for metal bands like Maiden in countries where people are suffering from all manner of human rights abuses and socio-economic deprivation, it just goes to show what a powerful force music can be. If only for two hours those people can leave their troubles behind them and rock out to a bunch of longhairs and a giant zombie with glowing eyes.

Enough respect to Maiden for actually bothering to tour places that most bands wouldn't dream of going to.

Oh yes...I think so

I think would be an interesting article is the inspiration for Iron Maiden songs. From films (where eagles dare, Wicker man), history (run to the hills, aces high), novels and stories (brave new world, the loneliness of the long distance runner) and classic horror (fear of the dark, bring your daughter to the slaughter, number of the beast).

but for me Iron Maiden are a cartoon band.

Stupid grins, every rock pose imaginable, crap songs and Bruce "I Can Fly A Plane and Fence Me" Dickinson.

They are like the X Box Judas Priest.

Just don't do it for me and I've never understood why they get so much attention.

Poor Man's Motorhead.

It's obviously difficult to make a definitive post-Spinal Tap, if you will, 'rockumentary' and I don't think Ian Maiden have done it. Once you've filmed a few concert shots and had a few talking head interviews with the band saying what diamond geezers each of the others are, there's very little scope to take it anywhere else, notwithstanding a road crew singing "You're shit and you know you are!" at a stewardess who's fluffed her lines in the safety briefing. I did like Bruce's little nodding Eddie on the 757 dashboard, mind. Nice touch.