18th Studio Album discussion

[srfc]

But English is his mother tongue. If I could not get that across clearly, okay.
But for a native speaker, it cannot be that difficult not to express something so important in a totally misleading way.

That is how native speakers would speak. People generally don't speak in robotic sentences, they try and say things in a colourful manner, and exaggeration is one way of doing that.

 

[chaosapiant]

Have you read any of Steve's lyrics?

It's like he's throwing cosmic dice. Sometimes you get deeply profound and borderline pretentious lines out of him. Othertime you get barely comprehensible gibberish resembling the English language.

All is nothing what it seems

 

[Kalata]

Why record another album if at show time people who complain about the setlist will want to hear the same songs again?

For the same reasons any old band still does it. Musician's creative desire.

On one hand, he seems genuinely honest when saying it's stressful and he doesn't feel up to it. Let's face it, age could be factoring in in a way we haven't seen before when it comes to songwriting and recording. So it could be true that he's dragging his feet on it, further evidenced by Bruce saying openly Maiden should record a new album now with Simon.

Well said. I also think Adrian is being honest too, but at the same time we know they like to work in secret, unlike other old bands. Steve's answers have a bit more weight, right. Maybe they also need time to see how much Nicko will be part of the album.

From the interviews they seem really enthusiastic about new solo music, Bruce and Adrian, not Maiden, I guess they really need a creative outlet.

On the other hand, though, let's not forget the crazy and cryptic Belshazzar's Feast lead-up to Senjutsu, so of course he wouldn't let anything slip that a record's in the works. The difference then was that there was evidence and sightings in 2019 lending credence to hopes a new album might be coming. This time, however, all we have is hope and speculation.

Next year during the tour, or after it since 2027 will be a break, they will finally discuss what to do in the future, including new music. So there is time.

2 albums in 10 years. "Maiden don't really record anymore" kind of tracks.

Well fair enough, but the potential next album would be 1-2 years later than their normal course since 2010.

I believe they will be doing an album, and Steve just doesn't want to let the cat out of the bag now for something that will be unlikely to see release until nearly two years from now at the earliest.
I don't think you can sit on the fence about doing another album, it's a yes or no decision given that all their future plans require planning in advance. And I believe if they had already decided on no, Steve would outright say it, and Bruce certainly wouldn't be giving comments about wanting to do an album (comments which I interpret as Bruce knowing there will be one)

Good call about Bruce's comments.

I think he just means that they haven't been in the studio since 2019, rather than saying they are finished with studios.

Yeah, most likely since he added ''at the moment''.
Btw, they can write an album pretty quickly. In this new interview with Adrian - he said that he always has 6-10 ideas ready in a demo before every Maiden album (guitars, melodies, drums). Depending on the idea, he shows it to Steve or Bruce. He said that Steve prefers to write melodies and lyrics these days. Quite often he also adds lyrics to his ideas and he usually has the titles ready (Speed, Writing). And something important(!): songwriting is all about sparking off someone else... So he will inspire Bruce's lyrics (6-10 ideas is a lot), Steve will have almost finished songs to work on, Janick will bring his (an hour worth of) material, Bruce has solo ideas (and desire) that he could Maiden-ized, etc. Steve's work is the most though.

 

[harrisdevot]

We shouldn't read too much in these interviews. Adrian's main concern has recently been to show how creative he is. I don't deny that, but that's his sole purpose. "I write a lot, and even if I'm not the only one credited, I write almost everything in a song".
And obviously, he can't say anything about Maiden's plans.

 

[dickinson1978]

For the same reasons any old band still does it. Musician's creative desire.

Well said. I also think Adrian is being honest too, but at the same time we know they like to work in secret, unlike other old bands. Steve's answers have a bit more weight, right. Maybe they also need time to see how much Nicko will be part of the album.

From the interviews they seem really enthusiastic about new solo music, Bruce and Adrian, not Maiden, I guess they really need a creative outlet.

Next year during the tour, or after it since 2027 will be a break, they will finally discuss what to do in the future, including new music. So there is time.

Well fair enough, but the potential next album would be 1-2 years later than their normal course since 2010.

Good call about Bruce's comments.

Yeah, most likely since he added ''at the moment''.
Btw, they can write an album pretty quickly. In this new interview with Adrian - he said that he always has 6-10 ideas ready in a demo before every Maiden album (guitars, melodies, drums). Depending on the idea, he shows it to Steve or Bruce. He said that Steve prefers to write melodies and lyrics these days. Quite often he also adds lyrics to his ideas and he usually has the titles ready (Speed, Writing). And something important(!): songwriting is all about sparking off someone else... So he will inspire Bruce's lyrics (6-10 ideas is a lot), Steve will have almost finished songs to work on, Janick will bring his (an hour worth of) material, Bruce has solo ideas (and desire) that he could Maiden-ized, etc. Steve's work is the most though.

Rather than a documental of iron maiden history i would like to know this. Like some kind of monster from metallica but without the reality show moments. I would like to see them writing or recording an album. I know there are few documentals or part of the documentals but not a full documental. But we all know that they are not like that

 

[chaosapiant]

Rather than a documental of iron maiden history i would like to know this. Like some kind of monster from metallica but without the reality show moments. I would like to see them writing or recording an album. I know there are few documentals or part of the documentals but not a full documental. But we all know that they are not like that

I thought we kind of got that for both DoD and AMOLAD? And Mission From 'Arry.

 

[Vaenyr]

All is nothing what it seems

Yuuuup, his Senjutsu stuff was the main reason for that comment

 

[Nomadd]

Recapitulating the discussion in this thread, I must say we can't take all the things "for sure". We don't know what the musicians are really thinking about the future of the band, the shows, and a potential new album. Perhaps Harris is really tired and disillusioned with the composing process, feeling a bit burned out. Maybe the current tour is their last worldwide tour, and the next step will be occasional tour dates here and there (Slayer's approach). They have achieved just what they wanted (and could), and now it is up to their own decision. The only thing that makes me sad is the management policy and some really stupid decisions, instead of the reasonable choices to empower the band's status. The 2026 tour is the obvious quintessence of the problem I aforementioned. Bad venue choices, stupid decisions to play the same cities after just 12 months with the same setlist and production, but for even higher prices. Every manager should know it's the right way to the flop. And we may blame the band for this all too. Why don't they control their managers? Why didn't they decide to change some songs in the setlist? The fact that they live in separate countries and continents can not be an excuse in this day. We can communicate, play, record, and even rehearse using the communication platforms, etc. Their laziness and ambivalence are the problems.

And I can't believe they "don't know what's gonna do next, after a 2027 hiatus? Bullshit, the musicians don't have to know for sure, but the management HAS TO KNOW - if not, they should be retired. We have Rod Smallwood, Shackey, and Ben Smallwood as people who decide about the band's moves, and additionally Andy Taylor, who is into business management. Four people, FOUR, and no one could plan the 50th Anniversary tour without all those obvious mistakes. Where's their promotional plan? If this tour was planned as the last worldwide one, the managers should clearly inform fans about this; it's not a farewell tour, but the change in their touring routines caused by the economy and the age of musicians. It's as simple as 2 + 2. I still wanna believe the next year will bring something better for Maiden, or we don't know about many factors behind their decisions. But now I'm afraid there's something wrong with the band's survival instinct.

 

[Patrick92]

Recapitulating the discussion in this thread, I must say we can't take all the things "for sure". We don't know what the musicians are really thinking about the future of the band, the shows, and a potential new album. Perhaps Harris is really tired and disillusioned with the composing process, feeling a bit burned out. Maybe the current tour is their last worldwide tour, and the next step will be occasional tour dates here and there (Slayer's approach). They have achieved just what they wanted (and could), and now it is up to their own decision. The only thing that makes me sad is the management policy and some really stupid decisions, instead of the reasonable choices to empower the band's status. The 2026 tour is the obvious quintessence of the problem I aforementioned. Bad venue choices, stupid decisions to play the same cities after just 12 months with the same setlist and production, but for even higher prices. Every manager should know it's the right way to the flop. And we may blame the band for this all too. Why don't they control their managers? Why didn't they decide to change some songs in the setlist? The fact that they live in separate countries and continents can not be an excuse in this day. We can communicate, play, record, and even rehearse using the communication platforms, etc. Their laziness and ambivalence are the problems.

And I can't believe they "don't know what's gonna do next, after a 2027 hiatus? Bullshit, the musicians don't have to know for sure, but the management HAS TO KNOW - if not, they should be retired. We have Rod Smallwood, Shackey, and Ben Smallwood as people who decide about the band's moves, and additionally Andy Taylor, who is into business management. Four people, FOUR, and no one could plan the 50th Anniversary tour without all those obvious mistakes. Where's their promotional plan? If this tour was planned as the last worldwide one, the managers should clearly inform fans about this; it's not a farewell tour, but the change in their touring routines caused by the economy and the age of musicians. It's as simple as 2 + 2. I still wanna believe the next year will bring something better for Maiden, or we don't know about many factors behind their decisions. But now I'm afraid there's something wrong with the band's survival instinct.

Shut up.

 

[Ledges Bitten In Dust]

In 2028 I think (hope) we're getting new album tour (whether album is realised in 2027 or 2028), but that year is also: 45th anniversary of POM, 40th of SSOASS, 30th of VXI and 25th of DOD. If Maiden did TFP style tour, which album do you think Maiden would choose for celebration? If we take obvious one out, I don't think they'll celebrate 80s yet again, so we maybe get more DOD songs into set. That would really blend well if new album continues trend of being heavy and darker as previous 2.

 

[Nomadd]

In 2028 I think (hope) we're getting new album tour (whether album is realised in 2027 or 2028), but that year is also: 45th anniversary of POM, 40th of SSOASS, 30th of VXI and 25th of DOD. If Maiden did TFP style tour, which album do you think Maiden would choose for celebration? If we take obvious one out, I don't think they'll celebrate 80s yet again, so we maybe get more DOD songs into set. That would really blend well if new album continues trend of being heavy and darker as previous 2.

RFYL P. 2 is an option, too. Some greatest hits (7 - 8 songs) + the choice of most popular tracks from TXF to Senjutsu.

 

[The Garlon]

Recapitulating the discussion in this thread, I must say we can't take all the things "for sure". We don't know what the musicians are really thinking about the future of the band, the shows, and a potential new album. Perhaps Harris is really tired and disillusioned with the composing process, feeling a bit burned out. Maybe the current tour is their last worldwide tour, and the next step will be occasional tour dates here and there (Slayer's approach). They have achieved just what they wanted (and could), and now it is up to their own decision. The only thing that makes me sad is the management policy and some really stupid decisions, instead of the reasonable choices to empower the band's status. The 2026 tour is the obvious quintessence of the problem I aforementioned. Bad venue choices, stupid decisions to play the same cities after just 12 months with the same setlist and production, but for even higher prices. Every manager should know it's the right way to the flop. And we may blame the band for this all too. Why don't they control their managers? Why didn't they decide to change some songs in the setlist? The fact that they live in separate countries and continents can not be an excuse in this day. We can communicate, play, record, and even rehearse using the communication platforms, etc. Their laziness and ambivalence are the problems.

And I can't believe they "don't know what's gonna do next, after a 2027 hiatus? Bullshit, the musicians don't have to know for sure, but the management HAS TO KNOW - if not, they should be retired. We have Rod Smallwood, Shackey, and Ben Smallwood as people who decide about the band's moves, and additionally Andy Taylor, who is into business management. Four people, FOUR, and no one could plan the 50th Anniversary tour without all those obvious mistakes. Where's their promotional plan? If this tour was planned as the last worldwide one, the managers should clearly inform fans about this; it's not a farewell tour, but the change in their touring routines caused by the economy and the age of musicians. It's as simple as 2 + 2. I still wanna believe the next year will bring something better for Maiden, or we don't know about many factors behind their decisions. But now I'm afraid there's something wrong with the band's survival instinct.

Didn't you say all this same stuff before the 2025 tour and then it generated 150 million dollars? You all go through this every time a tour is announced

 

[Nomadd]

Didn't you say all this same stuff before the 2025 tour and then it generated 150 million dollars? You all go through this every time a tour is announced

Perhaps I'm exaggerating, as sales are slower with higher ticket prices.

 

[GhostofCain]

Recapitulating the discussion in this thread, I must say we can't take all the things "for sure". We don't know what the musicians are really thinking about the future of the band, the shows, and a potential new album. Perhaps Harris is really tired and disillusioned with the composing process, feeling a bit burned out. Maybe the current tour is their last worldwide tour, and the next step will be occasional tour dates here and there (Slayer's approach). They have achieved just what they wanted (and could), and now it is up to their own decision. The only thing that makes me sad is the management policy and some really stupid decisions, instead of the reasonable choices to empower the band's status. The 2026 tour is the obvious quintessence of the problem I aforementioned. Bad venue choices, stupid decisions to play the same cities after just 12 months with the same setlist and production, but for even higher prices. Every manager should know it's the right way to the flop. And we may blame the band for this all too. Why don't they control their managers? Why didn't they decide to change some songs in the setlist? The fact that they live in separate countries and continents can not be an excuse in this day. We can communicate, play, record, and even rehearse using the communication platforms, etc. Their laziness and ambivalence are the problems.

And I can't believe they "don't know what's gonna do next, after a 2027 hiatus? Bullshit, the musicians don't have to know for sure, but the management HAS TO KNOW - if not, they should be retired. We have Rod Smallwood, Shackey, and Ben Smallwood as people who decide about the band's moves, and additionally Andy Taylor, who is into business management. Four people, FOUR, and no one could plan the 50th Anniversary tour without all those obvious mistakes. Where's their promotional plan? If this tour was planned as the last worldwide one, the managers should clearly inform fans about this; it's not a farewell tour, but the change in their touring routines caused by the economy and the age of musicians. It's as simple as 2 + 2. I still wanna believe the next year will bring something better for Maiden, or we don't know about many factors behind their decisions. But now I'm afraid there's something wrong with the band's survival instinct.