Are Iron Maiden Getting Ready To Announce A New Album?

It's sometimes a little surprising to remember that Iron Maiden released their massive 16th album The Book Of Souls all the way back in 2015. Not only did the record make an enormous splash when it arrived, but the endless touring that came with it has made it feel as though the album only came out yesterday. But in a recent interview, drummer Nicko McBrain implied that perhaps a new Iron Maiden album is in the works -- though he's still decidedly mysterious about that.

Speaking to Backstage Axxess at NAMM about the possibility of a new album, Nicko said, "Watch this space: IronMaiden.com. That's all I've gotta say." When host David "Gus" Griesinger implied that Nicko's comments meant that fans should look for "something soon," the drummer was quick to correct him, adding, "No, I didn't say something soon, and I didn't say 'possibly.' Watch this space, is what I said. Don't be putting words in their mouths."

Watch the whole interview below:

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So: maybe there's a new Iron Maiden record being worked on right now, and maybe there isn't. What's most important is that fans should watch IronMaiden.com like a hawk for any updates that may come their way.

Meanwhile, fans around the world can bask in the glow of Iron Maiden's live show at one of the following dates:

May

1 Perth, Australia, RAC Arena (w/ Killswitch Engage)
3 Adelaide, Australia, Entertainment Centre (w/ Killswitch Engage)
5 Brisbane, Australia, Entertainment Centre (w/ Killswitch Engage)
7 Sydney, Australia, Qudos Bank Arena (w/ Killswitch Engage)
11 Melbourne, Australia, Rod Laver Arena (w/ Killswitch Engage)
13 Auckland, New Zealand, Spark Arena (w/ Killswitch Engage)
16 Manila, Philippines, Pulp Summer Slam
19 Tokyo, Japan, Pia Arena MM
20 Tokyo, Japan, Pia Arena MM
22 Osaka, Japan, [venue to be confirmed]
27 Dubai, UAE, Coca-Cola Arena
30 Tel Aviv, Israel, Bloomfield Stadium (w/ Orphaned Land)

June

5-7 Tampere, Finland, Rockfest
9 Bremen, Germany, Buergerweide (w/ Disturbed & Airbourne)
10 Cologne, Germany, Rhein-Energie-Stadium (w/ Airbourne & Lord Of The Lost)
13 Donington, UK, Download Festival
15 Belfast, UK, Belsonic Festival
18 Dessel, Belgium, Graspop Metal Meeting
20 Copenhagen, Denmark, Copenhell
23 Berlin, Germany, Waldbuehne (w/ Airbourne & Lord Of The Lost)
25 Oslo, Norway, Tons Of Rock
27 Gothenburg, Sweden, Ullevi Stadium (w/ Alter Bridge & Airbourne)
30 St Petersburg, Russia, Ice Palace (w/ Airbourne)

July

2 Moscow, Russia, VTB Arena Dynamo Central Stadium (w/ Airbourne)
5 Warsaw, Poland, PGE Narodowy (w/ Within Temptation & Lord Of The Lost)
7 Prague, Czech Republic, Sinobo Stadium (w/ Airbourne & Lord Of The Lost)
9 Weert, Holland, Evenemententerrein (w/ Alter Bridge & Airbourne)
11 Paris, France, Paris La Defense Arena (w/ Airbourne & Avatar)
16 Wiener, Austria, Neustadt Stadium (w/ Airbourne & Lord Of The Lost)
18 Stuttgart, Germany, Mercedes-Benz Arena (w/ Airbourne & Lord Of The Lost)
20 Bologna, Italy, Sonic Park (w/ Airbourne & Lord Of The Lost)
23 Lisbon, Portugal, Estadio Nacional (w/ Within Temptation & Airbourne)
25 Barcelona, Spain, Olympic Stadium (w/ Within Temptation & Airbourne)

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Download Festival takes place at Donington Park on June 12-14. Get your tickets here.