I'll add my own perspective, for what little it may be worth. First, I will state right up front that I am an Adrian Smith fan foremost, but a Maiden fan just a tick behind that. And yes, when he left/was booted, I lost interest. I've been a Maiden fan since late `82, so this isn't a recent conversion and I know the history of the band. All that said, I try to be as fair and objective as I can. It seems pretty obvious to me that Adrian chafes a bit with the way things are done in Maiden these days. The Caveman Diary entries for TFF and the Mission Debrief make that clear. He even voiced mild displeasure on the DVD that came with AMOLAD. The displeasure was much more evident and pointed in the TFF cases, though. Do I think he's the most creative guy in Maiden? Yes, but Bruce and Steve also contribute heavily, with minor contributions made by Dave and Janick. But it's Adrian that seems to want to push the sound (more modern, but yet reminded me of SiT), to push for a better mix (re: dustup during the post-recording mixing phase aired in one of the late Caveman Diaries), and he's brought songs in with different timings and they get "Stevized" back down to 4/4 time. He said on the mission debrief that he wanted to mix things up because it seemed like they were getting in a rut (I think he was just referring to the guitarists and soloing). He was the one who introduced synths and tapping back in the 80s. While you may not have liked Awoken Broken, he showed he could do things outside the Maiden "box" and it would be fresh, innovative, and amazing.
I think Adrian's contribution are crucial to Maiden's success, but he also needs a good creative foil, or co-conspirator. I like State of Mind and Welcome to the World, but they like the fire and awesomeness of AoB or TCW. Bruce has been a good writing partner for Adrian since the early days and they bring the best out of each other. I'm not overlooking Roy- I think he's the driving force behind the Bruce solo albums, but w/o Adrian you get ToS which is good, but lacks cohesion and Adrians' subtle inputs. And, I think Steve and Adrian are capable of doing amazing work together- "Paschendaele" is probably my favorite post-reunion song. As a trio, the songwriting combination of Harris-Smith-Dickinson is legendary. Where I think the frustration comes from Adrian fans (and perhaps Adrian himself) is that Steve now feels that he *has* to insinuate himself into every song, the arrangement, and the mix and we'll never see a totally Harris-free contribution from Adrian or Bruce. Too much power resides in Steve's hands, I guess. I'm not downplaying his contributions and I think all parties would agree that they *need* each other. Well, Adrian and Bruce could go hook up with Roy Z. again and amazing music would result. But, Maiden without Adrian or without Bruce would not be good, IMO. Adrian on his own isn't as good as Adrian with a strong writing partner (Mikee, Bruce, or Steve). Bruce is probably too busy outside Maiden, now, to contemplate a solo album, but even he would need Roy to get it to "good/great" status. I don't think Adrian is more important than Steve in Maiden, but I *do* think he's closer to the creative edge and without his songwriting, playing, and singing (live) they're not back on top post-reunion.
Now, this thread is about the future, or potentially future, Maiden studio album. What inputs or attitudes will affect this writing/recording session? Well, there's the perhaps lingering tension between Adrian and Steve over arranging/mixing on TFF. Shirley said they all talked it out and they were fine at the end of the day (late Spring 2010, while they were mixing in CA), but the Mission Debrief was recorded in June 2010 in Dallas (I think) and it seemed that Adrian was still miffed. They also since toured and released En Vivo! On that DVD, and I don't think I'm playing a favorite here, Adrian seemed to be inspired- all the normal stuff was spot-on, as usual, but he uncharacteristically added some fills, runs, licks, and flash into the songs where it hadn't previously existed. Some of his additions were obvious (the 8:13 or so mark on WTWWB, for instance) while at other times he plays some understated chords underneath what the other guys are playing, which adds a nice new element. End result- Adrian took a more active, visible, and assertive role on En Vivo! than he has previously. The two big influences on the mood of the songwriting session could be the solo projects from Steve and Adrian. Though long in the gestation, 15+ years for Steve, 6+ for Adrian, both were released this year. While I expected something from Adrian, the announcement of a Steve Harris solo project came as a shock- mostly because I thought all of his creative itches got scratched in Maiden. Whether we liked them or not is irrelevant; both guys were able to get some non-Maiden music out, take in the acclaim, perhaps reflect on the criticism, and I think these side projects will have an effect on what happens on the next Maiden album. With PRR/Awoken Broken, Adrian showed that he also knows a good bit about producing music, how to keep it modern, how to be heavy and complex at the same time, and suppress his ego (there's really not any guitar wankery on it; great playing, but no wanking) in favor of the song/band. I would love to hear an album full of his guitar wanking, but perhaps that's just not something he places value on. I liked Awoken Broken, though I will agree that there are a few songs that are weak and Mikee's vocal style isn't for everyone (more on that later). With British Lion, Steve showed that he could write shorter songs, ditch some of the intro/outro stuff he does in Maiden, deaden his strings so that the sound is warmer, more like a traditional bass than the metallic clankity-clank he does in Maiden, and generally expand what we, the fans, regard as his musical horizons. Both Adrian and Steve should be commended for taking the leap and opening themselves up to the "It Ain't Maiden!" criticism that would inevitably come with a side/solo project. Now, as for the vocals on both AB and BL- I think they both suffer from what I am calling "The Dickinson Conundrum"- neither Adrian or Steve could have gotten a singer *like* Bruce who would be anywhere near as good *as* Bruce, so they had to go a different direction. Again, no judgment, it just is what it is.
When Maiden reconvenes for writing album #16, the primary songwriters will have the necessary creative tension in place (perhaps too much?), they will also be able to bring in elements of their side projects while still keeping it Maiden, and perhaps they will both learn to appreciate what they can offer each other, instead of opposing each other. An album of heavy, fast-hitting, diverse, shorter songs? Yes please! More Adrian input on the mixing arranging? Yes. Fewer soft intros? I'd take that. A bass that sounds like a bass? Please. The full involvement and appreciation of Mr. Bruce Dickinson? Oh, hell yes! Mostly, I just hope there *is* another Maiden album and that once again, Adrian gets to make significant (50% or more) writing contributions.
ChemicalMan