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When Iron Maiden stopped giving a *** completely!

Metal Pilgrim | January 15, 2026



10 years ago, Iron Maiden released one of the most unusual and definitely the most divisive song in their catalog.

And to this very day, it actually holds a number of records which still remain to be beaten.

So today, in our Up the Irons series, let’s take a look at some interesting facts about Empire of the Clouds, and then discuss why it might actually be one of the most divisive songs in their catalog. Here you go.

00:00 – Intro
00:24 – Empire of the… record
02:01 – The story
04:28 – Like nothing before
11:12 – The biggest “problem”

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Background music: “Uberpunch” Alexander Nakarada (serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

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Written by Metal Pilgrim

Comments

This post currently has 31 comments.

  2. @GhostintheWire

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    Book of Souls is a solid Maiden album BUT…in my personal opinion, the SOUND QUALITY of the album just is not there. It lacks dynamics, feels lifeless and just doesn't have an impact on your senses, dull sounding to say the least. And next you have Senjutsu…are you kidding me?…how Shirley managed to fit all the band members into one garbage can is amazing… it blows my mind that nobody, during the entire time while making this album sat back and said, "the album's sound is crap, it sucks…". They really should have shopped around for a better producer, someone who has more energy and cares about bringing out the best in the band. Birch was fantastic. I can only imagine what all the reunion albums would sound like if they were, from the beginning, actually produced, mixed and engineered professionally!!!…that's my two cents from a huge Maiden fan since 83. I'm 57 (yes getting old sucks…)

  3. @Nittanylions1972

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    Of the “Reunion Era” albums, TBOS and TFF did not age well. Dry production and many forgettable songs. AMOLAD is their best by far of that era, followed by BNW, Senjutsu, and DOD (which has some bad songs, but is saved by great songs like Paschendale, Rainmaker, and Montsegur).

  6. @anttituominen787

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    There is something poetic and reassuring about the fact that you can compose a song such as Empire of the Clouds on an instrument that you don't know how to play. I think it shows that composing songs ad playing an instrument don't necessarily have to go hand in hand and you can excell in one and be not that good at the other. Sometimes simplicity is what a part needs and I personally love the piano themes in Empire. Thanks for the video!

  8. @TheOnemanmoshpit

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    Love Book Of Souls, it's by far the best Maiden album since Bruce came back, but the last 2 songs just aren't for me. Tears Of A Clown has grown on me, but the last 2 tracks… nah.

  10. @lukedaniel7669

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    It's a great track. Maybe one to keep for when they get a gig at the Proms like Queen did this week? I think it would work much better in a concert hall than at a gig.

  13. @PeteHawthorne

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    Honestly, I was very disappointed with this album. The first half was pretty cool (Speed Of Light is still a pretty solid single) but the second half was boring, forgettable and the closing track just an utter slog to get through. Sadly, this was a sign of things to come in the Maiden camp and don't get me started on the shoddy cover art and overrated production!

  15. @eddievanhaIen

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    They played Alexander The Great which was previously said to be very difficult to perform live. Recently, Bruce and his band performed Flash of the Blade on his solo tour. So there’s a chance that Empire of the Clouds could be performed live, either by Maiden or by Bruce. The impression I get after listening to the album again after years is that they really wanted to record something different, without worrying about limits—after all Steve has always had a taste for progressive rock. 🎸

  16. @errolandrew

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    I doubt they’ll play it live. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great, but I think The Red & The Black or The Book Of Souls are superb epics that represent this era far more…plus Empire would be so complex & Bruce said at the time they’d never play it

  17. @makouras

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    This album was a breath of fresh air for Iron Maiden.
    I didn't pay much attention to it when it was released, because Final Frontier and especially AMOLAD were huge disappointments.
    But I came to appreciate it later.

  19. @SimonNightingale-d8k

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    Absolute Epic Masterpiece. The song is beyond awesome.
    If they can play Rime, Alexander and Hell on Earth live, surely they can play this.
    Bruce doesn't have to play piano on it, but just sing.
    It would be amazing.

  21. @miglecina

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    Empire is far from the long epics from maiden and not even closer to megahits like Tears of the Dragon or Navigate. From my opinion is totally dull and uninspired and seems to be lenghted just to beat the record of duration. Several parts mixed togheter.

  23. @TheGoldblaze

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    I'm still hoping for a concert featuring only the deepest cuts with zero big hits, something for proper fans. Like, they are a big enough band that such a concert would still pull in huge crowds, they don't need The Trooper to fill arenas.

  29. @jaimuzyka3177

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    Let’s remember that Empire Of The Clouds wasn’t the only over 10 minute song on Book Of Souls, there was also The Red And The Black (imo one of the most pointless IM songs) and the title track

  31. @MrReivax

    January 15, 2026 at 6:54 am

    Thanks for this vid I learnt good stuff on a song I love.
    I understand people not liking it because of its length, but not those completely dismissing it.
    Hope it'll find its place on a live setlist as well

Comments are closed.

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