Producer Kevin Shirley has issued the following studio update regarding the recording of the upcoming studio album from IRON MAIDEN:
"Diary of an album - part 3 (March 30th). Greetings again from Maiden Central. Another week has slipped by, and the album is progressing at an amazing pace - we have two songs finished, apart from the vocals, and
they are pretty mind-blowing. The "single" I guess, was the first which features a terrific solo from Adrian and is fairly compact, along the lines of recent rockers - and the second is a tour-de-force,
with a quiet intro, really great chorus, some proggy staccato riffing, a sing-along guitar melody section, and again two phenomenal solos, one from Davey (Murray - guitar) and one from Adrian (Smith - guitar), which almost sounds like a fusion solo - a la JOHN MCLAUGHLIN - amazing!
Davey is winging his way to sunny Hawaii now, and the Wing Commander (BRUCE DICKINSON) will be in today to sing, after which we'll be off to the Royal Albert Hall to see GILLAN and friends, JUDAS PRIEST and the SCORPIONS. Even Steve (Harris - bass) is coming, whatever next? Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Janick (Gers - guitar) and I went out on Wednesday night, to the local pub,
and I got myself thoroughly shit-faced. Not very attractive, after which I scolded the cabby for taking me the long way home and it costing me £10 instead of the normal £5. He insisted that it was the
only way, and I could never do it for £5, so I bet him £20 I could. So, he turned around, went back to the pub (with a thoroughly inebriated me in the back, and having a right old giggle) turned the
meter on again, and asked me the route I'd prefer. And, he took me home again. At the front door, the meter read £5.20. So, he said "see, it's impossible for £5!!" So, I laughed and coughed up the £20, and he dug around for change, but I figured it was a fun enough cameo that I insisted he keep it.
As I got out the cab, I got a text message from Janick saying 'Police have found a man's body in the park. Beer belly, wrinkly arse, small cock and a face like a slapped arse. Text me back so I know your (sic) OK.' All I could text back was 'I am having a bet because I couldn't read the letters on my phone with all that whisky in me,' to which he replied 'Thank God your safe, I was sure it was you!' Cheeky monkey!
And that's all really - we're working away - very diligently and moving along - and as I have said before, it is going to be stunning!!! I really love the songs and sonically, I am very pleased with where it's at, so...........
That's all - there's not much to write that isn't more of the same. until next week - keep your feet on the ground and reach for the stars! Up The Irons!"
Date: 2006-04-09