For most the up to date information, please scroll to the bottom of this page
January 30th, 2019
Earlier this month, someone on the Iron Maiden forum claimed that Adrian, Nicko and Dave were spotted in Paris. Well, that seems to be untrue as Nicko and Adrian have been in social media posts and both were home at the time of the claims.
Now, my friend has a friend (yeah yeah) who’s word he trusts who said that Nicko will be headed off to Paris in February to record. Still a rumor, but a rumor nonetheless. So fingers crossed!! I would love 2020 to be a new album tour. (Checking back in in 2021 what a ride its been)
February 25th, 2019
A couple of days ago Mrs. McBrain posted to Instagram that they were in London. Maybe its possible he will be headed to France to record with Maiden after.
March 1st, 2019
Kevin Shirley made an Instagram post saying he was off to Europe, after he just finished up some sort of music cruise. That lines up with the rumors of Maiden recording in March.
March 2nd, 2019
1:47p.m Kevin Shirley is now in Paris. Guillame Tell is in Paris, as posted on his Instagram, which is where BNW and TBOS was recorded, and where fans have speculated the next album is to be recorded.
4:30p.m Kevin Shirley has now deleted all posts stating he was in Paris. He earlier had posted he was in a bar and an IMFCer found out it was 15 minutes from the studio. Since posting on the forum he has removed everything.
March 12th, 2019
Well its Steves 63rd birthday today, and Mr. Stratton has spilled some small beans
March 14th, 2019
More fingers pointing.
June 3rd, 2019
Kevin Shirley has up until recently been posting about Paris and people have seen Bruce and Steve around Paris.
August 5th, 2019
We are in the middle of our run of dates, and I am just popping in to say Bruce mentions there will be new music at every show during his Clansman speech.
September 30th, 2020
Its been over a year since I wrote here. We’ve been in a pandemic for 6 months. Tour rescheduled. No news. Nothing. But today, we got a little video update from Bruce. He mentioned working in some things with Steve I think it may be for a LOTB live album.
March 29th, 2021
Well, it’s the first scrap of anything I’ve had to share in a long, long time.
May not have to do with the album, but seems like it could be something.
June 28th, 2021
We have a lot to share today. Bruce was on Sky news this morning, and was asked about any information he could give us (regarding what he has been “up to”). He said it’s a secret but it “won’t be for long”, and when asked for a hint he paused, giving a look as if he wanted to tell so bad, and said “I can’t” and that a hint was “right in front of you”
The video can be found Here
(Thanks to Eddie the Head Fanclub for sharing the full interview)
He was wearing the shirt shown above. After a little searching it seemed to say “Belshazzars Feast”. The Wikipedia article showed that this might be linked to something we have seen in the most recent tour poster.
All the way back when the tour was postponed for the first time, in May of 2020, WOTW was a little addition on the poster. No one knew what it meant really. Some speculated a hint to what’s next, some said it probably meant the “Writings on the Wall” as in they know the tour going ahead is still uncertain. It was more or less let go, or used as a gag for “Wrath of the Waters” for a while.
As you can see from the Wikipedia article, Belshazzars Feast is the story of the “Writing on the Wall.” Onto something there.
•Later, found on Facebook was this, which was posted up at the Download Festival Pilot.
(This image was found to be taken from a Twitter page mentioned later in this post)
Various members and myself searched Google and nothing about this could be found. At the bottom right, the numerals look to be IM 17 (later confirmed, it is IMXVII), as in Iron Maiden 17 or their seventeenth album, which would be the next installment. We think that the date on the bottom is when we will hear something. July 15th.
Now, that wasn’t the only sighting of the poster at Download Pilot. In fact, there were two more that included manager Rod Smallwood in the photo
•Next up, a Twitter page called bels_feast was found, Here
The only thing this page has posted about is this poster being at Download. And their name is Daniel. Belshazzar’s Feast is from the book of Daniel.
•Another pretty big discovery was made by Vegus on the forum. The previously mentioned Twitter follows 16 pages. Each of the pages has something to do with one of Iron Maidens 16 studio albums and they are all in order.
•Lastly (so far) today we have a video of Frank Turner, who was seen wearing this same shirt at Download while being interviewed. Note the following
The final question he is asked if he knows anything about new Maiden material. Before answering he nonchalantly unzips his hoodie, showing the shirt and then answers.
I think its safe to say we may hear something soon. All the best, folks.
June 29th, 2021
•The new FC mag has been going out and someone on the forum pointed out it is #117, and the 17 on the cover is gold
•It was pointed out that from yesterday, when this was made known, to July 15th (the date on the poster) there are 17 days. 17 again. Well played.
•Some people have begun to recieve a response from the email address. Below is one my friend Logan Miller received
Seems like it may be a message to decode or something to look out for. I have not had time to sit down and look into it and have not heard from others what it might be but will update if I hear anything
•Next up, in the first page of the new FC magazine, there is a “Troopers owed” to a “Nebuchadnezzar Pub and Alehouse”
Nebuchadnezzar is the grandfather of Belshazzar. Upon further research from FC members, said establishment does not exist. Another bread crumb, perhaps.
•Shared by Cork_Iron (Rory) on the forum was this tweet from Iron Maiden earlier today, alluding to WOTW in a subtle way
•Caught by Low-Yo-Yo-Stuff on the forum. A “WOTW” from the email
•Another photo from the newest FC magazine shared again by Julia1 on the forum. From page 42
•I received a message from a page called “Eddie the Head Fanclub” who believes the three words in the email a few people received earlier have to do with this:
He did some hours of reading into Churchills book “The World Crisis” and investigating Daniel the Prophet.
•Posted on the Heavy Metal Truants Facebook page on June 16th was this photo, where you can see WOTW underneath the hashtag
June 30th, 2021
•Maiden1976 on the forum shared a photo from the mysterious “Daniel” Instagram, he made a new post and changed his cover photo
Pointed out by danbufton, the church in the photo is St. Mary Magdalene, Waltham on the Wolds, or yet another nod at WOTW
EDIT: This next part has been debunked.
Drumhedd on the forum shared a comment from the “Daniel” Twitter page, someone with a framed photo of “Belshazzar’s Feast” in their home.
As I write this BazwoldArtist claims to be “just a fan”. No explanation to where the poster came from
It turns out this is just a fan like us who printed himself one from the photos which have been going around
https://mobile.twitter.com/BazwoldArtist/status/1410222815870136322?s=20
•Rock and Roll Ribs just shared a pretty normal post on Instagram
As you can see there’s a “WOTW” AND a Belshazzars Feast poster in the window. This was caught by Marcelo and Zomboid on the forum
•A comment on this blog post pointed out that the artist (Rembrandt) who made the painting “Belshazzar’s Feast” was born on July 15th.
•Iron Maiden shared this post on Twitter
Working on the Wires = WOTW
•Pointed out by Maiden1976, Robinsons Brewery shared 2 photos today. Here is the first found Here
And one from Facebook they shared from “Robinsons Shire Horses” Here
•PML666 shared this photo from Twitter, IronMaidenBeer alluding to WOTW
July 1st, 2021
•Shared by Maidenmum, another WOTW by the Maiden Twitter page
•Neil666 shared a photo from Instagram found Here from thecrobarsoho that includes the poster again.
•Danbufton shared a new tweet by the “Daniel” Twitter, probably a new clue
While eryk shared a close up of the Golden tankard, showing the words “mene, tekel, peres” which are the three words written by the hand in the story of WOTW.
He also discovered what is printed under the tankard
The second photo he posted is another piece by Rembrandt
•Tim Burgess, who will be hosting the SSOASS listening party on July 9th shared This . Hopefully this means we may hear something during the party.
Iron Maidens Twitter responded to this post with another “WOTW”
July 2nd, 2021
•Early this morning, Kevin Shirley shared this on his Instagram story. As pointed put by DemonazSR on the forum
•”Daniel” on Twitter also shared a new cryptic message, as shown here by Eryk
Wisdom on the Web and pointed out by hUed this came 17 hrs after the last post.
A theory I have thats a bit of a reach is that the apple by the river may refer to the apple in the SSOASS Eddie. We will be having the listening party for it July 9th so maybe we will hear/see something then
•John McMurtrie shared the poster, but only a portion. The “Tower” with “Live Forever” shown underneath. Maybe that is pointing to something.
•Another T shirt sighting, from Planet Rocks Twitter
•Posted to Guillaume Tell Facebook (the studio where Maiden recorded albums such as BNW and TBOS) 6 days ago. Only just now noticed
Pucha on the forum figured out it is probably what the latest tweet from “Daniel” is about.
The apple by the river, as stated in this mornings cryptic message.
“Daniel” replies to a comment, Tell is capitalized. Guillaume Tell
Tweeted this finding to “Daniel” and he responded with a “WOTW”
This is probably the find of the day.
•Akirant Illustration, who has created pieces for Maiden in the past (including the most recent resubscription shirt) shared 9 images to show the entire artwork for the t-shirt. They used the hashtag #wotw
Their Instagram can be found Here
•Fuel Rock Club in Cardiff shared the flyer in their window Here with a nod to “WOTW” as working on the wood
•ETHFC shared a post to me from Kevin Shirley’s “Caveman” Facebook page. A Belshazzar’s Feast poster, along with him saying directly, “Writings on the Wall” are included. The post can be found Here
July 3rd, 2021
•First clue of the morning, danbufton pointed out Tim Burgess shared this photo to Twitter of him in the Belshazzar’s Feast shirt, and posting another new “WOTW”
•”Daniel” on Twittwr has Changed his cover photo yet again, to a photo of the poster in a parking lot
Forum user mjrich pointed out the blue building in the back, saying that it is perhaps Long Beach Arena
Seems very plausible that it is the correct building but I will update this space if it’s found to be somewhere different
I did a little bit of searching myself on Google street view, and found that this is very likely. I’ve circled some windows and plants that match the ones in the Twitter photo
•Iron Maiden shared this story post to their Instagram, with a “WOTW” as circled
•Iron Maidem Tweeted out a post that seemingly had no hint. They commented on said post with a photo of Jadon Sancho, Here
Pointed out by Emmi, he is player number 17
•User Emilangel on the forum, who lives near Long Beach Arena, went to scope out the area to see if the poster was still there. He went, and the poster was still attached to the pole in the parking lot. He stated that nothing was on the poster more than what we have seen.
Here is the photo from Emilangel at Long Beach Arena
This has definitely got to be the highlight of the day. We were all so surprised to see it was still there!
July 4th, 2021
•”Daniel” on Twitter has just changed his profile cover photo to a new location
It was quickly found out to be in Los Angeles, and bladecatcher on the forum caught that it was outside of the Rainbow Bar and Grill. Below are screenshots showing the same ad from the photo, and City National Bank can be seen in the background of the original photo.
•Iron Maiden posted a story in their Instagram, just like yesterday it was the next studio album, Killers. This time with a nod to both the poster and WOTW
•I had a friend in LA run down to The Rainbow, and the flyer was gone. Either they did not leave it up or someone else got to it first, but it was definitely the correct location.
•Lord_SUMMERISLE posted on the forum that we seemed to have missed this post from June 30th
July 5th, 2021
•Kevin Shirley posted on his Instagram story (which will disappear after 24 hrs) several videos. Where you could see 2 Belshazzar’s Feast posters in his studio
•”Daniel” on Twitter has his first new Tweet in a couple of days here
He claimed he was away in “oswestry” (note, no capitals) even though his cover photo had been changing twice
•Iron Maiden shared the next album up on their story, TNOTB with two hints like yesterday
WOTW
•Drumhedd on the forum pointed out that Maiden started a Spotify playlist of the singles that they had attached to their recent Instagram stories
He pointed out that this could potentially be alluding to them dropping a new single soon.
He also pointed out it uses the altered cover with the tower/mointain.
•”Daniel” on Twitter uploaded a new cover photo.
We have a word to use as a clue, “Brentford”. It is in London. I will report back with any findings as soon as they happen.
As of about 10 minutes later it’s been solved by Low-Yo-Yo-Stuff. It is Acacia Avenue. Good find!!!
•”Daniel” just tweeted out again, the following
July 6th, 2021
•Waking up to a new post and photo by “Daniel”
The new cover photo was found to be The Cart and Horses by Cork_Iron, as you can see below
The building in the post was found to be Walthamstow Assembly Hall by danbufton. Also note it has one of the posters on it
Cart and Horses Facebook page shared the following
And they also replied to a comment on said photo
•Austin Dickinson shared the poster on his Instagram story today
•hUed on the forum caught that the Spotify playlist mentioned yesterday had the photo changed to the next album up, with hint included
Iron Maiden also shared this photo on their Instagram story, as they’ve done the previous 3 days as well
•Another Tweet by “Daniel”
•A new post was made in Iron Maidens social media with a hashtag that included a WOTW
July 7th, 2021
•”Daniel” sent out a Tweet this morning. 8 more days.
•Another new Tweet from “Daniel” showing a new location with a poster. Forum members currently believe this is in Hamburg, Germany.
•Miguel_Z on the forumbpointed out the Spotify playlist and photo has changed. Tower is included, as well as WOTW in hieroglyphics
•Iron Maiden shared a “WOTW” to their social media pages
They also just now shared a video of Bruce promoting Tim’s Twitter Listening party. Bruce is in a Belshazzar’s Feast shirt and also says:
“ you just might learn something to your advantage “
July 8th, 2021
•One I did not catch yesterday. Tim’s Twitter posted #Belshazzarsfeast
•Daniel is back on Twitter with a new post.
This location was easily found due to the sign in the photo, which alludes to “WOTW” yet again. This time he says “this one doesn’t feel right…” which means the guesses at “War of the Worlds” is probably incorrect
•New Instagram story post from Iron Maiden, this time we can see “WOTW” and a poster. A 17 can be seen where previously it was only a 7
•”WOTW” can be spotted on the left hand side of this post by ironmaidenlotb on Instagram
July 9th, 2021
•A new cover photo from “Daniel” has been posted this morning
Low-Yo-Yo-Stuff found it to be The Ruskin Arms
•Yesteray there was rumor that the release date for the album was leaked.
Emilangel on the forum listened through the interview where said rumor was leaked and it seems like this could be plausible. The interview can can found below with said information at the 54 minute mark
•Iron Maiden shared the “Clairvoyant” video on their Instagram, but there are several hidden frames that were caught by FC members. Screenshots from Karl, Emmi, Longfellow and MMB
They also shared the next album cover in question on their story. You can see the tower in the background.
•One of the screenshots from the video above seems to be a venue, Shepherds Bush Empire. A forum user, archy120 pointed out that the listening party teaser we got the other day from Bruce was filmed there. Potentially on the same date as the SkyNews interview, as that was filmed there as well and he is wearing the same clothing.
•A pretty significant video from the Twitter Listening Party
Take it as you will, we definitely have something special on the way…
July 10th, 2021
•Drifter on the forum shared a photo from the LOTB game where the shirt finally decided to show up
•Iron Maiden posted today’s album cover, easy to find the “hint” today
•TP on the forum noted that Kevin Shirley posted another Instagram story last night, He panned around his studio and you could see two Belshazzar’s Feast posters. He zoomed in on one at the end of the video.
•ironmaidenlotb made a new Instagram post which has Eddie in his new shirt
July 11th, 2021
•”Daniel” has yet again posted this morning
I do not know a name, but the man in the photo has been in Maiden media before. I definitely remember him on Flight 666
•Iron Maiden also shared a “WOTW” tweet
They also shared the next album in the cycle on their story. You can see WOTW♡ written on a branch by Eddie and a poster at the bottom
•Found the name for the gentleman in “Daniels” tweet
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masanori_Ito_(music_critic)
July 12th, 2021
•Iron Maiden shared the next album in their story. We can see WOTW and the tower in the bottom left
•Vegus shared this photo of BBC commentator (and Maiden fan) Guy Mowbray with one of the shirts
•Iron Maiden just shared the following on their Instagram
July 13th, 2021
•Iron Maiden shared the next video in their social media…the poster is torn down to reveal WOTW
•A video was shared showing Bruce in Shepherds Bush Empire again, looks like there’s same day as everything else. Belshazzar’s Feast posters all over.
•”Daniel” shared Maidens recent post as well
•Iron Maiden posted the next album in the installment
And they also uploaded an album on Facebook of all the covers they have posted so far
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=355794512579569&id=100044470688234
July 14th, 2021
With 24 hours remaining, we already have much to talk about…
•Scott Ian posted a photo wearing a Belshazzar’s Feast shirt
•Iron Maiden has shared a link to a YouTube video set to “Premier” in about 30 hours (1p.m EST)
They have shared a new story, changed their bio and sent us and e-mail…
There is a small teaser that now shows “TWOTW” instead of just “WOTW” at the end if the premier wait
•”Daniel” is back, he shared the Scott Ian post and has changed his cover photo
Fanclub members quickly found out this is the wall that the original album was modeled after, where the lamppost used to be and what people think the teaser videos location was based at
•Maiden has also changed their Facebook profile photo.
•Iron Maiden has uploaded the next album cover, Brave New World. This one is riddled with clues.
•John McMurtrie shared a photo of the T shirt on his Instagram
July 15th, 2021
Well, we finally made it. Only 6 short hours from writing this and we may know a whole lot more!!
•Brian Slagel (CEO of Metal Blade Records) posted an Instagram story video of him in the shirt saying Iron Maiden was “having a feast” and to “be there”
•Iron Maiden sent out another email
•”Daniel” is active again and tweeted this out
•The next album cover in line has been added. There’s a WOTW, Tower and one guy wearing the shirt
•Iron Maiden has released a new single and music video, “The Writing on the Wall”
To watch the music video, visit the link below. Though, many say the Spotify version sounds much better and not as compressed as the video on YouTube so give that a try as well!
I am not sure this is over yet, so perhaps I will be posting for a few more days…
July 16th, 2021
•Iron Maiden shared a post related to the lyrics of their new song
•”Daniel” tweeted this out. Some FC members have speculated that it means the feast is not complete.
•The next album in the cycle is up. This leads me to believe we will get the album announcement at the end of this. You can see a soldier in a Belshazzar’s Feast shirt, 17 tally marks on the tank and a 17 in the tree branches.
July 17th, 2021
•Maiden shared the next cover, The Final Frontier, with added alterations. The key in Eddies hand changed to the symbol on the new Eddies armor, which I believe a Japanese FC member said meant “death”. There is also a 17 under the Eddie skull design
July 18th, 2021
•The final album cover has been uploaded. In Eddies right eye, you can see the same “death” symbol shown on the last album. His skin is etched with XVII (17), all over.
July 19th, 2021
•”Daniel” has now followed a new page on Twitter. I believe this points all fingers to Samurai/Oni Eddie as our guy and hopefully get the album announcement today.
•Iron Maiden has announced their 17th studio album, “Senjutsu” set to release on September 3rd, 2021
Iron Maiden stated on their website: “We are thrilled to announce the release of IRON MAIDEN’s 17th studio album Senjutsu on September 3rd through Parlophone Records (BMG in the USA). It was recorded in Paris with longstanding producer Kevin Shirley and co-produced by Steve Harris.”
Thank you to everyone who visited this blog over the last month.
I started this as a journal of sorts to go back to in the future, and relive the hype, speculation and fun over again at any point. I am thrilled that it was something so many of you found helpful. According to the WordPress stats, viewers from 88 different countries visited this page and that just shows what a massive, global impact Maiden has on us.
I am ending this journal here as it has done its job and needs nothing more.
Thank you all again!
AND UP THE IRONS!!!
Great news. Pls inform me via email of the newest info
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July 15 is the birthday of the artist who painted Belshazzar’s feast
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Thank you so much for doing this! Up The Irons!
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Rembrandt’s painting Belshazzar’s Feast was stolen in Bride Lane, London (in 1834).
Phantom Management is in Bridle Lane, London.
Walking from one of these lanes to the other takes 34 minutes (according to Google maps).
That’s 17 x 2. Looks like we get a double album.
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Or better: two albums.
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Great sleuthing and reporting!
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Great detective work
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Brilliant! Fantastic page x
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Keep going. I check in regularly x
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Did you miss this in the live stream trailer video at 0:58?
https://imgur.com/a/lIoQ8Km
We might have a clue about a song, likely about this guy: https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2021/february/john-preston-interview-fall-the-mystery-of-robert-maxwell-facts.html
No doubt a quirky Bruce Dickinson interest
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Be quick or be dead it’s about Maxwells…
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And you can see WOTW between the album name “Brave NeWofWorld”
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Brilliant mate. You’ve done more than any other, as far as I’m aware, keeping us up to date. I think there’s definitely more to come. I’ll be checking in. Up the Villa! (I’m a Villa fan, can’t say the other team, they copied our colours)
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Walkers On The Wall are the 4 Horsemen and are running wild !
Humongous cheers from France for your deciphering work !
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Great news and thanks again for all your efforts!
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Thanks!! I really appreciated your blog and the work you did. Greetings from Chile.
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