IRON MAIDEN: WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT, EDDIE?

Heavy Metal. Now—wait. Before you all go screaming off into the night, crossing yourselves and mouthing prayers to the soul of Michael Jackson, read on. Heavy Metal is rock ’n' roll's bastard child; it is a term that has been used to classify and therefore sweep into the cupboard a style of music that has never been totally accepted—not only by society at large, but also by supposedly knowledgeable and open-minded music fans as well. It don't get no respect.

While the stereotypes attending rock ’n! roll may be bad (outlaws, irresponsible, corrupter of youth), the stereotypes attending Heavy Metal have been worse, making it the victim of possibly the worst knee-jerk reactions since Captain Bligh. People pick on it because they know they can get away with it.