Maiden could tour for 2 years

Iron Maiden’s tour on the back of 16th album The Book Of Souls could run for two years, drummer Nicko McBrain has suggested.

And he’s described the follow-up to 2010’s The Final Frontier as “a stunning piece of work.”

The band’s first-ever double-length title arrives on September 4, after being delayed while frontman Bruce Dickinson battled cancer.

McBrain tells 98.7 The Gater: “As everybody knows it’s been in the making for a while – and it’s definitely worth the wait.

“Every time you make a record it’s the best you’ve ever made. This one, without a doubt, is the best record we’ve ever made. Sonically it’s brilliant. The compositions of the songs are fantastic.”

Asked about touring plans, the drummer says they’ve been given a guideline from manager Rod Smallwood. “It’s still up in the air as to where and when. It’s going to be a big one, I’m sure.

“Rod’s told us not to do anything for two years. We really don’t know yet.”

Maiden this week announced plans to release a limited-edition stronger version of their Trooper beer, to mark the sale of 10 million pints since it went on the market in 2013.

10,000,000 pints: How Iron Maiden rocked the brewing industry

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.