Earlier this month, metal legends Iron Maiden invited fans to “Belshazzar’s Feast” via cryptic teaser video. Now, the teasing is over, and Maiden have released their first new song since 2015’s The Book of Souls via an epic, career-spanning animated music video.
The track is called “The Writing On The Wall,” which references the Bible story surrounding Belshazzar’s Feast. Musically, the song is a little more mid-paced and chill than perhaps some of Maiden’s more driven material. That said, the video is an absolutely masterpiece, telling the story of a massive party being held by society’s richest shitbags in a post-apocalyptic world. Unfortunately, things don’t work out as planned for the privileged assholes hosting this event when a newcomer decides to crash the event. Who is this strange figure? I think you know, friends.
Check out “The Writing On The Wall” below and delight in the return of Iron Maiden:
Here’s a little context behind the song: Belshazzar’s Feast is a story from the Book of Daniel in the Bible. Basically, King Belshazzar holds this great feast, and at it he drinks from a cup raided from the First Temple of Jerusalem. A magical hand appears and writes a phrase on the wall. Belshazzar can’t understand it, and when summons his diviners and sages none of them can read it. At his wife’s request, the King calls Daniel to read it. Daniel interprets the writing to say that Belshazzar has offended God, and that his days are numbered. And wouldn’t you know it, that night Belshazzar gets killed.
The story is where we get the phrase ‘the writing on the wall,’ which usually means something really bad is about to happen. Like, The writing’s on the wall, guys — tomorrow, The Pit starts reporting about pop-punk nostalgia and nothing else. So on the one hand, Iron Maiden seem to be suggesting some sort of doom is upon us. Could this be the band’s announcement that they’re retiring? Or are they just putting out a biblical new album?
European fans can catch Maiden at one of the following dates in 2022:
Iron Maiden 2022 Tour Dates
6/4 – Hyvinkää Rockfest FIN
6/11 – Download Festival ENG
6/13 – Belfast, Belsonic Festival (On-sale April 16) N. IRE
6/16 – Dessel Graspop Metal Meeting BEL
6/18 – Copenhagen, Copenhell DEN
6/20 – Prague, Sinobo Stadium CZE
6/23 – Oslo, Tons Of Rock NOR
6/26 – Paris, La Defense Arena FRA
6/27 – Arnhem, Gelredome (On-sale April 16) HOL
6/30 – Zurich, Hallenstadion (On-sale April 23) SWI
7/2 – Cologne, Rhein-Energie-Stadium GER
7/4 – Berlin, Waldbühne GER
7/7 – Bologna, Sonic Park ITA
7/9 – Stuttgart, Cannstatter Wasen GER
7/10 – Wiener, Neustadt Stadium Open-Air, AUS
7/20 – Bremen, Bürgerweide GER
7/22 – Gothenburg, Ullevi Stadium, SWE
7/24 – Warsaw, PGE Narodowy POL
7/26 – Frankfurt, Deutsche Bank Park (On-sale April 23) GER
7/29 – Barcelona Olympic Stadium SPA
7/31 – Lisbon Estadio Nacional POR
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Words by Chris Krovatin
