Former Iron Maiden guitarist Dennis Stratton has never been shy about sharing his opinions on the band’s evolution. In a recent chat, he opened up about why he isn’t particularly fond of Seventh Son of a Seventh Son and why parts of The Final Frontier and The Book of Souls didn’t quite hit the mark for him.
For anyone who has spent time diving into Maiden’s discography, it’s clear that the first two records occupy a very different sound compared to the epic, theatrical sound that would define the band later on. Beyond the obvious contrast between Paul Di’Anno’s gritty punk-inflected vocals and Bruce Dickinson’s soaring, operatic delivery, the early songs were punchy and raw — closer to punk in attitude — while the band’s later work leaned heavily into grand concepts, complex arrangements, and lengthy epics.
Stratton was a crucial figure in those formative years, helping to shape the sound of the debut album before parting ways with the band in 1980. Even after his departure, he maintained respect and friendship with Steve Harris and the rest of the group. That said, some of Maiden’s subsequent albums never fully connected with him. Speaking on the Slowhands Rock Talk Show (via Ultimate Guitar), Stratton explained:
“I’m not a lover of ‘Seventh Son of a Seventh Son’, because I think it just goes off a little bit. And with the guitars duelling, fighting against one another, with different tuning… I can’t stand all the awkward notes that are being played. I find it too long. ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ is a great song, but it has dynamics. It’s theater, you know, the sound effects and everything else. But ‘Seventh Son of a Seventh Son’, they could have put two more songs, three more songs in that place from the first two albums, and that set would wipe the floor of anything in the world.”
Although he still enjoys watching Maiden perform, Stratton admitted that not every era has impressed him equally. Reflecting on some of their more recent tours, he shared that certain setlists left him underwhelmed:
“I’ve seen them many times with ‘The Final Frontier’, the ‘Souls.’ It just felt a little bit flat, because I think it was the some of the songs that suffered. I think some of the songs weren’t as good as what they’re used to playing, and what they’ve written before. A little bit dull, a little bit boring… But the minute they do things like ‘Iron Maiden’, [or] anything that’s from their first two albums, the crowd just goes up.”
Stratton also touched on how Steve Harris’s trademark intensity on bass made one particular live moment stick in his mind. Noting Harris’s obsession with tempo, Stratton recalled being surprised when the band slowed down a classic:
“Steve’s always speed, speed, speed, speed. And then I sat next to him in a bar… And I said, ‘I can’t believe you played ‘Phantom’ slower. I didn’t think it was possible for you to play something slowly.’ It is a little bit slower, but it works, you know?”
Iron Maiden drummer faced significant health issues
In December 2024, Iron Maiden announced that they were parting ways with drummer Nicko McBrain, who had been with the band for 42 years. While speaking with Rock Candy in a new interview, Steve Harris addressed McBrain’s departure.
“To be honest, we didn’t really have a choice and had to make the change after Nicko suffered his health issues,” Harris said, alluding to McBrain’s 2023 stroke. “It was what it was, and we had a decision to make as to whether we wanted to carry on or not.
“Obviously we had a tour booked at the time that it happened, and the rest of us all wanted to continue. But ultimately, after we got through all that, it was Nick’s decision to step away and we all respected the fact that he’d decided to do that.”
Iron Maiden drummer retired last year
McBrain announced his retirement in a statement shared on Iron Maiden’s website last year.
“After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle,” he wrote, in part. “I wish the band much success moving forward.”
“Touring with Maiden the last 42 years has been an incredible journey!” McBrain continued. “To my devoted fan base, you made it all worthwhile and I love you! To my devoted wife, Rebecca, you made it infinitely easier and I love you! To my kids, Justin and Nicholas, thank you for understanding the absences and I love you! To my friends that are always there for me, I love you! To my bandmates, you made it a dream come true and I love you!”
