Iron Maiden's integrity

nuno_c

nuno_c

A hollow universe in space
In a world so obsessed with massive consumption, where pleasing masses seems to be ahead of pleasing one's innerself, sometimes integrity seems to be a refreshing thing. It makes us believe that, somewhere in that same world, there is someone who is "real". It makes us believe that, at least that little fragment of whatever it may be, is something we can grab and count on.

So my question is... In my opinion, Maiden are trend-free. The fact that many bands/artists over the years, and even today, sort of imitate some things that Iron Maiden does is a whole other story. The fact, at least to me, is that this band has always from day one stayed true to what they believe in, in pretty much every front. But what do YOU think? Do you think the band has, in all honesty, ever fallen into any trend? In what way? Is Iron Maiden a "credible" band? Share your thoughts!
 
Well, you are asking for it, so I'll spill the beans, and hope this topic won't be locked for it.

I think Maiden lost some of their uncompromising and predictably consistent commitment to one particular artistic value, namely: Being especially dedicated to doing new things (create new albums and promote these with tours).*

I have never demanded that Maiden should not do any history tours. There used to be a good balance with doing new stuff. This balance has changed in 2014, when Maiden did the same thing for the 3rd(!) consequent year in a row.

I am very relieved that the Maiden England tour has come to its end, and am willing to forgive them for this lengthy interlude. Simply becauce Maiden has always stayed so true to themselves for many other years. But if we ever want to mention one little stain on their integrity, then this is certainly the one, for me.

* I haven't made this up. Maiden did this for a long time, and have been outspoken about it as well. It's all here:

Forostar said:
What I am trying to make clear as well is this: THREE years of the same. Not one, not two, but three years in a row! I am not saying it is going to happen, but I wonder what you all would think of the possibility.


Janick voiced his ideas on this topic in various interviews. Here's one of the earliest, from 1999. How little he (and everyone else, us included!) knew about how this would develop:
Go here: 29m15
"I am not looking back.... "
and "We're not resting on our laurels and looking back twenty years ago. We're looking forward".

This one is from 2002:
From: 3m20
Adrian: "Without an album out.... it's uh. ..you gotta have something to build the tour around"
Janick: "I don't want the band to become a parody. I don't want to become like a cabaret band.... playing old songs. ...It's important we don't become a parody."

So that one hit the nail on its head. Now we all know what is meant by this term, in this context.
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Here you can see how the balance shifted:
Forostar said:
Who's looking forward to another possible Maiden Cabaret tour, part three, next year?

I can help feeling pity for Janick if they'll do this stuff for the third year in a row. Out of all people, he advocated the most against "cabaret" -tours. I mean, this isn't pure cabaret of course, and I guess you guys know what I mean with the term. I have nothing against doing such tours, but look at the these non-album tours:

1993 (Bruce's goodbye-tour after FOTD-tour and before new studio album with Blaze; a good reason to play some oldies that weren't done in ages)
1999 (Bruce and H are back; another good reason to get in shape and pumped up for the new album; done after last tour w/Blaze and before new album)
2003 (Done before/around the time DOD came out; in between BNW-tour and new studio album)
2005 (Done in between album tour and studio album)
2007 (the first mwah tour; 25 NOTB, done after AMOLAD-tour)
2008 (done 2 years since release of latest studio album)
2009 (continuation of 2008 with slightly different setlist; done 3 years since release of latest studio album)
2010 (tour with some focus on 2000-2006 material; no new studio album out; comparable with 2003)
2012 (done 2 years since release of latest studio album)
2013 (continuation of 2012; done 3 years since release of latest studio album)
2014 (continuation of 2012 and 2013; done 4 years since release of latest studio album)?????????????
God, please:
Not three years in a row!

No album? fine
Solo stuff? fine
Nothing? Not excellent, but I am ashamed to say: better than this directionless, zombiesque continuation.
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My question when this thing comes up is this: does the band do it for the money?

I mean, Maiden's fan base pretty much loves the newer stuff, but at the same time (and since they are constantly gaining younger fans) many fans have not seen some older songs performed live.

I don't know. I mean, of course they do make money out of those tours (people do show up), but i don't know if it's purely for the money. Also, i think doing that sort of thing keeps them fresh in a way. They renew themselves in away by performing some of that stuff live and, at the same time, they don't go on that claustrophobic burnout road in creative terms of the 80's where it was like album, tour, album, tour, album tour, etc, etc...
 
And that's what I mean too. I hold nothing against them for doing a cabaret tour as a cash grab. You got to get it while you can.
 
Nah, can't agree with that. With making money, sure, i agree. But i really believe the band is having a blast. And it's also cool to the fans, i think. I would hate to only see new album tours, but i would also hate to see retro (i prefer that term) tours only as well.

I really believe that a) it's a good money making machine but b) it's cool for many many fans and c) it's a good way for the band to do different things while keeping the creative juices fresh
 
Maiden has more integrity than any other metal band that I can think of. So what they do a couple "history" tours and the diehard fans who see them 2-3 times a year get upset? The rest of the world is happy for any Maiden live shows!

Musically, Iron Maiden has never completely changed their sound or style to meet public demands. An argument could be made that the NPFTD and FOTD era was an attempt at going commercial, but I don't see any difference between those songs and their earlier stuff (other than Bruce's voice). In general, they have stayed true to themselves and played their music their way and become even more famous for doing so.
 
Forostar said:
Even if they don't, I find it a big change from the artistic value in question.
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Not necessarily. If they approach their art in a serious, personal and enjoyable way, i don't think there is a single problem with doing those kind of shows.

IF they based their whole career around that, then we could say they were not progressive-minded about what it is that they do. But the way i see it, they are not and were never ashamed of touring new material and always had and a have a "our way" attitude towards their music. And they keep evolving.

Like Marcello Caetano, who was a Portuguese politician would say: "Progresso na continuidade". In english: "Progress in continuity". Damn, do i love this band!
 
I am not sure if you've understand what I've said. I mean this particular artistic value as the band had formulated it, not artistic value in general.
 
Forostar said:
I am not sure if you've understand what I've said. I mean this particular artistic value as the band had formulated it, not artistic value in general.
Click to expand...
That moment when i discover i've just written a new bible in vain :facepalm:
 
Maiden has always been about aggressively marketing itself through touring and merchandising; it's pretty hard to deny that is all about making money. But the music they create has never felt like it was pandering to trends, or their audience, or about anything other than pleasing themselves (Steve).
 
I guess Maiden don't market themselves in a sellout/stupid way.

They treat what they do (music) in a very pure way. It is only natural that they then try to distribute the band in the best way they can: Eddie. That guy can sell pretty much anything. Except hello kitty dolls...

I think it is pretty cool that the high quality music the band makes kind of "validates" it's merchandise. Many bands have tons of merch but can't write a song, let alone an album like Maiden, to save their lives. Maiden, on the other hand, is the perfect package: GREAT music that is pure and a universe in itself, GREAT musicians that approach their craft seriously and are always evolving without, at the same time, losing their own unique touch, GREAT live shows and, as a bonus, GREAT artwork and merchandise.
 
I don't buy the idea of integrity in music industry. I think it's just a fad some artists follow and some don't.
 
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