The one song Nicko McBrain refuses to play live
For over 40 years, Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain stood by one unbreakable rule: no double bass drum pedals!
Yes, well, almost every metal drummer in the world surrounded themselves with twin kicks and machine-gun triggers, Nicko stubbornly insisted that a true rock drummer only needs one right foot. And that has been the case for his entire tenure at Iron Maiden, except for one song.
So today, let’s take a look at why Nicko was so fiercely anti-double-bass in the first place, and then talk about what exactly happened in the studio that forced him to break a lifetime habit to create the most unique song in Iron Maiden’s discography. Here you go!
00:00 – Intro
00:40 – Nicko’s upbringing & inspirations
02:55 – Busting the myth
04:15 – Face In the Sand
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Background music: “Uberpunch” Alexander Nakarada (serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.
@MetalPilgrim
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
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@englishteacher2711
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
This is the song I wake up to every morning.
@k2vaja00
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
It's a terrific song that deserves to be played live! Maybe Simon will it!
@johnpeace971
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
The only real problaem I have with Dance of Death is it sound like BNW. What I mean is, if it were the first of the new era albums it would be in the highest tier albums, but because BNW existed it sounds like they were trying to copy the songs on it. The first 3 albums they made after the return of BD all have songs that are so similar you can splice them together and make one long song (Paschendale, Blood Brothers, Dance of Death…), which bothers me, because that what Bon Jovi does
@arthurlevot5685
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
I use Face in the Sand as my ringtone 🤣
Dance of Death is the album who made me discover Iron Maiden when I was 12.
Always special to me.
@TOGade-dj6jh
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Nicko is a legend, period 🤘🏻🇸🇪🤘🏻
@feumachado3116
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
And I've always thought I was one if the few who liked that song… 😃 Ha, great surprise, great video
@Senjutsu-Walrus
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
I can't remember which, but More Tea Vicar or Pass The Jam also has a double bass part.
@williamfoster1034
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
You rock, dude. Thanks for the video. Dance of Death is just sooooo under rated. Doubtful they will ever play anything from that album again, sadly. Keep up to great work.
@metalinsights9664
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
"Face in the Sand" starts off cool, but then, by the second worse, you get the feeling that it starts running out of steam a bit. Something in that section just doesn't sound right.
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November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
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*NOTE:
Spiritist is who professes #Spiritism, the #Gospel continuation
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@ericcarr13
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Thats funny. I've been listening to his audiobook today at work and he was talking about this exact situation. It was hilarious listening to him talk about it. The audiobook is narrated by him.
@LucBouchard-l1m
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Nicko could choose to play with only one bass drum because Maiden’s music is on the slow side of Metal. He could not have done it if he had been in a Thrash, Black or Death Metal band. In fact, I don’t remember any drummer being in a band playing those styles and having only one bass drum. Some use triggers, others not, but they all play double bass. So, I don’t dismiss him in any way because he chose to use only one bass drum and I think it fits Maiden’s music. But in any extreme Metal genre he could not have done it.
@ianfurqueron5850
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Face in the Sand is also one of my favorites off Dance of Death. I've always wondered why it's never been performed live. The vocals would also be brutal to pull off night after night – even by Iron Maiden standards. Of all the Iron Maiden songs I've tried to sing, Face in the Sand really pushes my vocal chords to the limits.
@dans2576
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Good video as usual mate 🤘🏻
Just want to say thank you. My hoodie arrived this week. My wife loves it, but the note you left was a fantastic touch. Thank you so much 😎🤘🏻
@LightningSix
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
The intro to 'Face in the Sand' is pretty much the same as the intro to 'Blood Brothers' from their album Brave New World.
@richardharvey216
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
I was lucky enough to see one of Niko,s last show,s with son.
@YouLoseSir
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Ya the one and only positive about Nicko retiring from Maiden is the chance to hear this song performed live
@RealDeadOne666
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
What about The Mercenary?
@everettrhay4855
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Nick’s right foot is truly amazing
@DirkDiggler-b3d
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Simon Dawson uses two bass pedals so there is hope that maybe it will be played.
@detonationcruster
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
he didn't use a double pedal on The Wicker Man chorus?
@XxMyNameIsTAOxX
November 11, 2026 at 4:21 pm
🤘 Nicko 🤘