Paschendale

There's a difference between supporting a cause and being pro-war. Due to the nature of war, anyone that says that they are pro-war is a fool, but that doesn't mean you can't suppot a particular military action. What Bruce says in A Real Dead One is rather generic, but true. Through the history of mankind war has been wages by the leaders and fought by the commoners. Howerver, even the in lyrics to the song he was introducing (Afraid to Shoot Strangers), the character realizes that even though he doesn't want to go to war, it's necessary.

Paschendale is a really great example of a neutral war song, focusing more on the history of details and events rather than the political aspect of war. I'm actually surprised to see that Adrian wrote the lyrics for this. This song had Steve Harris written all over it, from the way it was structured to the lyrics

One of my favorite on Dance of Dead, written by Adrian Smith.

About a horrific WWI battle also known as "The Third Battle of Ypres" on October 12-26 1917. In this battle, there were many casualties - the Germans lost approximately 250,000 men, while the British forces lost about 300,000, including 36,500 Australians; 90,000 British and Australian bodies were never identified, and 42,000 were never recovered.

This is one of my favorite Iron Maiden songs... I had no idea what it was about prior to getting a start on this website. Bruce Dickinson is the best history teacher I've ever had.

On the topic of whether Iron Maiden as a whole are "pro" or "anti" war, I have to go with the sentiment expressed above that anyone who truly considers themself "pro-war" is either an ignoramus, a fool, or both. No one who understands war really wants it to happen, except perhaps a few sociopaths both with and without uniform. And even sociopaths tend to have at least some sense of self-preservation, if nothing else...

Above and beyond that, though, I disagree that Maiden have any songs that truly glorify war. It seems to me that if you interpret a song like Aces High as being in any way positive, you're not really paying attention. The emotional charge of the song is ultimately terror and destruction -- running, scrambling, flying, rolling, turning, dying. IMO the only reason it sounds "happier" than, say, Paschendale, is because England won that battle, so there's a bit of a triumphant spin to it. There's also a triumphant edge to the last part of Montsegur, but that doesn't mean that Bruce Dickinson is in favor of what was done there or thinks that kind of thing should be done more often.

Ultimately, every Maiden war song has a negative slant about war itself. It may not be overt about it, instead allowing the listener to come to their own conclusion... but I don't understand how you can hear these songs, over and over, for years, really listening to and thinking about them, and come up with any other idea than that Maiden are ultimately anti-war. I think most people are ultimately anti-war when you get right down to it, though. And like someone else said above, you can understand the necessity of a military action without being in favor of war in general.

Yeah, it's the most powerful war song I've ever heard, and still moves me each time I hear it. Like Freeman said, it's about the 3rd battle of Ypres on the plain of Paschendale - one of the bloodiest trench battles of WW1.

One of the best Iron Maiden songs on Dance of Death, and one of their best "epics" ever. The segment beginning at about 4:41 and ending at 6:25 is one of the most powerful in metal. Two awesome guitar solos with an awesome lyrical part wedged in between.

It's a pretty sweet song. I've only heard it once, though--my world history teacher read the lyrics then played it in class when we were going over WWI.

Paschendale was hell. People were drowning in mud, and those unfound bodies will probably somewhere under the mud. But The best song of Dance of Death, and one of maidens classics.

Maiden rules! wipes tear

brilliantly done. meaning full words, moving and great music. remindded me why i fell in love with iron maiden