Let's face it – we as metal fans are going to see the days where bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden play their final show. It sucks to think about, but time waits on nobody. And while bands like Iron Maiden have made it well known in the past that they'll essentially die on stage, bassist Steve Harris seems to think otherwise.
In an interview with Classic Rock, a few of Harris's answers seem to be very aware of Iron Maiden's mortality as a band. When asked if there could be another Iron Maiden album, Harris discusses the band wanting to tour while they still can instead. He also outright addresses the band's potential end, saying they're enjoying touring the world "maybe because we know that we're coming towards the end."
"Who knows for sure? At the moment we want to tour as much as we can. But even if we did semi-retire [from playing live], we could still make albums. I don't know. We'll see.
"I always thought that it would be nice to make fifteen albums, which we've surpassed. It's all downhill from here, isn't it? [Laughs.] But each of us is still enjoying it – possibly more than ever – maybe because we know that we're coming towards the end. We try not to think too much about that, but so long as everyone still enjoys what we do we'll keep on going as long as we can."
Harris was also asked if Iron Maiden could potentially bang out another short classic like "Run To The Hills," to which he responds that he generally writes the longer songs, especially on Senjutsu. "I tend to meander off," he said. "But part of the direction of Senjutsu was me thinking: 'If this is to be our last album, then I want to use some of the bigger ideas that I've got.'"
And really, Harris just turned 67 years old in March. There's really only so much touring the world like maniacs Iron Maiden can do before it's special one-off tours and festival appearances. Again, it sucks, but Harris is being realistic about it. On his logic of an insane touring schedule this late in the band's career, he said "It makes me think: 'Let's get out there and do stuff while I still can." People ask me how I still do what I do. The truth is that I don't even think about that. The time will come when I will no longer be able to. I don't even want to consider that."
All this being said, we hope Iron Maiden ends up being immortal and sticks around forever.
