18th Studio Album discussion

Kalata said:
I also think it's about a new album, that's like their usual way of hint talking, although it would be a bit odd if it isn't recorded yet (unless they change their ways of recording a bit, they write stuff all the time). I guess they decided to do it (planning stages) as the next logical step in their career - and probably with Simon. Bruce's schedule of recording his solo album early next year and Adrian's dates are an issue, but after the tour in the fall or early 2027, why not. Even if there is a 3rd leg.

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Iron Maiden Brasil - on Instagram: "Em uma entrevista com Eddie Trunk, o baterista do Iron Maiden, Nicko McBrain, que se aposentou das turnês em dezembro passado, falou sobre como ainda faz parte da família da banda, revelando que não há planos para

1,234 likes, 36 comments - imbnoticias on July 17, 2025: "Em uma entrevista com Eddie Trunk, o baterista do Iron Maiden, Nicko McBrain, que se aposentou das turnês em dezembro passado, falou sobre como ainda faz parte da família da banda, revelando que não há planos para um novo álbum, mas que...
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Here's what Nicko said about the matter in a new (I assume) interview:

There are no plans, as far as I know, to record an album. I mean, we talked about recording a new album a few years ago, and it wasn't exactly a shared idea at the time. But now, you know, everyone's gotten so old. We all lost a year and a half, actually two years, to that stupid pandemic that affected everyone, including our psyches. I'm still part of the family. I'm still involved and I'm doing a lot of things with the fan club. You know, I'm writing a book. Actually, I've been writing a book for 10 fucking years. It's time for me to finish it.

If there's a new album in the works, I might play on a few tracks. Not on tour, but on the album. Yeah, who knows? We're all still part of the family, even if I'm not playing shows.

It wasn't a shared idea in 2019 after the recording of SJ... what? This is not good and a surprise to hear. Everyone's gotten so old... not good to read this either. I doubt Nicko will spoil the plans, but let's hope so for the best.

He is thinking about playing a few songs on a new album. Cool and curious to hear.
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So he will be there. I dont think they are going to record an album until 2026
 
CA Bryers said:
I think that's why they said he's the drummer for 2025, and not for the Run For Your Lives Tour in its entirety. He was probably contracted for the one year only, with an option to extend or replace him for 2026 if things didn't work out. Since Bruce has been calling him "their drummer" recently, I imagine they're happy enough to continue and have/are planning on extending his contract.

And jealous you've gotten to see them this go-round! Being from North America, I have to wait until next year to see them. At least I've got Bruce coming to town in September, though!
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Something to look forward to! And I can assure you one thing: I myself was doubtful before the tour started. Maiden without Nicko? Setlist disappointing? Forget it. It's all pure bliss, and I'm entirely happy.
 
I think there's a better possibility of Album 18 now than, say, six months ago. While I expect Nicko to do some drum work on a new album, the vast majority of it would be handled by his permanent tour replacement. Listening to his playing with his cover band, he can do some simplistic stuff but he's missing a lot of the power and the speed to get anywhere close to the standard (unless we wanted VXI part 2, Vaenyr don't get excited). So it comes down to "does playing with Simon encourage them to want to do more".

Nick's retirement removed a critical barrier to Album 18. There's others, of course, but I think we're closer to that than we were. I do tend to agree there's no way we hear about it this year. The earliest I can see them recording is next spring with an intended release after RFYL completes, maybe with a preview during RFYL Year 3 as I believe TWOTW was intended before the pandemic fucked us all.
 
LooseCannon said:
I think there's a better possibility of Album 18 now than, say, six months ago. While I expect Nicko to do some drum work on a new album, the vast majority of it would be handled by his permanent tour replacement. Listening to his playing with his cover band, he can do some simplistic stuff but he's missing a lot of the power and the speed to get anywhere close to the standard (unless we wanted VXI part 2, Vaenyr don't get excited). So it comes down to "does playing with Simon encourage them to want to do more".

Nick's retirement removed a critical barrier to Album 18. There's others, of course, but I think we're closer to that than we were. I do tend to agree there's no way we hear about it this year. The earliest I can see them recording is next spring with an intended release after RFYL completes, maybe with a preview during RFYL Year 3 as I believe TWOTW was intended before the pandemic fucked us all.
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Tell me more about the other critical barriers in terms of chances for a #18 please. What else comes to your mind? Interesting.
 
I suspect another tour announcement is pending...

Another album is definitely possible at some point, I think, though. I did wonder what Caveman was up to a couple of months ago, appearing to cross paths with Maiden while they were touring, making sure everyone on socual media knew where he was. But that could just as easily be total coincidence or a red herring.
 
Brigantium said:
I suspect another tour announcement is pending...
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I bought the tickets for this summers tour on the 24th of September last year, so you'ld be expecting 2026 tickets to go on sale around the same time, which would line up for an announcement quite soon alright
 
Vaenyr said:
Probably talking about what Bruce has mentioned before, where they thought about recording another album prior to the release of Senjutsu. There were travel restrictions, so some would have had issues with that, and I believe some wouldn't want to "dilute" Senjutsu's importance by overshadowing it with a new album before it even had a chance to be played live.
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^Most likely. The quote about everyone's gotten so old is more of an odd one. What to say bands like Priest, Saxon, Purple?

And tbh, him not even sure if he'd potentially play on another album is not what I understand by ''he's still part of the band''.
Perun said:
I think it's unlikely we'll get a new album,
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What would their future be, just Hits tours? They are clearly inspired now.
LooseCannon said:
I think there's a better possibility of Album 18 now than, say, six months ago. While I expect Nicko to do some drum work on a new album, the vast majority of it would be handled by his permanent tour replacement. Listening to his playing with his cover band, he can do some simplistic stuff but he's missing a lot of the power and the speed to get anywhere close to the standard (unless we wanted VXI part 2, Vaenyr don't get excited). So it comes down to "does playing with Simon encourage them to want to do more".
Nick's retirement removed a critical barrier to Album 18. There's others, of course, but I think we're closer to that than we were. I do tend to agree there's no way we hear about it this year. The earliest I can see them recording is next spring with an intended release after RFYL completes, maybe with a preview during RFYL Year 3 as I believe TWOTW was intended before the pandemic fucked us all.
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Other barriers?

A short 3rd leg with some changes is possible, ofc (please no), but would they debut a new single given the theme of the tour? Well, why not. Bruce will release his solo album in 2027, so I don't think Maiden's will be in the same year, but let's see.
Helmuth Von Moltke said:
Agreed the chances have gone up, that Bruce interview is the first time I’ve felt excited about Maiden future plans in a while. Strong feeling (hope?) we get some movement on this in 2026, don’t think they will wait for RFYL to be completely done.
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Same. Use the excitement from the tour. Imagine them (even Steve) writing more classic 80's sounding material and with harmonies! Like SJ was inspired by LOTB material in a way (I think Steve said that for his songs). Recording between legs of a tour is normal for them.
Brigantium said:
I suspect another tour announcement is pending...
Another album is definitely possible at some point, I think, though. I did wonder what Caveman was up to a couple of months ago, appearing to cross paths with Maiden while they were touring, making sure everyone on socual media knew where he was. But that could just as easily be total coincidence or a red herring.
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Yes, and the dates will give us more info about the studio work. Kevin's visits are still curious. But I don't think the album is already done. It would be a HUGE surprise.
 
If Nicko plays on a few songs (2-3 at most, I guess; it would be so weird), I'd like him to write a song (or use the one from the SJ sessions if it's good). That would be nice, cool and perfect.
 
LooseCannon said:
I think there's a better possibility of Album 18 now than, say, six months ago. While I expect Nicko to do some drum work on a new album, the vast majority of it would be handled by his permanent tour replacement. Listening to his playing with his cover band, he can do some simplistic stuff but he's missing a lot of the power and the speed to get anywhere close to the standard (unless we wanted VXI part 2, Vaenyr don't get excited). So it comes down to "does playing with Simon encourage them to want to do more".

Nick's retirement removed a critical barrier to Album 18. There's others, of course, but I think we're closer to that than we were. I do tend to agree there's no way we hear about it this year. The earliest I can see them recording is next spring with an intended release after RFYL completes, maybe with a preview during RFYL Year 3 as I believe TWOTW was intended before the pandemic fucked us all.
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For the record, while VXI is my favorite album and I love the songs to bits, you'll never catch me defend the production or Nicko's phoned in drumming!

But as for your overall point, I agree that Nicko's retirement makes another album a lot more likely. Simon has energized the band and I think he bought them a few more years.
 
matic22 said:
There was no window when they could record a new album. Unless they did it remotely, which is very unlikely.
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Last summer. The fact they made Nickos departement public to continue with Simon instead doesn't mean they made the decision within the band that short termed too. Press releases don't need to go hand in hand with what is really going on.
We have seen Maiden doing this several times. Bruces cancer/TBOS, Senjutsu recording/release, so now the Nicko<-->Simon exchange and a new album release could easily meet that kind of anachronism. This even has become typical for Maiden in a way.
 
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.
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.
 
srfc said:
Every album they've recorded in the internet era it's been known that they were in the studio at the time they were in it, even the times they've tried to keep it quiet. I think if they'd been in a studio, the Maiden nerds would have spotted it.
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Did it happen with senjutsu? I cant remember. I remember they said they recorded the album before covid. But i didnt know they were at studio. The others albums kevin give us the update
 
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