Bruce Dickinson Says Iron Maiden Is Better Than Metallica

In 1999, Bruce Dickinson reminisced about a bold comment he made to Steve Harris in an attempt to convince him to rejoin Iron Maiden. The conversation unfolded following Harris’s decision to part ways with Blaze Bayley, who had taken over as the frontman five years earlier. According to Dickinson, the idea of a reunion originated from band manager Rod Smallwood.

Detailing the encounter at Smallwood’s home in a recent interview, Dickinson shared:

“Steve was very suspicious. He said, ‘Why do you wanna come back?’ I actually said, ‘I want to come back, Steve, because, in the words of my mates, “The world needs Iron Maiden” – and secondly, I think we can make amazing music.'”

When questioned if he believed Maiden needed his return, Dickinson responded:

“Probably. But there was no point in saying that, because it would have sounded like sour grapes. What I said was, ‘We will sweep away the past by doing an amazing future.’”

Injecting enthusiasm into the conversation, Dickinson also stoked the flames by drawing a comparison between Iron Maiden and the reigning metal giants.

“The first words out of my gobby mouth were, ‘Of course we are better than Metallica!’ People said, ‘You can’t say that.’ I said, ‘I just did!’ Then they started going, ‘Maybe he’s right.’”

Bruce Dickinson Anticipates Iron Maiden’s ‘Brave New World’

Maintaining a resolute perspective, Bruce Dickinson emphasized:

“You’ve got to have that attitude, though. It’s like Mick Jagger didn’t get to be Mick Jagger by sitting there going, ‘Oh, we’re quite good, you know – we’re almost as good as the Beatles.’”

In 1999, Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith rejoined the band, while Janick Gers, who had taken Smith’s place, remained a member. The reunited sextet proceeded to unveil Brave New World in 2000. Dickinson recalled the reunion meeting, stating:

“I also told them… ‘We are not to just do greatest hits albums – we are going to do a new album and it will be fucking great.’”

True to his words, Brave New World exceeded expectations, marking a triumphant return for Iron Maiden. Dickinson concluded:

“So suddenly we’re off to the races again.”