Dutch classical guitar virtuoso Thomas Zwijsen – the man behind the Nylon Maiden albums – has shared his latest masterpiece, a complete overhaul of the nylon strings on Iron Maiden’s 2021 album senjutsu.

The latest collection once again proves the strengths of Maiden’s songwriting and Zwijsen’s talent for complex, classical adaptations – expertly fusing original rhythmic, lead and melodic elements into successful nylon-string compositions.

It’s a truly stunning achievement, and the crisp playing and spacious but lush arrangements on seven-minute epics like Lost in a lost world show an amazing ear at work. And he still gets the riffs.

Of course, this is first and foremost a YouTube project, all available with a video backdrop of fitting Spanish landscapes – complete with dusty roads, dog cameos and excellent string accompaniment from YouTube violinist Wiki Violin. There is even a samurai who passes by periodically.

As a guitarist who studied at Dutch schools ArtEZ and CodArts, Zwijsen has some form in this area. He has already recorded five classic Iron Maiden cover albums under the Nylon Maiden banner, alongside a wider selection of rock and metal material, and worked extensively with former Maiden vocalist Blaze Bayley.

Zwijsen has also collaborated on a number of signature guitars with forward-thinking nylon-string luthier Ortega, including the TZSM-3 (opens in a new tab)which features a solid Canadian Spruce top, Spalted Maple back and sides, and a Satin Mahogany neck.

For more information on its activities, visit Thomas Zwijsen.