Bruce really felt this might be the last recording he ever made. As soon as they were finished recording this he told the guys in the band he had throat cancer. He recorded this with a huge tumor on the base of his tongue. Thankfully he recovered and continues to belt it out like a beast!

Look at this guy, living the good life with Belgian beer and Iron Maiden. I salute your for your good taste!

Another brilliant Maiden epic is Paschendale, well worth a listen.

22:05 You know a song is good when it's 18 minutes long and at the end you still say "That's it?"

Bruce Dickinson plays the piano. He wrote the song ;) By the way, that "Cool sound" that you talk about around 9:25, is the Morse Code for "S.O.S", wich is: ... --- ...

Metal must be one of the most underappreciated, ignored and criticised genres out there. People to this day make it out as a joke, so it is very cool to see a classical composer sit down and appreciate what a legend band Iron Maiden is and the complexity of their songwriting/sound. Keep on headbanging Doug!

I learned more about history through Maiden than in school

Bruce not only sings and plays piano, he flies the 747 that get's them to their gigs..... seriously.

This is Bruce's baby. He is on piano also

This "cool sound" was morse code s o s. Important fact: Bruce had a big tumor on his tongue while recording this. He recovered and a year later I've seen him live for 2hours concert. Amazing guy. Great reaction!

Seventh son of the seventh son...the epitome of Maiden's musicianship...change of moods, keys, patterns...an adventure...

once you know the story of the R101 you can 'hear' the airship taking off, the storm, the wind, the thunder, the S.O.S and her sad and terrible demise. It's art

“The dreamers may die but the dreams live on!” Is one of my favorite Iron Maiden lines ever, and there are a LOT of amazing ones

It's been so many years since I heard this song and only recently I found out what those chords at 9:24 are supposed to be. That's an SOS telegraph pattern.

One of Bruce's finest moments. Makes me teary every time.

Ive seen Maiden 32 times. My all time favorite band.

Nico McBrains drumming does not get enough praise.

Bruce spent weeks composing the piano sections. And I think it's their ultimate masterpiece. An amazing song by an amazing band

The drumming by nicko is phenomenal

I was lucky enough to go to the studio in Paris where this was recorded, to listen to the album before it was released. Bruce was there and he played the piano part on the grand piano in the studio

Maiden has matured so much over the years and decades and members. They are one of the most legendary bands of all time. They belong up with Sabbath, Zeppelin, Beatles and Deep Purple. Legends.

Alexander the Great by Maiden epic progresive song

"I bet he's recording this when he's older" Older and having survived tongue cancer

Wiki has an answer: "According to Smith, the song was a challenge for the rest of the band as they had to play along to Dickinson's piano track while following his and producer Kevin Shirley's instructions. In addition to the band's parts, additional orchestration was added to the song afterwards, while Nicko McBrain experimented with a variety of percussive instruments, including a bowed gong, to recreate the airship's crash."

Also you can check "when the wild wind blows" is a incredible song and with an incredible story behind

Recently, while accidentally looking through KZfaq, I came across your videos. "Classical Composer reacts" and I thought this must be some old grandfather who would criticize the songs of Maiden, Metallica and everything Heavy Metal. But I decided to watch the video. I realized that this is a serious man with a great approach to music, a man who explains in detail all the elements and parts of the song. Honestly so far I have not seen a better Reaction Videos.

I´m a 51 y old Swedish fan & I had never heard of the R101 until I listened to this song..so Maiden gave me a history lesson..

I hope Maiden at least does a one-time live performance of this. Full orchestra, big themed set, pyrotechnics, everything. They've said before that it's not a song they can perform on a regular tour but it deserves at least one live rendition.

Something to note here: Bruce had fucking CANCER when he was recording this album and I think this was the last song they had to finish on the album before he went to the hospital to see what was up. Hallowed be thy name, Paschendale, and Dance of Death are all fantastic songs with excellent story telling to them as well.

One of Maiden’s most underrated and overlooked songs is “The Talisman” but it’s one of their best

"Oh the dreamers may die but the dreams live on..." is one of the best lines ever and makes me cry every time. This is the only credit Bruce has received for playing an instrument on a Maiden album (he was originally the rhythm guitarist in fellow British metal band Samson before he became their vocalist and subsequently joining Maiden), but he would play guitar (clean arpeggios under Dave Murray's and Adrian Smith's harmony lines) on "Revelations" when they played it live between 1983 and 1985 (when they play it now, Janick Gers plays the arpeggios). Now you need to check out "The Talisman" from the ¡En Vivo! show. It's another nautical epic like "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner" and "Ghost Of The Navigator" and just as amazing.

I'm my opinion the finest track they've ever done. Another history lesson from the greatest band

As a long time Maiden fan, I was so happy when I first heard Empire of the Clouds. Here we are talking about a band that have been active for 40 years and multiple classic albums and then when they are all 60+ they produce something that is so different from what they've done before and God damn if it isn't one of their best. On of the top 10 Maiden tunes IMO. I adore this song

I'm always amazed at how quickly this song goes past

This song. This song is one of the best metal songs ever written. It's so beautifully composed. Man it brings tears to my eyes. Iron Maiden: You guys are a blessing to the world!!!

When the wild wind blows is also an amazing Iron Maiden epic song! Really good story as well!

12:25 That's why Iron Maiden is such a great band. Almost every song I listen to, I have the same feeling of 'going on a journey' and/or 'being taught a history/mythology lesson'.

Fun fact Bruce taught himself piano for this song, he never knew how to play an instrument really, he played guitar live for revelations a few times but never learned to play it So for him to make this was just amazing

7:00 Bruce himself was playing the Piano. He learned it specifically for this song. 8:07 Yes, there is a double vocal in "The engines drum" line. Bruce sings the low octave while Steve (I believe it's Steve, but not sure) sings the high octave. Then Bruce pitches up the high octave for the following "The telegraph sounds; Release the cords that bind us to the ground". 9:20 That is actually Morse Code for S.O.S. And you notice it gradually pitches down, as if the airship was passing by the observer/listener while telegraphing the SOS code into the air (like the doppler effect of when an ambulance passes you by with the siren on)

I loved that at the end you asked, "That's it?" Few metal bands would be able to record an 18-minute song and leave the listener wanting more. Thanks for sharing your interesting musical insights!

Back in 2015 I was chatting to a bloke from the British Airship Museum about the R101, and this song. He was saying he knew of Bruce's connection to Cardington, where the R101 (and it's predecessor the R100) were built but he said the song about the R101 was totally unexpected. He was saying that prior to its maiden voyage, the R101 should've had weeks of flight testing. However, she only had 17 hours! He was also telling me how he himself had a family connection to the ship as his great aunt was one of the 'groundlings' who helped hold the ropes on the morning of that fateful flight. 2030 will mark the 100th anniversary of the disaster. The bodies of the 48 killed were returned to the UK and buried together in a common grave at St Mary’s Church in Cardington village.

12:54 - That "Bluesy" guitar solo, it could have been ripped straight from their first 1979 studio album. Same sound as in Charlotte the Harlot. It's what I like about Maiden. Like 40 years in between and they've experimented, progressed and matured but it's still so recognizable Maiden. Great reaction.

Yes, Bruce Dickinson plays the piano on this song, he also played a third guitar in the song Revelations during live performances back in the day, before the band had three guitarists. Further more, Bruce used to be a fencing champion (among the best in Britain at the time), he's been a commercial air plane pilot, radio host, he's written his own autobiography, survied throat cancer, played live in Sarajevo during a full blown war in the 90s and finally... he's never smoked or done any drugs, I don't think he's ever had any problems with alcohol either. His singing might not be for everyone, but nobody can deny that he's a remarkable man and a brilliant lyricist

I think something important to consieder as far as being able to understand the lyrics... several of the "reaction videos" I've seen on KZfaq have been by people who were commenting primarily on the vocalist. In that case, it makes sense to use a live recording. However, if you're approaching a reaction video with more of an eye towards the musical composition, then the clarity and precision of the studio version is going to be a much better choice. Granted, there was little option in this case, as Iron Maiden has never performed "Empire Of The Clouds" live, but going forward, at least as far as the metal genre... you're right in that certain elements such as guitars have a tendency to overpower other things, but that's generally even more the case with live recordings... whereas a properly mixed and mastered studio recording will feature better separation, clarity, and precision. So if you do more reaction videos to metal songs in the future, I'd certainly encourage using the studio versions of those songs.

I really would love to see a reaction to Rainbow's "Stargazer", a sweeping early metal epic about slaves forced to construct a tower for a wizard. I'd say it is one of the songs that paved the way for the epics Maiden later produced.

Man, I love the story telling vibe in this song. Besides the history lesson itself. It's super cool how the song changes as the R101 progresses toward its demise. The song really gets me near the end when the crew acknowledges their doom "we're down lads come the cry" and Bruce describes the scene. Also when he sings "the dreamers may die, but the dream lives on" or something like that. Thank you Sir, for sharing your thoughts on it. Cheers from Brazil.

Bottled Beer. There is one called "The Trooper", and I am fairly sure it is widely available in North America.

the thin line between love and hate is a good song

Metal has no boundaries, not like pop music, and a lot of other genre's, and it is so refreshing to see a classical composer, and teacher, not only reviewing Maiden, but enjoying, listening intently, and also being willing to be taken on a journey. I like how you dissect, and then explain what others cannot, keep the reviews coming, plenty of fantastic songs from the 70's onwards to catch up on. Stargazer by Rainbow, Dio on Vox, is a heavy rock journey, and Blackmore on guitar at his peak, Powell on Drums, magic of my youth.

Bruce Dickinson playing the piano. He won it in a contest and that was one of the first things he wrote on it (pretty sure he didn't play piano before that)

13:55 this is what I call "the Maiden shuffle." Changing tempo and key in the blink of an eye. Soon as you get grooving to one stanza, they mash the peace with a switch up out of nowhere. Love it

This is such a great song! Iron Maiden is untouchable in metal.

Bruce and Steve are some of the best storytellers imo... this song and Rime are my favourite Iron Maiden songs!

Bruce sang this with cancer in his throat. And at that time he did not even know that he had it

Just listened to an 18 minute song and at the end asks “That’s it?” That’s why I’ve been a fan for 40 years - they always leave you wanting more…

Bruce was a commercial pilot for 18 years while being in Maiden. He piloted their Boeing Flight 666 and was flying fans with the band when on tour. He took time off from his second job to tour. . That’s why he was with short hair . Now he grew back the long hair. That’s why he is interested in history of aviation. He had a show on BBC about aeronautics. He is also a fencer….many talents.

It's a masterpiece of music. Bruce Dickinson on the piano, his composition.

Awesome reaction to an epic of a song....IRON MAIDEN we salute you 👏👏👏

Bruce Dickinson apparently locked himself away for a couple of weeks until he could play the piano for the song beginning to end in one take. What a legend.

I’ll keep recommending Iron Maiden’s ”Starblind”, ”The Talisman” and ”The Legacy”. More proggy, great storytelling, great music!

when i listen to MAIDEN it takes me on a journey deep into the nowhere ness in my head.. a place i absolutely love to be

I never been a big fan of Maidens work after Seventh Son, but The Book of souls is an absolute master piece.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Bruce was playing the piano. The man is brilliant in so many ways. SUPER talented. Front man for Maiden, licensed pilot, has their own beer, fencer, soccer player. What else did I miss? Lol

Yes Bruce plays thr piano which he actually wrote the song on. There is an interview on him describing how and what he used to write the song with. ALSO SIDE NOTE : Bruce used to play the guitar LIVE during “Mariner”. This was before there was 3 guitarists were in the band at the same time. You can witness Bruce playing guitar on the dvd “Life After Death”. Check it out. He doesn’t really play much but he does.

The best part is Bruce can’t play piano lol he worked this out on a small keyboard and then played it in the studio. Brilliant

Another great piece by Iron Maiden is Dance Of Death. It also has some amazing story telling and great instrumental parts. IMO it's worth checking out! BTW love your content, I like how they are more of an analysis than just a reaction, I feel like I'm learning things from you while watching!

Bruce Dickinson is the one on piano! He's trained in it and is very proficient at it as he wrote the part by ear all by himself. He also flies their tour plane since he had a career as a commercial Airline Pilot The drum part at 9:35 is Morse code for "S.O.S." by the way

What a masterpiece! 🙌🏻 The intro orchestra plus the storyteller's Bruce is just amazing!!!! 💞💯 Only Iron Maiden could compose these kind of songs... Love them more and more since more than 40 years now! 🤘🏻♥️

A band that learned a lot from Iron Maiden, is Helloween. The 2 guitar players often join forces. Check out Twilight of the Gods or the fantastic Keeper of the 7 Keys. (This year, an album with 3 guitar players will be released.)

Great reaction vid! FYI, not only is Bruce the lead singer, pilot of Ed Force One, World class fencer, but also a master brewer. Check their beers! One more thing, that was Bruce on the piano.

Only just found your videos, this is my all-time favorite Maiden track. I think they are at their best when telling epic stories and don't care how long it takes. Like they have nothing to prove, so deccided to make this epic story, Bruce's ending vocals always get me "died in France", it has such a finality and tone, the guy is a perfect bard.

Bruce didn’t even play piano before this song. He basically decided to learn piano so he could write this song. What a champion. World-class fencer, airline pilot, and fantastic musical artist. And yes, that is 3 guitars. Dave, Adrian, and Janick.

The knowledge you bring to your song reactions is a fantastic breath of fresh air compared to many other peoples reaction videos. The way you brake down the parts and explain the workings of the music has helped me hear the songs differently and unterstand how they are composed. Thank you.

Bruce is the pianist in this piece He's also a qualified commercial pilot (commercial and flies the band plane) and a keen fan of aircraft, also very well read and loves his history. Hence the fascination with stories like this. It's also his first album since his throat cancer and a major resting of his vocal chords. So you'll hear his voice has shifted even since the last album. If you want to hear how his voice has changed over the years, give the early stuff a listen. Brave new world and Powerslave for example are some epic early albums where he really can wail

Wow that ending gets me every time. Absolutely brilliant song.

Finally! Some qualified reactions! It was a pleasure to seen you, sir!

Thank you so much Doug! I have been waiting patiently for this masterpiece.Up the Irons!

This song is Maiden's finest hour. Definitely the whole BoS album is amazing and my favorite album of them (by a hair) and it sort of feels like "if this is going to be the last, then make it memorable!". EotC at the end is the culmination of everything that is Maiden: history, dynamics, riffs, solos, pitch, vocals high and low and includes elements rarely seen in metal music or in IM, like the piano or the orchestra. It is the pinnacle of Iron Maiden's vast and brilliant work and in my opinion it is easily one of the greatest pieces of music ever written. Definitely my favorite of the band. Not necessarily a song I can listen all day every day. But even after 6 years it kicks the same punch, 18 minutes fly by and I'm time travelling to that fateful morning, cheer with the crowd as the vessel lifts, watch the storm on the horizon, stare at my fellow crew member as 3000 horses go silent and mourn at the churchyard in the end. Brilliant piece of art, just brilliant!

i got this album on record and noticed this song ended the album AND took up an entire side of a vinyl. then the song came on and i was like what is this child's lullaby crap?! ended up i got hooked on this song right amidst one of the most stressful and difficult times in my life so it really means something to me but even beyond that i swear there is something eerie and special about this song, glad to see others see it as well.

Doug, for not really listening to Maiden before this adventure, you have all of us figured out. When you said "adventure" I know you get us now. You are one of US. Up the Irons!

Imagine if they play this song live, with a quest who plays violin. and bruce on piano. knowing how they normally sound better live.

Iron Maiden is always a blast of sound and history. I have a ticket for their show here in Lisbon. It has been postponed due to the pandemic. Try also Ayreon or Arjen Lucassen, a progmetal composer, with The Day That the World Breaks Down. It will come on your way somehow. Enjoy your beer! Cheers!

Maiden fan etc for 35 years ÷ and really appreciate & enjoy your critique ..you've got a great ear & its not gone unnoticed hope to see more .. up the irons 🤟

Thanks Doug for highlighting what musical storytelling geniuses Iron Maiden really are.

Their epics always make me want to weep. They have a new album that just came out, Senjutsu. It's filled with amazing songs like this one. Oh, btw, they also have some pretty amazing beers out there too. Amazing music and amazing beer! Hopefully you're able to see newer comments 😊

I love how you break it down piece by piece. The story telling in the music of these epic songs is great to see broken down. Gotta check out a band called "Symphony X" a song called "Odyssey".

I've been listening to Maiden my entire adult life (metal since 8yo) and when your favorite band is able to pull of this level of MUSICIANSHIP 30 years into their career, it leaves you speechless!! Greatest Metal band, bar none!!! Thank you for a wonderful reaction.

This is my favourite piece of music ever written, it is a true masterpiece

I'm having a blasting watching Doug reacting to all these metal songs. It's so good to hear insightful comments on my favorite metal music.

Iron Maiden are Rock and Metal royalty.

I really enjoy watching and hearing classically educated musicians, listening with a scholarly ear to good hard rock/metal. Particularly when they are taken by surprise, being hit with unusual and out of the box writing. Stuff that just isn't thought of or done in their formal, day to day world of music. It's great seeing you being open and appreciative of music written both within and against the 'rules', often by people with little to no formal training. Constructed by gut, ear, experience and just simple noodling around until they stumble upon something that gets their hair on end. In anything artistically creative, rules and education can be hugely repressive and fatal but equally freeing and inspiring. The balance between having neither and both is where the art really lives.

Doug's smile when the band returns to that beautiful melody towards the very finish (21:13) - priceless! Cheers!

Kevin Shirley did a fantastic job of mixing this song and the whole album, it makes a big difference when you have somebody with the understanding of how each instrument fits and how to get the right sound for the music. He's done a few albums with Dream Theater as I recall, quite adept at working on these long story pieces.

Fantastic, Doug. Nothing like listening to a masterpiece with someone who knows music. Thank you! Up The Irons!

I've been a Maiden fan since 1984. "Empire of the Clouds" is without a doubt the best song the band has ever recorded.

Have you ever seen Bruce sing , how much air he takes in and gives out in ALL his songs , what a great talent

I am so excited for this. Didn't think you'd get to it but this made my Friday! UP THE IRONS!

There’s a Jethro Tull vibe in this song, especially the guitar sound

That "cool sound" at 9:30 is actually Morse code for SOS, for anybody that wasnt aware

12:56 Bluesy. So nice to hear an accomplished musician recognizing genre in an individual's performance. From what I've read, Dave Murray enjoys playing the blues from time to time. A very cool guitar solo indeed. Truly awesome.