Kerrang – What does the new album sound like?
Bruce – ‘Ha ha ha! If you were a salmon and I were a hammer…that’s what it sounds like. What do I mean by that? Well, if a fish gets hit in the head by a hammer what happens? It experiences a profound sense of shock, a sense of excitement and it wets iteslf. That’s what the album’ll be like when you hear it. I can also tell you that it sounds nothing like Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana or Aerosmith. It sounds surprisingly like Iron Maiden, although its nothing like the last two albums. It’s great sounding.’

Kerrang – Why are you being so cagey about the album?
Bruce – ‘We haven’t said a word about this record as yet. There’s been a lot of secrecy about what we’re doing because of the effect of the internet and the speed at which information travels. I read on the ‘net that someone had heard three new Iron Maiden songs. No one has heard three new songs. It’s easier to get plans on how to build a nuclear bomb than it is to get details about our new album. We’ll tell everyone everything when we’re ready. We’re just putting the finishing touches to it now.’

Kerrang – When you first rejoined Maiden, you said that the songwriting would have to be more democratic. Has that been the case?
Bruce – ‘Yes, we’ve all worked together on it and pooled our ideas. It’s been dead relaxed. At times we’ve been sitting around in a communal huddle coming up with stuff. Jan and I got a bit bohemian the other day. We were sitting outside coming up with stuff when our arses got eaten by ants. That soon made us stop! We’ve got a load of songs left over that we haven’t been able to develop. I’m sure we’ll get round to it, though, cos there’s half a dozen tracks.’

Kerrang – Despite the fact that you’re giving nothing away, we trust the album will feature galloping bass lines aplenty?
Bruce – ‘There’s the odd canter on there, but overall this is a well-crafted record. The cliches which some people might expect are few and far between. Lyrically, some of the themes won’t be unfamiliar but their treatment will be different. With this album, you’ll know it’s Maiden but it will sound fresh. I’ve never heard it sound like this before.’

Kerrang – So will the band’s ever-present mascot Eddie feature on the album sleeve?
Bruce – ‘Ha! Yes and no. He will be very prominently and intimately involved in the album and the live show. In what way, I can’t say right now because there are a number of people working on cover ideas. It’s not restricted to Derek Riggs, although he’s involved. There are other people working on it too which means that the weight and recognisability of Eddie has yet to be determined. I really don’t want to tell you any more just in case I’m wrong. Then I’d look like a right prat.’