Dickinson explained in an interview with the American radio station The Pick that he uses a lot of downturning and fewer guitar harmonies, styles that do not fit the soundscape that founder, bassists and principal composer Harris likes.
Dickinson continues to explain that Harris' writing is heavily influenced by prog rock, a genre that he only likes to do in his solo work from time to time. The heavy metal singer says that Iron Maiden is stylistically influenced by Harris and “whilst it’s sometimes heavy, it’s sometimes proggy and things like that," he said.
“So, with me, I do go down the prog route sometimes, but I love that kind of bone-crushing sort of detuned… I mean, there’s a lot of heaviness now in the air," Dickinson said, explaining that Iron Maiden do not take advantage of thie heaviness as he is not sure if Harris necessarily likes it.
He also discusses how he does not let his focus on heaviness become a restriction as he describes the importance of taking risks as a musician. "It’s like having a painter with an unlimited palette,” he said. “You run the risk, of course, of spreading yourself a bit thin, but that’s a risk worth taking because you’re supposed to be an artist.”
Dickinson revealed in an interview with Metal Hammer earlier this month that his eighth studio album is underway, he hopes for a release date in 2027. The singer is confident with the new album and is already recieving praise from his band members.
“I was playing the demos to the team, the management, because I’ve got it on a little tablet,” Dickinson said. “So I said, ‘You want to hear some new stuff? I didn’t realise Steve was having his physio in the room next door. And he came out and he went, ‘Is that your new stuff?’ I went, ‘Yeah.’ He goes, ‘That’s the best stuff you’ve ever done. That’s the best stuff I’ve ever heard from you!’ I went, ‘Well, thank you very much, boss!’”
