News 18th Studio Album discussion

[Helmuth Von Moltke]

I don't think it's about aging. You mention “Some Kind of Monster” yourself. You can lose someone at any point in your life. Age isn't the essence of such an experience.

No, I said not like Some Kind of Monster.

The issue with Maiden is squarely about ageing and retirement due to not being able to tour through ageing.

 

[DorotheaMe]

I disagree. Health problems or health incidents leading to the end of a touring career don't only occur in old age.
Ask Steve Harris if he thinks so. Then he must have forgotten the fate of his own son.

 

[AncientMariner_Essex]

Surefire way to sell less tickets is to make a point of the combination of NPFTD and FoTD. I'd love to see some of those songs in a set, but from a casual fan standpoint, which do make up the bread and butter of concert-goers, it's a bad move. That being said, the 80s stuff have been done several times over now.

I don’t think this is the case.

I see a lot of disdain online for NPFTD and FOTD but this seems to be mainly from fans in the USA.

The rest of the world loves these albums. I’m from the uk and these albums were hugely successful here and in most of Europe too. NPFTD peaked at number 2 in the uk album charts and had their only uk number 1 single. FOTD was a number 1 album and BQOBD as a number 2 single.

I believe these albums went down well in South America too it’s just North America who was just coming off hair metal and going into grunge that didn’t seem to like these albums. The fans who wanted heavier music than hair metal or grunge had moved past Maiden and priest at this time and were listening to homegrown bands like Metallica, Megadeth, slayer and Anthrax. Hell, Maiden probably sounded too commercial at the the turn of the 1990’s for your average metal fan in America.

Plus the Americans were about to have an explosion of quality death metal with Death already about to unleash their third album and classics from Obituary, morbid angel and cannibal corpse we’re about to drop.

I think a tour promoting rare tracks from NPFTD and FOTD would go down well in most places, except the USA.

 

[Iron Lurker]

Metal really went undergroud in America in the 90's for the most part with Metallica and Pantera being big exceptions. Can't say anything about Dealth Metal in America because I never paid any attention to it, not my cup of tea at all.

 

[Nomadd]

Metal really went undergroud in America in the 90's for the most part with Metallica and Pantera being big exceptions. Can't say anything about Dealth Metal in America because I never paid any attention to it, not my cup of tea at all.

Pantera was groove metal, which was relatively something new back in the day, but Metallica in the 90s - they transformed themselves into a radio-friendly hard rock/alternative rock act with make-ups and fancy clothes. I perfectly remember that period, especially when Urlich said, "Don't call us Metal," when the popularity and commercial potential of the genre went down.

 

[2M2M]

IMO Maiden will keep touring as long as Steve (mainly) and Bruce are willing and able to perform. At this point, they are the only irreplaceable members of the band. I don't like to see any of the 3 amigos replaced, but I think if Dave or Adrian retires before the band call it quits, Steve will get a replacement and continue touring. I believe Janick will be there till the last minute, as he seems to be the most energetic of the 3 (or maybe the most energetic of the whole band).

As for the new album, I strongly believe we will get it in 2028, if not late 2027.

I recall Richie Faulkner (now Judas Priest) was the heir to the Maiden throne if anything happened to one of the three amgios. Mind this was 15+ years ago

 

[Kalata]

My fear is that British Lion / Mandrake lineup Bruce solo are viable distractions from having THE TALK for the principal players.
I also fear that the emotional impact of Nickos retirement on the wider unit has been skipped over.

Yeah.
For the studio it's possible (not for Bruce though, he's ready for something new; Steve?), and in general. Still, 2030 should be their goal.

I don't believe the break means there will be no work on Maiden projects at all. It makes no sense to waste so much time.

This.

Bruce managed to talk about it in a way that even led to speculation in many Iron Maiden groups that he had pushed Nicko out of the band.

This is so wrong.

If they were to decide to do that, they could announce the next global tour as nothing short of "RFYL Part 2" with the songs from their whole career.

Next tour will brñe another greatest hits but witb more rare songs. For sure.

They could easily combine RFYL Part 2 with a new album and some rare songs. Be a tour for the fans like TFP. The question is why not do this for the 50th anniv tour right away.

The big question is what they consider a "rare song"... Sanctuary (played in 2014 last time yet) e.g., Running Free (2011) or Children Of The Damned (2015) all have become "rare" nowadays, I hope none of them will be part of the set again tho.

Good call.

And I've realized Simon Dawson will be 72 in 2030. They could tour since 2028 to 2030, and finish their career with a special gig.

Saxon's drummer is 73, Rob and Biff are older. Stamina is everything.

Surefire way to sell less tickets is to make a point of the combination of NPFTD and FoTD. I'd love to see some of those songs in a set, but from a casual fan standpoint, which do make up the bread and butter of concert-goers, it's a bad move. That being said, the 80s stuff have been done several times over now.

The 90's songs will be (act) like new album songs in a set for the casuals, no worries. It was really surprising that they are doing a pure 80s set again, instead of just playing songs from all eras.

But the way the emotions around Nicko's end of career are dealt with in the documentary will be an interesting marker.

It's curious. His retirement has its mental impact on them, more or less (views on things, future plans, tours/hybrid idea again, touring in general, celebrations, breaks (the big one next year), new music, wanting to be on top with the current lineup..., though Bruce and Adrian are more active than ever now). That's just life. It's different doing a change now than earlier in their career. Also, maybe wanting Nicko to be part of the new album.

• More time to prepare and record what could be their last album/(usual)tour/s... - with maybe more songs than usual? Triple album!

- Imagine announcing a new album at the end of the documentary (even if it is this year - released in 2027 fall or the next one early as a promo for the 2028 (now hinted) return), that would be perfect and even more hype. One of the best ways to do it, they wanted to reveal SJ in theaters.

 

[dickinson1978]

Yeah.
For the studio it's possible (not for Bruce though, he's ready for something new; Steve?), and in general. Still, 2030 should be their goal.

This.

This is so wrong.


They could easily combine RFYL Part 2 with a new album and some rare songs. Be a tour for the fans like TFP. The question is why not do this for the 50th anniv tour right away.

Good call.

Saxon's drummer is 73, Rob and Biff are older. Stamina is everything.

The 90's songs will be (act) like new album songs in a set for the casuals, no worries. It was really surprising that they are doing a pure 80s set again, instead of just playing songs from all eras.

It's curious. His retirement has its mental impact on them, more or less (views on things, future plans, tours/hybrid idea again, touring in general, celebrations, breaks (the big one next year), new music, wanting to be on top with the current lineup..., though Bruce and Adrian are more active than ever now). That's just life. It's different doing a change now than earlier in their career. Also, maybe wanting Nicko to be part of the new album.

• More time to prepare and record what could be their last album/(usual)tour/s... - with maybe more songs than usual? Triple album!

- Imagine announcing a new album at the end of the documentary (even if it is this year - released in 2027 fall or the next one early as a promo for the 2028 (now hinted) return), that would be perfect and even more hype. One of the best ways to do it, they wanted to reveal SJ in theaters.

I doubt they will record a new album. Seems that they enjoy touring and at their level the can tour wherever they want big stadiums,arenas we have seen it on the last 2 tours and they enjoy both. And they are open to play rare songs who expected 5 songs from SIT and another 5 songs from SJ?

 

[Melony]

I have yet to read a convincing explanation as to why a band that only wants to tour would organize such a strenuous, long tour in one year and then do nothing the next, instead of splitting the tour up, e.g., the European part in 2027.
There would still be enough time for solo activities for the rest of the year 2027.
But it is normal and common practice in the music industry to scale back touring activities to focus on writing and recording new music.

 

[dickinson1978]

I have yet to read a convincing explanation as to why a band that only wants to tour would organize such a strenuous, long tour in one year and then do nothing the next, instead of splitting the tour up, e.g., the European part in 2027.
There would still be enough time for solo activities for the rest of the year 2027.
But it is normal and common practice in the music industry to scale back touring activities to focus on writing and recording new music.

They have been touring with this tour (one of the most important) for 2 years and around thr world. Bruce has his solo album for next year and steve his british lion tour i thing so is normal to have a year off. But i doubt they want to record and album because rod said they want to tour. If they have 4 more years they are going to tour and play other songs. Thats my thought

 

[harrisdevot]

I have yet to read a convincing explanation as to why a band that only wants to tour would organize such a strenuous, long tour in one year and then do nothing the next, instead of splitting the tour up, e.g., the European part in 2027.
There would still be enough time for solo activities for the rest of the year 2027.
But it is normal and common practice in the music industry to scale back touring activities to focus on writing and recording new music.

Very convincing. I have never doubted they will record at least another album.

 

[Terry1958]

Bruce has his solo album for next year and steve his british lion tour i thing so is normal to have a year off. But i doubt they want to record and album because rod said they want to tour. If they have 4 more years they are going to tour and play other songs. Thats my thought

They never stop all Maiden activities for the members' solo projects. And especially Bruce, he wouldn't suffer if he had so much to do.
He suffers when he has nothing to do.
I can not imagine him complaining that there is a Maiden tour in addition to his solo tour/solo activities.

 

[Yax]

I have yet to read a convincing explanation as to why a band that only wants to tour would organize such a strenuous, long tour in one year and then do nothing the next, instead of splitting the tour up, e.g., the European part in 2027.
There would still be enough time for solo activities for the rest of the year 2027.
But it is normal and common practice in the music industry to scale back touring activities to focus on writing and recording new music.

I think at this point, we need actual evidence in favor of them doing it, rather than treating the lack of concrete evidence against a new album as evidence in favor. They are old. They are retirement age and their whole personal Senjutsu PR was underwhelming to say the least. It didn't scream of enthusiasm, nor have they demonstrated publicly barely any nudge towards a potential album. Bruce's "retirement sucks!" quote thing regarding his solo records comes across as a definite pointer that Iron Maiden is closing in on ending.

 

[Azas]

Bruce's "retirement sucks!" quote thing regarding his solo records comes across as a definite pointer that Iron Maiden is closing in on ending.

 

[Cosmiceddie]

The question is: Is a band still releveant to you without new music?

 

[Ascendingthethrone]

The question is: Is a band still releveant to you without new music?

I don’t think Maiden will record another album, but I will be pleasantly surprised if they do.

I am not a fan of bands cashing in on their back catalogue, but I believe Maiden have earned it on my opinion. There have been so many occasions on the past where they could have played it easy but went with promoting new albums with lots of energy. E.g. they played all of AMOLAD after the Early Days tour. The latter was a huge tour in Europe and they followed it up with playing a whole new album live!

 

[Fozzie4]

The question is: Is a band still releveant to you without new music?

Yes absolutely they are to me.

I don’t think Maiden will record another album, but I will be pleasantly surprised if they do.

I am not a fan of bands cashing in on their back catalogue, but I believe Maiden have earned it on my opinion. There have been so many occasions on the past where they could have played it easy but went with promoting new albums with lots of energy. E.g. they played all of AMOLAD after the Early Days tour. The latter was a huge tour in Europe and they followed it up with playing a whole new album live!

Pretty much agree with all of the above but the bolded part is so true for many reasons.

 

[DorotheaMe]

I think at this point, we need actual evidence in favor of them doing it, rather than treating the lack of concrete evidence against a new album as evidence in favor.

As indicated above, the break 2027 is the evidence. It wouldn't make sense otherwise.
I find this line of argument contradictory. On the one hand, in this line of argument, they are ancient, but on the other hand, they organise such an exhausting tour in just one year for no reason at all.
Only that they don't have any Maiden activities the following year. A band that only wants to tour and is preparing for retirement does this nice and evenly, a few months every year.

They are old. They are retirement age

But we all know that musicians/bands don't retire just because they have reached retirement age. Just look at the music scene - many festivals would even need new headliners.
That doesn't have to be a good thing. In some cases, it would have been better if they had retired.

 

[Henndrik]

Bruce's "retirement sucks!" quote thing regarding his solo records comes across as a definite pointer that Iron Maiden is closing in on ending.

Maybe Dave really did have a crisis. And that's where the rumors and Bruce's comment came from.
But judging by his demeanor on the last tour, he overcame the crisis. It's possible to have a crisis, but that's not necessarily the end of the story.
It's also possible to find new motivation and change your mind.
For me, that's the most coherent explanation, where everything fits together.