Pandemonium broke out on the prairies, Tuesday night, when heavy metal beasts IRON MAIDEN returned to ravage the stage with epic brutality. Charging into force with their enterprising hit “The Wicker Man” from the 2000 studio album Brave New World, it was a chance for fans to visit the second chapter in Maiden’s anthology of hits…& still catch some “classics” along the way. The band was highly energetic, working the audience with a wrathful fury that was greatly anticipated by the 6,000 who packed into Credit Union Centre (Saskatoon, SK). There is no need to give an introduction here – if you don’t know WHO Iron Maiden is & the “CULT STATUS” that they have achieved…you clearly have crawled out from under a rock.
With a 15th studio release scheduled for mid-August, known as “The Final Frontier” – the English rockers are connecting with fans through a series of 25 shows in Canada & the US, followed by select performances & festivals throughout Europe this summer. No…“The Final Frontier” does NOT MEAN that the group is hanging up their guitar straps & wristbands for a well-deserved life of retirement. In fact, according to the virility on this stage…it’s quite on the contrary.
Lead/rhythm guitarist, Dave Murray, leapt onto speakers & dazzled the crowd with astounding precision. Janick Gers whipped his guitar through the air & extended his legs onto stacks, finally sharing an ALL OUT musical duel with the band’s frightful mascot “Eddie”. Adrian Smith was as solid as ever, paving the resolute structure amongst the guitars…& when you add Steve Harris’ lightning-fast sprints across the stage, to shoot “barrier clingers” with his powerful galloping bass, you achieve a show already smothered in personality. The pounding intensity of long-time drummer, Nicko McBrain, completes the rendition…& although this man hides behind one of the most TOWERING kits used in the business, he has no problem making his strapping presence known!
Frontman, Bruce Dickinson, seemed genuinely thrilled to be belting out his string of unwavering lyrics…no matter how disappointed he was for not being able to find a Saskatoon berry throughout his travels. He said it BEST when he revelled, “There are music fans…then there are heavy metal fans…& THEN THERE ARE IRON MAIDEN FANS!” With a floor jam-packed all the way past sound booth, the roaring praises hailed during IM’s new single “El Dorado” – which was recorded at Compass Point Studios (Nassau) & released as a “FREE” digital download on the band’s website prior to the tour. The reflective nature of “Blood Brothers” was dedicated to the late, great Ronnie James Dio while spectators swayed & reminiscently sang along. But the pit really unleashed its chaos when the band broke into the 1992 jolting anthem “Fear Of The Dark”, followed by the spectacular prowess of “Iron Maiden”…& a three song encore including: The Number Of The Beast, Hallowed Be Thy Name, & Running Free.
With openers Dream Theater setting the precedence for a gripping onslaught of melodic metal mastery, their artistic credibility was highly defined between exaggerated contrasts of deep groaning riffs & the electronic keyboard synth of Jordan Rudess. John Myung floats like a hummingbird across the lines of his six-string bass, & lead guitarist John Petrucci showed no reluctance in shredding out his best solos. The only complaint was that drummer Mike Portnoy seemed MORE the frontman, while vocalist James Labrie needed to work his element a little better…but still, WHAT A VOICE! Prog metal is very technically woven &, I think, the Long Island monsters did a great job of keeping the audience spirited.
When EDDIE grazed the stage with torn flesh & glowing red eyes, the 21st century space station turned into a grueling battlezone where “THE BEAST” showcased his own talents on electric guitar. Battering first against Gers, then moving on to the demure Dave Murray, Eddie remains a highlight to the hardcore fans that have seen his various transitions throughout the album covers. You’ll definitely want to check him out on this intergalactic journey, as he is more EVIL than ever with his razor-sharp fangs…only now, he will probably be sporting a lightsaber or futuristic blast-gun! Maiden’s lighting rig is one the most expansive, even in a small setting like CUC. It hovered & saturated the arena at perfect intervals, creating prevalent dynamics to the sound without having any blast of pyro. Some showgoers found this rather disheartening, especially during the legendary “Number Of The Beast”…but (quite honestly) the performance didn’t need much more BANG because the musicianship was stunningly passionate & the stage cover intoxicatingly robust.
Iron Maiden continues to be at the “TOP OF THEIR GAME” with an explosive tour, new album, & evolutionary stage effects. The sound doesn’t usually wander from their textured melodic array that they’ve always produced, but their exactitude seems to cure over time. They have experienced a number of platinum-selling albums & played OVER 2000 “LIVE” shows, since their debut in the early eighties, & have achieved recognition reaching “METAL GOD” stature for influencing SO MANY artists in the business today. Saskatchewan was lucky to partake in such an extravaganza during a short TWO YEAR time period, as the band hit Regina on their “Somewhere Back In Time” Tour earlier in 2008. And…twenty-some odd years before, Saskatoon lost its ONLY scheduled Maiden concert, when drummer Nicko McBrain got blood-poisoning from broken blisters on his hands & could not play.
The Final Frontier Tour has been receiving mixed reviews since opening night in Dallas, Texas on June 9th. But one cannot contest Dickinson’s operatic bellows that hit every pitch in perfect range, or the flabbergasting tightness of the five other musicians who are all soon to become pensioners. Iron Maiden has sold over 100 MILLION records worldwide, with little support from media, & despite constant allegations of “satanic symbolism” – WHICH, FOR THE RECORD, ARE ARTISTIC INVENTIONS & NOTHING MORE. What they encompass is designed with THE FANS in mind, & that has been “KEY” to their resilient success. They’re known for playing to 3.5 million spectators in only 13 months & what other heavy metal group is capable of affording a “pimped out” Astraeus 757 decaled as Ed Force One??? It’s clear that IM has plans to surge forward into the NEXT frontier, & just like in the greatest of horror movies – “The Beast” never dies…neither will Iron Maiden.
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BPatoine – July, 2010
