18th Studio Album discussion

[jeanpoleon]

Absolutely THIS. They are no amateur school band and don't let the press start the promotion before they themselves have a promotional concept.
That btw is also the reason I'm quite sure they had the deal with hiring Simon fixed way earlier in 2024 than December 10, when the press announcement was made.

Hadn't they already played once to see if he was a good fit at that point? Planning like that takes weeks and months anyway. There's no need to let everyone know as soon as possible.

Bruce said the band tried Simon at a rehearsal mid october and it was enough to choose him for the replacement of Nicko

 

[2M2M]

Someone made a calendar of the Maiden/side project related dates over this year and there was a sizeable gap early October through to end of November. While Bruce is out on tour through October in the US, and Steve starts BL tour end of November, Davey, H and Jan will be hopefully well rested - I'm wondering if perhaps there's space for recording IM18 Oct/Nov 2025? While Bruce is on tour in September, the rest of the boys could potentially be able to be working on musical ideas? As they've had over 5 years of 'preparation' it's totally possible that some song ideas have progressed and they could spend 6-7 weeks recording.. It's just hopes & dreams I think, but there is possibility there!

What are your thoughts?

 

[Kalata]

Is there a tiny bit of chance that the album is already recorded?

Tbh, I don't think Steve is lying when he said there's nothing recorded yet or plans. They've had plenty of time to record since 2019 (and certainly written and demoed ideas), he works on his songs alone, but they have their own habits for writing and recording, especially for the last 2 albums. We also don't know if Nicko will be involved. We know they like to work in secret and they know it's about time for the next album (recorded 6 years ago, released 4 years ago). Maybe something additional was recorded in 2019, who knows.

Someone made a calendar of the Maiden/side project related dates over this year and there was a sizeable gap early October through to end of November. While Bruce is out on tour through October in the US, and Steve starts BL tour end of November, Davey, H and Jan will be hopefully well rested - I'm wondering if perhaps there's space for recording IM18 Oct/Nov 2025? While Bruce is on tour in September, the rest of the boys could potentially be able to be working on musical ideas? As they've had over 5 years of 'preparation' it's totally possible that some song ideas have progressed and they could spend 6-7 weeks recording.. It's just hopes & dreams I think, but there is possibility there!
What are your thoughts?

Writing in parts (like Bruce's solo album) has been done before (DOD, TFF albums), but recording in parts, nope, I think. They are a band, and Simon wouldn't feel like part of it, they need to work and interact with him directly in the studio for the development of the songs. As we know, they record live playing together in the room.

Still, Bruce's comments about next year and 2027 are odd, as if they won't be that active in 2027 or they might record and release in the next 2 years (release 2027 or 2028).