Welcome to the genesis of The Metal University! This class is the introduction to the greatest genre of music ever: Heavy Metal. The goal of this class is to provide the student a list of bands whose albums will give them a basic understanding of Heavy Metal. This class was designed for the uninitiated in mind, and covers what can be considered the basics and classics. This is not meant as a definitive guide to Heavy Metal, but a starting point on a grand, epic journey. This is only the beginning!

Introduction to Heavy Metal - Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden can’t be fought, but they can definitely be sought! Go ahead: come into their room. Check out their wares. If you’re going to have an appreciation for Heavy Metal, Iron Maiden’s gonna get ya, no matter how far! Galloping bass, noodly melodies, and soaring vocals cemented this New Wave of British Heavy Metal standout into the lexicon of Heavy Metal history. The chances that you’ve heard one of their masterpieces or another band influenced by them is surefire. Come, have an understanding of the numbers from the beast. They are human numbers, after all.

Your listening assignment…

Killers

Wait a minute. Didn’t I write ‘soaring vocals?’ Yes, but not yet. This album is where the “noodly melodies’ came to the forefront and murdered us. The vocals may seem more punk than Metal, but the music is 100% certified killer. This album is bursting with amazing tunes and belongs in every Metal followers catalog.

Number of the Beast

Here comes the Air-Raid Siren, Bruce Dickinson! This is the Maiden you’ve likely heard before. It continues where Killers left off: being amazing and leaving us wanting more! Iron Maiden already proved they were great, but Bruce came in and, together, they brought in another level of epic goodness.

Piece of Mind

More great tunes. More classic Metal. What else can I write? This album has the first Maiden song I ever heard. You know, the album covers really tell the story. Number of the Beast had the listener being puppeteered. By this album, you’re trapped in the melodic Metal madness that is the majestic beast. After being trapped, there’s only

Powerslave

That’s right: you’re a slave now! A slave to the greatness that is Iron Maiden. I’m supposed to be telling you why this album is important. It’s my favorite Maiden album. It has my favorite Maiden song. It’s in the Halls of Valhalla when it comes to Heavy Metal albums. Just go listen to it, right now, start to finish. Oh, already heard it before? Go listen to it again. You deserve it. It’s a God; why can’t it live on?

Iron Maiden Family Tree