Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson has once again addressed his infamous claim that Iron Maiden were “better than Metallica”, clarifying that the remark was more of a challenge to the world of heavy metal than a direct shot at their rivals from San Francisco. Speaking recently in a brand-new interview with Rolling Stone, Dickinson explained that his past words were intended as a bold provocation, not hostility toward Metallica.
Throwing Down the Gauntlet
Looking back at his controversial statement, Dickinson admitted he knew exactly what he was doing when he made the remark:
Transcribed from Rolling Stone:
“Look, I’m acutely conscious that when you say things in print, people are going to pick up on things. The stuff about METALLICA, quite frankly, was a really good windup. We have a great relationship with METALLICA. It wasn’t aimed at METALLICA. It was aimed at the rest of the world to say, ‘We’re back and we mean it. We mean it so much that we’re going to say something pretty outrageous, so why don’t you come to the show and find out. We dare you.’ It’s throwing down the gauntlet, and I’m the lead singer. It’s my job. It’s what I do.”
For Dickinson, the remark wasn’t an insult but rather the type of competitive swagger that often fuels rock and heavy metal. He acknowledged that such comments can easily be spun by the media but stressed that he and Metallica maintain a solid friendship.
“Arrogance Comes With the Territory”
Dickinson didn’t shy away from admitting that making such a bold statement comes across as arrogant. But in his eyes, arrogance is simply part of the job description when you’re fronting one of the world’s most legendary heavy metal bands.
“So is it arrogant? Uh, yeah,” he admitted.
“You’re the lead singer of IRON MAIDEN, and you’re going to be arrogant every now and again, because it kind of goes with the territory, yeah. Mick Jagger, is he arrogant? Yeah, probably — it’s Mick Jagger, for f*ck’s sake. Do I make a distinction between me walking down the street and me onstage with IRON MAIDEN? Yeah.”
The singer cleverly compared himself to The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger, reinforcing that stage persona often demands confidence, bravado, and a larger-than-life presence—traits fans expect from iconic frontmen.
A Statement That Goes Back to 2011
This isn’t the first time Dickinson has defended his comments. Back in 2011, in an interview with Metal Hammer, he elaborated on the mindset behind saying Iron Maiden were superior to Metallica.
Transcribed by Metal Hammer, Dickinson explained:
“I got into trouble for saying that we’re better than METALLICA… and it’s true. They might be bigger than us and they might sell more tickets than us and they might get more gold-plated middle-class bourgeoisie turning up to their shows, but they’re not MAIDEN. I did say it’s a bit of a windup. I thought, ‘If I’m going to turn into an a*shole, I might as well, you know, go for it.’”
This quote captures Dickinson’s characteristic blend of humor, bravado, and seriousness. He wasn’t necessarily dismissing Metallica’s monumental success but highlighting Iron Maiden’s unique identity and approach to heavy metal.
Iron Maiden vs. Metallica: A Long-Standing “Rivalry”
Both Iron Maiden and Metallica stand as titans in heavy metal, but comparisons between the two have always been more about perspective than actual conflict.
- Iron Maiden, formed in 1975, pioneered the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, fused epic storytelling with progressive songwriting, and became global legends through relentless touring.
- Metallica, arising in the early ’80s, became the standard bearers for thrash metal, expanding into mainstream metal superstardom with albums like Master of Puppets and The Black Album.
Despite stylistic differences, both bands have headlined massive festivals, sold millions of records, and defined generations of metal fans. Comments like Dickinson’s often feed into the friendly rivalry narrative, giving fans a fun “who’s the greatest?” debate without any genuine animosity behind the scenes.
Fans Love the Swagger
Part of what makes Bruce Dickinson such a beloved figure in metal is his larger-than-life persona. Fans expect him to be bold, unapologetic, and sometimes confrontational, especially when defending Iron Maiden’s legacy. His remarks about Metallica only amplified this image, fueling discussions across fan forums, music magazines, and social networks.
Many fans of both bands see the remarks as harmless banter rather than insults. In fact, they highlight how the rivalry has elevated both Maiden and Metallica, reminding younger audiences of the sheer scale and passion of heavy metal’s golden age.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
Instead of dwelling on rivalry, Dickinson’s comments demonstrate how Iron Maiden continues to carry themselves with unwavering conviction and pride. For him, daring statements are simply part of his performance role as a frontman—keeping the fire of competition alive, while ultimately maintaining respect among peers.
The key takeaway? Iron Maiden and Metallica may have different paths, but both share the same mission: to deliver unforgettable, genre-defining experiences to fans around the globe.
Final Thoughts
Bruce Dickinson’s clarification shines a new light on his “better than Metallica” comments. Far from an attack, they were an intentional challenge—an attention-grabbing way to push Iron Maiden’s presence and strengthen their identity in a world that thrives on bold statements.
Yes, his words were arrogant. But as Dickinson explained, that’s also part of being the frontman of a legendary heavy metal band. When it comes down to it, Iron Maiden and Metallica share more similarities than differences: decades of dedication, massive global fanbases, and the ability to remain larger-than-life figures in music history.
And as long as bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica keep touring, those spirited rivalries and debates will continue to keep heavy metal culture alive.
