I don't think we'll get an album before 2027, even 2028, unfortunately. I think Bruce is hinting an album, even tho band was not in studio, maybe they have a few songs around - few Bruce/Adrian, one each by Janick, Steve and Dave as it usually happens, so maybe they have ideas, but have not recorded it.
Yep. 2028 is the latest point, but they wouldn't want to lose touring months of an year.
I can't judge wether Nicko can just record the album and let Simon play it, I don't think it's respectful, but everyone would be glad to.
Another thing to add, I have a strange feeling that even tho Simon is well accepted, Maiden would have in credits 5 remaining members and in post credits thank Simon for playing drums, similar to how Black Sabbath was in 2010s.
This way Maiden would not go the path were at one point all members would be replaced and we would have a whole different band.
If Nicko plays something on the album, they'll say he's still part of the band. Bruce calling Simon a new member makes me believe he'll be
credited.
2 months might be a bit tight unless they've already done a decent amount of writing (unlikely) Senjutsu was 2 1/2 months from start to finish.
They need 2-3 months and I'm sure they've already written some ideas (since 2019), but the most likely is - after the 2026 tour, early 2027, or early 2026 if Bruce record his solo album in parts, but I don't think he'll record 2 albums in a space of months.
Other barriers I foresee to Album #18:
1) Age. While Nick's retirement has led to an option on age for him to be replaced on the album, in part or in whole, the other band members continue to age. The #1 threat here is likely Dave, and it's tough for me to imagine Maiden going to a 2 piece with H and Janick. With no known medical conditions impacting the band at this point, it'd be preference. There's a possibility Dave retires as a touring member but continues to write and perform on albums. Adrian, Bruce, and Janick seem in good touring condition and likely to want to stay that way.
2) Money. Maiden is well off, but has always been run as a slick machine to generate funds. Considering point 1, the band may be attempting to accrue "one last score" with RFYL. It is possible that on the other side of RFYL you may see the band desire more money, and nostalgia/greatest hits tours will always draw more money than new album tours, even when that new album tour is mixed with a retro tour, as in TFPT. To me, this is a big concern for Rod. It's worth noting Rod is 75 right now, will be at least 76-77 by the time RFYL is complete. He may be wanting his nest egg and he has a big say in future band plans.
3) Desire. Individual band members want to do different things. Bruce has the solo album bug, Adrian has his side gig, to a lesser extent Steve has British Lion. While I don't see this impacting Dave or Janick, it certainly does the first two listed members. If you can't get Bruce and Adrian on line with plans, then you're not writing an Iron Maiden album.
4) Time. It's fair to say that the amount of time it takes to make a studio album has gone up for Maiden over the years. They no longer lock themselves in a studio until they make magic, everyone puts stuff together independently, brings it to the studio, and then they create an album from that. We know Bruce said they had ideas during the pandemic, but how many of those ended up on side projects or have been forgotten? Plus that was 4-5 years ago...music that sits around may not be authentic, and Steve strives for an authentic feel.
1- the feelings of the band members and age are always a key.
2- their tours are always sold out, so money? I would be really surprised if Maiden decided to continue with only Hits tours. Yeah, they have room for Part 2, but that would be like a new album tour more or less. The current tour is a celebration, but I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't want to do another interesting tour (which a new album always is) or as artists to create.
3- desire is THE thing, remember how Bruce said he wants Maiden to be creative before retirement in his latest solo album liner notes. 3 months holiday or working on a new album - now - is different than before.
4- I'm not worried about the ideas (and if the ideas from 2019 are good for them, why not use them?), for the last albums they write and develop in the studio, and the studio time is always ~3 months.
It all comes down to time imo. The biggest problem is that they won't make a new album unless they tour on it, and they won't tour on a new album for less than 2 calendar years. If they were willing to make an album and follow it up with a small winter tour like they did in 2004, or even a hit and run type of Ed Force One tour like 2011 and 2016, we would be back to seeing Maiden albums every 3 or 4 years. if they would integrate their new album tours with nostalgia tours, same thing. The odd thing about the latter is that we've seen them experiment with this but it still hasn't taken them off the new album tour/nostalgia tour cycle that they seem stuck on.
Ultimately, timing is everything (also, remember Steve's odd thought about still releasing albums after a semi-retirement), 2 years of touring is normal, but do the other old bands think about this...
I can see a new album tour with old album/s or era mixed in. 2 tours in one again. I think they didn't follow TFP tour with a new album because of the anniv and the deep cuts set.
I see no reason why Run For Your Lives can't be extended into a career spanning setlist with a few new songs thrown in. Now that they are on screens, they don't have to rebuild the stage to integrate new material either.
They can (and the work with new screens ideas and new songs will be like for a new album tour, especially if more of the set is changed, but I can't see Maiden not doing a proper tour for a new album0, but after a RFYL Part 2, what will they do if they plan to continue for more tours? More of the same, without different themes.
And the problem really isn't the need to commit to two more years of touring, I genuinely believe they still have it in them. What I'm skeptical about is whether they have 4 or 5 more years of touring in them, because I don't think Rod is going to let them ride off into the sunset on a tour promoting a new album. It'll be interesting because either we get a new album and then a farewell tour, or we might be looking at the first time in history where Maiden does two consecutive tours without a new album.
Bruce and Steve have said that they won't do a farewell tour (opinions can change, ofc), so. To follow-up a 50th anniv tour with a new album is the best indication of the new (live) era of the band and a statement they're not for cabaret, like they always say (although given their age, it's not fair to mention cabaret, so I'm sorry). Their next move is curious.
No, a Maiden album is a massive event. A collection of songs is just one part but there’s picking the title of the album which then influences the new Eddie which is all tied into a theme with a whole new range of merchandising and then how to theme the album tour which normally lasts around 3 years.
A new album is a major thing and at this stage as they approach their 70’s have they got the enthusiasm to do it? I don’t think so. They’ll be 2/3 more years of touring then things will proper slow down if not stop altogether. As mentioned if they carry this tour on for another couple of years then Rod will be nearly 80.
As much as we all want Maiden to last forever when you get into your 70’s it’s inevitable that a band will be starting to slow down.
Maiden's band members to not have enthusiasm for more new music (yes, even now) would be a surprise, tbh. There's no sign of slowing down so far in their plans. They're touring the same way, even writes and plays solo. Rod's opinion is very important, yes. The work and dedication around a new album is there, but they work fast.
