Arriving at Atlanta’s Lakewood Amphitheatre on Saturday, July 20th, there was no doubting the magnitude of what was to come. A sea of out-of-state license plates in the parking lot surrounding the venue served as a testament to the pilgrimage undertaken by thousands of diehard fans. This was not to be a standard concert – This was an Iron Maiden concert.
From the moment the amphitheater grounds were entered, the electric energy of the throng was unmistakable. The band hasn’t performed in Atlanta since 2012, and the audience of 18,000-odd devotees clearly felt the void of a seven-year absence from their rock gods. The anticipation was palpable.
The crowd consisted of mostly middle-aged, white, working-class men, sprinkled with a small but diverse mix of cultures and ages, including a few millennials who were not yet born at the time of band’s peak global popularity. A mass of black t-shirts emblazoned with metal band logos wrapped the stage, each one declaring the loyalty of its wearer.
The dim lights provided just enough illumination for a fleeting view of the stage as the show began, with a short musical introduction to a “greatest hits” video featuring Eddie; the beloved band mascot, made of an oversized skull on a zombie-like body. Eddie is well known to all I.M. fans, having appeared on every album cover.
As the video played on two giant screens, two soldiers marched out to flank the stage, suddenly removing camouflaged tarps from the band’s instruments – like a military unit preparing for war. The crowd roared as if giving notice to their General that they were ready to follow him into battle.
The video screens then displayed a vintage montage of World War II-era British forces entering the fray – with Winston Churchill’s famous “We shall fight on the beaches” speech serving as their soundtrack.
Finally, the band members ran out on stage, joined by a huge airplane from the era, which “flew” toward the crowd to the opening song; “Aces High”, as frontman Bruce Dickinson exploded from the back of the stage, hurdling over speakers in a WWII pilot’s helmet. Dickinson has the energy of a 25-year-old, despite his 60 years, and his enthusiasm set the tone for two hours to follow.
“There are no new songs on this tour,” Dickinson shouted to the audience. This, of course, had to be true, since the band’s last album; Books of Souls, was recorded in 2015.
Iron Maiden’s world tour is fittingly titled; “The Legacy of The Beast.” The tour started in May of 2018 with 38 European dates and is just beginning its second leg with 44 North and South American dates.
“Aces High” drew everyone into Iron Maiden’s world, and then continued with ever escalating theatrics. The band and Dickenson still sounded remarkably strong, as they easily whipped the audience into a euphoric state.
The second number, “Where Eagles Dare”, from the Piece of Mind album, began with a majestic drum entrance by the immensely talented Nico McBrain, which brought the audience to a new high. With thousands of people singing in unison and raising their fists in the air with approval, one couldn’t help but perceive an almost religious fervor among the group.
The set changes and special effects were new for each song – taking the crowd on an epic journey – predominantly guided by the still-charismatic Bruce Dickinson (whose wardrobe matched each set).
The remaining band members showed a marked lack of the dramatic in comparison to Dickenson, but they brought their “A” game in terms of musical virtuosity and stamina – and were more than happy to let their singer lead the audience through the journey; chapter by chapter, song by song.
There is something to be said about Iron Maiden’s longevity. Most bands with humble beginnings, who soar to the heights of fame, eventually succumb to friction and animosity, but not these men. They appear to be the same unspoiled group who met in the late 1970s. An example of their largess was the return of guitarist Adrian Smith. After leaving the band in the early 90s, he was replaced by Janick Gers, but then allowed to return after a change of heart, joining with Gers. These men mean something to each other. To a man, they seemed truly happy on stage – even at an age when many of their peers have retired.
The band and audience traveled through thirteen songs and two encores before their extraordinary Atlanta journey was over. This included 80’s-era hits, like “Flight of Icarus,” complete with a winged man flying on stage, acting out the mythological cautionary tale of flying too close to the Sun.
There was no shortage of props and pyrotechnics as the show approached its end – all helping to communicate the story of each song. Were a few of the dramatic attempts a bit on the “cheesy” side? Perhaps. The sword battle between Eddie and Bruce Dickonson could be characterized as “over the top,” but the people loved it, which after all, was the point.
Songs like “The Number of the Beast” were full of crowd-pleasing fire and explosions, inspiring the audience to join in song – and hits like “Revelations”, “The Trooper”, and “Hallowed Be Thy Name” continued the show’s momentum.
Iron Maiden finally closed with their famous “Run to the Hills”, but the crowd wanted to stay put, to drink in the “Maideness” of it all. It was truly more than a rock and roll show; it was an epic spectacle, a Broadway show, a gladiator match, and a Hollywood action film – all rolled into one.
Upon leaving the venue, no one could claim that they didn’t get their money’s worth – and walking by the merchandise stations, the long lines signaled that they were happy to spend even more – even at $45 per t-shirt.
As many metal bands from the 1980s have come and gone, the appetite for metal has waned among younger audiences. Even in this environment, however, it’s heartening to see that Iron Maiden has not only has survived the nineties and “oughties,” but have continued to thrive around the world.
Is “The Legacy of the Beast” Iron Maiden’s last world tour? It’s possible; the band members are all in their 60s (with drummer Nicko McBrain approaching 70), and no studio plans seem eminent. But with their energy and continued ability to look and sound something very close to their prime – it would be wise not to bet against them.
In a way though, this felt like a “Thank You” to all their beloved fans, the many who have supported this band since it’s humble beginning in the U.K., playing at small, local small venues, then progressing to incredible world tours of the eighties and nineties. This seemed a reward from the band to its audience and vice-versa.
These men know how to entertain, and it’s a pleasure to be reminded of how the seasoned veterans do it. An Iron Maiden show is something that lovers of music and spectacle must experience – even if heavy metal is not their cup of (English) tea.
