The Most Popular Iron Maiden Album, Ranked

Choose the album you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:41
Iron Maiden's extensive discography often sparks lively debates among fans about which album stands out as the best. Each record offers distinct flavors, encapsulating various eras and evolutions of the band's sound. By ranking these albums, fans can engage in a spirited exchange of opinions, celebrating the band's rich musical journey. This dynamic ranking taps into the collective wisdom of Iron Maiden's global fan base, allowing your preferences to shape the current standings. As you vote for your favorite albums, you're contributing to a broader fan-driven narrative, helping new and long-time listeners identify which albums have struck the most resonant chords with audiences around the world.

What Is the Most Popular Iron Maiden Album?

  1. 1
    62
    votes
    Widely considered the band's breakthrough album, it features classics like "Run to the Hills" and the title track. It also marked the debut of vocalist Bruce Dickinson.
    The Number of the Beast is the third studio album by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released on March 22, 1982, and is considered one of the band's most iconic and influential albums. The album was a major commercial success and helped solidify Iron Maiden's status as one of the pioneering bands in the heavy metal genre.
    • Release Date: March 22, 1982
    • Genre: Heavy Metal
    • Label: EMI
    • Producer: Martin Birch
    • Length: 39:14
  2. 2
    45
    votes
    Another fan favorite, this album showcases the band's musical prowess with tracks like "Aces High" and "2 Minutes to Midnight."
  3. 3
    30
    votes
    This concept album explores themes of good and evil, and features some of the band's most complex and progressive songs.
    Seventh Son of a Seventh Son is the seventh studio album by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released in 1988 and is widely considered one of their most popular albums. The album follows a concept based on the myth of the seventh son of a seventh son, who is believed to possess supernatural powers.
    • Release Date: 1988
    • Genre: Heavy Metal
    • Length: 43:50
    • Label: EMI
    • Producer: Martin Birch
  4. 4
    7
    votes

    Piece of Mind (1983)

    Iron Maiden
    With tracks like "Flight of Icarus" and "The Trooper," this album solidified Iron Maiden's status as one of the biggest bands in metal.
    Piece of Mind is the fourth studio album by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released in 1983. This album marked a significant development in the band's sound, showcasing more complex song structures and introspective lyrics.
    • Released: 16 May 1983
    • Genre: Heavy metal
    • Label: EMI
    • Producer: Martin Birch
    • Duration: 44:04
  5. 5
    12
    votes
    This album features a more futuristic sound and explores themes of time travel and dystopia. Hits include "Wasted Years" and "Stranger in a Strange Land."
    Somewhere in Time is the sixth studio album released by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden in 1986. It is widely regarded as one of their most popular and influential albums. The album features a unique blend of melodic and progressive elements along with Iron Maiden's signature heavy metal sound.
    • Release Date: September 29, 1986
    • Genre: Heavy Metal
    • Label: EMI
    • Producer: Martin Birch
    • Length: 51:09
  6. 6
    17
    votes
    After a hiatus in the 90s, Iron Maiden returned with this album featuring the return of Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith. It also introduced new fans to tracks like "The Wicker Man" and "Blood Brothers."
    Brave New World is the twelfth studio album by Iron Maiden, released in 2000. It marked the return of lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith to the band, reuniting the classic Maiden lineup. The album was well-received by both fans and critics and is considered one of Iron Maiden's most popular and influential works.
    • Release Date: May 29, 2000
    • Genre: Heavy metal
    • Label: EMI
    • Producer: Kevin Shirley
    • Duration: 66:57
  7. 7
    13
    votes
    The band's second album features raw energy and classics like "Wrathchild" and "Killers."
    Killers is the second studio album by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released in 1981. It was the last Iron Maiden album to feature vocalist Paul Di'Anno, who was subsequently replaced by Bruce Dickinson. Killers showcased the band's evolving sound and further established their signature style.
    • Release Date: February 2, 1981
    • Genre: Heavy metal
    • Label: EMI
    • Producer: Martin Birch
    • Number of Tracks: 11
  8. 8
    9
    votes
    This album marked the end of Dickinson's first run with the band and features hits like "Be Quick or Be Dead" and the title track.
    Fear of the Dark is the ninth studio album by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released on May 11, 1992, through EMI Records. The album features classic Iron Maiden sound with a mixture of melodic tracks and heavier, faster-paced songs.
    • Release date: May 11, 1992
    • Record label: EMI Records
    • Genre: Heavy metal
    • Number of tracks: 12
    • Total length: 58:37
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    Iron Maiden (1980)
    Anne Varak · CC BY 2.0

    Iron Maiden (1980)

    Iron Maiden
    The band's debut album introduced the world to their unique sound and features classics like "Running Free" and "Phantom of the Opera."
    Iron Maiden is the self-titled debut studio album by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released in 1980. It is regarded as one of the defining albums of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) movement and cemented Iron Maiden's place in the genre.
    • Release Date: April 14, 1980
    • Genre: Heavy metal
    • Label: EMI
    • Producer: Will Malone
    • Length: 37:35
  10. 10
    10
    votes

    Dance of Death (2003)

    Iron Maiden
    This album features a mix of classic Iron Maiden sound and new experimentation, with hits like "Rainmaker" and "No More Lies."
    Dance of Death is the thirteenth studio album by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released in 2003. The album was produced by Kevin Shirley and is considered one of Iron Maiden's most popular and critically acclaimed works.
    • Release Date: September 8, 2003
    • Studio: EMI, Sarm West, London
    • Genre: Heavy metal
    • Length: 68 minutes and 15 seconds
    • Number of Tracks: 11

Missing your favorite album?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular album

  1. Sales figures
    Analyze the global sales numbers, including sales of physical albums, digital downloads, and streaming figures. The higher the numbers, the more popular the album is likely to be.
  2. Critical acclaim
    Assess the overall critical reception of the album, including reviews, ratings, and awards. High ratings and positive reviews from influential music journalists and publications will be an indicator of the album's popularity and impact.
  3. Chart performance
    Examine the album's chart performance across various countries. How long did the album stay on various music charts, and what was its peak position? A higher chart position and longer chart tenure will indicate greater popularity.
  4. Fan response
    Analyze the reaction of Iron Maiden's fan base and the general public to the album. This may include fans' personal rankings of the albums, comments on social media and online forums, and attendance at concerts for that specific album's tour.
  5. Influence and longevity
    Assess the album's long-term impact on the band's creative direction, as well as its influence on other artists and the heavy metal genre. An album that had a more significant impact on the band's sound and contributed to shaping the genre will rank higher.
  6. Cultural impact
    Consider the album's relevance and standing within popular culture beyond just Iron Maiden fans. What was the album's role in the broader heavy metal scene, and was it a standout album during its release year?

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Iron Maiden album. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Album is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1439 views
  • 198 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Album once every 24 hours. The rank of each Album is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Categories

More information on most popular iron maiden album

Iron Maiden is a British heavy metal band that has been active for over four decades. They have released a total of 16 studio albums, each with its own unique sound and style. Known for their powerful vocals, intricate guitar solos, and thundering drums, Iron Maiden has amassed a huge following of fans worldwide. With so many albums to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is the most popular. However, there are a few standouts that have gained cult status among fans. Some of the most acclaimed Iron Maiden albums include "The Number of the Beast," "Powerslave," and "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son." Fans have their own opinions on which album is the best, but one thing is for sure: Iron Maiden has left an indelible mark on the heavy metal genre, and their music continues to inspire and entertain fans all over the world.

Share this article