” by the British progressive band Beckett, which led to a lawsuit involving the band—making it a song that drew fresh attention more than 30 years after its release.
Running over seven minutes, it’s broadly structured with a first half featuring catchy riffs and melodies, and a second half showcasing relentless guitar solos, a grand piece that keeps you engaged to the very end despite its length.
2 Minutes to MidnightIron Maiden
This song was released as the lead single from their fifth album, Powerslave, in 1984.
Given the Japanese title “Akuma no Saishū Heiki” (“The Devil’s Ultimate Weapon”), the track is written from the perspective of a leader harboring dangerous ideas—sparking world wars and mass slaughter—and its lyrics seem to present a kind of crisis awareness to listeners.
On the other hand, the orthodox guitar riff that runs from the intro into the first verse and the bass line that smoothly drives the groove create a catchy, even exhilarating feel that offsets the heaviness of the lyrics, striking a superb balance.
It’s a quintessential Iron Maiden song, perfectly suited for a single release.
Phantom Of The OperaIron Maiden
A track included on their debut album Iron Maiden, which went Gold in Japan, the U.
S.
, and Germany, and Platinum in the U.
K.
It’s a number packed with advanced musical elements: it moves forward on a shuffle beat, suddenly shifts to an 8-beat rhythm, transitions from a unison guitar-and-bass solo into odd time signatures, and more.
Despite its complexity, the song also stands out for its beautiful choral work, making it a piece that showcases the unfathomable artistry of Iron Maiden.
The Number of the BeastIron Maiden
The title track from their third album, released in 1982, The Number of the Beast.
It opens with a narration quoting Revelation 13:18 from the New Testament, then launches into an unconventional, rhythm-shifting vocal entrance accompanied only by guitar, followed by a driving tempo—an encapsulation of Iron Maiden’s appeal.
The irregular time signatures scattered throughout the song build tension while the catchy melodies linger in your ears, showcasing the band’s ambition with their new vocalist and resulting in a highly polished track.