There are moments when time seems to stand still, but it’s just a foolish illusion. Time flows, relentless and unstoppable, forcing us to confront our mortality even when we’d rather ignore it. For us, the fans of Iron Maiden, time is leaving deep marks. After the loss of Paul Di’Anno, today we face another moment that touches our hearts: the farewell of Nicko McBrain, a colossus—not just in stature—bowing out due to health reasons. These are moments when the music that has been the soundtrack of our lives becomes memory, echo, breath. Time spares no one; it knows no exceptions.

42 years. That’s the stretch of the path Nicko has walked alongside Iron Maiden, becoming more than just a drummer. Nicko has been the heartbeat of the band, the keeper of the time that shaped every song, every concert, every emotion. But he wasn’t just a master of technique; he was the smiling face behind the drums, always ready to lighten the mood and share a laugh with his irreverent humor—a rare quality in a world sometimes too serious. His contagious laughter echoed on stages across the globe, forging an unbreakable bond with the Maiden family and its fans.

For those of us who have lived with Maiden as the soundtrack of our lives, Nicko became more than a musician. The thought that the snare on The Trooper or the whirlwind fills of Aces High will no longer be his leaves a bittersweet feeling. I remember my younger self, shocked by Clive’s departure, regaining hope upon hearing the thunderous intro to Where Eagles Dare. The wait to see him live lasted longer than expected—nearly two years, as the Italian dates of the World Piece Tour were cancelled. But when that long-awaited day finally arrived with the World Slavery Tour, it was love at first sight. I managed to photograph him in Philadelphia and had the privilege of shaking his hand. In his face, I could see the toll, not just of age but of the grueling life on tour. Deep down, I knew his retirement would come, but I didn’t expect it so soon—making New York, on November 2nd, the last time I’d see him live.

Nicko, with his boundless energy and unmistakable presence, seemed eternal. But time, that old tyrant, spares even giants. And so we find ourselves saying goodbye to yet another piece of our youth, another symbol reminding us that nothing lasts forever—not even the unshakable rhythm of a legend.

Yet, in this reflection on human fragility, there is room for hope. Every farewell marks the beginning of something new. Simon Dawson, now tasked with taking up the mantle, carries the weight of a monumental legacy—or as they say here in England, “big boots to fill.” But he also carries the opportunity to write a new chapter. Simon, you’re not alone. Iron Maiden fans stand with you because we know your talent and passion will breathe new life into this extraordinary saga.

Nicko, your farewell is not a goodbye but a transition. You’ve given your heart and soul to this band and its fans, and we’ll always carry with us the gift of your music, your joy, your humanity. As you step away, we wish you peaceful and harmonious days ahead. We know that the rhythm of your life, even away from the stage, will continue to beat with the same intensity.

And as we welcome Simon with a warm “good luck,” we can’t help but reflect that time cannot stop music. Music lives on beyond us, transcending bodies and eras, and it will continue to tell its story. And we’ll keep living that story, raising our arms to the sky to shout once more: Up the Irons!