Is Iron Maiden the biggest metal band in the world right now?

@JudasMyGuide, we've already established that Metallica is "bigger" than Maiden (current album sales and current tour sales wise, worldwide) because of their "crossover ability", e.g. mainstream appeal. Iron Maiden is in the same range, without that same appeal. There is no metal band today that's "big" as Metallica and Maiden.
 
Zare said:
@JudasMyGuide, we've already established that Metallica is "bigger" than Maiden (current album sales and current tour sales wise, worldwide) because of their "crossover ability", e.g. mainstream appeal. Iron Maiden is in the same range, without that same appeal. There is no metal band today that's "big" as Metallica and Maiden.
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The Metallica thing is very simple. And the same as Rammstein. They are listened to by everybody, not just rock lovers. Every pop music lover when s/he is listening to Metallica or Rammstein is sure he's a cool rocker, although these might be the only rock (or metal) band s/he knows at all. When Metallica or Rammstein come to Russia, their concerts are mainly visited by people who know nothing about rock music or even music at all. This is just a chance for them to visit a gig and have a nice time. While Maiden concerts are visited by true fans.
 
This might hold true for parts of the world where concerts are relatively rare, but I don't think it is a significant factor in big markets. Besides, tickets are a lot more expensive there.
 
Dangerina said:
The Metallica thing is very simple. And the same as Rammstein. They are listened to by everybody, not just rock lovers. Every pop music lover when s/he is listening to Metallica or Rammstein is sure he's a cool rocker, although these might be the only rock (or metal) band s/he knows at all. When Metallica or Rammstein come to Russia, their concerts are mainly visited by people who know nothing about rock music or even music at all. This is just a chance for them to visit a gig and have a nice time. While Maiden concerts are visited by true fans.
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This is true for Croatia also and for the Rammstein case I think it's worldwide. There are a lot of non-metal people in Rammstein crowds, not saying anything is wrong with that...
 
Metallica is more popular than Maiden among masses, but Maiden is more revered and beloved band among rock and metal fans and IM has a much more of devoted fans than Metallica. Maiden fans are similar to Rush fans, most of them are very devoted to their bands.

And it would be interestng to know who has a bigger concert attendance in the last couple of years in America: Rush or Maiden(I know that Rush is not metal)? It seems to me they are about equal in popularity and number of American fans. Maybe I'm wrong. What you think?
 
WildRanger said:
Maiden fans are similar to Rush fans, most of them are very devoted to their bands.

And it would be interestng to know who has a bigger concert attendance in the last couple of years in America: Rush or Maiden(I know that Rush is not metal)? It seems to me they are about equal in popularity and number of American fans. Maybe I'm wrong. What you think?
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I think that’s a pretty good comparison, especially regarding the demographic of fans. Rush had the added benefit of 10 years, an appearance in a popular comedy film, and radio airplay in America but most of the people at a Rush show are real fans. They might have pulled slightly bigger numbers in the last few years due to the “retirement” thing, but I’d say Rush and Maiden are pretty equal in terms of “bigness” in America.
 
Again, Metallica is certainly the biggest metal band and have been since just about their formation, but this is mostly through how they've been able to breakthrough to the mainstream audiences. Maiden have done it as well, but to a lesser extent and with bigger odds against them. They're both definitely the Top 2, no matter how you look at it.
 
Ziggyplayedguitar said:
I love maiden as much as the next person but Metallica blow them away live, so simple amswer is is no.
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Say wha? I hope I'm not misreading sarcasm.

I've seen Metallica four times (Black Album era, Load era, Death Magnetic era, and Hardwired tours). Black Album and Load tours - yep, I would rank them much higher than Maiden during those respective periods on stage. Now? Now way. Metallica is of course still good on stage, but their live performances have dropped off considerably. James' voice is fried, Kirk is Kirk, and Lars, while not as bad as the haters like to portray, is a shadow of his former self. Even their guitar tones have noticeably become 'less heavy'. I'll still see them when I can, but they are about 70% of the intensity/accuracy that they were twenty years ago.
 
Dangerina said:
The Metallica thing is very simple. And the same as Rammstein. They are listened to by everybody, not just rock lovers. Every pop music lover when s/he is listening to Metallica or Rammstein is sure he's a cool rocker, although these might be the only rock (or metal) band s/he knows at all. When Metallica or Rammstein come to Russia, their concerts are mainly visited by people who know nothing about rock music or even music at all. This is just a chance for them to visit a gig and have a nice time. While Maiden concerts are visited by true fans.
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I agree with you on this subject. It's not only in Russia but it's a global phenomena. When Metallica performed in Israel in 2010 the crowd was about 15'000. I thnk 30% were true Metallica fans , 30% the metalheads who wanted to see a big act live , and others were like i would call them the fans of 3 songs , the songs that usualy broadcasted by the mainstreem radio stations,and we all know what songs i'm talking about. As far as i know the same is going on in other places in Europe . I'm a fan of Metallica but it's true what i'm saying they attract too many casual ticket buyers. You may say nothing wrong with it, but i'm afraid thay maybe it's one of the reasons behind their musical decadence .As a fan i'm feeling they are going to the wrong direction. The last album i love only 3 song from it. It was the reason i decided against travelling abroad to see them .I have no doubt that music-wise and creative -wise Iron Maiden is the biggest metal band ,add to this their fantastic live performance and yes they are the greatest.
 
Forostar said:
Yo Yoav, please drop the lazy punctuation.
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Are you that hostile to all newcomers ? Or there is something personal against me because i don't agree with your bizarre theories about the shy genius Roy Z? Or maybe there is another reason , just tell me .
 
My honest guess:

1- Iron Maiden
2- Metallica
3- Slipknot

I don't know if Metallica outsold Maiden in terms of record sales (I doubt), but Maiden will be ever regarded as "more important" than Metallica anyway, no matter what.
 
Thunderstick Lives! said:
I don't know if Metallica outsold Maiden in terms of record sales (I doubt), but Maiden will be ever regarded as "more important" than Metallica anyway, no matter what.
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It's all about radio hits: Metallica have them, Maiden - don't. I've known Maiden since I was 10 yrs old, but when I started listening to them on a regular basis, I found out that I didn't know any of their 'hits'. I haven't heard not a single song of theirs before. While I have never listened to Metallica albums, but I happen to know quite a lot of their songs due to radio and TV. That is the matter with them: the band may not be influential, but a few hits can blow away all your historical relevance. Plus their name - METALLICA. People hear it and immediately associate it with metal no matter what they actually play. And then we've got Maiden with all that zombie Eddie stuff, strange album covers, blood everywhere and all that sort of thing that scare common people away. For instance in my case, if I hadn't accidentally heard Bruce's voice in Bohemian Rhapsody, I would never have started to listen to IM. Not in my f.... life :D
 
Yoav said:
Are you that hostile to all newcomers ? Or there is something personal against me because i don't agree with your bizarre theories about the shy genius Roy Z? Or maybe there is another reason , just tell me .
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Posters are expected to write messages that conform to English grammar to the best of their ability. Is this your best of your ability, part time journalist?

So, if you wish to be taken seriously, cut that crappy use of spaces before commas and full stops (it should be done afterwards), and do I with a capital I.
 
Actually, this isn't the Oxford comma. The Oxford comma is the one that is used after the penultimate item on a list and is recommended in order to avoid confusion or ambiguity. Compare:
- We invited the strippers, Trump and Putin.
to
- We invited the strippers, Trump, and Putin.
 
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Forostar said:
Posters are expected to write messages that conform to English grammar to the best of their ability. Is this your best of your ability, part time journalist?

So, if you wish to be taken seriously, cut that crappy use of spaces before commas and full stops (it should be done afterwards), and do I with a capital I.
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Well , genius, i hope you understand that English is not my native language , and my job as a part time journalist is nothing to do with my ability to punctuate in English.
Arrogance combined with stupidity is pathetic , and you're a great example of it.
Your attitude towards me is ugly, but after all it's your problem not mine .
 
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