Move over Metallica, because Iron Maiden is the latest classic metal band to get a major feature in Stranger Things! And the last metal band to get one, considering the show’s over now.
Stranger Things wrapped up last night December 31 and had quite a few classic tracks – Fleetwood Mac‘s “Landslide”, the Pixies‘ “Here Comes Your Man”, David Bowie‘s “Heroes”, Prince‘s “Purple Rain” – though “The Trooper” by Iron Maiden was something special. Also, I’m warning you right now that from here on out are spoilers.
The Stranger Things Season 5 finale features an 18-month time jump, revealing the core group graduating high school. In a surprise reveal, Dustin Henderson is named valedictorian — and instead of playing things safe, he chooses to honor his fallen friend Eddie Munson (who sadly did not return) in the most Eddie way possible.
As Iron Maiden‘s “The Trooper” (from Piece of Mind, the very album Eddie once held up while yelling “This is music!”) blasts through the auditorium, Dustin rips off his graduation gown to reveal a modified Hellfire Club shirt reading “HELLFIRE LIVES.”
When Principal Higgins tries to cut him off, Dustin grabs the mic and shouts about rejecting conformity and refusing to be “normal,” before yelling a line that longtime fans instantly recognized: “THIS IS OUR YEAR!” He then snatches his diploma, flips Higgins the bird, and storms off the stage.
For fans who remember Season 4, Episode 1, this moment hits hard. Eddie Munson once laid out exactly how he wanted graduation to go: “I’m gonna walk that stage next month, I’m gonna look Principal Higgins dead in the eye, I’m gonna flip him the bird, I’m gonna snatch that diploma, and I’m gonna run like hell outta here.”
And yes – Iron Maiden is clearly excited about the inclusion. The full soundtrack to Stranger Things‘ finale The Rightside Up was:
- “Sh-Boom” – The Chords
- “When Doves Cry” – Prince
- “Purple Rain” – Prince
- “Landslide” – Fleetwood Mac
- “Here Comes Your Man” – Pixies
- “The Trooper” – Iron Maiden
- “Sweet Jane” – Cowboy Junkies
- “Heroes” – David Bowie
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