Yngwie Malmsteen stated during a new episode of Yngwie Malmsteen’s Coffee Talk that Iron Maiden is a new band for him when he looks at it from his time’s perspective.
Formed in 1975, Iron Maiden’s early years were sort of unstable due to their constant lineup changes. It took some time for the band to find their true sound and fixed members. They emerged in the music scene as one of the pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal that reached its peak by the early 1980s. Although most of the bands from the movement remained underground, Iron Maiden managed to gain international recognition.
Iron Maiden released their self-titled debut album in 1980 and then embarked on their first solo headlining tour. After finishing the UK leg of the tour, the band opened for KISS in the European leg of their ‘Unmasked Tour’ in 1980. Opening for KISS was definitely a big chance for Iron Maiden to make themselves heard more and distinguish themselves from the other new wave of British heavy metal acts.
During a recent episode of Yngwie Malmsteen’s Coffee Talk featuring Zakk Wylde, Malmsteen recalled watching Iron Maiden for the first time when they opened for KISS in 1980. The guitarist revealed that Iron Maiden seems like a new band to him when he looks at them from his time’s perspective. He grew up listening to the bands like Deep Purple and Thin Lizzy, and thus, what Iron Maiden did at the time was totally a new thing. Maiden’s music is still fresh for him as their appearance in the heavy metal scene doesn’t feel like a long time ago.
Yngwie Malmsteen’s words on Iron Maiden:
“This is how I see at my time’s perspective is I think Iron Maiden is a new band. I think when Iron Maiden came out, they were one of these new bands. Of course, I know they are not new, but I remember in 1980, it was to me like I’d been doing what I was doing for a long time. I wasn’t making it big, of course, but I’ve been doing it for a long time, and I remember the bands and stuff like that.
I’m talking about Purple, Lizzy, and all that stuff that I dug in the ’70s. It was new to me. I remember seeing them before they were even famous. They opened up for KISS. Somebody gave me a ticket. I saw them in 1980. What I am saying is that doesn’t feel like a long time ago for me.“
You can watch the entire conversation below.
