Iron Maiden
July 20, 2019
Atlanta, GA
Lakewood Amphitheater
From the time I first heard them, I knew for a fact that there was one metal band that could not be touched by anyone else; Iron Maiden. While they have never been perfect and have made some pretty shady decisions (“Can I Play with Madness”, Blaze Bayley, putting out Book of Souls as a double album), Iron Maiden has and still is my favorite band.
When Iron Maiden pulled into Atlanta for their Legacy of the Beast tour, this would be my 10th Iron Maiden show. While I have seen some shows better than others, every year that Iron Maiden plays a show, that show is the best show I’d see that year. This year proved to be the same as Iron Maiden brought with them not just their biggest stage production to date but also one of their most unpredictable setlists to date.
The audience was a very racially diverse and made up of folks ranging in age from 10 years old to proud grandparents in the ‘60s. I also saw just about everyone I knew in Atlanta. Hugs were shared, selfies were taken, and the vibe was absolutely electric. This is not surprising because this is the kind of band that Iron Maiden is. They are a band that brings people together and they have a fanbase that is parallel to that of the Grateful Dead when it comes to dedication and a “family” vibe among everyone.
Leading up to this show I had completely avoided the opening night’s setlist so everything was going to a surprise for me. As UFO’s song “Doctor, Doctor” filled the air, this is when you know shit is about to get real. This is what kicks off every Maiden show and as soon as the song was over, “Churchill’s Speach” brought a huge roar from the sold-out amphitheater knowing that “Aces High” from the band’s Powerslave album would follow. As the band kicked into the song, a huge bomber plane descended from the lighting truss which put everyone over the edge of excitement.
Unpredictably, “Where Eagles Dare” from Piece of Mind occupied the 2nd song slot and this took things to a whole new level. This song is very rarely played and the minute that signature drum intro kicked in everyone roared with approval. Drummer Nicko McBrain sounded absolutely amazing as he played with more swing that I have ever heard him play with which added a different kind of flow for the songs in general.
Iron Maiden’s stage show was their biggest date featuring multiple costume changes from lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson, signature backdrop changes, and the visual highlight of a giant Icarus for “Flight of Icarus” which featured Bruce Dickinson shooting flames from his hand mounted flame thrower. At the end of the song, the giant Icarus’wings collapse leading Icarus to crash to the ground behind the stage.
The performance was not only Iron Maiden’s most visually stunning show, the setlist covered some really deep cuts that left the casual fans feeling a little lost but had us, diehards, feeling acknowledged. Songs like “For the Greater Good of God” from A Matter of Life and Death and rarities such as “Revelations” from Piece of Mind and the Blaze Bayley era “The Clansman” and “Sign of the Cross” were a real treat to hear as these were songs I have never heard Bruce sing.
“Sign of the Cross” was definitely a highlight for me because it sounded like an epic Bruce era song and he really put himself into this song portraying the role of a vampire-like character toting around an illuminating cross but it was “Revelations” that really hit me hard. The song is so beautiful and is without a doubt one the Maiden’s greatest songs of all times. With its emotional verses and dynamic changes, “Revelations” left me in tears as this was a song I never thought I would ever hear live. Ever since hearing it on Live After Death, that song has alway had a huge place in my heart and, again, to hear it live filled me with so much emotion.
The encore of “The Evil That Men Do,” “Hallowed Be They Name,” and “Run to the Hills” was a massive blow to the dome and absolutely had me screaming, singing, and pretty much was completely blown out. The crowd was nothing but smiles and from where I was. Nobody looked disappointed and my friends and I felt like we had just seen something truly special. With a well thought out and even better-executed setlist, you could really tell that Iron Maiden put a lot of thought into this tour.
As a long-time Iron Maiden fan, I can honestly say that this was by far the best Iron Maiden show I have seen to date. Iron Maiden is a band that gives the fans more than 100% musically, performance-wise, and visually and Legacy of the Beast took everything they’ve ever done to a whole other level making previous tours look small in comparison.
As I said earlier, Maiden fans are also family. Sharing hugs, high fives, and selfies with close friends and strangers, the fans are whisked away into a world where all of the hassles and all of the negativity of the outside world seems to disappear and not even exist. And just as Maiden’s show-closing Monty Python song says, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” A reminder that no matter how shitty life can be, there is always some light and Iron Maiden, to all of us, is that light that we all want and need.
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