Some are speculating that this is to be Maiden’s last album, a rumour that - while it makes the title all the more meaningful - if true, would mark the end of a 30-year heavy metal tenure and a genre-defining run of graphic artwork.įans can at least take some solace by watching Ed’s all-new alien incarnation brought to life for The Final Frontier Tour, and in the title track’s accompanying video. Befittingly of its title, an alien-like Eddie has conquered space (you know, the final frontier) - one skeletal astronaut’s helmet at a time. Harris has written vastly superior tunes, yet the lines ‘Wherever you are, Iron Maiden’s gonna get you/No matter how far’, delivered more as a threat than a promise, have proved to be prophetic. Melvyn Grant returned to the drawing board for Maiden's 15th studio LP, The Final Frontier. The song that traditionally ends each Iron Maiden concert proper also brings to an end their opening full-length-album statement. First up: a shadow-obscured Eddie makes his debut Prev of 70 Next Prev of 70 NextĪlbum, released 16 August 2010 The Final Frontier
STOP PRESS (ii): Eddie shredders should check out the latest issue of Metal Hammer with its brilliant 3D cover for the release of The Final Frontier. STOP PRESS (i): Check out our exhaustive track-by-track review of Iron Maiden's new album, The Final Frontier. All the quotes from Derek Riggs come courtesy of his excellent online portfolio (a veritable hive of insights from the designer himself), while massive props must go to top fan sites Maiden World and Iron Maiden Wallpaper for sharing all the hidden messages and hi-res artwork you could wish for.
So, on the eve of Maiden’s 15th studio album release The Final Frontier, join us as we relive the band’s impressively graphic back catalogue. Between 1980’s self-titled debut and 1981’s Killers, guitarist Dennis Stratton was replaced by Adrian Smith. Iron Maiden ’s rapidly growing success across their first four albums was matched only by the churn of members. From lobotomised street-prowling urchin to Satan-battling, time-travelling cyborg - Ed’s 30-year coming of age has been a painful yet compelling journey. Iron Maiden were on their way to becoming megastars, but with 1984’s blockbusting Powerslave all bets were off. Originally designed by Derek Riggs, adopted by the band, and brought to life as a blood-drooling mask at the back of the stage Eddie’s been a perennial, zombie-like fixture at almost every gig, and on almost every Maiden release since 1980’s debut single, Running Free.Īs you’ll see from the following celebration of Iron Maiden’s gloriously gruesome, benchmark-setting artwork, Eddie has evolved along with the band and their musical direction. Maiden’s image, however, is all the more enduring - and somewhat remarkably for a heavy metal band, endearing - thanks to the most famous band mascot of all time, Eddie The Head. Heavy metal’s identity is rooted almost as deeply in its imagery as the music itself, and British pioneers Iron Maiden were (and some band members still are) proud exponents of the long hair, ripped-denim, spandex and leather uniform of the '80s. Eddie The Head conquers space for 2010's The Final Frontier Iron Maiden: a gruesome history of graphic artwork
0 kommentar(er)
