Iron Maiden - Flight Of The Icarus - 7" Single Picture Sleeve Vinyl

- British metal on French wax with soaring anthems and savage b-sides that still spit fire

IRON MAIDEN - Flight Of The Icarus France 7" Single Picture Sleeve Vinyl album front cover

"Flight of Icarus" is a 1983 song by IRON MAIDEN. It is the band's eighth single and the first from the Piece of Mind album. It was the first single by IRON MAIDEN that was released in the United States. It was also the only IRON MAIDEN single to receive much airplay in the U.S., guaranteeing it a spot in the 1983 Rock Radio charts. "Flight of Icarus" also made it into the UK charts.

"Flight Of The Icarus" Record Description:

Released in 1983, Iron Maiden's "Flight of the Icarus" French edition 7" single picture sleeve vinyl holds a special place in the band's discography. This release captures the essence of Iron Maiden's iconic status as pioneers of heavy metal. With its striking picture sleeve and two powerful tracks, "Flight of the Icarus" and "I've Got The Fire", this French edition showcases Iron Maiden's musical prowess, captivating fans and leaving an indelible mark on the metal genre.

As the lead track on this French edition 7" single, "Flight of the Icarus" stands as a quintessential Iron Maiden masterpiece. The song's soaring guitar melodies, thunderous rhythm section, and Bruce Dickinson's commanding vocals create an epic atmosphere. Drawing inspiration from Greek mythology, the lyrics and instrumental intricacy transport listeners on a mythical journey, perfectly encapsulating Iron Maiden's unique blend of storytelling and powerful metal sound.

The B-side of this 7" single, "I've Got The Fire", adds an intense burst of energy. Originally written by Montrose, Iron Maiden's rendition showcases their ability to infuse classic rock with their own brand of metal magic. With blistering guitar solos, a driving rhythm section, and Dickinson's charismatic vocals, the band's signature style shines through, solidifying their status as masters of their craft.

The French edition of "Flight of the Icarus" is enhanced by its striking picture sleeve. Featuring captivating artwork that captures Iron Maiden's iconic imagery, the picture sleeve adds an extra layer of visual allure to the listening experience. It serves as a collector's item, connecting fans to the band's visual aesthetic and further immersing them in the world of Iron Maiden.

The French edition of "Flight of the Icarus" represents a pivotal moment in Iron Maiden's career and their enduring influence on the metal genre. The band's innovative sound, intricate compositions, and captivating live performances set the stage for their global success. Iron Maiden's unwavering commitment to their craft and their ability to engage and inspire fans continue to make them one of the most influential and beloved bands in heavy metal history.

The 1983 French edition of Iron Maiden's "Flight of the Icarus" 7" single picture sleeve vinyl stands as a testament to the band's metal majesty. With its powerful tracks, captivating artwork, and legendary status, this release encapsulates the essence of Iron Maiden's influence on the genre. It serves as a reminder of the band's unwavering dedication to their craft and their ability to ignite the passion of metal enthusiasts worldwide

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

NWOBHM – New Wave of British Heavy Metal

Label & Catalognr:

Silver EMI Pathe Marconi – 2C 008-07.7821

Media Format:

7" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Year & Country:

1983 – Made in France

Producers:
  • Martin Birch – Producer.
  • Martin Birch – Producer, Sound Engineer Martin Birch was the steady hand behind some of the most powerful rock and metal records of the 1970s and 1980s. As an engineer and producer, he shaped the sound of Deep Purple and Fleetwood Mac before becoming the defining sonic architect for Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Rainbow. His productions balanced clarity with raw force, turning heavy riffs into timeless statements and albums into genre benchmarks.
    Martin Birch Wiki
Album Cover Design & Artwork:
  • Derek Riggs – Artwork.
  • Derek Riggs – Illustrator, Cover Artist Derek Riggs is the artist who gave Iron Maiden its visual soul by creating Eddie, one of the most recognizable mascots in heavy metal history. Since the band’s 1980 debut, his artwork fused sci-fi, horror, and dark fantasy into covers that were as confrontational and imaginative as the music itself. Riggs’ paintings didn’t just decorate records, they built a world that became inseparable from Maiden’s identity.
    Derek Riggs Wiki
Photography:
  • Simon Fowler – Photography.
  • Simon Fowler – Photographer Simon Fowler is a British photographer celebrated for his striking portraits of rock and metal legends, including Iron Maiden, whose 1983 album “Piece of Mind” credited him as Simon “Bullseye” Fowler. His work spans the vibrant eras of the late 1970s through the 1990s, capturing icons at their creative peak.
    Simon Fowler Wiki

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Bruce Dickinson – Vocals
  • Bruce Dickinson – Vocals Bruce Dickinson, born August 1958, is the powerhouse vocalist who propelled Iron Maiden to legendary status. Joining the band in 1981, his operatic range, sharp phrasing, and commanding stage presence reshaped the group’s sound and ambition, defining era-classic albums like The Number of the Beast and Powerslave. Beyond Maiden, he built a parallel career as a solo artist, commercial pilot, author, and broadcaster, giving his legacy a reach that stretches well beyond heavy metal.
    Bruce Dickinson Wiki
  • Dave Murray – Guitar
  • Dave Murray – Guitar

    Maiden’s calm killer: smooth leads, twin-guitar harmony for days, and that melodic bite that makes the “gallop” feel cinematic instead of chaotic.

    Dave Murray (born 23 December 1956, Edmonton, Middlesex, England) is one of the defining lead guitar voices of heavy metal, and in my book he’s the melodic “second spine” of Iron Maiden. His timeline with the band starts early: joining in 1976, getting briefly pushed out in 1977, then returning in 1978 and staying locked in ever since—making him one of the longest-serving members in the whole Maiden saga. During that 1977 gap he spent around six months with Urchin (Adrian Smith’s band), which is a fun little historical glitch in the matrix if you like your Maiden lore messy and human. Beyond the main band, his most notable “outside the mothership” credit is the all-star charity metal project Hear ’n Aid (1985), because apparently even guitar lifers sometimes leave the bunker to do side quests. Dave Murray Wiki

  • Adrian Smith – Guitar, Backing Vocals
  • Adrian Smith – Guitarist, Songwriter Adrian Smith is one of those players I always associate with Iron Maiden’s classic sound and its later revival. Joining in 1980, leaving in 1990, and returning in 1999, his melodic solos and sharp songwriting helped define albums from The Number of the Beast to Brave New World and beyond.
    Adrian Smith Wikipedia
  • Steve Harris – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
  • Steve Harris – Bass Guitar, Songwriter

    Iron Maiden’s engine room: galloping bass lines, history-nerd lyrics, and “captain of the ship” energy baked into every riff.

    Steve Harris (born 12 March 1956, Leytonstone, England) is the rare bassist who doesn’t just hold the floor—he draws the whole blueprint. In my book, he’s the founder and primary songwriter who’s kept Iron Maiden on its rails from 1975–present, with that instantly recognizable “gallop” driving huge chunks of the catalogue. The pre-Maiden grind matters too: first band days in Influence/Gypsy’s Kiss (1973–1974, including a documented gig run in 1974), then the older, blues-leaning Smiler period (1974–1975) where his more ambitious writing basically forced the next step: forming Maiden. Outside the mothership, he’s fronted his own hard-rock outlet British Lion (2012–present), a project that grew out of connections going back to the early 1990s and finally hit the world as his solo debut in 2012.

    Steve Harris Wiki
  • Nicko McBrain – Drums
  • Nicko McBrain – Drums Nicko McBrain, born 1952, is the powerhouse drummer who has driven Iron Maiden’s thunderous engine since joining in 1982. His playing combines brute force with swing and pinpoint timing, giving albums like The Number of the Beast and Powerslave their unstoppable momentum. Before Maiden, his work with Trust and the Pat Travers Band sharpened his style, culminating in a career that redefined metal drumming.
    Nicko McBrain Wiki

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Flight of Icarus
Video: Iron Maiden - Flight Of Icarus (Official Video)
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. I’ve Got the Fire
Video: Iron Maiden - I've Got the Fire (1983)
Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover artwork of the French 7 inch single 'Flight of the Icarus' by Iron Maiden, showing the band’s mascot Eddie flying with bat-like wings and a flamethrower, set against a stormy sky and fiery yellow flames below, while a burning figure of Icarus falls from the sky toward the flames.

The front cover of the French 7" single Flight of the Icarus by Iron Maiden presents a dramatic fantasy-inspired scene rendered in vivid colors. At the center-right, the band’s mascot Eddie is depicted as a winged demon-like figure soaring through a swirling, storm-filled sky. His wings are dark, bat-like, stretched wide, and his skeletal face glares fiercely as he wields a powerful flamethrower spewing yellow fire.

To the left, a human figure symbolizing Icarus is engulfed in flames, falling helplessly from the heavens. His outstretched arms and wings, now ablaze and disintegrating, reference the myth of Icarus flying too close to the sun. Below him, jagged flames rise from a darkened ground where shadowy silhouettes of figures writhe in the inferno.

The backdrop is dominated by a vast swirling vortex of smoky clouds and a glowing red sphere, creating a cosmic, apocalyptic atmosphere. At the top, the bold Iron Maiden logo blazes in red with a white border, while the title Flight of Icarus is elegantly scripted in red along the bottom. The entire artwork exudes menace, myth, and metal grandeur.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of the French 7 inch single 'Flight of the Icarus' by Iron Maiden, showing a band photo with five members posed on a staircase, set inside a rectangular frame on a black background, with song credits, production details, and logos printed underneath.

The back cover of the French 7" picture sleeve for Flight of the Icarus centers on a band portrait. Iron Maiden’s five members are shown together, posed on a staircase in a warmly lit interior. Bruce Dickinson is seated in the front, leaning casually with his long hair draped forward, while the other members stand behind him in leather jackets and denim, exuding their trademark heavy metal attitude.

Above the photo, the Iron Maiden logo in red and white dominates against the black background. Below, the text in white Gothic script lists the single’s title, Flight of Icarus, alongside its B-side, I’ve Got the Fire. Production credits are included: produced and engineered by Martin Birch, illustration by Derek Riggs, and photography by Simon Fowler.

Additional details such as catalog number 2C 008-07721, EMI and Pathe Marconi logos, copyright information, and a small circular EMI mark complete the layout. The design emphasizes clarity and branding, pairing the formal presentation of credits with the energetic band photograph, all on a stark black backdrop.

Close up of Side One record’s label
Close-up of the Side One record label for Iron Maiden's French 7 inch single 'Flight Of The Icarus'. The label is silver with black text, showing band name, track title, credits to Dickinson and Smith, production credit to Martin Birch, catalog number C 008-07.721 A, and EMI Records Ltd copyright 1983, with rights society logos SACEM and SDRM.

A close-up view of the Side One record label for the French 7" single Flight Of The Icarus by Iron Maiden. The label surface is silver-grey with sharp black lettering, encircling the center hole. At the top, IRON MAIDEN is printed in bold capitals, alongside the word stereo.

The copyright symbol indicates ℗ 1983 EMI Records Ltd, with the circular EMI logo stamped on the left. On the right, logos for rights societies SACEM and SDRM are printed, and the catalog number appears as C 008-07.721 A.

Beneath, the track title Flight Of Icarus is displayed prominently, followed by its runtime (3:49). Songwriting credits are attributed to Dickinson/Smith, and production is noted as "Produit et enregistré par Martin Birch." The design is minimalist and functional, presenting essential release data with clarity and authority.

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