2 Minutes To Midnight

Iron Maiden's '2 Minutes To Midnight' is a powerful song that delves into the dark themes of war, violence, and the human cost of conflict. The title itself is a reference to the Doomsday Clock, a symbolic clock face that represents the likelihood of a man-made global catastrophe. Maintained since 1947 by the members of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, '2 minutes to midnight' signifies a world on the brink of disaster, particularly during the Cold War era when the song was released in 1984.

The lyrics paint a grim picture of war's senseless brutality and the ease with which society can become desensitized to it. Phrases like 'Kill for gain or shoot to maim' and 'The Golden Goose is on the loose' suggest that war is not only constant but also profitable, with no need for justification. The song criticizes the glorification of war ('The glamour, the fortune, the pain') and the way it is sustained by the sacrifice of innocent lives ('We oil the jaws of the war machine and feed it with our babies').

Iron Maiden, known for their complex compositions and thought-provoking lyrics, uses '2 Minutes To Midnight' to challenge listeners to reflect on the consequences of war. The song's haunting refrain, 'To kill the unborn in the womb,' metaphorically speaks to the destruction of future generations and the potential for life that is obliterated by warfare. The band's heavy metal style, characterized by aggressive guitar riffs and dynamic vocals, serves as a fitting backdrop for the song's urgent and sobering message.