Prog, to me, is about overall musicianship and dexterity and lyrical content. Rush had it all. Maiden, especially on drums, never had a guy who tore it up. But that doesn't detract from Maiden's prog skills. Their guitarists harmonized and both are extremely good (Dave Murray is probably the tops in their stable), and the galloping bass is legendary.
That said, La Villa Strangiato and By-Tor stand alone, as does Camera Eye. I think Maiden should be in the Rock Hall, but Rush should have gotten there first (and they did). I also put Maiden above Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax, though (again) the latter are thrash and in a different genre. A better comp for Maiden is Judas Priest, and I'm sorry but Maiden beats them.
And yes, Maiden wins the prize for stage show. Rush was great live, but the dryers and sausage makers were stupid.
“Rush was great live, but the dryers and sausage makers were stupid.”
That’s because they were imperfect perfection.......and the stage show, for them, was not to take away from the music. Not to say that was the reverse for Maiden, far from it. The showmanship actually enhanced the music. Rush was the complete opposite in that regard.
We say the same thing, just with tweaks on the definitions which are fluid depending on who you talk to anyway.