The band that could reach the level of Iron Maiden, according to Steve Harris

The band that could reach the level of Iron Maiden, according to Steve Harris


“It takes a long time to become like Maiden, but some bands have talent,” reflects the bassist and leader of the legendary English group

Few metal bands have reached the same level Iron Maiden. The English group established itself in the 1980s as one of the most important names in the segment and remained in that position for most of its career.

However, the topic of “succession” is a dilemma in the context of heavy music. While this is not the case with Maiden, older artists are retiring or slowing down the pace of their activities. And there aren’t many other names capable of filling the gaps left by the old ones, at least in terms of popularity.

Will it be? At least Steve Harris he seems to see the situation differently than most of the public. The bassist and leader of Iron Maiden believes that the Nocturnal desireFinnish symphonic metal band active since 1996, it is the name most capable of reaching the level of its own group.

Harris’ statement was recalled by the Nightwish singer, Jansen Planin a 2020 interview with the magazine Plan. The topic arose after the singer mused that her group could, one day, become the main attraction at major heavy metal festivals, such as the one in Germany. Wacken in the open air and English Download Festival.

Maintaining modesty, he initially commented:

“It’s an interesting thing, because it’s going to happen; and out of curiosity you start to think about it. But then again, things go the way they have to go. It’s not an ambition in that sense. We’re very happy with where we are.”

Then Harris’ statement about the work of his colleagues was recalled. Piano says:

“But I recently read an article where Steve Harris of Iron Maiden said, ‘If there’s one band that can carry our torch, it’s Nightwish.’ ?’ There will definitely be change and we’ll take it as it comes, but it’s an honor that people like Steve Harris consider us a true torchbearer.”

It’s difficult to say whether they will succeed, but in Europe and also in South America Nightwish are always very well received. The multi-instrumentalist also participates in the interview Troy Donockley recalls that, during the recording of the DVD Decades: Live in Buenos Aires (2019) in Argentina, the band itself was surprised by the audience’s reaction.

“In the introduction of the song ‘Élan’I could barely hear myself because everyone was singing. It was incredible. There were times when Floor had to stop and wait for things to calm down, but they didn’t! She had to say: ‘thank you very much, but do you want to hear the song?’. It’s crazy; they are wild there. But we love it. It can be tricky if you’re on the street and surrounded. When I go to South America, it’s like being a Beatles. Then you come back, I’m in the supermarket in the UK and nobody cares, nobody chases me.”

What Steve Harris said

The interview reporting this statement by Steve Harris was released in 2020 Ultimate guitar (go Igor Miranda’s website). On the occasion, the Iron Maiden bassist was invited to reflect on the “successors” of his band. He said:

“This is a difficult question, because there are good bands out there. Times have changed a lot. Who knows if they will have the same chances of being a global band like Maiden? It takes a long time to become a band like Maiden. But some band are talented. I think Nightwish is a great band and they’re getting bigger and bigger. They probably have the best chance of reaching the same level of success as Maiden.”

Two other suggestions were made by Harris: German Lord of the lost and the English The Age of the Crowthat he has George HarrisSteve’s son, as guitarist. The two bands have opened for Iron Maiden in the past.

Fan of the Anette Olzon era

Contrary to Nightwish fans who particularly appreciate the albums recorded with the lead singer, Tarja Turunenrevealed Steve Harris in another interview, with Metal hammer (go Igor Miranda’s website), being a fan of the second singer to take on the role: Annette Olzon. The Finnish band recorded albums with her Representation of the Dark Passion (2007) e Imagineerum (2011).

ON Representation of the Dark Passioncomment:

“When I heard Representation of the Dark PassionI couldn’t believe it. I thought “this is an album worthy of respect”. It’s all there. It was controversial, because of the new singer [Anette Olzon]but he was brilliant. With all due respect to Tarja, but Anette’s voice suited them much more. There are heavy, classic things, even a little Disney – all kinds of things there. I think it’s one of the best albums I’ve ever heard in my life.”

Curiously, Imagineerum it didn’t evoke the same immediate feeling in Harris. But in the end the bassist liked it. He highlights:

“I went to the next one, Imagineerum. ‘Time for fairy tales’ It’s a great, instant song. The rest of the album took me a while to digest. Representation of the Dark Passion it was so good that I thought they would never release an album that came close to it in any way, but the more I got into it Imagineerumbut I loved him.”

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Source: Terra

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