Editing Iron Maiden (section)

==History==

===Early years (1975–1978)===
[[File:Cartandhorses.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Cart and Horses]], located in Maryland Point, [[Stratford, London|Stratford]], was where Iron Maiden played some of their first shows in 1976. The building was officially named "The Birthplace of Iron Maiden".{{sfnm|1a1=Wall|1y=2004|1p=29|2a1=Bushell|2a2=Halfin|2y=1985|2p=9}}]]

Iron Maiden were formed on Christmas Day, 25 December 1975, by bassist [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]] shortly after he left his previous group, Smiler. Harris attributed the band's name to a film adaptation of ''[[The Man in the Iron Mask (1939 film)|The Man in the Iron Mask]]'' from the novel by [[Alexandre Dumas]], as the title reminded him of the [[iron maiden|iron maiden torture device]].{{sfn|Barton|1979}} They originally used the name Ash Mountain, but most of the band members preferred the name Iron Maiden. After months of rehearsal, Iron Maiden made their debut at St. Nicks Hall in Poplar on 1 May 1976,{{sfn|EMI|2004}} before taking up a semi-residency at the [[Cart and Horses]] Pub in [[Maryland, London|Maryland]], [[Stratford, London|Stratford]].{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=29}} The original line-up was short-lived, with vocalist [[Paul Mario Day]] being the first to go as, according to Harris, he lacked "energy or charisma on stage".{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=32}} He was replaced by Dennis Wilcock, a [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] fan who used makeup and fake blood during live performances{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=32}} and had earlier played with Harris and Doug Sampson in the band Smiler.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-27 |title=Interview: Steve Harris on Iron Maiden's Foundation {{!}} Bacon's Archive |url=https://reverb.com/news/interview-iron-maidens-steve-harris |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=reverb.com |language=en}}</ref> Wilcock's friend, guitarist [[Dave Murray (musician)|Dave Murray]], was invited to join, much to the dismay of the band's guitarists Dave Sullivan and Terry Rance.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=33}} Their frustration led Harris to temporarily disband Iron Maiden in 1976,{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=33}} though the group reformed soon after with Murray as the sole guitarist. Harris and Murray remain the band's longest-serving members and have performed on all of their releases.

[[File:Harris 1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Dave Murray (musician)|Dave Murray]] and [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]] in [[Somewhere Back in Time World Tour|2008]]. Harris and Murray are the only members to have performed on all of the band's albums.]]
Iron Maiden recruited another guitarist in 1977, Bob Sawyer, who was sacked for embarrassing the band on stage by pretending to play guitar with his teeth.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=44}} Tension ensued again, causing a rift between Murray and Wilcock, who convinced Harris to fire Murray,{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=46}} as well as original drummer Ron Matthews.{{sfn|EMI|2004}} A new line-up was put together, including future [[Cutting Crew]] member [[Tony Moore (musician)|Tony Moore]] on keyboards, Terry Wapram on guitar and drummer [[Thunderstick|Barry Purkis]] (better known today as Thunderstick). After a single gig with the band in January 1978, Moore was asked to leave as Harris decided keyboards did not suit the band's sound.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=48}} Dave Murray rejoined in late March 1978, and when Terry Wapram disapproved he was sacked. A few weeks later, Dennis Wilcock decided to leave Iron Maiden to form his own band, V1, with Wapram, and drummer [[Thunderstick|Barry Purkis]] also left. Former Smiler drummer Doug Sampson was at Dennis' and Thunderstick's last gig, and joined the band afterwards.

Harris, Murray and Sampson spent the summer and autumn of 1978 rehearsing while they searched for a singer to complete the band's new line-up.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=52}} A chance meeting at the Red Lion, a pub in [[Leytonstone]], in November 1978 evolved into a successful audition for vocalist [[Paul Di'Anno]].{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=54}} Steve Harris said, "There's sort of a quality in Paul's voice, a raspiness in his voice, or whatever you want to call it, that just gave it this great edge".{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=53}} At this time, Murray would typically act as their sole guitarist, with Harris commenting, "Davey was so good he could do a lot of it on his own. The plan was always to get a second guitarist in, but finding one that could match Davey was really difficult".{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=64}}

===Record contract and early releases (1978–1981)===
{{main|The Soundhouse Tapes|Iron Maiden (album)|Killers (Iron Maiden album)}}

On New Year's Eve, 1978, Iron Maiden recorded a four-song demo at Spaceward Studios in Cambridge.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=66}} Hoping the recording would help them secure more gigs,{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=66}} the band gave a copy to [[Neal Kay]], who, at the time, was managing a heavy metal club called "Bandwagon Heavy Metal Soundhouse".{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=67}} After hearing the tape, Kay began playing the demo regularly at the Bandwagon, and one of the songs, "Prowler", eventually went to number&nbsp;1 in the Soundhouse charts, which were published weekly in ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]'' magazine.{{sfn|Wall|2004|pp=104–105}} A copy was also acquired by [[Rod Smallwood]], who soon became the band's manager.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=83}} As Iron Maiden's popularity increased, they released the demo on their own record label as ''[[The Soundhouse Tapes]]'', named after the club.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=103}} Featuring only three tracks (one song, "Strange World", was excluded as the band were unsatisfied with its production),{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=102}} all 5,000 copies sold out within weeks.{{sfn|Wall|2004|pp=104–105}}

[[File:IRON MAIDEN - Manchester Apollo - 1980.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Paul Di'Anno]] and Steve Harris supporting [[Judas Priest]] on their [[British Steel Tour]], 1980]]
In December 1979, the band secured a major record deal with [[EMI]]{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=108}} and asked Dave Murray's childhood friend, [[Adrian Smith (musician)|Adrian Smith]] of [[Urchin (band)|Urchin]], to join the group as their second guitarist.{{sfn|Wall|2004|pp=163–164}} Busy with his own band, Smith declined and [[Dennis Stratton]] was hired instead.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=121}} Shortly after, [[Doug Sampson]] left due to health issues and was replaced by ex-[[Samson (band)|Samson]] drummer [[Clive Burr]] at Stratton's suggestion on 26 December 1979.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=123}} Iron Maiden's first appearance on an EMI album was on the ''[[Metal for Muthas]]'' compilation (released on 15 February 1980) with two early versions of "[[Sanctuary (Iron Maiden song)|Sanctuary]]" and "Wrathchild".{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=137}} The release led to a [[Metal for Muthas Tour|tour]] including several other bands linked with the [[new wave of British heavy metal]] movement.{{sfnm|1a1=Wall|1y=2004|1p=139|2a1=Saulnier|2y=2012}}

Iron Maiden released their [[Iron Maiden (album)|self-titled album]] in 1980, which debuted at number&nbsp;4 in the [[UK Albums Chart]].{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=143}} In addition to the title track, the album included other early favourites such as "[[Running Free]]", "Transylvania", "Phantom of the Opera" and "[[Sanctuary (Iron Maiden song)|Sanctuary]]" – which was not on the original UK release, but appeared on the US version and subsequent remasters. The band embarked on a [[Iron Maiden Tour|headline tour of the UK]], before opening for [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] on their 1980 [[Unmasked Tour]]'s European leg as well as supporting Judas Priest on [[British Steel Tour|select dates]]. After the Kiss tour, Dennis Stratton was dismissed from the band as a result of creative and personal differences,{{sfn|Hinchcliffe|1999}} and was replaced by Smith in October 1980. In December, the band played at the [[Rainbow Theatre]] in London, where their first live video was filmed. ''[[Live at the Rainbow]]'' was released in May 1981, and "Iron Maiden" and "Wrathchild" from this video received heavy rotation on [[MTV]] during its first hours on the air as the first metal videos ever.{{sfn|First Albums|2021}}{{sfn|DDotB|2021}}{{sfn|Roland|2013}}

[[File:Iron Maiden, Steve Harris - Manchester Apollo - 1980.jpg|thumb|Iron Maiden on stage, [[Killer World Tour]] 1981]]
In 1981, Iron Maiden released their second studio album, ''[[Killers (Iron Maiden album)|Killers]]''. Although many tracks were written prior to their debut release, it had two new songs: "Prodigal Son" and "Murders in the Rue Morgue"{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=183}} (the latter's title was taken from the [[The Murders in the Rue Morgue|short story]] by [[Edgar Allan Poe]]).{{sfn|Brannigan}} Unsatisfied with the production on their debut album,{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=145}} the band hired veteran producer [[Martin Birch]],{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=181}} who would continue to work with Iron Maiden until his retirement in 1992.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=300}} The record was followed by the band's first [[Killer World Tour|world tour]] with their debut performance in the United States opening for Judas Priest at the [[PH Live|Aladdin Theatre]] in [[Paradise, Nevada]]. ''Killers'' marked the band's USA album charts debut, reaching number&nbsp;78 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]],{{sfn|Billboard}} and they booked 132 shows to promote the album, including their first concert in [[Belgrade]], [[Yugoslavia]].{{sfn|Tour1981|2021}} During the summer, Iron Maiden played several festivals in Europe, including at the Golden Summernights 1981 festivals at [[Zeppelinfeld]] in [[Nuremberg]] in front of 100,000 people.{{Sfn|DDotB|2021}}

===Success (1981–1985)===
{{main|The Number of the Beast (album)|Piece of Mind|Powerslave|Live After Death}}
[[File:Iron Maiden in San Sebastian.jpg|thumb|Stage set 1982]]

By 1981, [[Paul Di'Anno]] was demonstrating increasingly erratic behaviour, particularly due to his drug usage,{{sfn|EMI|2004}} about which Di'Anno comments, "It wasn't just that I was snorting a bit of coke, though; I was just going for it non-stop, 24 hours a day, every day&nbsp;... the band had commitments piling up that went on for months, years, and I just couldn't see my way to the end of it. I knew I'd never last the whole tour. It was too much".{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=194}} Di'Anno was dismissed following the Killer World Tour{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=219}} with the band already having selected his replacement.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=218}} After a meeting with Rod Smallwood at the [[Reading and Leeds Festivals|Reading Festival]],{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=217}} [[Bruce Dickinson]], formerly of [[Samson (band)|Samson]], auditioned for Iron Maiden in September 1981 and was immediately hired.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=218}} The following month, Dickinson went out on the road with the band on a small headlining tour in Italy and a one-off show at the [[Rainbow Theatre]] in the UK.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=219}} For the last show, and in anticipation of their forthcoming album, the band played "Children of the Damned" and "22 Acacia Avenue", introducing fans to their new material.{{sfn|Dome|2014}}

In 1982, Iron Maiden released their third studio album, ''[[The Number of the Beast (album)|The Number of the Beast]]'', which became the band's first number&nbsp;1 record on the UK Albums Chart,{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=227}} was a Top 10 hit in many other countries, and reached number&nbsp;33 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].{{sfn|Billboard}}{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=228}} At the time, Dickinson was in the midst of legal difficulties with Samson's management and was not permitted to add his name to any of the songwriting credits, although he still made what he described as a "moral contribution" to "Children of the Damned", "The Prisoner", and "[[Run to the Hills]]".{{sfn|Shooman|2007|p=82}} The band embarked on a world tour, dubbed The Beast on the Road, with shows in North America, Japan, Australia and Europe, including a headline appearance for 40,000 people at the [[Reading festival|Reading Festival]]. Iron Maiden played 188 shows in 10 months.{{sfn|DDotB|2021}} The Beast on the Road's US leg proved controversial when an American conservative political lobbying group claimed Iron Maiden were [[Satanism|Satanic]] because of the new album's title track and "demonic" cover art,{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=228}} and a group of Christian [[activism|activists]] destroyed Iron Maiden records in protest.{{sfn|Young(1)}} Dickinson later said the band treated this as "silliness"{{sfn|Eagle Vision|2001}} and the demonstrations in fact gave them "loads of publicity".{{sfn|EMI|2004}} ''The Number of the Beast'' sold 2.5 million copies in its first year, 14 million by 2010, and 20 million by 2022.{{sfn|39Anos|2021}}{{sfn|Pfanner|2010}}{{sfn|NOTB40CS|2022}}{{sfn|TNOTB40|2022}}

[[File:Nicko McBrain 2.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Nicko McBrain]] was Iron Maiden's drummer from 1982.]]
In December 1982, drummer [[Clive Burr]] was fired from the band and replaced by [[Nicko McBrain]], who previously played for [[Trust (French band)|Trust]].{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=233}} Although Harris said the dismissal took place because his live performances were affected by offstage activities,{{sfn|Wall|2004|pp=232–233}} Burr later claimed he was unfairly ousted from the band.{{sfn|Marlow|2011}} The band then recorded the first of three consecutive albums at [[Compass Point Studios]] in the Bahamas.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=246}} In 1983, they released their fourth studio album, ''[[Piece of Mind]]'', which reached the number&nbsp;3 spot in the UK{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=247}} and number&nbsp;14 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].{{sfn|Billboard}} ''Piece of Mind'' features the singles "[[The Trooper]]" and "[[Flight of Icarus]]", the latter being one of the band's few songs to gain substantial airplay in the US.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=245}} Iron Maiden played 147 concerts in Europe and North America as a part of the World Piece Tour. This was also their first major North American tour as headliners, selling out [[Madison Square Garden]] with a crowd of 20,000.{{sfn|DDotB|2021}}{{sfn|WPT|2021}}

After the success of ''Piece of Mind'' and its supporting tour, the band released their fifth studio album, ''[[Powerslave]]'', on 9 September 1984. The album features the singles "[[2 Minutes to Midnight]]" and "[[Aces High (song)|Aces High]]", the title track, and "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (based on [[Samuel Taylor Coleridge]]'s poem ''[[Rime of the Ancient Mariner]]'').{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=253}} ''Powerslave'' was another chart success, reaching number&nbsp;12 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]{{sfn|Billboard}} and eventually number&nbsp;1 in the UK.{{sfn|Powerslave Charts |2024}}{{sfn|Wall|2004|pp=253–255}}{{sfn|PS1|2024}} The band's fifth studio album sold over 4 million copies in its first year after the premiere.{{Sfn|40PS|2024}} The tour following the album, called [[World Slavery Tour]], was the band's largest to date with 193 shows in 28 countries over 13 months,{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=253}} playing to an estimated 3,500,000 people.{{sfn|LouderSound|2021}}{{sfn|Stenning 1|2006|p=102}} Many shows were played back to back in the same city, such as in Long Beach, California, where the band played four consecutive concerts at [[Long Beach Arena]] for a combined audience of 54,000 fans.{{sfn|Golden Era|2021}} Iron Maiden also made their debut appearance in South America, where they co-headlined the [[Rock in Rio]] festival with [[Queen (band)|Queen]] for an audience estimated at 350,000–500,000 people.{{sfn|RiRAt|2022}}{{sfn|EMI|2008}} The tour started in August 1984 with five shows in Poland. Iron Maiden were the first Western artists to bring full-scale production behind the [[Iron Curtain]]. The band's third official video, entitled ''[[Behind the Iron Curtain (video)|Behind the Iron Curtain]]'', was released in October 1984. The World Slavery Tour documentary brought footage of the band touring Eastern Europe in 1984, performing shows in the countries visited, ''Behind the Iron Curtain'' was the first documentary ever published by a Western artist that showed them touring the countries of [[Eastern Bloc]]. The documentary movie was broadcast by [[MTV]] and local TV stations around the world.{{Sfn|1984T|2023}}

The tour was physically gruelling for the band, who demanded six months off when it ended (although this was later reduced to four months).{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=258}} This was the first substantial touring break in the group's history, including the cancellation of a proposed supporting tour for the new live album,{{sfn|Stenning 2|2006|p=104}} with Bruce Dickinson threatening to quit unless the tour ended.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=255}} In October 1985, Iron Maiden released the double live album and home video, ''[[Live After Death]]''. A critical and commercial success, it peaked at number&nbsp;19 on the ''[[Billboard 200]]''{{sfn|Billboard}} and number&nbsp;2 in the UK.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=257}} The album was recorded at [[Long Beach Arena]] and also features additional tracks from four nights at London's [[Hammersmith Apollo]].{{sfn|LAD|2021|p=193}}{{sfn|Live Coll|2021}} In November 1985, Iron Maiden were named the best rock and metal band in the world and awarded at Public Choice International.{{sfn|IPCH1985|2021}}

===Experimentation (1986–1989)===
{{main|Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden album)|Seventh Son of a Seventh Son}}
Returning from their time off, the band added different musical elements to their 1986 studio album, ''[[Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden album)|Somewhere in Time]].'' These focused on [[synthesiser|synthesised]] bass and guitars to add textures and layers to the sound.{{sfn|Huey(3)}} The release performed well across the world, particularly the single "[[Wasted Years]]", but included no writing credits from Dickinson, whose material was rejected by the rest of the band.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=260}} The album was the band's biggest American chart success to date, reaching number&nbsp;11 on the ''[[Billboard 200]]''{{sfn|Billboard}} and number&nbsp;2 in the UK charts.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=257}}{{sfn|SS35Y|2023}} The [[Somewhere on Tour]] was also a success. The band played 157 shows for over two and a half million fans, including eighty-one shows in North America. Once again, Iron Maiden visited Poland, Hungary and Yugoslavia to play for tens of thousands of fans in each country.{{Sfn|SiTT|2023}} The experimentation evident on ''Somewhere in Time'' continued on their next album, ''[[Seventh Son of a Seventh Son]]'', which was released in 1988. A [[concept album]] recorded at [[Musicland Studios]] in Munich{{sfn|Musiclands|2021}} and based on the 1987 novel ''[[Seventh Son (novel)|Seventh Son]]'' by [[Orson Scott Card]],{{sfn|Popoff|2005(d)}} it was the band's first record to include keyboards, which were performed by Harris and Smith.{{sfn|Popoff|2005(d)}} Dickinson's enthusiasm was also renewed as his ideas were accepted for this album.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=265}} Another popular release, it became Iron Maiden's third album to hit number&nbsp;1 in the UK charts{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=263}} and reached number&nbsp;12 on the ''[[Billboard 200]].''{{sfn|Billboard}}

During the following [[Seventh Tour of a Seventh Tour|tour]], the band headlined the [[Monsters of Rock]] festival at [[Donington Park]] on 20 August 1988, playing to the largest crowd in the festival's history (107,000).{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=269}} The tour concluded with several headline shows in the UK in November and December 1988, with the concerts at the [[National Exhibition Centre|NEC Arena]], Birmingham, recorded for a live video, entitled ''[[Maiden England]]''. The video debuted at top spots of worldwide music videos charts.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=272}} In May, the group set out on a [[Seventh Tour of a Seventh Tour|supporting tour]], which saw them perform 103 shows to well over two million people worldwide over seven months.<ref name="plucky seven">{{cite journal |title= Plucky Seven |journal= [[Kerrang!]] |date= 16 April 1988 |first= Mick |last= Wall |author-link=Mick Wall| issue= 183 |page= 45}}</ref> To recreate the album's keyboards onstage throughout the tour, the group recruited Michael Kenney, Steve Harris' bass technician; Kenney has served as the band's live keyboard player ever since, also performing on the band's four following albums.{{sfn|Gennet|2010}}

===Upheaval (1989–1994)===
{{main|No Prayer for the Dying|Fear of the Dark (Iron Maiden album)}}

During a break in 1989, guitarist Adrian Smith released a solo album with his band [[ASAP (band)|ASAP]], entitled ''[[Silver and Gold (ASAP album)|Silver and Gold]].''{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=273}} Vocalist Bruce Dickinson also began work on a solo album with former [[Gillan (band)|Gillan]] guitarist [[Janick Gers]], releasing ''[[Tattooed Millionaire]]'' in 1990,{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=281}} followed by a tour.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=285}} At the same time, to mark the band's 10-year recording anniversary, Iron Maiden released a compilation collection, ''[[The First Ten Years (boxed set)|The First Ten Years]]'', a series of 10 CDs and double [[12-inch single]]s. Between 24 February and 28 April 1990, the individual parts were released one by one, each containing two of Iron Maiden's singles, including the original B-sides.{{sfn|DDotB|2021}}

Iron Maiden then began work on a new studio record. During the pre-production stages, Adrian Smith left the band due to differences with Steve Harris regarding the direction the band should be taking. Smith disagreed with the "stripped down" style they were leaning towards.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=283}} Janick Gers, having worked on Dickinson's solo project, was chosen to replace Smith and became the band's first new member in seven years.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=285}} The album ''[[No Prayer for the Dying]]'' was released in October 1990.{{sfn|Prato}} It contained the hit singles "[[Holy Smoke (song)|Holy Smoke]]" and "[[Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter]]", the band's first – and, to date, only – [[UK Singles Chart]] number&nbsp;1, originally recorded by Dickinson's solo project for the soundtrack of ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child]]''.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=282}} Iron Maiden's eighth studio album debuted at number&nbsp;2 on the UK albums chart{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=282}} and number&nbsp;17 on the ''[[Billboard 200]]''.{{sfn|Billboard}} ''No Prayer for the Dying'' was a return to their musical roots, especially in the simplicity of composition.{{sfn|DDotB|2021}}{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=283}} The No Prayer on the Road tour was booked for 120 shows in Europe, North America, and Japan. Thirty-three shows in continental Europe were sold out with a reported 530,000 fans attending.{{sfn|1990EU|2021}} In total, Iron Maiden played for some two million fans.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=287}}{{sfn|1990EU|2021}}

After another break, the band recorded their next studio album, ''[[Fear of the Dark (Iron Maiden album)|Fear of the Dark]]'', which was released in 1992. The title track became a regular part of the band's concert setlists. Achieving their fourth number&nbsp;1 on the UK albums chart and number&nbsp;12 on the ''[[Billboard 200]]'',{{sfn|Billboard}}{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=289}} the release also included the number&nbsp;2 single "[[Be Quick or Be Dead]]", the number&nbsp;21 single "[[From Here to Eternity (Iron Maiden song)|From Here to Eternity]]", and the softer "[[Wasting Love]]".{{sfn|Wall|2004|pp=288–290}} The album featured the first songwriting by Gers, and no collaboration between Harris and Dickinson on songs. The [[Fear of the Dark Tour|extensive worldwide tour that followed]] included their first-ever Latin American leg, although Christian organisations prevented Iron Maiden from performing in Chile and accused them of being "emissaries of satanic propaganda",{{sfn|Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|2011(2)}} and headlining the [[Monsters of Rock]] festivals in seven European countries.{{sfn|MOR1992|2021}} Iron Maiden's second performance at [[Donington Park]], for a sold-out audience of 75,000,{{sfn|FotDCDROM|2021}}{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=291}} was filmed for the audio and video release ''[[Live at Donington (Iron Maiden album)|Live at Donington]]'' and featured a guest appearance by Adrian Smith, who joined the band to perform "Running Free".{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=291}} The tour also saw conflicts between Bruce Dickinson and rest of the band.{{sfn|DDotB|2021}}{{sfn|DarkEra|2021}}

In 1993, Dickinson left the band to pursue his solo career, but agreed to remain for a [[Real Live Tour|farewell tour]] and two live albums (later re-released in [[A Real Live Dead One|one package]]).{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=293}} The first, ''[[A Real Live One]]'', was released in March 1993 and featured songs from 1986 to 1992, and the second, ''[[A Real Dead One]]'', was released after Dickinson left the band and featured songs from 1980 to 1984. The tour did not go well, with Steve Harris claiming Dickinson would only perform properly for high-profile shows, and that at several concerts, he would only mumble into the microphone.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=296}} Dickinson denied he was under-performing, saying it was impossible to "make like Mr. Happy Face if the vibe wasn't right", and that news of his exit from the band had prevented any chance of a good atmosphere during the tour.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=297}} Dickinson played his farewell show with Iron Maiden on 28 August 1993. The show was filmed, broadcast by the [[BBC]], [[MTV]] and released on video under the name ''[[Raising Hell (video)|Raising Hell]]''.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=298}}

===Difficulties (1994–1999)===
{{main|The X Factor (album)|Virtual XI}}
[[File:Blaze Bayley Eternal Flame.jpg|thumb|Blaze Bayley, Iron Maiden frontman from 1994 to 1999]]

In 1994, the title track from the ''Fear of the Dark'' album received a [[Grammy Awards]] nomination for "Best Metal Performance", a first for Iron Maiden.{{Sfn|1994G|2024}} The band listened to the thousands of tapes sent in by vocalists before convincing [[Blaze Bayley]], formerly of the band [[Wolfsbane (band)|Wolfsbane]], who had supported Iron Maiden in 1990, to audition for them.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=301}} Harris' preferred choice from the outset,{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=302}} Bayley had a different vocal style from his predecessor and ultimately received a mixed reception among fans.{{sfn|Stagno|2006(b)}}

After a three-year hiatus – a record for the band at the time – Iron Maiden released their next studio album, ''[[The X Factor (album)|The X Factor]]''. The band had their lowest chart position since 1981 for an album in the UK, debuting at number&nbsp;8; however, the album went on to win "Album of the Year" awards in France, Spain and Germany.{{sfn|Wall|2004|pp=311–313}} The record included the 11-minute epic "Sign of the Cross", the band's longest song since "Rime of the Ancient Mariner", as well as the singles "[[Man on the Edge]]" (based on the film ''[[Falling Down]]''){{sfn|Paterson|2009|p=44}} and "[[Lord of the Flies (song)|Lord of the Flies]]", based on the novel ''[[Lord of the Flies]]''.{{sfn|Popoff|2005(b)}} The release is notable for its "dark" tone, inspired by Steve Harris' divorce.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=311}} The band toured for the rest of 1995 and 1996, playing their first shows in Israel and South Africa as well as Malta, Bulgaria and Romania in Europe, before concluding in the Americas. The biggest show of the whole tour was a headline appearance for 60,000 people at the [[Monsters of Rock]] festival in São Paulo, Brazil. ''The X Factor'' sold 1.3 million copies, the lowest sales result since 1981.{{sfn|Wall|2004|pp=314–315}} After the tour, Iron Maiden released a compilation album, ''[[Best of the Beast]]''. The band's first compilation, it included a new single, "[[Virus (Iron Maiden song)|Virus]]", in which the lyrics attack critics who had recently written off the band.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=316}}

In 1998, Iron Maiden released ''[[Virtual XI]]'', whose chart scores were the band's lowest to date.{{sfn|Stagno|2006(a)}}{{sfn|Sverigetopplistan}} The album peaked at number&nbsp;16 in the UK, the band's lowest for a new studio record.{{sfn|Official Charts Company|1998}} At the same time, Steve Harris assisted in remastering the band's entire discography, up to and including ''Live at Donington''.{{sfn|Saulnier|2010}} Bayley's tenure in Iron Maiden ended in January 1999 when he was asked to leave during a band meeting.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=324}} The dismissal took place due to issues Bayley had experienced with his voice during the [[Virtual XI World Tour]],{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=321}} although Janick Gers said this was partly the band's fault for forcing him to perform songs pitched outside the natural range of his voice.{{sfn|Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|2010}}

===Reunion and renewed success (1999–2005)===
{{main|Ed Hunter|Brave New World (Iron Maiden album)|Dance of Death (album)}}
[[File:Iron Maiden en Costa Rica.jpg|thumb|Adrian Smith (left) re-joined Iron Maiden in 1999, resulting in a three–guitar line-up.]]
The band entered into talks with Dickinson, who agreed to rejoin during a meeting in Brighton in January 1999,{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=329}} along with guitarist Adrian Smith, who was telephoned a few hours later.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=330}} With Gers remaining, Iron Maiden now had a three-guitar line-up (nicknamed "The Three Amigos"), and embarked on a hugely successful reunion tour.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=331}} Dubbed The Ed Hunter Tour, it tied in with the band's newly released greatest hits collection, ''[[Ed Hunter]]'', whose track listing was decided by a poll on the group's website, and also contained a computer game starring [[Eddie (mascot)|Eddie, the band's mascot]].{{sfn|Adams}}

Not satisfied with the results from Harris' Barnyard Studios, located on his property in Essex,{{sfn|Berelian|2000}} which had been used for the last four Iron Maiden studio albums, the band recorded the new release, ''[[Brave New World (Iron Maiden album)|Brave New World]]'', at Guillaume Tell Studios in Paris, France in November 1999 with producer [[Kevin Shirley]].{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=341}} Iron Maiden continued to find inspiration in movies and books, as shown in songs like "[[The Wicker Man (song)|The Wicker Man]]" – based on the 1973 British cult film ''[[The Wicker Man (1973 film)|The Wicker Man]]'' – and "Brave New World" – a title taken from the [[Aldous Huxley]] novel ''[[Brave New World]]''.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=342}} The album revisited the more progressive and melodic sound featured in some earlier recordings, along with elaborate song structures and keyboard orchestration.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=342}} The album was a commercial and artistic success.{{sfn|Wall|2004|pp=342–344}}{{sfn|DDotB|2021}}

[[Brave New World Tour|The reunion world tour]] that followed had over 100&nbsp;dates (including 31 shows of the 1999 tour), and culminated on 19 January 2001 in a show at the [[Rock in Rio]] festival in Brazil, where Iron Maiden played to an audience of over 250,000.{{sfnm|1a1=Wall|1y=2004|1p=353|2a1=Shooman|2y=2007|2p=176|3a1=Sanctuary|3y=2002|4a1=Martins|4y=2002}} While the performance was being produced for a CD and DVD release in March 2002, under the name ''[[Rock in Rio (album)|Rock in Rio]]'',{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=357}} the band took a year off from touring, although they played three consecutive shows at [[Brixton Academy]] to raise funds for former drummer [[Clive Burr]], who had recently announced that he had been diagnosed with [[multiple sclerosis]].{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=361}} The band performed two further concerts for Burr's MS Trust Fund charity in 2005,{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2005c}} and 2007,{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2007c}} before his death in 2013.{{sfn|BBC News|2013}} During the 2000–2002 tour, Iron Maiden played 91 shows for over two million people in 33 countries.{{Sfn|NewTour|2021}} In addition to their touring success, the band was nominated twice for the annual [[Grammy Awards]]{{sfn|Grammy2001|2021}} and received the International Achievement Award at the 2001 [[Ivor Novello Awards]].{{sfn|IvorNovello|2021}} In November 2001, a documentary movie about the making of ''[[The Number of the Beast (album)|The Number of the Beast]]'' album was produced by [[BBC]] as a part of the ''[[Classic Album series]]''.{{Sfn|ClassicA|2024}}

Following their summer 2003 [[Give Me Ed... 'Til I'm Dead Tour]], with 57 shows in Europe and North America and headlining large festivals such as Roskilde, Heineken Jammin' Festival, [[Rock am Ring and Rock im Park]] (combined attendance of 130,000) and the first [[Download Festival]] held at [[Donington Park]]; a successor to Monsters of Rock,{{sfn|GMET|2021}} Iron Maiden released ''[[Dance of Death (album)|Dance of Death]]'', their thirteenth studio album. It met with worldwide critical and commercial success, reaching number&nbsp;2 on the UK Albums Chart{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=368}} and number&nbsp;18 on the ''[[Billboard 200]]''.{{sfn|Billboard}} Produced by Kevin Shirley, now the band's regular producer, many critics felt this release reached the standard of their earlier efforts.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=369}} Historical and literary references were present, with "Montségur" focussing on the [[Catharism|Cathar]] stronghold conquered in 1244, and "Paschendale" relating to [[Battle of Passchendaele|the First World War battle]].{{sfn|Wall|2004|pp=373–375}}

During the [[Dance of Death Tour|Dance of Death Tour 2003–04]], which began in September 2003, Iron Maiden played 53 shows across Europe, North America, Latin America and Japan.{{sfn|2003-04|2021}} The band's performance at [[Westfalenhalle]], in Dortmund, Germany, was recorded and released in August 2005 as a live album and DVD entitled ''[[Death on the Road]]''.{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2005a}} In 2005, the band announced the [[Eddie Rips Up the World Tour]], which, tying in with their 2004 DVD entitled ''[[The History of Iron Maiden – Part 1: The Early Days]]'', only featured material from their first four albums.{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2005b}} As part of this celebration of their earlier years, "The Number of the Beast" single was re-released{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2004d}} and went straight to number&nbsp;3 on the UK Chart.{{sfn|Official Charts Company|2005}} The tour featured many headlining stadium and festival dates, including a performance at [[Ullevi Stadium]] in Sweden to an audience of almost 60,000.{{sfn|Metal Underground|2004}} This concert was also broadcast live on satellite television across Europe to approximately 60 million viewers.{{sfn|Metal Underground|2005}} The band completed the tour by headlining the [[Reading and Leeds Festivals]] on 26–28 August,{{sfnm|1a1=NME|1y=2005|2a1=Williams|2y=2005}} and the [[RDS Arena|RDS Stadium]] in Ireland on 31 August.{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2005c}}

===Continued success and expanded tours (2005–2014)===
{{main|A Matter of Life and Death (album)|Somewhere Back in Time World Tour|The Final Frontier|Maiden England World Tour}}
[[File:A Matter of Life and Death Tour.jpg|thumb|left|Iron Maiden militarian stage set presented on A Matter of Life and Death World Tour]]
At the end of 2005, Iron Maiden began work on ''[[A Matter of Life and Death (album)|A Matter of Life and Death]]'', their fourteenth studio album, which was released in autumn 2006. War and religion are recurring themes in the lyrics and the cover artwork.{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2006}} The release was a critical and commercial success, marking the band's first top ten on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and debuting at number one in the album charts of 13 countries.{{sfn|Billboard|2006}}{{sfn|DDotB|2021}} The [[A Matter of Life and Death Tour|supporting tour]] saw mixed critical reception,{{sfn|Vincentelli|2006}} but included the band's first performance in Dubai at the [[Dubai Desert Rock Festival]] for 25,000 people,{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2007a}} followed by a concert in [[Bangalore Palace]] Grounds, the first of any heavy metal band in India.{{sfn|Vulliamy|2007}}{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2007a}} The band then played a string of European dates, including an appearance at [[Download Festival]], their fourth headline performance at [[Donington Park]],{{sfn|Metal Underground|2007}} to approximately 80,000 people.{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2007d}}

[[File:Iron Maiden 47f b.jpg|thumb|right|Somewhere Back in Time World Tour was one of the most important in Iron Maiden's career.]]
On 5 September 2007, the band announced their [[Somewhere Back in Time World Tour]], tying in with the DVD release of their ''Live After Death'' album.{{sfn|Lane|2007}} The setlist for the tour consisted of songs from the 1980s.{{sfn|Lane|2007}} They played their first concerts in Costa Rica and Colombia and their first shows in Australia and Puerto Rico since 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iron Maiden's 1992 Concert History |url=https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/iron-maiden?page=1&year=1992}}</ref> The tour led to the release of a new compilation album, entitled ''[[Somewhere Back in Time]]'', which included a selection of tracks from their 1980 eponymous debut to 1988's ''Seventh Son of a Seventh Son'', as well as several live versions from ''Live After Death''.{{sfn|Lane|2008}} In 2008–09 in Latin America the band played 27 concerts for about a million people in total, a record for a heavy rock performer.{{sfn|DDotB|2021}}{{sfn|SBiTTour|2021}} The tour continued with two legs in the US and Europe in the summer of 2008.{{sfn|Sputnikmusic|2008}} The sole UK concert took place at [[Twickenham Stadium]], marking the first time the band would headline a stadium in their own country.{{sfn|Thrash Hits|2007}} The 2008 tour was the second highest-grossing tour of the year for a British artist.{{sfn|Khan|2009}} The final leg included the band's first appearances in Peru and Ecuador, as well as their return to Venezuela and New Zealand after 17 years.{{sfn|Soto|2008}} The band also played another show in India at the [[Rock in India]] festival to a crowd of 20,000. At their concert in São Paulo on 15 March, Dickinson announced on stage that it was the largest non-festival show of their career, with an overall attendance of 100,000&nbsp;people.{{sfn|Kaczuroski|2009}}{{sfn|Iron Maiden Bio|2021}} The final leg ended in Florida on 2 April after which the band took a break. Overall, the tour reportedly had an attendance of over two and a half million people worldwide over both years.{{sfn|Bezer|2009d}} At the [[2009 Brit Awards]], Iron Maiden won the award for best British live act.{{sfn|Bezer|2009b}}

On 20 January 2009, the band announced they were planning to release a full-length documentary film in select cinemas on 21 April 2009. Entitled ''[[Iron Maiden: Flight 666]]'', it documented the first part of the Somewhere Back in Time World Tour (between February and March 2008).{{sfn|Bezer|2009a}} ''Flight 666'' was co-produced by Banger Productions and was distributed in cinemas by Arts Alliance Media and [[EMI]], with D&E Entertainment sub-distributing in the US.{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2009d}} The film went on to have a Blu-ray, DVD, and CD release in May and June,{{sfn|Bezer|2009d}} topping the music DVD charts in 25 countries.{{sfn|Iron Maiden Bio|2021}} In most of them the release went Gold, Platinum or Multi-Platinum.{{sfn|DDotB|2021}}

The band had begun composing new material and booked studio time in early 2010 with [[Kevin Shirley]] producing,{{sfn|Masters|2009}} and ''[[The Final Frontier]]'' was announced on 4 March and featured three singles "The Final Frontier", "El Dorado" and "Coming Home", as well as epic, progressive opuses "Isle of Avalon", "The Talisman" and "When The Wild Wind Blows".{{sfn|Bezer|2010a}} The album, the band's fifteenth, was released on 16 August{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2010c}} to critical acclaim.{{sfn|MetaCritic1}} It was also the band's greatest commercial success to that point, reaching number&nbsp;1 in twenty-eight countries worldwide,{{sfn|Coleman|2011}} including a debut at number&nbsp;4 on ''[[Billboard 200]]''.

The album's [[The Final Frontier World Tour|supporting tour]] saw the band perform 101 shows across the globe to an estimated audience of over two and a half million,{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2011a}} including their first visits to Singapore, Indonesia, and South Korea.{{sfn|Coleman|2011}} "[[El Dorado (Iron Maiden song)|El Dorado]]" won the [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance|Best Metal Performance]] award at the [[2011 Grammy Awards]], the band's first win after two previous nominations.{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2010g}}{{sfn|Rock on the Net}} On 15 March, a new compilation to accompany 2009's ''[[Somewhere Back in Time]]'' was announced.{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2011c}} The double disc set covers the period 1990–2010 (the band's most recent eight studio albums).{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2011c}} In 2012, the band announced a new live album and DVD release entitled ''[[En Vivo! (Iron Maiden album)|En Vivo!]]'', based on footage from the Chile concert. The DVD topped the music video charts around the world.{{sfn|Bio20121314|2021}}{{sfn|Blabbermouth.net|2012}} In addition to the concert footage, the video release includes an 88-minute tour documentary, entitled Behind The Beast, containing interviews with the band and their crew.{{sfn|UpVenue}} In December 2012, one song from the release ("Blood Brothers") was nominated for a [[Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance]] at the [[2013 Grammy Awards]].{{sfn|Alderslade|2012b}}

On 15 February, the band announced their third retrospective [[Maiden England World Tour]] 2012–14, which was based around the video ''[[Maiden England]]''.{{sfn|Alderslade|2012a}} The tour commenced in North America in the summer of 2012 and was followed by further dates in 2013 and 2014, and included the band's fifth headline performance at [[Donington Park]] with 100,000 fans in attendance.{{sfn|NATour2012|2021}}{{sfn|Bio20121314|2021}}{{sfn|Kielty|2012}} Iron Maiden closed the tour in July 2014 at [[Sonisphere Festival]], [[Knebworth]], having undertaken 100 shows in 32 countries before an estimated audience of more than 2.7 million people.{{sfn|Knebworth 2014|2021}}{{sfn|METour2013|2021}}{{sfn|DDotB|2021}}

===Latest albums and tours (2015–present)===
{{main|The Book of Souls|The Book of Souls World Tour|Legacy of the Beast World Tour|Senjutsu (album)||The Future Past World Tour|Run For Your Lives World Tour}}
[[File:Iron Maiden - The O2 - Saturday 27th May 2017 IronMaidenO2 270517-50 (34856367961).jpg|thumb|left|Smith and Dickinson on stage at London's [[The O2 Arena|O<sub>2</sub> Arena]] in May 2017]]
The band's 2015 album, ''[[The Book of Souls]]'', was released on 4 September.{{sfn|Grow|2015}} The band's first original studio album not to be issued by EMI outside North America, following [[Parlophone]]'s acquisition by [[Warner Music Group]] in 2013,{{sfn|Morris|2013}} it was a critical and commercial success, becoming the band's fifth UK number&nbsp;1 album{{sfnm|1a1=MetaCritic2|2a1=Sexton|2y=2015}} and hit number&nbsp;4 on ''[[Billboard 200]]'' in the US. The new release reached the number one position in the album charts of 43 countries.<ref name="OfficialBio">{{cite news |title=Official Bio |url=https://www.ironmaiden.com/the-band |publisher=ironmaiden.com |date=8 October 2015 |access-date=12 April 2021 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125124446/https://www.ironmaiden.com/the-band |url-status=live}}</ref><!--Per source: 24 countries, plus 19 other territories which no longer publish retail charts.--> The new record was recorded at Guillaume Tell Studios in late summer 2014;{{sfn|Kielty|2015b}} its closing song, "[[Empire of the Clouds]]", penned by Dickinson, surpassed "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (from 1984's ''Powerslave'') as Iron Maiden's longest song, at 18 minutes in length.{{sfn|Grow|2015}}

[[File:Iron Maiden in Chula Vista.jpg|thumb|right|Iron Maiden in Chula Vista, 2022]]
In February 2016, the band embarked on [[The Book of Souls World Tour]], with shows in 35 countries across six continents, including their first performances in China, El Salvador, and Lithuania. It was the band's biggest album tour since 1996.{{sfnm|1a1=Lach|1y=2015b|2a1=Alfa.lt|2y=2015}} In total, Iron Maiden played 117 shows on six continents for well over two and a half million people.{{sfn|Bio201617|2021}}{{sfn|DDotB|2021}} The band then launched the [[Legacy of the Beast World Tour]] in Europe in 2018,{{sfn|Munro|2017b}} with North and South American shows following in 2019. The tour was inspired by the band's new mobile game and comic series released in 2017, entitled ''Legacy of the Beast''.{{sfn|Kreps|2018}} The tour was received very positively by fans and critics,{{sfn|LOTB Tour|2021}} spanning up to three years with 140 shows, performing to over 3.5 million fans.{{Sfn|LotBSumm|2024}}

The [[COVID-19 pandemic]] forced the rescheduling of nearly one million tickets from 2020, first to 2021, and then to 2022.{{sfn|DDotB|2021}}<ref name="22cuT">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ironmaiden.com/news/article/european-legacy-of-the-beast-summer-2021-tour-postponed-to-2022|title=European Legacy of the Beast Summer 2021 Tour Postponed to 2022|website=ironmaiden.com|date=13 April 2021 |access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511225034/https://www.ironmaiden.com/news/article/european-legacy-of-the-beast-summer-2021-tour-postponed-to-2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2020, the band announced they would release a live album from the Legacy of the Beast World Tour called ''[[Nights of the Dead|Nights of the Dead, Legacy of the Beast: Live in Mexico City]]''. The double concert album was recorded during three sold-out concerts in [[Mexico City]]'s [[Palacio de los Deportes]] for a combined audience of over 70,000 people.{{Sfn|NofD|2021}}

On 15 July 2021, Iron Maiden released a video for their first song in six years, "[[The Writing on the Wall (Iron Maiden song)|The Writing on the Wall]]", which was directed by Nicos Livesey.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/iron-maiden-return-with-first-new-music-in-six-years-the-writing-on-the-wall/|title=Iron Maiden return with first new music in six years, The Writing On The Wall|website=[[Kerrang!]]|date=15 July 2021 |access-date=15 July 2021|archive-date=15 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715170712/https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/iron-maiden-return-with-first-new-music-in-six-years-the-writing-on-the-wall/|url-status=live}}</ref> Four days later, the band announced their seventeenth studio album, ''[[Senjutsu (album)|Senjutsu]]'', would be released on 3 September 2021.<ref name="Brown">{{Cite web|last=Brown|first=Paul 'Browny'|date=19 July 2021|title=Iron Maiden's 17th Album Has a Title & Release Date!|url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2021/07/19/iron-maidens-17th-album-has-a-title-release-date/|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Wall Of Sound|language=en-US|archive-date=19 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719131357/https://wallofsoundau.com/2021/07/19/iron-maidens-17th-album-has-a-title-release-date/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ironmaiden.com/news/article/im17|title=IRON MAIDEN – SENJUTSU|website=ironmaiden.com|access-date=21 July 2021|archive-date=19 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719125133/https://www.ironmaiden.com/news/article/im17|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Senjutsu'' eventually reached the top of the best-seller lists in 27 countries,{{sfn|TourSumm|2022}}{{sfn|Album27|2022}}{{sfn|AlbumTour|2022}} but it was the band's first album in fifteen years not to reach number one on the [[UK Albums Chart|UK charts]], although it did top the [[UK Rock & Metal Singles and Albums Charts]]. In total, ''Senjutsu'' reached the top three in 55 countries and the top five in 63 countries.{{sfn|TourSumm|2022}}{{sfn|Album27|2022}}{{sfn|AlbumTour|2022}}{{Sfn|Senjutsu Charts|2021}}{{Sfn|Charts History|2021}}

On 1 February 2023, the band received their second nomination for the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].{{Sfn|RnRhof23|2023}}{{Sfn|RnRhof232|2023}} The band started their 25th global tour, [[The Future Past World Tour]], with a concert in Ljubljana in May 2023.{{Sfn|Tour2023|2023}} On 6 October, the band performed at the Power Trip festival which drew nearly 100,000 people.{{Sfn|PTSumm|2024}} Throughout the 2023–24 world tour, Iron Maiden performed 81 shows for almost two million fans.{{Sfn|TFPRecap2|2024}} Following the conclusion of the tour in São Paulo in December 2024, McBrain retired from touring,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/iron-maiden-drummer-nicko-mcbrain-retirement-touring-1235196101/|title=Iron Maiden Drummer Nicko McBrain Announces Retirement from Touring|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=7 December 2024|accessdate=7 December 2024}}</ref> but would still remain a member of Iron Maiden and be involved with various upcoming band-related projects in the studio.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lewry |first1=Fraser |title=Watch Bruce Dickinson pay tribute to Nicko McBrain during his final ever show |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/bruce-dickinson-nicko-mcbrain-tribute |website=Louder |access-date=10 December 2024 |language=en |date=8 December 2024 |quote="He's not leaving the band, but he's just not playing live with us anymore".}}</ref> The following day, it was announced that [[British Lion (band)|British Lion]] drummer Simon Dawson would be his touring replacement for any further tours.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iron Maiden Announces New Drummer: 'A Name Familiar To Many Of Our Fans' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/iron-maiden-announces-new-drummer-a-name-familiar-to-many-of-our-fans |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=8 December 2024 |language=en |date=8 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Spencer |date=2024-12-08 |title=Iron Maiden announce Simon Dawson as their new touring drummer |url=https://consequence.net/2024/12/iron-maiden-simon-dawson-new-touring-drummer/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Consequence |language=en}}</ref>

On 19 September 2024, the band announced their 26th global tour, [[Run for Your Lives World Tour]], which is set to start in May 2025, to celebrate the band's 50th anniversary and is set to be focused on the band's first nine studio albums.{{Sfn|RfyL|2024}}