CONCERT REVIEW: Iron Maiden Keeps Beast Alive in Edmonton
Iron Maiden proves that even if one doesn’t have a new album, a band can still go out on tour and everything will be just fine – as long as they have a solid collection of greatest hits, flashy stage effects, charisma, and an energetic performance. Bonus if they’re all over 60 years old.
The show that the British metal icons brought to Rogers Place on Friday night for the “Legacy of the Beast” tour was explosive from the start. A replica of a Second World War Spitfire plane flew above the stage. It even had a working propeller. This was just the first of several animatronics in an elaborate stage show.
Fast and loud would be the two adjectives to best describe the concert. As the volume progressively increased due to the screaming fans (leaning heavily on the male side, but encompassing all ages and genders), the band raced through a litany of their greatest hits including The Wicker Man, Fear of the Dark, Number of the Beast, and their biggest hit Run to the Hills. The tour was aptly named (Legacy of the Beast is also the title of the band’s new mobile video game) – as this was indeed a “best-of” concert. The band doesn’t have a new studio album (the last, their 16th since 1980, was 2015’s The Book of Souls) – just thousands upon thousands of dedicated fans. A concert of Maiden classics was exactly what they wanted.
Lead singer Bruce Dickinson, now 61, still has dominant power over his vocal cords, with a powerful range from low and raspy to screamingly high, and operatic overtones.
“Scream for me, Edmonton!” he exclaimed – and we did – before launching into 2 Minutes to Midnight. Except it was only a little after 9, as the show had only just begun – as did the wild thrash dancing and crowd surfing; security was busy fishing out people carried to the front.
The rest of the band are also in their 60s – but age is definitely just a number. Drummer Nicko McBrain was almost hidden behind his enormous kit, but his sound certainly was front and centre, and along with bassist Steve Harris kept the rhythm chugging. Guitarist Janick Gers shredded while demonstrating the best guitar-faces, along with his six-string comrades Adrian Smith and Dave Murray. They all at various times took part in synchronized jumping, high kicks, and stunts, like making sounds on the instrument with feet and, at one dramatic moment, the patch cord.
For almost 90 minutes the five-piece powerhouse was a flurry of perpetual motion, before taking a short break and returning for an encore without losing any bit of energy during the downtime.
The incredible stage show included intricate backdrops, bright lighting, and pyrotechnics galore. Dickinson pulled off a multitude of costume changes; in one of them he was shooting flames from his sleeves. He also continued to encourage the Edmonton crowd to scream until the end – and that we did.
Opening for Iron Maiden was The Raven Age, a metal-hardcore band from London, England. The band featured some excellent work by guitarist George Harris, who happens to be the son of Maiden’s bassist Steve Harris. Ultra-high volume and muddled arrangements did not work in the band’s favour, however, as what were probably some solid songs got lost in the arena acoustics.
