Simon Dawson is the new drummer

Experience from the 2nd night in Budapest.

Simon sounds great. He is obviously not Nicko, and should not be, he is closer to Clive if you really have to compare.

But don't, as he is not Clive either.

The fact is he seems to have his own style and songs like Killers and Hallowed benefit from a better driving power to be honest, thanks to him.

Drum sound live was immense yesterday.

I am fully satisfied given that I am a huge Nicko fan but Simon, by the feel of it, seemingly rejuvenated the entire band. Haven't seen them this happy playing together, even with the small glitches, for a while.

So, I approve Simon (I know the band has been eagerly waiting for my approval ;)))))
 
My brother and I used to compare Nicko's and Lars’ approaches to drumming and how different they are. Nicko always seemed more fluid—almost restrained in a way. His torso stays pretty stable, and he’s like a spider with a bunch of hands, working smoothly across every cymbal and tom. I'm not a pro, so I don’t have the right vocabulary to describe his playing, but to me, just watching him, it feels like he’s in a kind of energy-saving, efficient mode.

Lars, on the other hand, comes across as much more physical—he’s all over the place. Just by looking at him, it seems like he uses a lot of unnecessary energy to get the same results. Nicko is more about finesse and flexible hands, while Lars feels more about shoulders and full-body motion.

And yeah, to my untrained eye, Simon looks more like Lars than Nicko—more physical, less focused on flexibility or dexterity. Of course, that doesn’t mean Nicko didn’t get exhausted too—it just looked easier and more controlled visually from a non-drummer’s perspective. Or am I wrong about that?

Edit: My post isn’t meant to judge any of the drummers’ skills—it’s more about their playing styles. One style just seems more physical than the other. And even then, it’s just an observation made by casual watchers with no drumming skills whatsoever.
 
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Simon doesn't have Nicko's feel, it's not possible and he is a different/more modern drummer, so he plays some fills differently and his style is somehow closer to Clive's (with his own approach, which is right), but to play so well, not after many years of playing live (Maiden) shows, plus we know the drum parts of two of the best metal drummers by heart (it takes time), is just great. He plays different styles and is the same age as the band, so he will need time, but they sound energetic, which is very important. Also, his playing seems very physical, so he'll need to switch to touring mode. Doing the songs more than justice (some fills too). All is good. Experienced drummer after all. He is a drummer like Lars, I agree with @Azas comment.

He sounds great in the first songs, especially Phantom. Dunno about Murders' intro. It's not easy and in some sections (Nicko's songs, he can't play like him, sorry) his transitions are not that smooth, or some of the fills. Is it because of the really small drum kit? Maiden songs need more.
 
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Are you all really comparing barely acceptable cell phone audio to 42+ years of documented Nicko playing to form these opinions? Under those circumstances, nobody would ever measure up.

Still seems like a lot of folks had their minds made up before he played a note. Not accusing anyone here of this but it's a pervasive stance I've read over and over again since the first show.

I'm just glad they got someone who's not just a carbon copy - let him do what works for him with these songs.
 
I admit I didn't want Simon for Iron Maiden, but I nonetheless have no complaints. All in all, he did a very good job for his first big live Iron Maiden shows.
To be a copy of Nicko has never been his goal, so he can not have failed in that.
 
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Can someone tell me what Bruce says in this video, 1.20 min? Thank you! I unfortunately don't understand him.

I am French like his wife, but apparantley her English is much better than mine.
Too bad, that means I don't qualify as wife No. 4. ;) (Just joking).

 
Donner said:
Are you all really comparing barely acceptable cell phone audio to 42+ years of documented Nicko playing to form these opinions? Under those circumstances, nobody would ever measure up.

Still seems like a lot of folks had their minds made up before he played a note. Not accusing anyone here of this but it's a pervasive stance I've read over and over again since the first show.

I'm just glad they got someone who's not just a carbon copy - let him do what works for him with these songs.
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I mean, you have to realise Nicko was really one of a kind and I was originally genuinely putting forth the proposition of replacing him with two drummers, to copy the hectic, busy, juicy feel he has, somewhat akin to the Allmen having two drummers (and a similar juicy bottom to prime-era Maiden)

I think that all things considered, Simon is having a lot of support in general, I myself have said some nice things about him, which I hadn't expect. He's definitely having a less tough room than Blaze, lol.
 
GhostofCain said:
His comment refers to the electricity coin meters some people have at home in the UK. You top up with coins and, once the money runs out, you no longer have electricity.
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No one has those old coin meters anymore. But I reckon he's making an even older reference to television sets that used to exist in the 50s and 60s that were also coin operated.
 
Taken from Drummerworld - it's a very fair point.

"Fans also need to keep in mind that when Nicko McBrain replaced Clive Burr, McBrain brought his own feel and a completely unique style to Iron Maiden. With Dawson now replacing McBrain, fans should expect the same to follow with Dawson’s drumming."

I know Nicko's tenure was much longer than Clives - but then again Clive was the drummer in some of Maidens most loved tracks (even if they're not being played live this tour...). I wonder how many people in this forum witnessed Nicko's first couple of gigs with the band - would he have made any mistakes - probably.. Still, love Nicko and his playing, will never not miss it. But Simon's killing it! And as some have pointed out, adding a bit of needed drive to some of the tracks.
 

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2M2M said:
I know Nicko's tenure was much longer than Clives - but then again Clive was the drummer in some of Maidens most loved tracks (even if they're not being played live this tour...).
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Huh? There are eight Clive-era songs on the setlist.
 
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