Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain says that he “struggled” with balancing his faith with his place in the heavy metal giants.
The drummer converted to Christianity in the late 90s and has previously said there was no conflict between his beliefs and his place in the band, known for tracks including The Number Of The Beast.
He told the Tampa Bay Times: “We’re a rock’n’roll band. We play music – we don’t talk about glorifying the devil. We don’t condone that. There’s no conflict at all.”
But he admits that he initially found it difficult when he first found his faith.
He tells ABC Australia: “The governor doesn’t have a problem with it – obviously I’m still doing it. I kind of struggled with the idea earlier on when I first found my faith. I put it in prayer and I haven’t had a problem with it.
“The old adage is the greatest trick the devil ever played on us was making us think he doesn’t exist – and we all know he does.”
Maiden are currently in Australia on The Book Of Souls world tour. They’ll then head to South Africa before returning to Europe for a run of shows, including a headline set at Download on June 12.
Iron Maiden The Book Of Souls World Tour remaining dates
May 06: Sydney Allphones Arena, Australia
May 09: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
May 12: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Australia
May 14: Perth Arena, Australia
May 18: Cape Town Grand Arena, South Africa
May 21: Johannesburg Carnival City Festival Lawns, South Africa
May 27: Dortmund Rock Im Revier Festival, Germany
May 29: Munich Rockavaria Festival, Germany
May 31: Berlin The Waldbuehne, Germany
Jun 03: Lucerne Sonisphere Allmend Rockt, Switzerland
Jun 05: Rock In Vienna Festival, Austria
Jun 08: Arnhem Gelredome, Netherlands
Jun 10: Paris Download Festival, France
Jun 12: Donington Download Festival, UK
Jun 15: Oslo Telenor Arena, Norway
Jun 17: Gothenburg Ullevi Stadium, Sweden
Jun 19: Dessel Graspop Metal Meeting, Belgium
Jun 21: Herning Jyske Bank Boxen, Denmark
Jun 23: Kaunas Zalgirio Arena, Lithuania
Jun 25: Moscow Olimpiyskiy, Russia
Jun 29: Hameenlinna Kantolan Tapahtumapuisto, Finland
Jul 01: Sopron Volt Festival, Hungary
Jul 03: Wroclaw Stadium, Poland
Jul 05: Prague Eden Arena, Czech Republic
Jul 06: Zilina Airport, Slovakia
Jul 09: Viveiro Resurrection Festival, Spain
Jul 11: Lisbon MEO Arena, Portugal
Jul 13: Madrid Barclaycard Center, Spain
Jul 16: Barcelona Rock Fest
Jul 22: Milan Mediolanum Forum, Italy
Jul 24: Rome Rock in Rome Sonisphere, Italy
Jul 26: Trieste Piazza dell’Unita D’Italia, Italy
Jul 27: Split Spaladium Arena, Croatia
Aug 02: Esch-sur-Alzette Rockhal, Luxembourg
Aug 04: Wacken Open Air, Germany
