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Perhaps luck and divine intervention have stepped in along the band's 20 year career, which has seen Iron Maiden sell millions of albums around the world, do countless tours, and lay claim to what is truly one of the most loyal and cult following of fans that a band can have.
Of course not all of the bands achievements have been without some ill fortune. The band is currently with third vocalist Blaze Bailey (formerly of Brit heathen rock band Wolfsbane) after their most recognizable band member, and former singer, Bruce Dickinson left the band to pursue his own career, who in turn replaced original vocalist Paul Dianno, who thought he was bigger than band and left to make his mark on the world (and the world is still waiting). Apart from personnel, the band has had to endure lagging sales in the nineties, a downscale in venues (from arenas and stadiums to clubs) and apathy from the casual fan who just couldnt keep up with the changing face of music. Through it all, however, the band remains tried and tested ready to send their metallic message of a rousing good time, with good music as their method of delivery.
Bailey is no stranger to good luck. One individual amongst thousands vying for the vacant vocal position in Maiden, he was chosen in 1994 and has remained with the band since. Almost immediately after getting the gig he was involved in a motorcycle accident, survived, endured and even kept his position in Maiden after a lengthy lay-off which could have seen the other band members look for a new voice once again.
It is on the topic of longevity, not luck, and how Maiden has endured that Bailey seems most prolific in discussing.
"I think the state of metal now, if you can call it (metal) because its got so fragmented in the early 90s, whether its death, grunge, if you like this you cant like that, is all bullocks. I think now its settled down and theres a nostalgia trip for the 80s, which is good for us, it wont be as big as what was, but people are looking back now, post grunge and saying Well what was out before grunge? It was bands like Maiden, who came out and got you involved in the show, enjoyed the fact that you were actually there to see them. The alternative to alternative is Iron Maiden."
Well spoken for the most recent addition of the band. It seems Bailey has grown a lot in his four years fronting what is arguably the most famous metal UK export. In Wolfsbane, Bailey had a slight modicum of success, and even opened for Maiden at local shows, but the feral lead singer admits the experiences are almost like night and day.
"With Wolfsbane, what made it very, very different was you never knew if you were going to get another tour; you never knew if you were going to make another record. Every date, every day of the tour was like, 'We may never do this again,' we've got to get everything we can out of it. Every record we made was like we may never record. You've got to put everything that you possibly can into it if that means screaming or whatever. You never even thought about tomorrow because tomorrow may never come. But in Maiden one of the great things is that it feels like suddenly you have this future. Okay, we made the X-Factor, but nobody was thinking that was the only album we were ever going to make. We were thinking, 'Oh great. That's off.' Now what about the ideas for the next thing. We've already got ideas and some creativity for what the next album is going to be like. You always feel like you're moving on. There's that kind of progression which, in a way, Wolfsbane was very nihilistic, because we were almost like the classic punks of the 70s; no future. Thats the way we felt most of the time."
The question is how long will the future for Iron Maiden last? The band has already canceled their current North American tour because of severe allergies hindering Bailey's performance, but insiders are saying the real reason is lack of ticket sales. Through no fault of Baileys, many North American fans grew up idolizing Dickinson, and no matter how well he performs he may never be able to leave the former singers ominous shadow. Reviews for the two albums under Baileys belt (X-Factor and Virtual XI) have been inconclusive. Many critics have praised the band staying true to its roots while others say it's a dinosaur that should have been extinct, still others pine for the return to the bands halcyon days with Dickinson, not giving Bailey and the band a chance to win them over.
Not being perturbed by the critics, Bailey likens his current situation, once again, to his early career in Wolfsbane.
"We (Wolfsbane) were so worried about being pretentious, but in reality you shouldnt give a fuck about being pretentious, you should just do exactly what you feel. If people think its pretentious, well, so what? The thing is, if you're really convinced about what youre doing then no one thinks you're pretentious."
As for following his predecessors down the path to personal fame and fortune, Bailey says he is quite happy in the band and the thought of leaving hasnt crossed his mind.
"I think if I ever did my own thing it would be so self-indulgent I'd go up my own ass really. I'm not very good on my own, to be honest. I work best in a team. I am a team player. I like working with people and bouncing off ideas. Ive written songs on my own where I've come up with the music and the lyrics and the melodies and everything, but not many really, because I always enjoy working with people. What was good about this album, I had the chance to write with Dave Murray (guitar) , which I didnt get on the X-Factor, and that worked out really, really well you know (The outcome being 'When Two Worlds Collide'). It was really, really exciting. I enjoy working with Steve (Harris, bass) as well, it brings out a different part of my voice. The only thing I think of is like if 10 years down the road if Nicko (McBrain, drums) or Steve or Dave say I dont really want to go out on tour much now then I'll think I don't want to go home. That's about the only time I'd ever think about it, if the band ever really slowed down, but it shows absolutely no sign of doing that now."
Slow or fast, at the peak or past the point, Iron Maiden are still chugging along putting out metal to the best of their abilities. Good fortune has also smiled along the way, and while it may be a reach to say the band will last another 20 years, they are still alive and kicking. Bailey knows that he is also fortunate to be a part of this legendary metal juggernaut and isn't above talking candidly about his position in the band for his closing comments. "I feel fully a part of the band. There aren't many situations that phase me. The rest of the guys in the band have a lot more experience than me with world tours, so I'm still learning quite a few things, but yeah, Ive been doing this for a long time now. It's about 14 years that I've been a professional singer. The moneys great. It's great to be on this level where you play big concerts, a nice stage you have good equipment, you can hear yourself. There are less obstacles for you to put out your best performance, something I never had before."