Nicko McBrain recently discussed his role within Iron Maiden and future plans following his retirement from touring with the band. He spoke in an interview with SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk.
The drummer addressed uncertainty around the band’s recording plans and his potential involvement in future projects.
“I’m not touring and there aren’t any plans, that I know of, to do a record,” McBrain said. “We did speak about possibly doing a new album a couple of years ago and it was mixed. But now, I don’t know.”
McBrain reflected on how the pandemic affected the band’s timeline and his current activities within the Iron Maiden organization.
“Everybody’s got their match holder. We all lost about a year and a half to freaking pandemic. That affected everybody,” he continued. “So, basically I’m still part of the family. I’m still involved with and doing a lot of work with the fan club. And I’m writing a book. Actually, I’m writing a book for 10 freaking years. It’s about time I finish it.”
McBrain left the door open for limited participation regarding his potential future involvement with Iron Maiden recordings and performances.
“In terms of being part of the Maiden family, I don’t know,” he said. “I might end up doing a show with them. Doing a song or two or just being there. If there’s a new album plan, I’ll do a couple of tracks. You know, I’m not on the album. Who knows? We are all still a part of the family although I’m not playing the shows.”
McBrain’s comments come at a time when Iron Maiden’s future recording plans remain uncertain. Other band members are pursuing individual projects.
Louder Sound reported that frontman Bruce Dickinson is currently preparing his next solo album. He has already demoed 18 songs with his solo band and aims to record early next year. This solo work suggests that while Iron Maiden’s collective studio activities may be on hold, individual members remain creatively active.
Iron Maiden has confirmed major touring plans for the coming year despite the uncertainty surrounding new recordings. Metal Injection revealed that the band is gearing up for an extensive world tour in 2025 celebrating their 50th anniversary. The tour will feature songs spanning their first nine albums from Iron Maiden to Fear of the Dark.
This anniversary tour represents a significant milestone for the band and promises to deliver a special live experience for fans worldwide. The tour’s focus on their classic catalog underscores Iron Maiden’s commitment to their legacy. This continues even as new studio projects remain uncertain and McBrain steps back from regular touring duties.
The combination of Dickinson’s solo work and the band’s major touring plans indicates that Iron Maiden remains active as a creative force. They operate in different capacities than traditional album cycles. McBrain’s selective involvement in potential future recordings reflects the band’s evolving dynamic as they navigate this new chapter in their career.
