Iron Maiden - Brave New World: 25 Years Later
By: John Brenner
This week marks the 25th anniversary of Iron Maiden’s triumphant comeback album, Brave New World. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around that. This record was such a major milestone for the band—and just as important to me, personally. It’s tied to a deep sense of nostalgia.
To put things in perspective, I had only become a fan about a year before the album’s release. But once I discovered Maiden, it quickly turned into a full-blown obsession. I was lucky enough to catch the reunited lineup—featuring the returning Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith—on their smaller tour the summer before Brave New World dropped, when they played the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. I’ll never forget Bruce teasing the crowd, promising they’d “be back next year, with a new record, and in front of bigger audiences.” They weren’t kidding.
Over the following year, anticipation for the new album grew steadily. Finally, it was announced: Brave New World, releasing May 29th, 2000. The only other date that mattered to me that year was August 5th, when Maiden would play Madison Square Garden as part of the tour—a show that sold out in 30 minutes, by the way.
I remember the release day like it was yesterday. I was a senior in high school, and the moment seventh period ended, I bolted to the record store and raced home to listen. Before I threw it on, I just had to admire the artwork for a bit. The cover was so damn cool. Obviously inspired by the Aldous Huxley classic of the same name, it featured Maiden’s iconic mascot Eddie in cloud form, menacingly watching over London landmarks in a dystopian future.
When I finally put it on, it was pure euphoria. Usually, when bands “get back together,” the reunion is mostly for touring, and the new music is forgettable. But this? From the opening riff of “The Wicker Man” to the final notes of “The Thin Line Between Love and Hate,” it was wall-to-wall brilliance. It sounded undeniably like classic Maiden, but without trying to mimic the mid-’80s. It was fresh, vital, and perfect for the moment. Easily my most-played record that summer.
That August, my friends and I saw them tear it up at the Garden. The openers? Rob Halford and Queensrÿche. The show was so good, I went again the next week when the tour hit Jersey.
Just this past year, I saw Iron Maiden for the 12th and 13th times—both shows sold out, each with 20,000 fans. In Europe, they’re still packing football stadiums. Their 50th Anniversary Tour just kicked off this week, and they’re as massive as ever. Honestly, I don’t think any of this would’ve been possible if they hadn’t absolutely crushed it with Brave New World. The impact of that album can’t be overstated.
Happy 25th, Brave New World. Here’s hoping I get to see them 13 more times.
Up the Irons.
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