2 album covers in our archive
Iron Maiden is featured in Behind the Covers' archive with 2 album covers from the 1980s. Released across EMI, the artwork sits in the metal tradition. Each cover is documented in our archive with design notes covering horror, fantasy, religious imagery, devil, puppet master, fire. Below you'll find the full story behind each Iron Maiden cover — designers, photographers, label history, and the visual choices that defined the release.
Derek Riggs created Eddie the Head's most iconic incarnation by painting the devil-horned mascot controlling Satan himself like a marionette puppet. The audacious role reversal made Eddie more powerful than the Prince of Darkness, cementing his status as metal's greatest mascot.
Derek Riggs transformed Iron Maiden's mascot Eddie into a towering Egyptian pharaoh for this elaborate ancient tomb scene. The artist spent months researching hieroglyphics and Egyptian art to create what many consider the most ambitious Eddie artwork ever painted.
