Lady Gaga has long since professed her love of metal music, and we think she might be the real deal as Judas Priest’s Rob Halford recently called the pop star a “heavy metal music maniac.” With that in mind, it may not come as a big surprise that in a recent interview Gaga said she has always aspired to be the next Iron Maiden, rather than the next Madonna.

In a talk with CF Fashion Book magazine, Gaga said of Iron Maiden, "They're one of the greatest rock bands in history, in my opinion." She went on, "Some people really don't know the importance of metal and the scope of it. Those guys were filling stadiums, and they still are. And it's because of the culture of the music, the poetry that's so powerful, that whenever the fans come together, they unite in the essence of what Iron Maiden is all about. I always used to say to people, when they would say, 'Oh, she's the next Madonna.' No, I'm the next Iron Maiden."

She not only references her love for the group in the article, but she’s pictured in the high fashion magazine wearing one of their band shirts. In two posts on Twitter, Gaga shows a picture of her “Number of the Beast” tee and reveals that it’s from her own personal collection. She even got a response from Iron Maiden, with the band telling Gaga that she’s “looking good.” While in her last post, the pop star writes that she is “so proud to be a fan.”

In late July, Judas Priest’s Halford talked about his run-in with Gaga and her love for metal. “Let me tell you: that lady is a heavy metal maniac,” he said. “She loves Priest, she loves [Iron] Maiden, she loves Motorhead — all of these kinds of heavy metal bands that have been roaring on throughout the decades; she’s a big fan of all [of them].”

He even went on to say that he would love to sing with her someday. “You know, you have to cut through a lot of the visual stuff with Gaga and then get to what her voice is about.” He continued, “For me, as a singer, as a fellow singer, she’s absolutely sensational and I would love at some point to do something with her. I don’t know if that’s ever gonna happen, but it’s on my bucket list. I think we’ve all got a bucket list, and that’s on mine.”

You Think You Know Iron Maiden?