Watch Iron Maiden’s Trippy New Music Video for ‘Stratego’
UPDATE: On Wednesday (Sept. 8), following last week's release of their new album Senjutsu, Iron Maiden unveiled a music video for the song "Stratego," the effort's second single, via Adult Swim. The animated clip carries much of the same apocalyptic imagery as seen in the vid for July's "The Writing on the Wall."
Watch the new video down below the original post about the song from when the audio emerged on Aug. 19:
Iron Maiden have just debuted "Stratego", the second track from Senjutsu. The song arrives just under a month after the animated music video for the Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith co-write "The Writing on the Wall" dropped following weeks of fevered anticipation in the wake of a cryptic teaser campaign.
Now, fans have been treated to a Janick Gers/Steve Harris co-write by way of the quick-strike "Stratego," a track that is reminiscent of the band's less prog-minded songwriting with galloping passages, gleaming guitar leads and soaring refrains that are sure to make it an instant fan-favorite and must-see once Maiden hit the road in support of the record.
Structurally, "Stratego" is quite playful with a deceiving buildup that appears to have every intention of leading into a powerful chorus, but gets chopped down by a dramatic lead-in before the symphonic-charged refrain finally comes in and the splendor of Dickinson's multi-tracked voice takes the spotlight.
Artist Mark Wilkinson created the vicious Samurai Eddie that adorns the new album cover and the music was recorded at Guillame Tell Studios in Paris, France with longtime producer Kevin Shirley, while Steve Harris served as co-producer. Harris also has seven writing credits on the album — two co-writes with Janick Gers, one co-write with Smith and four tracks over nine minutes all to himself.
Senjutsu, Iron Maiden's 17th album and first since 2015's The Book of Souls, will be released on Sept. 3. It is the group's second consecutive double album. Read our track-by-track review of Senjutsu here and see our exclusive interview with Bruce Dickinson here.
Iron Maiden, "Stratego" Music Video
Iron Maiden, "Stratego" Lyrics
How do you read a madman’s mind
Teach me the art of war
For I shall bring more
Than you bargained forGive me an ultimatum
That I could not dream of
Spills of a crying nation
Upon my soulFor I have not a mortal soul
That you already know
Look at my eyes
There’s no surpriseOcean is black the devil’s track
Looking beyond beneath the sea
Eye of the storm is here again
Been there before you were ever bornBeyond the dark I feel the pain
It’s hidden but I can’t explain
A cross to bear
A heavy faith
My sorrow whispers
Time againI hear you calling my name
Come to claim my life again
Pray for me I’m almost there
The pain almost too much to bearI try to find my way back home
To feel the same again
The voice of nothing
Listened far too longLittle by little eat away
I think I’ve lost my mind
Too late to change now
What I left behindHear me listen my call
I am ready to fall
Lord hear me now – let me goOcean is black the devil’s track
Looking beyond beneath the sea
Eye of the storm is here again
Been there before you were ever bornBeyond the dark I feel the pain
It’s hidden but I can’t explain
A cross to bear
A heavy faith
My sorrow whispers
Time again