The next Iron Maiden record should be called "No Apologies," to hear Bruce Dickinson talk -- he's not about to apologize for classic Maiden metal. And classic Maiden metal is exactly what he and his former-turned-current bandmates intend to perform.

Dickinson is on the phone from London following last week's announcement that the singer has rejoined the band he deserted for a solo career back in 1993 (see [article id="1430371"]"Dickinson, Smith Rejoin Iron Maiden"[/article]). He offers up a few surprises over the course of the conversation. For one thing, although speculation on the part of fans and media regarding the reunion had been circulating for months, Dickinson says the idea was never discussed by the parties in question until just two weeks prior to the blessed event. The band gathered at their manager's house in England, made sure they had a "collective vision," and over the course of the one meeting set into motion a full scale regrouping that will

see Iron Maiden tour and record with both Dickinson and returning guitarist Adrian Smith. The pair is joining bandleader/bassist Steve Harris, co-founder/guitarist Dave Murray, drummer Nicko McBain and guitarist Janick Gers.

Dickinson gives the impression that it didn't take much convincing to get him to return. "There were rumblings about special appearances, festivals, and to me that sounded like it would be great fun," says Dickinson. "But I wasn't about to put anybody under stress. I'm not the person to be splitting anything else up.

What did split things up was the fact that things just weren't working out with Dickinson's Iron Maiden replacement, Blaze Bayley. From all accounts, Bayley was not popular with the fans, the critics or some of his bandmates, although Dave Murray insists the split was amicable. The group, says Murray, was just responding to popular opinion, something that hit home when the members started cruising the Internet.

I hear that

when they knew they'd be looking for a new singer," laughs Dickinson, "Steve said, 'I suppose we'll have to ask Bruce back, now.'

The ground rules were relatively simple, explains Dickinson, who uses words like "non-apologetic," "bloodthirsty" and "fierce" when he describes the vision. "I want it to be Iron Maiden and as big, or bigger, than it ever was," he says. It's a popular niche, he adds, that's not being filled these days. "I don't want to do some dreadful pop heavy metal album, or a techno or a dance or a shock album or anything else.

You can almost hear the grimace on the phone when he's asked about a current rumor that Maiden will tour this summer with Judas Priest and a reformed Twisted Sister. He first dismisses the report by saying the band hasn't even picked an agent yet much less tourmates.

Anyway," says Dickinson. "I don't want it to be an 'old guys' reunion. I haven't lost any of my drive or enthusiasm. We want to measure up to the best

of the nineties, and not just a rethrashing of the eighties. We're not dicking around.