IRON MAIDEN Is 'Extremely Optimistic' About BRUCE DICKINSON's 'Full Recovery'

British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN remain "extremely optimistic" about the "full recovery" of their lead singer, Bruce Dickinson, who recently underwent a seven-week course of chemotherapy and radiology to treat a small cancerous tumor at the back of his tongue.

In a new post on MAIDEN's official web site, the band writes: "Over the last few days, Bruce has been to see his specialists and following examinations, including visual, we're delighted to update everyone that the situation remains extremely optimistic for a full recovery. We will still not have final confirmation that the cancer has been completely eradicated until Bruce can have an MRI scan in May, as previously advised in Rod's [Smallwood, IRON MAIDEN's manager] recent message to the fans on this site, and the period to full recovery will continue for a few months yet.

"Typically Bruce's immediate reaction to the specialists' good news was to be as active as feasibly possible, taking in a couple of visits to the MAIDEN office, one to the Hybrid Air Vehicle hangar to see latest progress, and a brief trip to his local pub, much to the surprise and delight of all his friends there!

"We just wanted to share this latest piece of good news with all MAIDEN's fans and, as usual, we'll continue to keep you all updated officially on Bruce's progress, on the IRON MAIDEN website."

IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain told the 98.7 The Gater radio station in West Palm Beach, Florida earlier in the month about Dickinson's cancer battle: "We were all blown away when we heard the news. But the great thing is [Bruce is] in great hands back home in England, not only with his family, but his oncologists and all the people that are working with him. They were all very positive, as Bruce has been, through the whole thing."

He continued: "Obviously, it's a blow for everybody to hear the news. Last [month], the official announcement was made, after he finished his treatment. And all of that treatment went exceedingly well. And from not having spoken to Bruce for a couple of weeks, but talking to our manager, he was in amazing spirits, considering the brutality of the radiology, and he had three chemo sessions. So it's been pretty hard, as you can imagine. And he's apparently doing very well. He was in the office Wednesday last week, and apparently he went out. He goes down the pub… although he can't taste his beer. He said, 'At least I know it's a Trooper [IRON MAIDEN's official beer]. I've got the bottle in my hand.' [Laughs] I said, 'Does it still work?' 'Oh yeah!' [Laughs]"

McBrain added: "So, just to let everybody know, from what we can gather, he's really in great hands, and he's doing extremely well. So we expect him to have a full recovery in the next couple of months. And then, watch this space, really. We have made an album. The album was ready to go this year… and it still is. When I say 'was,' we were planning on going out and doing some work around the album, which now, we're all just holding on, and once Bruce is up and running, hopefully in the next couple of months, we'll… You never know when this might happen. You just never know, do you? [Laughs]"

IRON MAIDEN has yet to make an official announcement about a new studio album, but the band's members have reportedly been spotted in Paris, France in recent months, along with their longtime producer, Kevin Shirley, who is said to have helmed the new effort.