After finally playing the fan-favorite “Alexander the Great” on their last major tour, Iron Maiden shattered a long-held belief that some songs were simply off-limits for their live shows. The surprise performance of the epic 1986 track has left fans wondering what other forgotten gems from the band’s extensive catalog might make it to the stage.
With a history spanning nearly five decades and 17 studio albums, Iron Maiden has dozens of songs that have never been performed live. While it’s unlikely they will ever get to all of them, the “Alexander” miracle has fueled new hope. Here are some of the most highly anticipated tracks that fans are still waiting to hear live.
Some of the most puzzling omissions are well-known tracks from classic albums that have somehow never made the setlist. “Deja Vu,” the last unplayed song from Somewhere in Time, is a perfect example. Its fast-paced, desperate feel would be perfect for a live setting. Another head-scratcher is “Only the Good Die Young,” the final, powerful track from the concept album Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. Fans have long wondered why the final chapter of such a celebrated record has never been performed. Even more surprising is the absence of “Invaders,” the ferocious opening track from the legendary album The Number of the Beast. For an album so iconic, it’s strange that its first song has been completely ignored.
The album Powerslave is full of grand tales, but two notable songs have never been played live. “Flash of the Blade” and “The Duellists” are a pair of high-energy tracks with sword-fighting themes and classic 80s Maiden, altough Bruce Dickinson played “Flash” recently with his solo band. Fans have always wanted to hear the powerful, dueling guitar harmonies of “The Duellists” echo through a stadium.
Hidden on some of the band’s most popular albums are short, fast songs that seem tailor-made for the stage. From the album Piece of Mind, “Sun and Steel” is an underrated, fast-paced track about a samurai that would get any crowd moving. Similarly, “Judas Be My Guide” is a melodic, driving song from the back half of Fear of the Dark that has been mysteriously overlooked for over 30 years.
Even on some of their less popular albums, there are moments of brilliance that deserve to be heard live. The acoustic-driven “Prodigal Son,” from Killers, is a haunting and unique song that would offer a striking change of pace in a modern setlist. From the Blaze Bayley era, “Como Estais Amigos” is a powerful emotional epic about the Falklands War that is often forgotten. And the album No Prayer for the Dying closes with the grand, sweeping statement of “Mother Russia,” a song that fans hope to one day see performed live.
Since Bruce Dickinson‘s return to the band in 1999, Iron Maiden has specialized in long, progressive songs to close their albums. But two of the best have never been performed live. “The Thin Line Between Love and Hate,” from Brave New World, is a complex masterpiece that perfectly captured the energy of their reunion. However, the ultimate “white whale” for fans is “Empire of the Clouds.” At 18 minutes long, the song tells the detailed story of a 1930s airship disaster. While it would be incredibly complex to perform, it is one of Steve Harris‘s greatest compositions, and hearing it live would be a truly special event for any Iron Maiden fan.
Now that “Alexander the Great” has been checked off the list, the hunt for the next live holy grail has officially begun.
