Steve Harris Defends Iron Maiden No Prayer For The Dying

Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris has stepped up to defend the band’s eighth studio album, 1990’s No Prayer For The Dying, reflecting on its stripped-down approach and the one major change he would make to the record in hindsight.

Speaking to Metal Hammer, Harris described the album as “a really strong album” that emerged after a run of increasingly grandiose tours and releases. He noted that the record was slightly influenced by Bruce Dickinson’s solo album, Tattooed Millionaire, which was also released in 1990.

“There are a couple of songs on there where he sings a bit rougher,” Harris said. “I was thinking I could write something where he could sing with that gruff delivery as well.”

Looking Back at No Prayer For The Dying

The band recorded the album in a converted barn on the grounds of Harris’s house using the Rolling Stones Mobile studio in an effort to capture a live sound. Looking back, Harris revealed the singular change he would make to the sessions.

“We probably should have put audience noise on it, because it would have sounded more like a proper live album—we did that with the Tailgunner video, and it made a big difference,” he said.

Harris also addressed criticism aimed at the epic track Mother Russia, stating that he was aiming for a Sergei Prokofiev vibe that he felt he got, regardless of the negative reviews. Unbothered by external criticism, Harris added, “If someone says they don’t like something, that makes me embrace it even more. You’ve got to believe in what you do, don’t you?”

Blaze Bayley and Steve Hillage Reflect on Their Careers

In other recent interviews, former Iron Maiden frontman Blaze Bayley discussed his time with the band and his ongoing solo career. Bayley noted that songs like Justice Of The Peace from The X Factor era might return to his setlists, and shared that tracks such as Born As A Stranger from his 2000 solo album Silicon Messiah were originally written with Brave New World in mind.

Meanwhile, psychedelic prog guitarist Steve Hillage recently reflected on his time with Gong, describing albums like 1973’s Angel’s Egg and 1974’s You as the product of seven strong individuals making the whole greater than the sum of its parts. Hillage also recalled the surreal experience of his solo career taking off at a Hyde Park show in 1976, where initial friction with the crowd ultimately gave way to a successful festival performance.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final held at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium made headlines for more than just the match between Argentina and Spain, as the event featured the tournament’s first-ever halftime show. The performance, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, included appearances by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and the Muppets’ house band, the Electric Mayhem.

While organizers promoted the event as a “groundbreaking spectacle” intended to benefit the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, several prominent rock musicians expressed significant disdain for the production.

Photo: Raph_PH, licensed CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher took to X to share his reaction, describing the spectacle as “like a bad trip.” Gallagher, who has been an outspoken fan throughout the tournament, jokingly added that he was thankful for his “spiritual socks” to prevent the entertainment from tipping him over the edge. His comments came after a tournament where Oasis’ “Wonderwall” served as a de facto anthem for the England squad.

The Cure’s Robert Smith Joins Chorus of Critics

Photo: Bill Ebbesen, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Robert Smith of The Cure was similarly vocal in his opposition, emphasizing that his frustration was directed at the commercialization of the sport rather than the individual artists involved. Smith posted a series of critiques on social media, expressing his outrage at the inclusion of an intermission performance in a sport traditionally devoid of such interruptions. He further addressed the political context of the event, criticizing the announced attendance of U.S. President Donald Trump and the involvement of FIFA leadership.

“The point is not really about who is curating or performing, it is about the… idea of a football world cup final half time show,” Smith wrote, punctuating his frustration with explicit social media commentary regarding the organizers.

Gallagher Dismisses New Oasis Album Rumors

Photo: Rjcastillo, licensed CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Beyond his commentary on the World Cup, Liam Gallagher recently addressed ongoing speculation regarding a new Oasis studio album. Following the success of the band’s 2025 reunion tour, fans have been clamoring for new music. Gallagher definitively shut down those expectations, noting that he is not interested in the inevitable public scrutiny that would follow a new release.

“I’m just not prepared for the criticism if it doesn’t sell 100 million copies in the first hour,” Gallagher posted on X. “Let’s just do some gigs and be happy.” He also clarified that previous suggestions of a new record being “in the bag” were intended as a joke, stating that he finds modern audiences “a little uptight” and simply wanted to have a laugh.