Iron Maiden Battle Jacket

Last summer, I decided that after >30 years of listening to metal the time had come to finally start my first battle jacket.

The idea was to make it somehow reflect my musical journey so far. Something my younger self could have made, had I started early on as the metalhead that I was in Germany in the early 90s. The main objective was of course to incorporate bands that had a huge impact on me and bands that I saw live. I also added patches of some modern bands because while I tried to achieve a vintage vibe with the overall style by avoiding fancy stuff like contrasting thread colors, odd shapes and colored borders (apart from the backpatch), I didn't want it to look like a "fake vintage" jacket.

"Live After Death" had to be the centerpiece as it was the album that really blew my mind when I first heard it. Two patches, "Die Ärzte" and "KISS World Tour", are actual vintage items that I bought 30 years ago, so they have a special meaning to me and were placed prominently on the frontside.

I eventually managed to complete it just in time for the Manowar concert last sunday, so it has already proudly been worn. Next week I will take it out again to see Beast in Black.