Iron Maiden / Bullet For My Valentine
10/17/2006
The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Michigan
by John Haseltine
For someone like me, a huge fan, nothing can be more exciting than knowing that Iron Maiden is on tour in the states and will be somewhere in your area. I know this may not be the case for most as there are, or by the time you read this, were only 8 dates for the U.S. Luckily for myself, I had two shows to choose from. As the header states, we drove up to the Detroit area to see the show.
And being the 14th time in the past 22 years of seeing them, I thought I was ready for a killer show chalked full of Maiden classics with a couple of new ones thrown in. Boy was I wrong. But we'll get to that in a few.
Hitting the stage first was Bullet For My Valentine. Over here for I believe the second time this year. If some of you may remember they were on the Rob Zombie tour earlier this year but were kicked off the tour due to some outbursts by the vocalist about t-shirt prices. (Yeah, have you noticed Maiden's shirt prices?)
Anyways, I have not had the opportunity yet to listen to any B.F.M.V.'s releases. As the only opening act for a band such as Maiden, I would have to say they did a fantastic job. I was also unaware to just how heavy their music was/is. They were able to pull off 6 tracks in the set in support of their re-release of 'The Poison'. As if I need another CD to listen to, I now need to go pick up a copy. They threw it down tonight with some serious precision. Personally, I would have to say that they are the UK's version of Trivium. And without being all that familiar with their music, I was able to figure out five of the tracks they did play. "Hand Of Blood, Suffocat ing Un der Words OF Sorrow, 4 Words To Choke Upon, Spit You Out and Tears Don't Fall". B.F.M.V. are a band to lookout for. From what they pulled off this evening, you'll be hearing much more of them down the road.
As the lights go out, the crowd goes nuts. And over the sound system comes UFO's Doctor, Doctor. Although a great song, I thought it was an odd way for Maiden to start a show. Right after the song was over, the curtains drop and they tear into the opening track from the new album, 'A Matter Of Life And Death', 'Different World'. Without hesitation between songs, they play 'These Colours Don't Run, Brighter Than A Thousand Suns and The Pilgrim'.
Now we were hoping there was to be some of the more modern Maiden songs played tonight, but what we were in store for was far different from what we got. Right towards the end of the 4th song, Nicko's bass drum skin split. So there was an unscheduled little break while they replaced it. So in the meantime, this gives Bruce a moment to chat it up with the crowd. " You know what's going on here don't you? We will be playing the whole album from start to finish." Hmmm. I did not know whether to be like, "hell yeah!!!" or "what the….." I know the album is just over an hour and ten minutes. So what other songs are they going to play? The stage was setup like the album cover.
It looked like a battle field. Very, very cool. As with any and all Maiden full production shows. They proceed to forge their way through the album with 'The Longest Day, Out Of The Shadows and The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg'. I really do like the new album. Definitely not the best they've ever done, but I do like it. And maybe it's because I have only been able to listen to a half a dozen times or so, but I was beginning to get a little bored. Yep!!! Blasphemous me again. Bored!?!
Maiden are my all time favorite band just so it is known. It's not like at Slayer when they roll thru 'Reign In Blood' at the end of their set. A new album that's 70 plus minutes long right off the bat? And for me, I think it was a little overkill.
Next up, 'For The Greater Good Of God, Lord Of Light', and last but not least, 'The Legacy'. So that blew an hour and a half. And Bruce adds, "and that, is a matter of life and death". Please, please play something else. And just as I'm saying this under breath, 'Fear Of The Dark'. Very cool guys. And right into 'Iron Maiden'. Now we're on to something. "Do you know what time it is?" Bruce yells. Fuck yeah!!! It's '2 Minutes To Midnight." And as they start the first few riffs, a giant tank rises from above Nicko's drum kit with Eddie coming out of the hatch. I swear this thing must have been twenty five to thirty feet up. It was huge. There were also the tanks tracks turning on the stage. It was as if the whole stage was one giant army tank.
In between 'The Evil That Men Do' and the show closer 'Hallowed By Thy Name', We got Eddie wondering around the stage in uniform (army) with a machine gun. Ready for battle. He must have stood about 14ft tall. Very cool he was too. So definitely a different type of show by Maiden. Only five classic Maiden tracks. But all in all, amazing as usual. Adrian, Janick and Dave are an unstoppable trio on the strings. And Steve Harris? Yes, he's still godly on stage. Nicko thumped away and Bruce's voice was in top notch form.
On the way out of the venue, I over hear a couple of guys talking about the show. One says to the other, "that was cool, but Iron Maiden are about ten years past their prime." So I stop and turn and say, " no, they are just hitting their prime."
So until the next time, UP THE IRONS!!!
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