Adrian Smith
Iron Maiden Interview · Athens, 10 November 2000
A restored interview from the earliest years of Altars of Metal,
conducted by Chris “Up The Irons” Tarantilis during Iron Maiden’s
historic Brave New World era.
This is a small interview that we did with Adrian Smith. It was meant
to be bigger, but for several reasons it just turned out to what we
have.
It still is something that we have from Iron Maiden, a band that
belongs to the fathers of the whole metal scene, so it is something
very precious.
More than a quarter of a century later, the interview is presented
again in a new editorial layout, while preserving the original
questions, answers and historical character of the Altars of Metal
archive.
The Original Interview
Answers: Adrian Smith
Chris “Up The Irons” Tarantilis
First of all, now that the Brave New World Tour is completed and
you have already recorded a new album, what are the band’s future
plans?
Well, actually, the tour is not actually finished yet. We’re going
to Rio in January to do some shows in South America, and we’re
gonna record that show for DVD for next year. It might be a live
album, a double one…
Chris “Up The Irons” Tarantilis
After the tour, will you go straight to the studio for the new
recordings?
No! [laughs] Not for a long time, maybe in a year!
Chris “Up The Irons” Tarantilis
Apart from “The Wicker Man”, are you planning to shoot a new video
clip for Brave New World?
Well, there is “Out of the Silent Planet” on the album. It’s the new
single.
Chris “Up The Irons” Tarantilis
After all these years of absence from the metal scene, why did you
change your mind and decide to cooperate with Iron Maiden and with
Bruce Dickinson?
It’s just a question of time, you know… I had my own bands for a
couple of years and then, you know, I got together with Bruce and
then it seemed like the time was right to get back together with
Maiden.
It was just the timing… It couldn’t have happened three or four
years ago, or six years ago. It wouldn’t have been right, but 2000
seemed to be the right time…
Chris “Up The Irons” Tarantilis
Many fans talk about the fact that Bruce’s and Steve’s relations
were not the best possible. What is your opinion about that? Do you
think that they tried to accept it and work together again?
I think they probably realised that, you know, Iron Maiden is a good
combination of people and we make good music together.
I think having differences of opinion is good, because it shows
that people care about what they’re doing. If everyone just agrees
about everything, it is really boring.
I think it is good to have some disagreement in the band. I don’t
think it is a bad thing…
Chris “Up The Irons” Tarantilis
What are your plans with your project and the one with Bruce?
Well, Sanctuary Records have released two albums by my band in
America this year. I don’t know what Bruce’s plans are for next
year. He might be doing some shows, but that’s all I know. I don’t
know if he has many plans.
Chris “Up The Irons” Tarantilis
Were your feelings for your fans altered after last year’s event
during your concert, when a “fan” spat on Steve and caused other
problems?
Oh, yeah… I think we had a problem with that and fireworks. There
was too much smoke.
I think it was just a few people who were doing this. It did spoil
the concert for us because we couldn’t play. There was too much
smoke and we had to stop.
So, hopefully, you know, it will be cool tonight… I hope so…
Chris “Up The Irons” Tarantilis
What do you think Iron Maiden have more to offer to their fans after
a history of so many masterpieces?
I think we’re still making good music, good new music…
And I think, you know, there comes a day when we can’t write
together any good songs and make what we think are good albums, and
we won’t do it anymore.
Or, if we can’t go on stage and put on a show which is up to the
Iron Maiden standard, we won’t do it…
Chris “Up The Irons” Tarantilis
There are rumours that you will open the concert with “Alexander
the Great”. Is that true?
[laughs] No… People always ask us about that song, but I don’t
think we have ever played it live… Never played it…
The Altars of Metal Archive
το 2ο τεύχος του Altars of Metal fanzine. Φωτογραφία: Αρχείο Altars
of Metal.
Alongside Chris “Up The Irons” Tarantilis was fellow Altars of Metal
editor and contributor Iraklis Choraitis.
In this surviving archive photograph, Choraitis appears with Bruce
Dickinson while holding a printed copy of the second Altars of
Metal fanzine.
The image captures the publication at a transitional moment: a
hand-produced Greek metal fanzine documenting major international
artists while the first version of its online archive was still
taking shape.
About the Author: SLATAN
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