New Iron Maiden documentary Burning Ambition is out on Thursday (May 7) – but NME readers can check out an exclusive clip above, featuring fresh interviews with some huge rock stars.
Directed by Malcolm Venville, Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition celebrates the heavy metal band’s 50th anniversary. As well as footage from the archives, the film includes talking head chats with members of Iron Maiden. Some of their famous fans, including Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello and actor Javier Bardem, also reminisce about the group’s ongoing influence on music and culture.
Ahead of the doc’s imminent release, fans can check out a new clip which explores the importance of Iron Maiden’s skeletal mascot Eddie, who’s appeared on the front cover of every one of the band’s 17 studio albums and is a staple of their acclaimed live show.
“The thing about Eddie is that he could transcend generations. You could always lure a new head in with a character. Eddie’s a monument,” said Public Enemy’s Chuck D in the video, which can be seen above. “It’s hard for me to think of a more recognisable mascot or imagery associated with a hard rock band than Eddie and Iron Maiden. It was just such an incredible creation,” added Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich.
“Eddie stood out way beyond any other band that was out there, it was this really dynamic logo” explained former Download chief Andy Copping “I give credit to Maiden, they understood the flag-bearing thing that connects with the fans,” added KISS frontman Gene Simmons.
The Burning Ambition film covers Iron Maiden’s early years playing small gigs in east London and the decision to replace original frontman Paul Di’Anno with Bruce Dickinson, who the band describe as the missing “piece of the puzzle”. The movie also explores the various challenges the band have faced over the past five decades – including the rise of grunge, serious health issues and the temptation to “pack it in completely”.
The documentary comes as the band continue their ‘Run For Your Lives’ tour, which kicked off last year and will include a massive headline gig at Knebworth Park on July 11. The Darkness, The Hu, Airbourne and The Almighty have been announced as support for the day.
Earlier this year, Iron Maiden revealed the Knebworth gig would be part of the “once-in-a-lifetime” EddFest weekender – named after the band’s longtime mascot. Fans will have access to the ‘Infinite Dreams Museum Experience’, a walk-through display of stage props and relics inspired by their 2025 career-spanning book ‘Infinite Dreams’, while July 10 will feature a specially curated line-up of acts with a connection to the band, with full sets from Stray, Maiden United, Airforce, Tony Moore’s Awake and Hair Metal Glamageddon on the Maidenville Stage. You can find any remaining tickets here.
Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood said that Knebworth Park was chosen for the huge gig to allow them to “put together something groundbreaking for our fans by creating a Maiden World for them”.
“We are excited to reveal the details of this one-off event to celebrate the band’s 50 year career, which we are now calling EddFest, because, as everyone knows, Eddie is the true star of the show!” he added.
‘Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition’ is in cinemas from May 7