Photos and Review by Jeff Palmucci
Galleries: Iron Maiden, The Raven Age
There goes the siren that warns of the air raid
Then comes the sound of the guns sending flak
Out for the scramble we’ve got to get airborne
Got to get up for the coming attack.
— Aces High, Powerslave
That is how Iron Maiden started the show at the Xfinity Center last week, to a 17,000 strong crowd. The moment they did, that crowd went wild. Go ahead and listen to that video link above, and I’ll try to describe what Bruce Dickinson’s voice sounds like after all those years of hard living…
It’s the same. That’s right, the voice that I went on record as being the one of the most intense in the history of metal is still just as intense as it ever was. Although, I did hold the long note in Hallowed Be Thy Name longer that he did that night. Nyah!
In addition to Bruce, every single member of the band was present from back when I first saw them in the early 80’s. This is the real Iron Maiden. And, if you are like me, this is the tour for you. The Legacy of the Beast Tour is a trip through Maiden’s history. As Bruce said at the beginning of the show “We’ve got nothing new tonight.” But check out the set list below. They had a ton of awesome old stuff.
The band was playing at it’s best. Maiden’s characteristic lightning fast guitars and Steve Harris’ intensely fast bass were in full swing.
The props and effects were completely over the top, starting out with the first song. A huge WW II fighter flew over the audience during Aces High. A giant Icarus hung suspended at the back of the stage, crashing to the ground just as Icarus dies in the song. Eddie came out dressed like the Trooper engaging in a sword fight with Dickinson. Of course there were lots of pyrotechnics, including Dickinson walking around shooting a flamethrower. Reason enough right there to become a rock star!
Fittingly enough, they ended the show with Run To The Hills, and as I walked out towards the exit, I couldn’t stop singing that tune.
Iron Maiden is simply my favorite metal band of all time. It’s not really even close. This show was the best I’ve seen all year, and I see a lot. Don’t miss these guys.
Set List
- Aces High
- Where Eagles Dare
- 2 Minutes to Midnight
- The Clansman
- The Trooper
- Revelations
- For the Greater Good of God
- The Wicker Man
- Sign of the Cross
- Flight of Icarus
- Fear of the Dark
- Number of the Beast
- Iron Maiden
Encore
- The Evil That Men Do
- Hallowed Be Thy Name
- Run to the Hills