It only takes four songs before Bruce Dickinson inevitably bellows, “Scream for me, Birmingham!” On their 50th anniversary tour, Iron Maiden isn’t about to reinvent the wheel. As always, they deliver fast and intricate heavy metal. Dickinson spends much of the performance atop the backline, embodying various characters, while Steve Harris assaults the crowd with his characteristic bass “gallops.” Janick Gers, in his usual fashion, swings his guitar around and often raises his left leg to rest it on the side speakers—no one quite understands why, but it’s part of his signature style. The themes of their songs remain childlike at heart, covering everything from the Battle of Britain (“Aces High”) to madness (“The Clairvoyant”) and the devil himself (“The Number of the Beast”).
Dickinson mentions that this tour comes closest to a greatest hits format, with their latest song performed, “Fear of the Dark,” dating back to 1992. For casual fans, this is a plus, as Maiden’s setlist leans towards their earlier, more concise tracks, which helps maintain the pace—not that it completely avoids their tendency to wander. The epic “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” feels as lengthy as a ferry ride across the Channel, leaving you longing for duty-free distraction.
Time has begun to take its toll, too; while Dickinson’s iconic “air-raid siren” voice retains its impressive range, it now leans more towards “car-alarm.” The acoustics in the echoey, sweltering arena sometimes diminish the sound’s intricacies—new drummer Simon Dawson’s contributions were occasionally drowned out in the mix, while guitar solos soared above everything else, making it hard to appreciate the full band.
Yet, what a legacy they’ve built—Iron Maiden has crafted an incredible career on their own terms, a feat rarely accomplished in the music industry. And indeed, Birmingham roared for them, loud and continuous.
Don’t miss Iron Maiden’s tour across England and Ireland until June 30!
What do you think?
Show comments / Leave a comment