Iron Maiden’s 2021 release Senjutsu might end up being their final studio album—at least if bassist and bandleader Steve Harris has his way. But frontman Bruce Dickinson isn’t ready to let the legacy rest.
In a new issue with Metal Hammer (via Whiplash), Dickinson shared that he’d proposed recording a new album, inspired by the fresh energy of drummer Simon Dawson. Dawson officially stepped in after longtime drummer Nicko McBrain retired in 2024 due to health complications. “I said, ‘The drummer’s doing really well, isn’t he? Maybe we should make a new album.’ But he grumbled and said, ‘I don’t have time.’”
Harris didn’t dispute the exchange. In fact, he offered a blunt explanation for his hesitation. “I don’t know, that’s the answer to that,” he said. “Composing is stressful. I lock myself away and torture myself for a few weeks. I wouldn’t say it’s traumatic, but it’s a lot of work.”
That workload may be one reason Maiden hasn’t returned to the studio since Senjutsu. While the band has remained active on the road, they’ve announced plans to take a break from touring in 2027 following the next leg of their “Run For Your Lives” tour, which continues through 2026. That pause could open a window for studio work—if Harris is willing to face the grind once more.
In the meantime, Iron Maiden is focused on their 50th anniversary celebrations, including a run of European summer festivals and a landmark show at London’s Knebworth Park, expected to be their biggest UK audience ever.
Whether Senjutsu marks the end of Iron Maiden’s studio legacy or just a long pause remains to be seen. But Dickinson’s enthusiasm—and Dawson’s solid footing behind the drums—suggest the story might not be over yet.
