Formed in London, England, in 1976,
Iron Maiden was from the start the brainchild of
Steve Harris (b. 12 March 1957, Leytonstone, London,
England; bass), formerly a member of pub rockers
Smiler. Named after a medieval torture device, the
music was suitably heavy and hard on the senses.
The heavy metal scene of the late 70s was widely
regarded as stagnant, with only a handful of bands
proving their ability to survive and produce music
of quality. It was at this time that a new breed of
young British bands began to emerge. This movement,
which began to break cover in 1979 and 1980, was
known as the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, or
N.W.O.B.*.M.. Iron Maiden were one of the foremost
bands in the genre, and many would say its
definitive example. Younger and meaner, the
N.W.O.B.*.M. bands dealt in faster, more energetic
heavy metal than any of their forefathers (punk
being an obvious influence).
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