Why do all IRON MAIDEN songs sound the same? 

Btw I love Iron Maiden 😂 Here is the link to the data docs.google.com/document/d/1KteTOqeZW6ulYA0ZXBPyEZuKpIKEPQiSw7v8fE6XOAU/edit?usp=sharing

As an aspiring songwriter, being able to make multiple bangers out of the same musical structures is like the dream.

The real question is, how many thrash riffs just chug on E all day? Lol

E-D-C-D-E rinse and repeat and nobody does it better.

The words “chord” and “progression” have been used 77 times in this video, which is on average, is every 8.57 seconds

I've been listening to Maiden since '88, and never thought their songs sounded the same. It's not how many notes you use, it's what you do with them!

I remember back in high school I had an argument with a guy more into punk/rock and roll. He argued that Iron Maiden just uses the same three chords in all songs. Teenage me could only come up with: "NO! Or, no? I mean... What?" So when I came home I played the songs I could on guitar only to find out he was pretty much right. As a more adult person now, I can appreciate a lot of their songs are in those chords, but it's amazing how different Iron Maiden make those three chords sound. Still, screw that guy. I was right. Just don't tell him.

The chord progressions are not the reason why the songs sound the same-it’s the galloping baselines.

I mean, b6-b7-1 is one of the most common progressions in rock generally, but Maiden definitely liked it on another level.

A lot so sound similar I do agree but I can see why they use it soo much and to be honest the songs that do have this chord progression sound sick and awesome

Sounding the same is a good thing. I buy an album to hear that sound, whatever sound that is. If a band constantly changes their sound, they have no identity. Kind of like picking up a glass of apple juice thinking it's tea.

I hate when people say that a band sounds the same every song. For bands like AC/DC, yeah, that’s kinda true. But for bands like Iron Maiden and Saxon… that’s just their sound. They all sound very different, it’s just a matter of when an Iron Maiden song is playing, you KNOW it’s Iron Maiden. It’s not “sounding the same”, it’s called having a defined sound. Edit: I am not referring to this video, but simply making a general statement.

They still somehow manage to crank out unique songs with their own vibes and groove despite using a very similar song structure, which is honestly just impressive. For some reason no iron maiden album sounds samey or feel incredibly inspired by the predecessors and each have their own vibe. The Number of the Beast sounds completely different from Fear of the Dark and so on. Hell even Brave New World has a unique sound, and Out of the Silent Planet is one of the most underrated songs in their catalog.

It’s like Slayer, Dream Theater, AC/DC, Lamb of God, beastial black metal, or Amon Amarth. Those bands found their exact sound, it worked, and they went with it

LOL Maiden songs sound very different from one another. In fact, it is possible to distinguish the albums by how the songs sound. Clearly you don't know what you are talking about. Any band has it own sound, that is why people listen to that band and not another, because that sound is unique. Therefore it is normal for a band to have their songs sound similar in the sense they have their own signature, but that doesn't mean the songs sound the same. Iron Maiden is a band where the songs sound quite different from one another.

That chord progression is like Marge simpson's Chanel dress. Used it every time modifying it a little😂

Bro's making all maiden fans his opps

What about ACDC? Every single one?

It’s the quiet intro with cymbal clinks and a guitar solo line, then a snare hit then start the galloping drum rhythm.

It's their style. Nothing wrong with that

This is the breakdown we needed.

What a coincidental video topic for me - I saw Maiden last night in Osaka

Yeah sure Alexander the Great sounds like Prowler and of course these sound exactly like the songs from the Blaze era. Seriously, if you think that you haven't listened to them enough, or you have listened to them in a purely intellectual way. They didn't have a consistent style before Brave New World. The number of the beast sounds completely different from fear of the dark as it still has that youthfulness. Almost as if notb was a DiAnno Maiden album sung by Dickinson. It might just be the most unique one because of that. A lot of songs using the same chord progression doesn't change that and I would argue that those kinds of similarities exist for every songwriter. But it's a similarity that mostly exists on paper.

Huh? Hard to pick four concecutive albums from any artist, that would sound more different from each other than Powerslave, Somewhere in Time, Sevent Son of a Seventh Son and No prayer for the dying.

Amazing analysis and it actually helped me understand chords a bit. Even though I did know this with me being a massive Maiden nerd, I still found this incredibly entertaining. It’s amazing how many incredible riffs and melodies Maiden can make with the same three chords One thing though, I paused a lot to look at the whole list you made, and you accidentally forgot 2 songs, Dance of Death and Mother of Mercy

It would interesting that you do a bonus where you give us your favorite "non Iron maiden progression" songs.

Why do all ACDC songs sound the same (they literally do)

finally someone addresses this.

What an undertaking! Great topic for a video. Excellent job!

02:21 Sounds like Running Wild - another "One song" band.

At least half of Rolling Stones riffs use the same chord shape:) Minor seven against the major. When you play it, you sound like Keith Richards immediately. It is funny how few artists have managed to label some chord progression or chord shape. Galloping rhythm and Em/C/D! Nobody else can not basically use that combination anymore.

You do realise there is only 7 chords to a key, so if they are using a minor key, it will be pretty obvious the same chords are used. So only 3 minor, 3 major and one diminished. Also 80% of 60s songs use the same progression LOL.

I kind of felt that if you have one Iron Maden album you have them all.I understand melodies and rhythm do matter but the feeling of this sounds too familiar is real.

Pat Benatar uses this progression a lot as well as Dokken. I think it's used often in rock music.

Auto thumbs down for the false claim. Now I'm onto watching the video.

The first three albums had quite a bit of diversity thanks to Clive Burr's technical drumming skills. Though I also love later Maiden for their beautiful and straightforward melodies, early Maiden's more energetic output was also nice.

it reminds me of 5-7-8 riffs 2000s metalcore was full of

No Prayer is one of their least popular, if not the least popular Dickson album and only 3 tunes use it. Coincidence? 🙂‍↔️

The lyrics and Bruce's singing is what makes Maiden Maiden

Dude I’ve always wondered this 💀

This is cool. Not a music professional at all but I am an enjoyer. Now I know why every Godsmack song sounds identical. Everyone just has their own schtick I guess. Thanks for this.

8:23 - that's in fact a III chord as it's a sus4 to major third

I like Iron Maiden but agree with the 'sameness" issue. For an octane boost on Iron Maiden, try "Darkside of Aquarius" and "Accident of Birth" on the Dickinson solo album - Accident of Birth

This video is far less derivative than I thought it would be. Nice job. i - VI - III - VII is a popular one too, as you touched on. Blood Brothers, For the Greater Good of God, Out of the Silent Planet etc.

Hey Varvis, can you explain to me why Iron Maiden often sounds like medieval European string music and if that’s related to this chord progression? Cheers.

This is really interesting. when you first played the three chords without the gallop, it’s still sounded like Iron Maiden. 🎼🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

Maiden songs don’t all sound the same… end of discussion

Gallop d-c-b flat 😎

Brave New World or Son of a Seventh Son?

Sonic 3 De. Eggmans theme uses this chord progression

That number can't be right!... Surely there are several more

Great video.

Good breakdown man, despite the saminess in their chord structures and patterns, Adrian has alwas been the not so secret weapon. I think he bores easily and always finds a way to play 'out of the box'..be it a sneaky suspended note in a chord (take the D he holds in the Invaders intro for example, listen carefully, its there) and definitley his solo's. He knows the parameters he's got to work with, and always finds a way to bight and cut through the predictable. They have really gone hard on the repeated melodic line intro /outro which basically follows or mimics the vocal lines for many years , and havent been known for stand alone , massive sledgehammer rythym guitar riffage for a long time. I reckon Dave loses his shit when he can finally grind the pick into that fat intro to Sanctuary when and if they ever play it.

Speak no bullshit

Dude, please make analise Morbid Angel songwriting - especially in context of using 7th string and more sludgy approach.

1:41 I think there is 63 songs in the 1st Bruce era, not 62. - The Number of the Beast - 8 - Piece of Mind - 9 - Powerslave - 8 - Somewhere in Time - 8 - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son - 8 - No Prayer for the Dying - 10 - Fear of the Dark - 12 Great video BTW! Love your content

why'd you have to remind me of the dance of death album cover man ;_;

New youtube trend: shit on things. Future youtube trend: shit on RU-vidrs that shit on things.

The data doesn't lie. Late Iron Maiden lacks the classic feel to it.

What C5, D5, E5?

Great video man....keep it up. You're going to be fucking huge!!

Nicko's ride cymbal. TINK-TINK-TINKTINKTINK [CLASH]

5:22 I think i heard some chords from creeping death here.

Oh my god

I find these videos interesting, but I honestly find it hard to follow the abc naming theme for the notes. I was taught solfège in my youth, so this new one always feels out of place

After Number of the Beast they definetly start to get samey, I think the change of drumming has something to do with it

Bro it almost feels like you're calling them the fuck out with that title LMAOOOOO

This sounds like it comes from someone who didn't grow up listening to Iron Maiden. This is like saying all steaks taste the same.

What???????

bob has 8 iron maiden albums, how many songs does bob have? bob has 1 song.

Plz do a pantera vid🙏🙏🙏

It's one of the reasons that claims that Iron Maiden are somehow a prog band are a bit over the top. A long but basic song is just that.

Em D C

Never been a fan of Maiden but yeah their hit songs do all sound the same.

Cool story bro but they are world class musicians and come up with great songs. And where is your material?

Mind blowing for me but the logic is absolutely solid 👌 💯

Can you please explain it slowly - in Danish 😄

Yeah The thin line between love and hate sounds exactly like The trooper, and Where eagles dare sounds exactly like Tears of a clown. Or maybe not … Probably the most stupid video on RU-vid I have seen. There is no way you are a musician.

Congratulations, you’ve managed to take a somewhat interesting topic and make it excruciatingly dull. Let me know when your “normie wife” starts her own channel.

Sounds like you can barely play. Pretty sloppy. The chord progression you speak of is one of the most conmon progressions in many types of music from movie scores (Braveheart) to pop/rock and metal songs. Hundreds of them. Sure Maiden used it alot in their early years but whenever you hear one of their songs in the instrumental section for instance, fans dont accidentally mistake it for another song because of the similar chords. Bit of an exaggeration to say ALL Iron Maiden songs sound the same

Not all the songs sound the same, I don't think you can compose nothing close to them dude

I loved the Paul Di'Anno songs, then Dickinson Number of the beast and Piece of Mind... then I stopped Maiden

Iron Maiden.Childrens metal.

A minoooooooorrrrr Kendrick Lamar has entered the chat

Because their writing is THAT lazy, never liked them... Except for Run to the Hills and "I'm not a prisoner, I'm a freeman"...

maiden fanboy here. every song since the first balze album sounds the same because they ARE the same. same intros, same chord progressions, same melodies, same arrangements. steve harris should not be allowed anywhere near the arranger's chair or a mixing desk.

Now I understand why I never catched that much with Iron Maiden. Great Band though, but I found their metal a bit childish , too happy and not so epic compared to their peers like judas Priest for example

Plus they are pathetic, have lengths and are about odd stuff ("The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner"). It´s exactly that what Bruce did on his first solo album ("Balls to DiAnno") and it sucks. I stick to their first two albums.

Thats why i hate them ,every album should be different like zep

Because, it's always the same singer, guitarists, bassist and drummer who are playing the songs.

Thats easy, as a guitarist for almost 35 years, I can give the answer. they have always had the same amp settings and are tuned to E standard all the time on every album since 1980. the only difference is their gain changed in 1982 to 6, where on the first 2 albums their gain was at 2. that's it! \m/

That is what makes the Japanese all-female metal band LOVEBITES so amazing. Iron Maiden is their most significant influence, but they play a much wider range of metal that Maiden ever did. You'll also hear clear influences from Metallica, Megadeth, Judas Priest, Motörhead, Helloween, Slayer, Anthrax and Testament (just to name a few), and they do it with a quality of songwriting and elite musicianship that is rarely seen these days. In my opinion, they are comfortably in the top three metal bands on the planet, in terms of pure musicianship, alongside Dream Theater and Symphony-X. Every fan of Iron Maiden (or 1980s and 1990s classic metal) should check out LOVEBITES. This song is LOVEBITES tribute to Iron Maiden: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1DcY6IKh7RU.html This is LOVEBITES showing they can do thrash as well as anyone: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5Pc0XK0lNmU.html

Really good research! This chord progression is used in Paranoid (Em), Come together (Bm), Stairway to heaven and Ziggy Stardust (Am), among many others. Maybe Steve Harris found its inspiration in those songs 🤔

You should look at the drumming and where the crash cymbal is used. This is where Iron Maides is unique to other bands. They start the phrase an 8th note before the next measure. Similar thing, though in triplets, happens in Black Sabbath's Black Moon from the Headless Cross album. That gives their music that "swinging" notion.

I prefer Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Pantera over Iron Maiden tbh.

Might I suggest applying the same analysis to AC/DC?

Very interesting analysis. Thank you :) \m/

Yes, all their songs do sound the same.....outdated.

if you now better than them, tell me where are your songs ? time wasted

I don't care. Up the irons