Longtime Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain recently opened up about confronting Bruce Dickinson after the vocalist’s return to the band. He shared details about their first reunion meeting in a new interview with Kerrang.
McBrain discussed the new documentary ‘Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition’ and addressed his feelings about Dickinson’s departure in 1993 and subsequent return to the band. When asked about how he could have played it nice for the cameras but instead chose to express his lingering anger about Dickinson’s departure, McBrain was candid about his approach.
“I knew I had to say something to him, because it’s how I felt,” McBrain said. “I felt betrayed by him, halfway through the Fear Of The Dark tour, announcing that he was leaving. I thought, ‘I’m gonna have to put this to bed with him.’ You know there were doubts as to his motives of coming back.”
The drummer explained how the confrontation unfolded during their first meeting in Brighton. This led to a resolution between the two bandmates.
“But then, after that first meeting in Brighton, it was done,” he continued. “We were in the pub and I put my arm around him and said, ‘Look, mate, it’s great, I’m glad you’re back, but listen, I can’t change the way I feel and what I said about that. I love you, but that’s how I feel.'”
McBrain revealed that Dickinson’s response helped put the matter to rest permanently.
“He just turned around and said, ‘I wouldn’t have it any other way, Nicko, I love you too,'” McBrain recalled. “And that’s the last we ever – to this day – spoke about it.”
This candid revelation comes as part of the band’s participation in the new documentary. The film takes an unprecedented approach to chronicling Iron Maiden’s 50-year legacy.
Blabbermouth reported that Bruce Dickinson explicitly stated the band’s hands-off approach to the documentary: “When we knew there was going to be a documentary the first thing was that we really didn’t want to be involved in it in terms of editorial or whatever.” This decision to avoid editorial control may have allowed for more candid moments and honest confessions to emerge in the film.
The documentary’s unique format contributes to these revealing moments. Loudwire noted that the film features band members’ voices through archival interviews and reflections, but viewers never see the current band members on screen. This approach means any confrontational moments or emotional revelations are presented through their past reflections rather than current-day interactions. It provides historical context to their relationship dynamics.
McBrain’s honest confession about confronting Dickinson represents one of the documentary’s most notable personal revelations. Loudwire’s review highlighted that McBrain makes a particularly significant honest confession in ‘Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition’ that stands out as a key moment in the film. The specific details are left for viewers to discover.
The documentary is directed by Malcolm Venville. Louder Sound described it as “the definitive look at the storied career of the heavy metal icons.” The film chronicles Iron Maiden’s evolution from early club shows to global tours. It features commentary not only from the band but also from prominent admirers including actor Javier Bardem, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, and Public Enemy’s Chuck D.
