"That's definitely my favourite album. It's all pretty much perfect." Nicko McBrain ranks Iron Maiden's albums, from worst to best

Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain — (Image credit: Richard Ecclestone/Redferns)

Nicko McBrain has revealed his favourite Iron Maiden studio albums from worst to best.

The drummer, who retired from touring in 2024, took part in a recent fan event at his Rock n Roll Ribs restaurant in Coral Springs, Florida, led by Iron Maiden fan and podcaster Capnharris.

The albums were offered randomly, and the drummer was asked to place them in order of greatness on a presentation board featuring his flaxen puppet pal Sooty.

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In a move that may shock and surprise fans, McBrain placed the band's 1980 self-titled album at the bottom of the list.

"I'll tell you what, the production on that wasn't the greatest, but nevertheless, still a good album," says the drummer.

McBrain picked the band's 2006 album A Matter of Life and Death as his favourite studio album.

"That's definitely my favourite album," he reveals. "For the Greater Good of God, Lord of Light, The Legacy. It's all pretty much perfect."

Nicko McBrain's Iron Maiden Album Ranking! - YouTube

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Here's how the drummer placed each album in order of greatness.

17. Iron Maiden
16. Virtual XI
15. No Prayer for the Dying
14. The X Factor
13. Killers
12. The Number of the Beast
11. The Final Frontier
10. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
9. Fear of the Dark
8. Somewhere in Time
7. Brave New World
6. Dance of Death
5. The Book of Souls
4. Powerslave
3. Senjutsu
2. Piece of Mind
1. A Matter of Life and Death

McBrain will publish his autobiography Hello Boys And Girls through Harper Nonfiction on October 22.

The drummer says: "It’s been a real honour to write my very own autobiography and have the chance to walk down memory lane, revisiting all the experiences that have made me who I am and brought me to where I am today. And I’m thrilled and delighted to be taking those stories on the road and share them all with you. I feel truly blessed to be able to say Hello Boys And Girls to you all in person later this year. We’re going to have a lot of fun together, so come and join me for a great night out. I’ve got a LOT of stories I want to tell you all!”

He'll embark on An Evening with Nicko McBrain tour from October 26 to promote his book. For tickets and dates, visit his official website.

Born in 1976 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Simon Young has been a music journalist for twenty-seven years. His fanzine, Hit A Guy With Glasses, enjoyed a one-issue run before he secured a job at Kerrang! in 1999. His writing has also appeared in Classic Rock, Metal Hammer, Prog, and Planet Rock. His first book, So Much For The 30 Year Plan: Therapy? — The Authorised Biography was published in 2020 through Jawbone.