The news was officially announced on the heavy metal band’s official website on February 19, which explains that the tumor was discovered just before Christmas last year while offering a complete diagnosis of his ongoing treatment routine as well as his prognosis for the months ahead.

Bruce Dickinson previously was the subject of attention for answering the age-old question heavy metal fans have argued over countless times over the years, of which band reigns supreme: Iron Maiden or Metallica? “You’ve just got to have a sense of fearlessness,” said Bruce during a 2011 interview with Metal Hammer. “I got into trouble for saying that we’re better than Metallica and, it’s true!”