A conspiracy for Iron Maiden fans: "Benjamin Breeg"

For any flaws in my brief summary, this link will adequately fill you in.



So basically we're left with a song about this "Benjamin Breeg" character and an album cover for its single release that looks like this:



According to somebody who commented on the article I linked to you, the epitaph on the grave is Romanian for "Here lies a man of whom little is known".

Now the lyrics to "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg" definitely make it sound like he's an allegorical character for the band members, themselves.

"I know they're crying for help reaching out
The burden of them will take me down as well"

^Seems like the band is describing how they feel obligated, as musicians, to offer hope and inspiration to their fans.

There used to be a website based on this character that was owned by someone who claimed to be a relative of the guy who is on a quest to learn about his history (www.benjaminbreeg.co.uk) but it seems to not exist anymore. Apparently, it hosted this bit of text:

"My Grandmother died two years ago and I was left with the task of emptying her house of her belongings. As well as the usual furniture, ornaments and personal belongings I came across several boxes of old photos and letters that she'd kept. In one of these was a photo of a family member who I didn't recognise. I asked all my relatives who the man was but none of them seemed to know either which I thought was strange. However, a cousin of mine, who emigrated to Australia, told me that the photo was of Benjamin Breeg. It had been taken in 1977, the year before he disappeared.

I was intrigued by him and began researching his background. It took over a year of visiting places and people before I managed to piece together enough information to create this website. I spoke and corresponded with anyone who had ever met him or known him. Unfortunately, no one, including the police, could help me discover how or why he disappeared. I'm still trying to find answers but I created this site in the hope that it will keep his memory alive and also, that it might eventually help me to discover what happened to him. If there is anyone out there who might be able to help me find him, I would be eternally grateful. If you have any genuine information, please email me. -A.Breeg"

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Now I think most of us can agree this was just a marketing technique used by the band and/or their label. But it still doesn't answer if this character is based on an actual historical figure and, if Benjamin Breeg was entirely fictional and fabled by the band, what the significance of him is.

Have any of you heard anything about this? What are your thoughts?

have you looked here? my.opera.com... apparantly it was paul dianno's nickname. lots of different opinions here
UP THE IRONS!! some great lyrics on THE FINAL FRONTIER album When the wild wind blows especially. Basically some big things gana take place BE READY STOCK UP AND SURVIVE
MAIDEN has been warning and telling us things for decades.

Totaly fictional character. Even down to the 666 days from his death to the bands first gathering.


Maiden is notorious for writting tunes based on history, but I'm afraid this one is just a made up story. I dont think the band is putting their own experiances in this song. Good album btw! But, this is one where there is no point reading into it. It's nothing more than Maiden Fantasy.

Does that mean the 22 Acacia Avenue is possibly made up?

Her red light my actually not be on?

ARRRRRRRRGH!

Maiden is one of the only REAL metal bands that have stayed the course.

good on'em and hope the album and tour are great!

For get the Breeg part.This is a referance to Benjamin Joesph.The birth name of the one called Christ.The romanian inscription is a rip off of a inscription of a monolith grave in France as appears in Holy Blood Holy Grail .

"don't meddle with things you don't understand"

hee heee