Iron Maiden weren’t part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, says ex-singer: “We felt like we were on our own”

Iron Maiden in 1981
(Image credit: Robert Ellis/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Former Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di’Anno has distanced the band from the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal in a new interview.

Talking exclusively in the current issue of Metal Hammer, Di’Anno has said that Maiden felt no kinship with the rest of the early 80s UK metal scene – also composed of Def Leppard, Venom, Saxon and more – and that his band were the ones leading that charge.

“Nah, we felt like we were out on our own,” Di’Anno told Hammer’s Dave Everley.

You may like

“They [contemporary music journalists] couldn’t pigeonhole us – we were a heavy metal band, but we played fast like a punk band but with all these complicated riffs. They didn’t know how to label us, so they called us New Wave Of British Heavy Metal.

“Next thing you know, every fucking band is jumping on that one.”

Di’Anno also spoke about Maiden’s debut single Running Free, released in 1980 to promote their self-titled debut album and named in the new Hammer as one of The 100 Songs That Changed Our World.

“It’s about freedom, not giving a toss,” Di’Anno said of the song’s lyrics. “Especially when it comes to the Old Bill [British slang for police officers].

“I haven’t got a very good relationship with ’em, never have done. Football and an association with the Hells Angels, that’ll do it.

“At 16, you think you’re the centre of the world, nothing can stop you, all that stuff.

“What was I like at 16? I was a little cunt! Ha ha ha! I still am. I’ve got no better.”

Di’Anno joined Maiden in 1978 and appeared on their first two albums, Iron Maiden (1980) and Killers (1981), before being fired in 1981.

The vocalist was replaced by current singer Bruce Dickinson.

Read the full interview with Di’Anno in the new issue of Metal Hammer, which also unravels the stories of classic songs by Metallica, Babymetal, Korn, Body Count, Within Temptation, Napalm Death, Bad Brains, Venom, Alice In Chains, Jane’s Addiction, Refused and many more. Order now and get it delivered directly to your doorstep.

Metal Hammer issue 388 cover

(Image credit: Future)
Matt Mills
Contributing Editor, Metal Hammer

Louder’s resident Gojira obsessive was still at uni when he joined the team in 2017. Since then, Matt’s become a regular in Prog and Metal Hammer, at his happiest when interviewing the most forward-thinking artists heavy music can muster. He’s got bylines in The Guardian, The Telegraph, NME, Guitar and many others, too. When he’s not writing, you’ll probably find him skydiving, scuba diving or coasteering.

Read more
Di'Anno and Harris
“Paul liked to ruffle a few feathers. He used to call me Hitler. I’ve been called Sergeant Major, but Hitler takes the biscuit.” Iron Maiden's Steve Harris remembers "lovable rogue" Paul Di'Anno
Iron Maiden posing for a photograph in 2023
iron maiden interview 50th anniversary
Paul Di'Anno and Steve Harris onstage in 1980
"Fake blood starts pouring from an amateurish-looking skull incorporated into a plank of wood": A night out with Iron Maiden before they were famous
Wolfsbane posing for a photograph outside The Marquee club in 1990
“We ended up hating Rick Rubin. He didn’t get what made this band happen”: The rollercoaster story of Wolfsbane, the British metal band who should have been superstars
Saxon posing for a photograph in 1981
“We were the biggest of our generation of metal bands. We’d done it through hard graft and killer songs. None of that trendy image rubbish”: How Saxon’s Wheels Of Steel turned them into the NWOBHM’s first stars
Iron Maiden in 1982
“We just told them to get out!” Why Iron Maiden have banned record label staff from the studio since 1982
Latest in
Mogwai
“The concept of cool and uncool is completely gone, which is good and bad… people are unashamedly listening to Rick Astley. You’ve got to draw a line somewhere!” Mogwai and the making of prog-curious album The Bad Fire
Adrian Smith performing with Iron Maiden in 2024
Adrian Smith names his favourite Iron Maiden song, even though it’s “awkward” to play
Robert Smith, Lauren Mayberry, Bono
How your purchase of albums by The Cure, U2, Chvrches and more on Record Store Day can help benefit children living in war zones worldwide
Cradle Of Filth performing in 2021 and Ed Sheeran in 2024
Cradle Of Filth’s singer claims Ed Sheeran tried to turn a Toys R Us into a live music venue
The Beatles in 1962
"The quality is unreal. How is this even possible to have?" Record shop owner finds 1962 Beatles' audition tape that a British label famously decided wasn't good enough to earn Lennon and McCartney's band a record deal
The Mars Volta
“My totalitarian rule might not be cool, but at least we’ve made interesting records. At least we polarise people”: It took The Mars Volta three years and several arguments to make Noctourniquet
Latest in News
Adrian Smith performing with Iron Maiden in 2024
Adrian Smith names his favourite Iron Maiden song, even though it’s “awkward” to play
Robert Smith, Lauren Mayberry, Bono
How your purchase of albums by The Cure, U2, Chvrches and more on Record Store Day can help benefit children living in war zones worldwide
Cradle Of Filth performing in 2021 and Ed Sheeran in 2024
Cradle Of Filth’s singer claims Ed Sheeran tried to turn a Toys R Us into a live music venue
The Beatles in 1962
"The quality is unreal. How is this even possible to have?" Record shop owner finds 1962 Beatles' audition tape that a British label famously decided wasn't good enough to earn Lennon and McCartney's band a record deal
Lizzo and Sister Rosetta Tharpe onstage
"This is my baby, my passion – because Rosetta deserves": Lizzo to play rock'n'roll pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe in upcoming biopic
Heart publicity shot
"Don't worry, it's not the worst. It's not what you think": Nancy Wilson reassures fans concerned about Ann Wilson's onstage wheelchair