Published: July 15, 2026
The Bay Area thrash band revisit the 1982 Iron Maiden classic ahead of North American dates with Metal Church and headline shows with Void.
Heathen have released a cover of “The Prisoner,” the Iron Maiden song originally featured on The Number Of The Beast in 1982. The release arrives as part of the wider celebration of Iron Maiden’s 50th anniversary.
The new version follows “Never A God,” the returning single Heathen issued earlier in 2026, and arrives ahead of the band’s North American tour dates with Metal Church and Void.
“The Prisoner” is one of the classic tracks from Iron Maiden’s The Number Of The Beast era. For their version, Heathen kept the song’s central identity while adding touches connected to their own Bay Area thrash background.
The recording also uses samples from the television series The Prisoner, the same source connected to the original song’s title and concept.
Guitarist Kragen Lum described why the song was chosen.
“What can we say about the legendary Iron Maiden that hasn't already been said? They've given us 50 years of energetic, melodic metal that's inspired Heathen and legions of other bands in the genre. ‘The Prisoner’ was an easy choice for us to cover, with its heavy intro, uptempo verses, catchy chorus, and classic instrumental section.”
Lum also explained the balance between tribute and reinterpretation.
“We added a few touches to ‘Heathenize’ the song while staying true to what made it so great when it was first released in 1982. Enjoy this recording as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of heavy metal's greatest bands. Up the Irons!”
For the visual side of the release, Heathen worked with artist Dan Goldsworthy, known for work connected to Accept, Inhuman Condition and Haken.
The artwork reimagines the goblin from “Goblin’s Blade,” a callback to Heathen’s 1987 album Breaking The Silence, in a style connected to Iron Maiden’s visual world. The band also reworked their logo for the release in a way that references Iron Maiden’s classic visual identity.
The track was mixed and mastered by Zeuss at Planet Z. His credits include work connected to 3 Inches Of Blood, Municipal Waste and Shadows Fall.
Heathen released the official video for “The Prisoner.”
The video supports the band’s anniversary tribute to Iron Maiden while connecting the cover to Heathen’s own history through the Breaking The Silence era reference.
Heathen will tour North America in two parts. The first leg supports Metal Church, beginning on July 17, 2026 in Derry, New Hampshire and ending on July 26, 2026 in Leesburg, Virginia.
The second leg begins the following day, with Heathen headlining dates supported by Louisiana horror thrash band Void. That run begins on July 27, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina and ends on August 9, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario.
The band described the tour as a mix of classics, fan favourites, and surprises.
“We're stoked to join the legendary Metal Church on this short tour of the Northeastern U.S. and Canada. We'll be bringing our A-game for these shows before heading out on a run of headlining dates across the Midwest, Northeast, and Canada with the killer Void as direct support. We've put together a set packed with classics, fan favourites, and a few surprises that you won't want to miss.”
HEATHEN NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2026 - SUPPORTING METAL CHURCH
July 17, 2026 - Derry, New Hampshire - Tupelo Music Hall
July 18, 2026 - Montreal, Quebec - Foufounes Électriques
July 19, 2026 - Quebec City, Quebec - La Source De La Martinière
July 21, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario - Overflow
July 22, 2026 - Newton, New Jersey - The Newton Theater
July 23, 2026 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - The Crafthouse
July 24, 2026 - Rochester, New York - Montage Music Hall
July 25, 2026 - Reading, Pennsylvania - Reverb
July 26, 2026 - Leesburg, Virginia - Tally Ho Theater
HEADLINE DATES WITH VOID
July 27, 2026 - Raleigh, North Carolina - Chapel Of Bones
July 28, 2026 - Atlanta, Georgia - The EARL
July 31, 2026 - Hamden, Connecticut - Space Ballroom
August 1, 2026 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Nikki Lopez - matinee show
August 2, 2026 - Columbus, Ohio - Ace Of Cups
August 4, 2026 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - X-Ray Arcade
August 5, 2026 - Indianapolis, Indiana - Black Circle
August 6, 2026 - Detroit, Michigan - Sanctuary
August 7, 2026 - Kitchener, Ontario - Maxwell’s - no Void
August 9, 2026 - Toronto, Ontario - The Cave - no Void
Heathen are part of the Bay Area thrash metal lineage and released Breaking The Silence in 1987. The reference to “Goblin’s Blade” in the new artwork connects the Iron Maiden tribute to the band’s own early catalogue.
The release also places Heathen in direct conversation with one of heavy metal’s central influences. By choosing “The Prisoner,” the band highlight the melodic and energetic side of Iron Maiden that has influenced multiple generations of metal musicians.
LINEUP
David R. White - vocals
Kragen Lum - guitars
Kyle Edissi - guitars
Jason Mirza - bass
Blake Anderson - drums
Through “The Prisoner,” Heathen mark Iron Maiden’s 50th anniversary with a cover that connects the original 1982 song to the band’s own thrash metal history. The release also arrives at the start of a North American run that links Heathen with Metal Church before the band continues into headline dates with Void.
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
Photo Credit: Ty Fox
Watch the official video for “The Prisoner” below.
