Maiden like bands

I know, you all are probably about sick of the Iron Maiden threads, but I add another. I have to say I really respect the opinion of the people on this board, so I am going to ask if anyone has any bands to recommend that are like Iron Maiden.

I am not looking for a carbon copy per say, but something that has the proggressive sound they can do, a signature sound, like the Maiden hop and whatnot. More importantly an excellent vocalist.

My tastes vary and I am very critical to music that has great muscians but terrible vocalists, like the screaming voice of todays metal (to me many sound the same). An example and I mean no disrespect to fans of this band - Machine Head, I think musically are great and when he sings normal it is fantastic but then that shouting voice comes in and I cant get past it. I feel he is ruining what I know he is fully capable of. Again I mean no disrespect cause I know he is an amazing vocalist but I dont like the shouting style

I guess to clear it up some (maybe) I love the band Rush, and I know they are getting older and wont be around much longer. I would recommend to people who really like Rush to check out Porcupine Tree. To me that have that very similar feel I get that Rush can give, without being a rip off at all. They could pick that torch up and carry it for sometime once Rush retire.

Any bands out there like Maiden, and yes I alreayd tried out and love - Bruce Dickinson, Blaze stuff. Just looking for some other bands to check in this vein.

Thanks!

ARIA - this is the best Iron Maiden clone I know, albeit sung in Russian

I would personally suggest checking out a bit of Iced Earth. There's a large amount of Maiden influence there, just things are made a tad more heavy.

Barren Cross

early fates warning is sorta like a more progressive maiden

Sacred Warrior

Intense!

Wargod48

Deaf Dealer of course!

Recon

That is not an easy question, Maiden has a unique sound. And although they have inspired hundreds of Metal bands, I don`t think many bands sounds like them.
But if you haven`t tried Paul DiÀnno solo, you should.
I am a fan of a lot he has done after Maiden, espesially Battlezone.

-Helstar.
-old Lizzy Borden.

Check out Dianno's post-maiden band Killers -Murder One & Menace To Society.Pure heavy metal-Great stuff.

early Omen

Wow!! thanks so much for the input all, I will look into all of them. Of course if there is any more to add, keep them coming!

Thanks,

Mez

I'd say Iced Earth is a good sugesstion as their sound is very Maiden-esqe but diffirent at the same time.

I would agree with Iced Earth. Helloween too.

Acid
Airwolf
Alien Force
Angel Witch
Angus
Artch
Attacker
Avalon
Avenger
Axe Victims
Axe Witch
Banshee
Barren Cross
Bitches Sin
Blind Fury
Blitzkrieg
Brainfever
Cannon
Chariot
Cities
Cloven Hoof
Commander
Crimson Glory
Crossfire
Crystal Knight
Dark Heart
Dealer
Ded Engine
Deep Throat
Desolation Angels
Diamond Head
Disciple
Dofka (a little thrashy at times though)
Dr Mastermind
Egypt
Elixir
Emerald
Evil
Exises
Exploder
Fates Warning
Fifth Angel
Gallows Pole
Gargoyle
Girlschool
Glacier
Gotham City
Grave Digger
Griffin
Grim Reaper
Halloween
Hawaii
Headstone
Heavy Load
Heir Apparent
Helloween
Heretic
Hexagon
Hittman
Invader
Jag Panzer
Jaguar
Killer (Belgium)
King Diamond (OK, I'm sure you know him but just in case..)
Leather Nunn
Leatherwolf
Legend (US)
Lions Breed
Lizzy Borden
Malice
Mania
Maniac
Manilla Road
Maninnya Blade
Matakopas
Medieval
Mephisto
Messiah Force
Mordor
Mysstress
Nighthawk
Obsession
Omen
Ostrogoth
Outbreak
Pain
Palass
Pandemonium
Persian Risk
Phantom
Pharao
Picture
Platinum
Power Unit
Praying Mantis
Predator
Pretty Maids
Proud
Proud Existance
Psychotic Waltz
Quartz
Racer X
Rage
Rankelson
Rated X
Raven
Ray Gunn
Rex Inferi
Riot
Rose Bayonet
Running Wild
Sacred Child
Sacred Warrior
Salem's Law
Sanctuary
Satan
Savage
Savage Grace
Savatage
Saxon
Scanner
Screamer
Sound Barrier
Spectral Incursion (little on the thrashy side)
Steel Angel
Steel Vengeance
Steeltower
Stormwitch
Stranger
Sword
Talon
Tank
Tarot
Tokyo Blade
Torch
Tyga Myra
Tygers of Pan Tang
Tyrant (Ger)
Tyrant (US)
Tysondog
Upper Echelon
Vicious Rumors
Villain
Viper
Vortex
Warlock
Warlord
White Spirit
Wikka
Winter's Reign
Witchfinder General
Witchfynde
X-Caliber
Xcel
Zen Venom
Zion's Abyss

They may not all be Maiden 'clones' per se but they are good, rockin', classic heavy metal in the Maiden vein. And yes I really am familiar with them all, and do highly recommend them all as well.

WOLF!!

Even if the cover of their debut looks like it was drawn by someone with their eyes closed the music is pure maiden!

Alex

Machine Men

Bruce Dickinson solo band.