When Iron Maiden announced their plans for their massive Knebworth show, with many amusements and extra activities dubbed ‘EDDFEST’ last month, it seemed as though the news year was over for British fans of perhaps our biggest ever metal offering and that they had no more tricks up their sleeves.
However, on 24 February, we learned that was not true. “Documenting one of the most iconic journeys in music history,” said the band’s press release that day, a documentary entitled ‘Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition’ “will be released in cinemas worldwide from May 7th 2026.”
The film’s title, unbeknownst to some, comes from a debut album era B Side, the second track from the single for ‘Running Free’. The song is not featured on the debut itself.
Yesterday, on 18 March, a trailer was released for the new film directed by Malcom Venville, probably most known for the suitably Maiden-esque ‘Churchill at War’. Clocking in at 2:28, the trailer is the band’s career in microcosm, from their beginnings on the East End pub circuit during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal to their modern touring dominance, through their initial rise with Paul Di’Anno, then ‘90s slump with the advent of grunge and alternative rock.
The trailer is also not starved for side characters giving their personal story with Maiden, be they fans or other musicians from across various genres. Chuck D of Public Enemy features, as does Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, Anthrax’s Scott Ian and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. Ulrich has a particularly deep connection with the British metal scene of the early ‘80s, having travelled over by himself at the age of seventeen to discover the underground bands causing commotion.
The trailer also surprisingly features contributions from Blaze Bayley, the band’s frontman during their ‘90s downturn, commenting on the situation when he joined the band. Speaking of that period in the film, bassist and Maiden general Steve Harris says “any long career’s going to have ups and downs, and you just kind of ride with it”. Bayley, once and future Wolfsbane frontman, says that “the press were saying Maiden are dead”.
Though the trailer forecasts that the documentary may discuss sensitive themes around the band’s history, like ex-frontman Paul Di’Anno’s substance abuse, current singer Bruce Dickinson’s throat cancer and their poor record sales in the ‘90s, they are treated with the optimism and wit the band are known for. “We were just up against it”, says Harris, “but I like that, it’s a challenge”.
The trailer ends on a triumphant note with a heartfelt tribute to the fans. “It was always about the fans”, says Dickinson. Chuck D is on hand to explain their appeal: “this band created its one universe”. “They belong together”, says manager Rod Smallwood in tribute to the band.
Iron Maiden’s place in the history of metal cannot be questioned. They consolidated the form birthed by Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, pairing these influences with a progressive streak and a focus on simultaneously catchy and epic song structures. Despite number one singles and albums, they always remained connected to their fans and their rapport has sustained them creatively over their now five decade career.
‘Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition’ showcases in cinemas across the UK on 7 May, and tickets are available now.
