Bay Area thrash veterans HEATHEN are paying tribute to one of heavy metal’s most influential bands by releasing a cover of Iron Maiden’s classic “The Prisoner” in celebration of the legendary band’s 50th anniversary.
Following the release of their comeback single “Never A God” earlier this year, HEATHEN return with a faithful yet refreshed take on the The Number of the Beast standout. The band went beyond simply recording a cover, incorporating samples from the television series The Prisoner, commissioning acclaimed artist Dan Goldsworthy to reimagine the goblin from Goblin’s Blade in Iron Maiden’s iconic Eddie style, and even redesigning their logo as a nod to Maiden’s unmistakable branding. The track was mixed and mastered by Zeuss (3 Inches of Blood, Municipal Waste, Shadows Fall), giving the classic song a modern thrash edge while preserving its original spirit.
Guitarist Kragen Lum commented on the release:
“What can we say about the legendary Iron Maiden that hasn’t already been said? They’ve given us 50 years of energetic, melodic metal that’s inspired Heathen and legions of other bands in the genre. ‘The Prisoner’ was an easy choice for us to cover, with its heavy intro, uptempo verses, catchy chorus, and classic instrumental section. We added a few touches to ‘Heathenize’ the song while staying true to what made it so great when it was first released in 1982. Enjoy this recording as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of heavy metal’s greatest bands. Up the Irons!”
The release arrives just ahead of an extensive North American tour. HEATHEN will first join METAL CHURCH for a run across the Northeastern United States and Canada beginning July 17 in Derry, New Hampshire, before launching a series of headlining dates with Louisiana thrashers VOID as direct support. The headline trek kicks off July 27 in Raleigh, North Carolina, and concludes August 9 in Toronto, Ontario.
The band shared their excitement about the upcoming shows:
“We’re stoked to join the legendary Metal Church on this short tour of the Northeastern U.S. and Canada. We’ll be bringing our A-game for these shows before heading out on a run of headlining dates across the Midwest, Northeast, and Canada with the killer Void as direct support. We’ve put together a set packed with classics, fan favorites, and a few surprises that you won’t want to miss. Grab your tickets, and we’ll see you in the pit!”
Tickets for all dates are on sale now.