A Matter of Life and Death Drum Setup: Nicko McBrain's Gear on Iron Maiden's 2006 Concept Album | MetalForge
The complete gear breakdown for Iron Maiden's A Matter of Life and Death (2006). Discover the Premier Artist kit, Paiste Signature cymbals, and progressive d...
Frequently Asked Questions
What drums does Nicko McBrain use on A Matter of Life and Death?
Nicko McBrain recorded A Matter of Life and Death (2006) on a Premier Artist kit — the same configuration carried over from Dance of Death and Brave New World. The setup featured a single 22-inch bass drum, three rack toms (10, 12, and 13 inch), and two floor toms (16 and 18 inch), with birch/basswood shells delivering a punchy, focused tone suited to Kevin Shirley's powerful production at Sarm West Studios. For Nicko's complete gear history across his Iron Maiden career, see the [Nicko McBrain drummer profile](/drummer/nicko-mcbrain).
Where did A Matter of Life and Death chart?
A Matter of Life and Death debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and reached number nine on the US Billboard 200 upon release in August 2006 — Iron Maiden's highest US chart placement in nearly two decades. The album's serious, war-and-mortality concept and uniformly strong songwriting made it a critical high point of the band's 21st-century catalog.
What is the story behind 'The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg'?
Ahead of A Matter of Life and Death's release, Iron Maiden built a mysterious viral marketing campaign around Benjamin Breeg, a fictional character presented as if he were a real, enigmatic figure with his own website. The campaign generated significant fan speculation before the song was even heard. Musically, 'The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg' is one of Nicko McBrain's most dynamically demanding performances of the era, alternating between brooding, restrained verses and explosive double-time choruses. See the [Dance of Death drum setup article](/articles/dance-of-death-drum-setup) for the preceding album in the arc.
Did Iron Maiden perform A Matter of Life and Death in full on tour?
Yes — Iron Maiden performed A Matter of Life and Death in its entirety, in album sequence, during the supporting world tour in 2006 and 2007, a rare move for a band touring a newly released album. The decision reflected the band's confidence in the album's cohesion as a complete concept piece. The tour and album cemented A Matter of Life and Death's place as a critical favorite, and its progressive ambitions carried directly into [The Final Frontier (2010)](/articles/final-frontier-drum-setup).