World exclusive: Llexi Leon says he put himself under pressure to make Speed Of Light promo the best work of his career. Iron Maiden video director Llexi Leon said he put himself under pressure to make the band’s Speed Of Light promo the best work of his career.
The track was released last week – the first material lifted from Maiden’s 16th albumThe Book Of Souls, which is launched on September 4.
Leon, the creative director at Phantom management, tells Metal Hammer: “It seemed a perfect fit – 40 years of metal explored alongside four decades of video games.
“I pitched this idea to Rod Smallwood and the guys in the band. They loved the concept and asked if I could pull it off. I figured it was Iron Maiden so I had to pull it off – and it had to be the best thing I’ve ever done.”
He continues: “The video is littered with nods to Iron Maiden artwork – whether it’s the poses of the characters at certain key moments, or imagery woven into the background art. There’s a lot to look out for in the video.”
Iron Maiden are the cover stars of the latest edition of Metal Hammer, out tomorrow (August 18). It features interviews with all the band, including frontman Bruce Dickinson who says he felt like his “own science project” during his battle with cancer.
