Editing Iron Maiden (section)

===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}}