Description
Double cd in a tri-folded digipak cover
Iron Maiden shows have always liked it large. The songs, the sound and the spectacle, all of it cranked up to 11 – then some more. They’ve come a long way since their humble beginnings in East London, when their love of making an absolute racket set them on a journey which is now into its 43rd year. And they’ve literally come a long way on this latest tour, clocking up several thousand miles around Europe, playing in front of something like 75,000 fans, before their arrival in Manchester on the 6th of August 2018 (where this album is recorded). I imagine any keen Maiden fan would have done their research about this latest tour, Legacy Of The Beast, and heard the stories of the outrageous stage set and blitzing back-catalogue. It’s all true. The band arrive to an almost full-sized replica of a Spitfire hanging above them as they tear into Aces High from 1984s Powerslave. The stage is covered in camouflage netting as singer Bruce Dickinson bombs about in his leather pilot hat with goggles. It’s a blistering opener and has the sell out crowd in a frenzy. It’s nearly curtains for Dickinson during only the third song in the set, 2 Minutes to Midnight, when he falls off the speaker. The spirited front man is up in a flash and uses the accident to galvanise the audience. Dickinson, who turned 60 at midnight, said the first part of the show was based on war. “It’s not nice. It brings the worst and best of people. A lot of those kids in those Spitfires were 20 and never made it to their 60th. They were fighting the Nazis, fascism and for the freedom of country.” A renowned pilot himself, Dickinson admitted it was a fantastic coincidence that this year marked the 100th anniversary of RAF. Dickinson has chosen the right venue, the right city, to talk about coming together in the face of evil. If Dickinson talks an antiwar game he isn’t afraid of getting his hands dirty during The Trooper when he takes on ghoulish mascot Eddie in a swordfight. It’s one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen at a gig. The stage is transformed into a stained-glass chapel and Maiden glide through Revelations and For The Greater Good Of God. There’s more rock operatics and some monkish chanting during Sign Of The Cross where Dickinson is lugging a massive cross around dressed like Dracula with sideburns. There are also some pretty hefty flame throwers and a stupendous guitar-off between Dave Murray and Janick Gers. A massive angel appears at the back of the stage and Dickinson proceeds to taunt it armed with his mic and a flamethrower. Saying that, when a red-eyed, horned demon from the worst part of anyone’s imagination appears, you realise this band want to raise the bar every chance they get. If there has been melodrama, now comes the bleakness when a noose appears from the rigging during Hallowed Be Thy Name. Dickinson’s vocal is intense and unfaltering as the drama unfolds with the imagery of a storm in the backdrop. I suppose that’s why they call it ‘heavy’ metal. And then there’s the climax, Run For The Hills, a celebration of sorts, especially of this epic battle for our souls. Now, I’ve seen some fancy shows But this is the next level impressive and top notch nuts. Go big or go home is a phrase that springs to mind. As I write this, my ears are ringing. There is a serious risk The Maiden have given me tinnitus. At least I’ll have one hell of a story to tell about it. This album also includes some bonus tracks from Sheffield on the 16th of October 1986
Track list:
1. Intro-Churchills Speech
2. Aces High
3. Where Eagles Dare
4. 2 Minutes To Midnight
5. The Clansman
6. The Trooper
7. Revelations
8. For The Greater Good Of God
9. The Wicker Man
10. Sign Of The Cross
11. Flight Of Icarus
12. Fear Of The Dark
13. The Number Of The Beast
14. Iron Maiden
15. The Evil That Men Do
16. Hallowed Be Thy Name
17. Run To The Hills
18. Intro-Blade Runner theme-Sheffield 1986
19. Caught Somewhere In Time-Sheffield 1986
20. 2 Minutes To Midnight-Sheffield 1986
21. Sea Of Madness-Sheffield 1986
22. Children Of The Damned-Sheffield 1986
23. Stranger In A Strange Land-Sheffield 1986
24. Wasted Years-Sheffield 1986
25. Rime Of The Ancient Mariner-Sheffield 1986