18th Studio Album discussion

[Jadukor]

Yes, it's interesting. Here's my thoughts I just posted in an other thread:

If Bruce was hinting a new studio album...: When could that have been recorded? If a new album, I guess it's with Simon on drums (I hope!), not Nicko. So, let's assume their plan of the drummer exchange was well wrapped perhaps by later summer last year (I don't believe it was any earlier) to be announced December 7 2024, there's not so many possible time frames left when an album could have been recorded. Were they spotted anywere as a band together in one place since then? If I'm not mistaken, there was some Paris mentioning, but I'm not sure really.

I don't believe if a new album was to be released it has Nicko on drums.

Good point, I think in terms of timeline of recording, late 2022 makes sense (before Nicko's health scare and start of future past tour). But indeed it is more likely that they are planning to record something once the 2025 leg of the tour ends in early August. Maiden usually records super fast and so there is time between August-December this year to record something.

I honestly don't think Bruce would use "they would have to kill me" for new beer and book launches. During the run up to Senjutsu, i remember him saying something similar

 

[Dick Brucinson]

Maiden usually records super fast and so there is time between August-December this year to record something.

It wasn't always like that. Since they record almost everything live in the studio, they're quite fast, true. I wish they'd take more time to give their albums a chance of a growing process. Seventh Son e.g. would never sound that great if they recorded it live in the studio.

 

[naranja]

It wasn't always like that. Since they record almost everything live in the studio, they're quite fast, true. I wish they'd take more time to give their albums a chance of a growing process. Seventh Son e.g. would never sound that great if they recorded it live in the studio.

"We really like that live feel, that spontaneity to each track with the recording process..."

*album comes out sounding like Virtual XI*

 

[Jer]

But indeed it is more likely that they are planning to record something once the 2025 leg of the tour ends in early August. Maiden usually records super fast and so there is time between August-December this year to record something.

Bruce’s solo U.S. tour will eat up a large block of that time.

 

[Revelationer]

Also British Lion tour from 3 August to 12 August, then from 28 November to 19 December.
Bruce tour from 22 August to 3 October
Adrian ‘26 tour from 3 February to 8 March
So not that much time write and record an album, maybe after 2026 maiden tour they will do something for 2027 release- possible scenario

 

[Jadukor]

It wasn't always like that. Since they record almost everything live in the studio, they're quite fast, true. I wish they'd take more time to give their albums a chance of a growing process. Seventh Son e.g. would never sound that great if they recorded it live in the studio.

Yeah couldn't agree more. I even used to complain about it here in the forum. A producer with a bit more balls would also edit these songs shorter by cutting repetition. But then I say to myself at least I am getting new maiden music.

Damn all those tour dates of British Lion and solo tour completely kills the prospect of any recording time this year, even with their fast "live recording" process.

3rd October 2025 - 28 November 2025 is technically free but not sure if it's enough to bust out 10 songs in Paris.

Recording in 2026 and release in 2027 seems more likely

 

[Trevoire]

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.
I'd love to think the Steve could go on tour and leave Kevin to mix, but we all know that isn't going to happen!

 

[AncientMariner_Essex]

Did you guys see the latest video from Bruce on the maiden youtube channel? Towards the end he says "we have lots of shows and more stuff i can't talk about because they would have to kill me" For me, this is what he usually says before a new album comes out, no? Thoughts?

My opinion is they’ll be a boxset announced towards the end of year along the lines of Eddies Archives 2.
I really can’t see this meaning a new studio album.

I’ve been saying for a while I really don’t think we’ll get another studio album, just a few more years of touring before the band slows down to a halt. I hope I’m proved wrong as I’d love a new album but I just don’t think they’ll be one.

 

[Ruflux]

My opinion is they’ll be a boxset announced towards the end of year along the lines of Eddies Archives 2.

Honestly? After Senjutsu I'd be perfectly happy with something like this, assuming there's interesting unearthed stuff on there. The remaining AMOLAD covers, the odd professionally recorded performance from tours past, that sort of thing.

 

[Iron Lurker]

I'm sure there will be another Eddie's Archive type thing at some point. I also want them to make another album

 

[Jadukor]

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.
I'd love to think the Steve could go on tour and leave Kevin to mix, but we all know that isn't going to happen!

I think given that Senjutsu was recorded way back in 2019, all these guys must have written materials worth 10 new songs by now. Usually Adrian always brings advanced demos to the studio which are more or less ready to be recorded. Let's see what happens. I wouldn't have been as excited if Bruce hadn't said they would have to kill me. I just don't think you get killed by maiden management for a merchandise leak. The ultimate secrecacy for the band is the recording of a new album.

This is what he said in May 2021 before Senjutsu

“We’ve been working together a little in the studio. On what, I can’t tell you, ’cause they’d have to kill me.”

 

[If You’re Gonna Die…]

My opinion is they’ll be a boxset announced towards the end of year along the lines of Eddies Archives 2.
I really can’t see this meaning a new studio album.

I’ve been saying for a while I really don’t think we’ll get another studio album, just a few more years of touring before the band slows down to a halt. I hope I’m proved wrong as I’d love a new album but I just don’t think they’ll be one.

I really hope we get more box sets of unreleased live material and out-of-print b-sides. We know Maiden has been recording their shows for years so it’d be great to actually get to hear those recordings.

 

[Spaldy]

Yes please, a rarities box set with vinyl, CD's and dvds would be a long overdue treat for us fans.

Which is why it'll never happen.

 

[If You’re Gonna Die…]

Honestly, I don't think they would have invested in this new stage production for just one tour. If they stay healthy, they might even tour for 10 more years.

Dude, all of them except Bruce and Simon will 70 in less than a year. They aren’t going to be touring at 80. I can only see them doing 1 or 2 more tours (5-6 more years) after this if this isn’t the last one. They’ll probably do shows here and there for festivals and whatnot, but there’s no way they’ll be touring for another decade.

 

[LooseCannon]

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. Steve Harris, of course, will die on stage with a bass in his hand.
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.

 

[AncientMariner_Essex]

Following on from LooseCannon’s post above the other major factor in my opinion that stops a new album is the sheer scale of it all.

What I mean is every Maiden album is a major event. It’s not like any regular band getting together and writing 10 songs and slapping them on an album. If all it was about was just the band creating some new songs I bet they could bang out an album every 2 years easy with the creativity they all have.

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.

Yes we can all name bands that are still going in their late 70’s but some of them do it because they need the money, Maiden don’t.

 

[naranja]

Yes please, a rarities box set with vinyl, CD's and dvds would be a long overdue treat for us fans.

Which is why it'll never happen.

I would love a little bit of the blaze era live shows.


Not the full thing, just his best performances (yes they do exist) from the 95 part of the X Factour and his better ones from the 98 VXI tour.

Not much Bruce stuff, just his own material from his two albums really apart from Afraid to shoot, wrathchild, and maybe one or two others

It would never happen but could be included as part of a box set which contains parts of the SIT tour videos, NPFTD tour, AMOLAD tour etc too

 

[GhostofCain]

Did you guys see the latest video from Bruce on the maiden youtube channel? Towards the end he says "we have lots of shows and more stuff i can't talk about because they would have to kill me" For me, this is what he usually says before a new album comes out, no? Thoughts?

My bet is on next year’s tour dates…

 

[matic22]

Yeah, I think they might try and go big in America.

 

[Mosh]

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. Steve Harris, of course, will die on stage with a bass in his hand.
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.

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. 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.

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.