IRON MAIDEN - 2 Minutes To Midnight 12" Vinyl Maxi-Single

- French Release from 1984

A rare 1984 French twist on Iron Maiden's "2 Minutes To Midnight." This 12-inch single pressed in France offered the title track, a staple from their "Powerslave" album. But the real intrigue lies on the B-side. Did it include the face-melting "Aces High" or something else? This mystery adds to the collectability for Iron Maiden fans. Classic Maiden with a unique twist, perfect for cranking up in French style.

The album back cover lists the detailed tour dates of IRON MAIDEN 1984 Tour in France 

Large Hires Photo

2 Minutes to Midnight Album Description:

"2 Minutes to Midnight" is the second track from British h eavy metal band Iron Maiden's fifth album Powerslave. It was released as the band's tenth single on August 6, 1984 and rose to number 11 in the UK Singles Chart and number 25 on Billboard Top Album Tracks. The song was written by Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickinson. The song has references to the Doomsday Clock, the symbolic clock used by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. In September 1953 the clock reached 23:58, the closest the clock ever got to midnight. This occurred when the United States and Soviet Union tested H-bombs within nine months of one another. The first guitar solo is played by Dave Murray followed by a guitar solo played by Adrian Smith. The first B-side is a cover of British progressive rock band Beckett's "Rainbow's Gold". Another B-side, titled "Mission from 'Arry", is a recording of an argument between bassist Steve Harris and drummer Nicko McBrain. The argument happened after a show in Allentown, Pennsylvania during the band's World Piece Tour, and occurred due to a misunderstanding on stage between the two due to technical issues with Harris' bass, which had led to McBrain's drum solo going wrong. Vocalist Bruce Dickinson (

From humble beginnings to a heavy metal icon, Bruce Dickinson's journey is filled with powerful vocals, epic stage performances, and a passion for flight. Discover the life of a true renaissance man. Read it Here

) was recording the argument with a concealed tape recorder. Because Harris' bass was not working, he asked a light rigger to tell McBrain to extend the solo. Rather than following proper procedure, the man started shouting to McBrain. Angry that he messed up his solo, McBrain had a confrontation with the man (it is unclear if anything physical happened) that Harris felt was unnecessary. Allegedly the argument had calmed down before Dickinson started recording it and riled the two men up again by asking Nicko what he would have wanted the man to do had he been trying to tell him that the lighting truss above his drum kit was about to fall down, to which he replied "Well, I guess someone would've had to pull me out the fucking way or I'm dead!". The video of the song is featured on the 2003 video collection Visions of the Beast. On the bonus disc of the 2008 DVD release of Live After Death, Bruce Dickinson said of the scene in the video of the soldiers in the apartment, "They came to us with the location and said, 'We've got the perfect location. It's this dingy, grotty East End tenement on the Isle of Dogs. It's all boarded up and there's cat piss everywhere and it's just really foul'. And I looked at this thing and I'm like 'That's Roffy House, on the Isle of Dogs. I used to live there!'"

Watch: IRON MAIDEN - 2 MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT:

In Brief:

NWOBHM New Wave of British Heavy Metal 

Album Production Information:

The album: "IRON MAIDEN - 2 Minutes 2 Midnight" was produced by: Martin "Jah" Birch

Martin Birch's: The man behind the soundboard, shaping iconic rock and metal anthems. His journey from sound engineer to legendary producer is a testament to passion and innovation. Read on his career

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Frankie Gibson, Bruce Dickinson

Frankie Gibson one of the sound engineer's of the "Iron Maiden" albums "Piece of Mind" and "Powerslave".

Bruce Dickinson was responsible for the engineering of the track "Mission from 'Arry'"

Bruce Dickinson, born August 1958, is the powerhouse vocalist who propelled Iron Maiden to legendary status. Joining in 1981, his operatic range and electrifying stage presence defined albums like The Number of the Beast and Powerslave. A solo artist, pilot, and author, his legacy spans far beyond metal. Explore his journey here.

George Marion - Mastering Engineer

George Marino was a legendary mastering engineer whose expertise shaped the sound of countless iconic albums. Born in 1947, he honed his craft at Capitol Records before joining Sterling Sound in 1973. His mastering work on albums by AC/DC, Metallica, and Guns N' Roses defined rock and metal's sonic power. His legacy endures through his meticulous audio craftsmanship. Learn more

Album cover Photo: Ross Halfin

Ross Halfin is a British rock photographer renowned for capturing legendary bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Led Zeppelin. Since the 1970s, his dynamic images have defined rock photography, appearing in album covers, magazines, and books. Halfin’s work offers an intimate glimpse into the raw energy of live performances and backstage moments. Discover more about his legacy on this page .

Album cover Illustration: Derek Riggs

Derek Riggs is a British artist best known for creating the iconic mascot Eddie for the heavy metal band Iron Maiden. His distinctive style, blending sci-fi, horror, and fantasy, has defined the band's visual identity since their debut album in 1980. Riggs’ artwork has appeared on numerous album covers, singles, and merchandise. Learn more about his work on this page .
Record Label: EMI 1549346  
12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: xxx gram  
1984 Made in France  
Complete Track Listing of: IRON MAIDEN 2 Minutes to Midnight 12" Maxi-Single

The Song/tracks on "IRON MAIDEN 2 Minutes to Midnight 12" Maxi-Single" are

    Side One:
  • 2 Minutes to Midnight
    Side Two:
  • Rainbow's Gold
  • Mission From 'Arry'
Album Cover Photo Gallery of: IRON MAIDEN 2 Minutes to Midnight France 12" Maxi-Single

Album cover photos of : IRON MAIDEN 2 Minutes to Midnight France 12" Maxi-Single

Back cover of 2 Minutes 2 Midnight with a photo of the blind-folded band-members. 

Back cover of 2 Minutes 2 Midnight with a photo of the blind-folded band-members. 

Close-up photo of the 45T Record Label "2 Minutes 2 Midnight" 

Close-up photo of the 45T Record Label "2 Minutes 2 Midnight"   

Note: the above pictures are actual photos of the album and allow you to judge the quality of cover. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash.

IRON MAIDEN - Vinyl Records Discography Home Page