Having sold over 100 million albums worldwide, Iron Maiden are considered by many to be the greatest heavy metal band of all time. The band have never reached the ultra-mainstream, but have amassed a large number of fans throughout the world.

Iron Maiden released their self-titled debut album on 14 April 1980. The album reached number four on the UK album chart. The band’s second studio album was released on 2 February 1981.

Iron Maiden returned to the studio in 1998 with the Virtual XI album. It failed to make the million mark on the world charts, but did sell over a million units in the UK.

In 2002, Iron Maiden won the Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement. Their next eight studio albums were produced by Martin Birch. In 2005, the band was inducted into the Hollywood RockWalk in Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.

Iron Maiden’s third studio album, Somewhere in Time, was released on 27 October 2006. It peaked at number three on the UK album chart. The album featured a number of references to historical figures. It also featured synthesized guitar sounds and bass. The album was based on a time travel theme.

Iron Maiden scored a number of hits on the UK Singles chart. Their single Run to the Hills reached number ten. They also scored 17 UK Top 10 hits.

Iron Maiden’s second studio album is considered a classic, and their third album is one of the most important in the history of heavy metal.