IRON MAIDEN - MAIDEN VOYAGE (1969)

In honor of Eddie & Co.'s triumphant slaying of Concord, CA's awesomely-named Sleep Train Pavilion last evening (I didn't go), I present today the only known recording from the other Iron Maiden, who also hailed from Merry Olde England and played a much stonier, mellowed-out brand of semi-hard psych. Also going by the names "Bum" (as in "British ass") and "Growth", this Maiden is informally known as "Bolton Iron Maiden", although the issue is further complicated by the existence of YET ANOTHER "Iron Maiden" who appeared in the late 60's and go by "THE Bolton Iron Maiden". Whatever. Not really worth all the confusion.
What we have here is a pretty standard recording for 1969. Not overly heavy or mind-blowing in any way, sometimes sloppy and even a little out of tune, Maiden Voyage went unreleased until 1998, and while it is a mildly interesting listen, psych nerds like this and this will most likely be popping boners over it for the rest of eternity. Posthumous attempts at categorizing Maiden Voyage-Maiden as some sort of pioneering "doom rock" act are common but misguided. Don't kid yourself. This is some straight-up, herb-smoking, hippie groove -- NOT METAL AT ALL. Anyone claiming otherwise is attempting to connect this band, falsely, with their better-known namesake. The similarities run no deeper than the name.

THIS "Iron Maiden"
The OTHER "Bolton Maiden"
Some company that makes shoes that is also apparently called "Iron Maiden"

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IRON MAIDEN Iron Maiden (artist's approximation)