Iron Maiden

Who likes them? I don't think i've heard their music before. Which album/song should i listen to first to get a good grounding?

I'm no expert, however, I've been on a huge Maiden kick lately, and I gotta say, my fav Maiden tunes right now are Aces High and Prowler. From the newer stuff, Rainmaker and For The Greater Good Of God stand out. Very good band.

I am a big fan but their latest album and tour left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Like Alphavictim, I'm by no means an expert, but my personal favorite Maiden album is Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. Their earlier albums (where Paul Di'Anno was the singer) have more of a punk sound, the Bruce Dickinson albums are much more...theatrical, in my opinion at least. And the Blaze Bayley albums are just not that good--again, in my opinion!

...Megadeth, who have a much harder sound & don't sound anything like BJ get more responses & love than Maiden, who are pretty melodic and not THAT far away from the harder edged BJ songs? What the hell? Is it because they're British?

That's where I would suggest starting. Far and away my fav album. Dance of Death is another good album as is Powerslave. you really can't go wrong with any album that Bruce sings on IMO.

I'd suggest Powerslave, Fear Of The Dark & Piece Of Mind. Or anything live.

I'm a huge Maiden fan. Get Number of the Beast and Powerslave.

Great band - at the moment they just started their tour which only features songs until 1985. That's what the people wanna hear not some "new" stuff noone knows. Other bands can learn from them!