The Metalheads discuss a foundational metal-literature crossover today: “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Iron Maiden, a 13-minute epic masterpiece that gave new form to the story of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s epic poem.

We get into:

• The inspiration behind the song, including a brush with the Satanic Panic
• Why does this poem work so well translated into song?
• Plot differences between the song lyrics and Coleridge’s original poem/gloss
• Does the song carry the theme of the poem?
• Breakdown and discussion of the song’s movements
• Which literary works we wish Iron Maiden would cover
• The scary boat songs we recommend
• “The Flying Dutchman,” Sacred
• “Demeter,” The Birch

Coming Next Week:

• We’re discussing The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, so hop in your chariot and roll up to your speakers to listen! (Okay, the wheels fell off that metaphor. Sorry about that.)

Sources:

• If you’d like to read our sources on the song’s genesis, check out these articles:
• https://norselandsrock.com/rime-of-the-ancient-mariner-iron-maiden/
• https://www.loudersound.com/features/iron-maiden-story-behind-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner