Raise the Irons!? Can we still say that? You bet your pint of beer you can, mates! Classic Iron Maiden is back.

The unfathonamble has happened. Ex-lead singer/screamer Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith are BACK in Iron Maiden. Brace yourselves metal fans, as this is a much needed event in our lives.

While Adrian Smith abandoned the Maiden voyage in the late 80s following the release of 'Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son' (1988) to pursue a solo career (he was replaced by Janick Gers), Dickinson held camp till 1992 after the release of the mediocre received 'Fear Of The Dark.' While Dickinson's solo career has done exceptional well over the last three years, with the critically acclaimed 'Accident Of Birth' (1997) and 'Chemical Wedding' (1998) LPs pleasing metal fans, Iron Maiden has fallen on dark days with the introduction of new singer Blayze Bailey (ex-Wolfsbane) and two poor albums: 1995's 'The X-Factor' and 1998's 'Virtual XI.'

Sadly enough, the only bright point of Maiden's career in the '90s has been the re-issue and remastering of the band's entire classic back catalog in September of 1998, which includes CD-ROM and mounds of info of Iron Maiden at numerous times in their career.

So is Dickinson and Smith back into the fold a good move? Many are eager to hear what a reunited Iron Maiden will do, though some are skeptical. We'll see in do time.