AceShowbiz - Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden recently shared his thoughts on the band's new documentary, Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition, which debuts worldwide in theaters on May 7. Initially hesitant about participating, Smith revealed he was ultimately "pleasantly surprised" by the final product.

Speaking to Billboard via Zoom from Turks and Caicos, Smith described the film as a "pretty deep dive" into Iron Maiden's history. He emphasized that the documentary is not only a treat for fans but also meaningful for the band members themselves. Reflecting on the archival footage, Smith called it "like another life back 40 years ago," noting that some topics are explored more thoroughly than ever before.

The documentary arrives shortly after the announcement that Iron Maiden will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 14. Despite the honor, the band will not attend the ceremony due to scheduling conflicts with their Australian tour dates on the Run For Your Lives World Tour. This is notable considering frontman Bruce Dickinson once publicly criticized the Rock Hall, calling it "an utter and complete load of bollocks."

Directed by Malcolm Venville, known for Churchill at War, and produced by Dominic Freeman of Depeche Mode: Spirits in the Forest fame, Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition focuses as much on the fans as it does the band. The film features interviews with a range of famous admirers, including actor Javier Bardem, Metallica's Lars Ulrich, Public Enemy's Chuck D, Tom Morello, Kiss' Gene Simmons, Anthrax's Scott Ian, and The Cure's Simon Gallup. While current and former band members contributed their voices off-camera, the spotlight is firmly on the fan community.

Venville explained his decision to avoid a traditional narrated documentary format. Instead, he chose to tell the story through the fans, highlighting their diverse backgrounds and the strong community they form worldwide. "They don't just attend shows. They organize their lives around the tours, forming social groups that span continents," he said. This cultural perspective extends to Iron Maiden’s iconic mascot, Eddie, whose evolution and significance receive detailed treatment in the film. Venville described Eddie as "a visual expression of the band's identity," which influenced the animated sequences throughout the documentary.

Smith found the director's approach enlightening, particularly praising Bardem’s poetic reading of the lyrics to "Run to the Hills." "He made them sound so deep and meaningful. I've never heard them like that before," Smith remarked. He also expressed amusement and pride in the band's diverse fan base, including high-profile supporters like professional wrestler Chris Jericho and the newly appointed prime minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi, who reportedly is an Iron Maiden fan. Smith noted, "The fans of yesterday are now part of the sort of establishment. I find it amusing, and quite flattering."

For Smith, the band's ongoing connection with fans has been largely sustained by their relentless touring. "It's always been a touring band," he said. "We took the music to the people. I think in the long run people remember that, and it's a very honest way to build up a following." The documentary includes extensive live footage spanning Iron Maiden's 51-year career, culminating with drummer Nicko McBrain’s final performance in December 2024 in São Paulo before retiring due to health concerns.

Smith emphasized that Burning Ambition is an independent project with minimal involvement from the band itself. "It's got very little to do with the Iron Maiden organization," he explained. "This is a totally outside job rather than an inside job." The band members were interviewed at home by the filmmakers, and their voices were used over archival footage, but they do not appear on camera, which Smith considers "quite a powerful way of doing it."

One particularly revealing segment addresses Smith's absence from the band between 1990 and 1999, a period during which Dickinson also left. Smith reflected on the film's portrayal of this era, noting that hearing Bruce Dickinson discuss how he felt about Smith’s departure was "quite nice to see that he kind of cared a bit, and that I was kind of missed." Smith described the separation as necessary and difficult but something that "needed to happen at the time." He added, "When I came back to the band I had a different perspective. I could see it for what it was and appreciate it a lot more and be part of it. And I haven't looked back since."

Currently, Smith and the band, including new drummer Simon Dawson while McBrain remains a member, are engaged in the Run For Your Lives World Tour that began in May and extends through November. The North American leg is scheduled for late August and September. This tour features songs from Iron Maiden's first nine albums, reviving early classics like "Murders in the Rue Morgue," "Killers," "Rime of the Ancient Mariner," and "The Clairvoyant," which have not been regularly performed in recent years.

Smith expressed enthusiasm for the setlist, saying, "It's great playing that set. It's songs from way back, and they still sound great when you give them an airing." He also described the band's efforts to keep performances fresh by experimenting with different themes rather than repeating the same routine. "The fans are loving it," he said. "For me... I mean, it changed my life, joining Iron Maiden in 1980 and then we went on to record Killers. So playing those songs just takes me back in time, temporarily."

Smith advised fans to catch Iron Maiden live this year, as the band plans to take a break in 2027. During this downtime, he will focus on his other band, Smith/Kotzen, with Richie Kotzen, which has released two albums so far. Smith also anticipates spending time fishing, a pastime he detailed in his 2020 memoir Monsters of River and Rock. Despite the upcoming hiatus, Smith is confident the band will return. "I can’t see that happening," he said about a prolonged break. "We all love doing it. Steve Harris, he's 70 now, and the guy can go and play soccer in the afternoon, 90 minutes, a proper game, then go on stage and play tours of a Maiden set – then get up and basically do the same thing the next day. That's the kind of spirit that drives all of us, so... I'm sure we'll be back to it before too long."

In summary, Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition offers an in-depth, fan-driven look at the band’s legacy and culture, providing both longtime followers and new listeners with fresh perspectives. The documentary’s release, combined with the band's upcoming Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction and ongoing tour, highlights the enduring impact and vitality of Iron Maiden’s music and community.