Spaldy
Ancient Mariner
Now there's a debate. Who was worse, Hitler or Kisssinger?
Well, that piece of shit that was Henry Kissinger won a Nobel prize, but I was referring to the science ones.
18th Studio Album discussion
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Dick Brucinson
The TRUE Dick Brucinson
This is verv very interesting to me. Would you mind explaining your point and thoughts about unfinishment a little more? Absolute seroius question. Thanks for clearing your point up a bit!!
harrisdevot
Priest of the Holy Wristband
Great description of the man
Well, that piece of shit that was Henry Kissinger won a Nobel prize, but I was referring to the science ones.
Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
I wonder if the band is thinking (probably not right now) or preparing to record a new album in the near future. The situation is unusual and different now with Simon. Steve said they have ideas but nothing concrete for a new album. Will Nicko record it? Since they have no plans to retire for now, and they never do 2 Hits tours in a row, the next tour should be new album (with probably more Reunion songs and a couple of hits ofc). That's their usual habit.
I doubt they will write and record this year. But if there will be a new album, I think it should be recorded early next year. And released either in 2026 or in 2027. It depends on a 3rd leg, but it's unlikely because they gave away both years in the tour poster. They can do 2 different tours with 2 legs each until 2030 -> Album-Hits, or Hits-Album, or Hits-Hits. But for now they have plans until next year. Continuing with Simon should mean they have at least some thoughts/ideas/''plans'' in the back of their minds, right.
Bruce is living in Paris, he writes his new solo album in parts again (not in a hurry, it seems) and this year is for his 2nd solo leg. I doubt he will do a 3rd leg in 2026 (or just a solo tour with no theme) with Maiden's big world tour then. Adrian might do some SK dates after the Maiden tour this year (like Bruce). We don't know Steve's plans with BS for this year and the next, but he should prioritize Maiden. With the ideas (most likely some from 2019, as they had a thought of making another album), they just need (more than, due to Nicko?) 3 months.
I doubt they will write and record this year. But if there will be a new album, I think it should be recorded early next year. And released either in 2026 or in 2027. It depends on a 3rd leg, but it's unlikely because they gave away both years in the tour poster. They can do 2 different tours with 2 legs each until 2030 -> Album-Hits, or Hits-Album, or Hits-Hits. But for now they have plans until next year. Continuing with Simon should mean they have at least some thoughts/ideas/''plans'' in the back of their minds, right.
Bruce is living in Paris, he writes his new solo album in parts again (not in a hurry, it seems) and this year is for his 2nd solo leg. I doubt he will do a 3rd leg in 2026 (or just a solo tour with no theme) with Maiden's big world tour then. Adrian might do some SK dates after the Maiden tour this year (like Bruce). We don't know Steve's plans with BS for this year and the next, but he should prioritize Maiden. With the ideas (most likely some from 2019, as they had a thought of making another album), they just need (more than, due to Nicko?) 3 months.
I tend to think Steve + maybe Bruce/Adrian probably want to do a new album. I've been interpreting the Simon Dawson decision as a move to extend the band's lifespan, not just get through this next tour. They also seemed to leave it intentionally ambiguous whether Nicko would record with them, although I remain skeptical about that.
Honestly the biggest question mark to me is whether and how they would tour on a new album. They're kind of in a race against the clock here, so I kinda doubt we'll see them do the typical 2 year cycle on a setlist predominantly of newer material unless they do another hybrid tour sort of setup and do something like the 18th album vs The Number of the Beast or Seventh Son or whatever other classic album. But it would have to be way more safe than Future Past, I doubt we're ever getting a setlist that focuses on the band's post 1992 output.
If the band wasn't so rigid about their touring habits, I would say absolutely there will be another Maiden album. If there was the possibility of an album without a tour to go with it, I think that would also increase the likelihood of an album. An album release in 2027 with a two year tour to go with it? IDK, kinda doubt it.
I guess we could also see them revert back to how they operated at the start of the reunion with more limited touring. The Dance of Death 2004 tour was very brief, only a few territories and it lasted just over a month. If they were open to doing that sort of thing with a brief winter arena tour focusing on a new album and then coming back in the summer with more of a classics setlist, that could maybe work.
Replacing members definitely increases the likelihood of an album regardless though I would say.
Honestly the biggest question mark to me is whether and how they would tour on a new album. They're kind of in a race against the clock here, so I kinda doubt we'll see them do the typical 2 year cycle on a setlist predominantly of newer material unless they do another hybrid tour sort of setup and do something like the 18th album vs The Number of the Beast or Seventh Son or whatever other classic album. But it would have to be way more safe than Future Past, I doubt we're ever getting a setlist that focuses on the band's post 1992 output.
If the band wasn't so rigid about their touring habits, I would say absolutely there will be another Maiden album. If there was the possibility of an album without a tour to go with it, I think that would also increase the likelihood of an album. An album release in 2027 with a two year tour to go with it? IDK, kinda doubt it.
I guess we could also see them revert back to how they operated at the start of the reunion with more limited touring. The Dance of Death 2004 tour was very brief, only a few territories and it lasted just over a month. If they were open to doing that sort of thing with a brief winter arena tour focusing on a new album and then coming back in the summer with more of a classics setlist, that could maybe work.
Replacing members definitely increases the likelihood of an album regardless though I would say.
How about recording in early 2026, then releasing after the tour.
Message: Spectacular tour, but by the way, in case you thought Maiden was just a cabaret band touring hits now, here's something for you. Check this out too.
(I realize that Maiden don't have to pay as much attention to image and impact as smaller bands, they can do what they want, but still, it would be well played imho.
Message: Spectacular tour, but by the way, in case you thought Maiden was just a cabaret band touring hits now, here's something for you. Check this out too.
(I realize that Maiden don't have to pay as much attention to image and impact as smaller bands, they can do what they want, but still, it would be well played imho.
I think this is probably the way it will go, since they attempted to do something similar with Senjutsu (recorded in 2019) and they even seemed to push up production of The Book of Souls to maybe get that album out in time for touring in 2015, although of course that didn't happen either.
To be clear, I don't think the timeframe of when to record the album is a problem, if they want to do an album they can make the time as they always record during non-touring season anyway. The tricky question is that historically Maiden won't release an album unless they know they can tour on it.
Poto
Ancient Mariner
I really can't see them entering the studio with Simon Dawson. Bruce making a point of Nicko not leaving the band, just retiring from live shows, suggests to me they might be planning a studio visit.
Trevoire
Ancient Mariner
I'm still exceptionally skeptical that Nicko would play on a future Maiden album.
It's a more forgiving environment and he can be helped with multiple takes and editing, but he still just doesn't have the same ability that he did pre-stroke.
It would massively slow the whole process (which might help Maiden in some ways) but it's still going to be very simplified unless they jigsaw the entire thing together.
It's a more forgiving environment and he can be helped with multiple takes and editing, but he still just doesn't have the same ability that he did pre-stroke.
It would massively slow the whole process (which might help Maiden in some ways) but it's still going to be very simplified unless they jigsaw the entire thing together.
I mostly agree with this, although I am iffy on whether Nicko could actually pull off studio recording. It seems like there's a lot of stuff he is physically unable to do, even with unlimited takes/studio magic. I also interpreted Bruce's comments as them maybe intending on eventually going into the studio (with Nicko), but I'm skeptical that this will work out.
Also lots of possibilities including Nicko helping come up with drum parts for Simon to play, Nicko playing on 9/10 songs, or just a couple songs, etc.
CA Bryers
Ancient Mariner
I'm no drummer so I can't say for sure, but I would imagine Nicko's still capable of playing at least the simplified level he did on Virtual XI. And since he's still keeping on with Titanium Tart, he's not going to get rusty anytime soon. Sure, drumming-wise, it'd a step down from what we're used to (minus that example of VXI), but I guess it's a question of whether you want a new album with all the fills and whatnot, or you want a new album with the full classic/reunion era lineup on it. Personally, I fall into the latter category.
That said, if Simon Dawson acquits himself well on tour, I'd also be okay with him playing on a possible new album. I'd prefer Nicko, of course, but I just want one last album. I think asking for more than that at this stage is probably just greedy and unrealistic, but since there's a possibility, I'll cling to that possibility.
Yax
Ancient Mariner
I agree with CA Bryers. Exhibit A: Virtual XI. Nicko and Maiden decided they wanted to have an album with straight, almost-no-fills-or-fireworks drumming. That means they hypothetically could put out an album with Nicko playing more restrained than he has done on all other albums. I'm not convinced there is an album beyond Senjutsu however, but if there is, I want it to be Nicko playing, if he can still play at the 2024 level.
Lars plays the drums. They are not programmed.
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Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
Agreed. Steve, Bruce and Adrian for sure.
Yes, and they should do it sooner, when Nicko is still in touring shape more or less. Maybe he will play more regularly with his solo band now.
But I didn't interrupt Bruce's words as ambiguous, they want to record with Nicko, but I assume the final decision will be his.
I'm also afraid and unsure because he can't play some stuff and it depends if he wants to compromise with his playing in the studio as well. Live was different and for one tour, but I believe he would want to record maybe the last Maiden album (which sounds odd when you look at bands like Priest and Saxon) and give it his best.
I doubt they would release a new album without touring it. And I can't see all setlists being just 80's songs from now on, that's not Maiden, even at this stage of their career.
Another hybrid tour with the new album is possible, but which would be the old album this time? BNW is popular enough, just saying.
A setlist that focuses on the band's post 1992 material is probably hard to happen now (I'm not ruling it out because of the odd theme of the new tour), but new album plus some more Reunion popular cuts and some classics would be almost the same.
Well, Steve had the thought of releasing albums and playing sporadic shows, but idk. The new album tour to be only 1 year is possible, I guess - VXI was 1 year, BNW was 1 year (more or less), the true TFF tour was 1 year.
Spot on. DOD touring approach/early Reunion era is definitely very possible for the future with album tours. It would work for sure. But it would still take a whole year. 2027: new album tour (released in 2026) - 2028/2029: the next Hits tour...
Usually, but with Maiden now, we can't be sure.
We all bet on that, similar approach with the original intent for the latest album.
I just hope RFYL tour won't be 3 years, although if the 3rd leg is Part 2, that would be cool.
Yeah, but why wouldn't they tour it?
Me too.
Good points, but Maiden not recording with Nicko, even now, would be the ultimate surprise. He's still part of the band, Bruce announced it(!). For example, although the situation with Glenn in Priest is a bit different.
Jigsaw the entire thing - wouldn't be unusual for Reunion era Maiden?
Would Nicko want that? I mean, anything is possible now, but I don't see him playing on just a couple of songs. And honestly, while it's something, I'd be sad. Plus it's not Maiden's thing.
I doubt it now.
I think the question is whether Nicko wants to drop the fills and everything and if he can keep the groove while doing energetic performances. Like in VXI. Because more mid-tempo album-material than SJ wouldn't be a good move. It would be tough, but I also fall into the latter category. I want another album, but with him. And I also think he's still capable of playing at least the level he did on VXI. Considering the 2024 tour. All it's possible.
Ofc, but the groove/stamina/precision (even with studio magic) is probably more of a concern than straightforward and simplified drumming and playing.
I still think there should be at least one more album. We don't know their plans (they have until 2026 for now) and the number of tours, but to do only Hits tours from now on? They are done with the History ones. What else if not album tour? Hybrid Hits tours?
CA Bryers
Ancient Mariner
I've always been in the camp wishing they'd offer Blaze an opening slot. Steve's talked often about how grateful he is to Blaze for helping keep the band alive through the difficult '90s, well...as is the rule with writers: show, don't tell, Steve. And yes, having Blaze as an opener would make having him come in and give Bruce a break on a song or two easy-peasy.
While I wish that, I'm also a realist. The last two greatest hits albums, Somewhere Back in Time and From Fear to Eterntiy? It's a Bruceapalooza, with his live recordings cutting out the studio recordings of not just Blaze, but Paul. So, I don't foresee them honoring the Blaze era in such a manner, personally. They're not a terribly sentimental band. And yes, while Paul got a mention at the St. Paul show I was at, I'm not surprised that was more or less the end of the tribute to him.
Helmuth Von Moltke
Educated Fool
There's a lot of truth in this, never seen it expressed like that.
I agree, it is why he belongs in Maiden as the frontman, he was born for this role.
When he runs alone with his own ideas, he becomes overenthusiastic but the outcomes sometimes come across as you say it - unfinished.