Showing posts with label Iron Maiden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iron Maiden. Show all posts

7/21/2017

Concert Review: Iron Maiden and Ghost In Concert

Iron Maiden and Ghost In Concert
Xfinity Center Mansfield, Massachusetts
July 19, 2017
I can tick one off the bucket list now. I finally got my opportunity to see the iconic metal legends Iron Maiden in concert. I have been waiting for many years for this night and it was worth the wait. On a steamy July night, an over capacity crowd at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts reveled in their time witnessing the heavy metal giants perform. 

I have never seen that many people in sync like that, the admiration and respect was evident all night long. You would expect a raucous crowd, and I know we are all stereotyped like other groups of people, but this was an orderly crowd and when we all left there were no issues. So much for the stereotypes, you can throw them right out the window. We love our metal and our bands, and as Bruce Dickinson said, prior to a short dissertation of the world before a song, we are all “Blood Brothers.” One people enjoying each other’s company and the music.

The opening band Ghost is one I was anticipating as well. I had already purchased all their music and found their presentation onstage very theatrical. Of course, Maiden takes that element to entirely different level when they get on the stage. The music of Ghost is heavy and precise. The band’s lead singer “Papa Emeritus III” has put together a well-oiled machine, and he looks menacing as hell (no pun intended there). The “Nameless Ghouls,” the rest of the band, all have their devil masks on while the lead singer is a moving skeleton working the stage all night. The act is a tribute to the dark side and Satan. It is entertainment, an act yes, and I do not believe for a second they are worshipers of Lucifer. When you talk about being happy and prosperous as the lead singer did last night, well, worshipers of the dark master just don’t discuss such things, so there you go. The music is as awesome as I expected in a live setting. I would expect this band to continue to grow a large following and eventually be headliners.

Ghost was a superb warm up band for Maiden and I think everyone in attendance really enjoyed their music and presentation.

Iron Maiden’s stage sets the tone for their shows. With mascot Eddie and the backdrops for whatever album they are touring under, it always makes it a total multimedia event. This was the next to the last show for the incredible masterpiece The Book of Souls

All the members look to be in terrific shape physically and Bruce is still running around the stage all night long. He was totally soaked in sweat after only a few songs (as was I all night long). The energy he commands onstage is something to behold. The band has been together so long it is like watching a family joining together to celebrate what they love. You can feel the honesty in their performance. With three excellent guitarists and the phenomenal founder and bass player Steve Harris uniting them to make their way through fan favorites and the most recent recording, it really was something people in attendance will never forget.

The large video screens were amazing. The shots of the band on stage were HD quality, you could see the sweat on their arms and watch their fingers blazing away on the guitars. It made a difference for all of us in the upper sections. It was hard not to keep looking at the screen!

The one thing I did notice that was a blemish on an otherwise excellent show, was how Bruce’s mic kept cutting out last night. It happened frequently, so hopefully that is something that would be corrected by the venue or their own team on the mixing board. I am not sure where the problem was originating from.

The venue is in an off the beaten path area and by the time we made it through the incoming traffic, the only parking left was the very last lot with a 2 hour wait to get out. I learned my lesson when attending such a major event there. You should either get there when they open the lots or pay the price to park outside the venue! Fair warning to those who have not been there yet.

The inconveniences were not welcomed but dealt with in good spirits by all in attendance. And why not? We got to see phenomenal heavy metal in one evening so it was worth it. I had always watched the DVD sets over the years of Maiden and now understand the energy level and commitment of the band and their fans.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
July 20, 2017

Founder of:

Ghost Set List:
Masked Ball
(Gregorio Allegri song)
Square Hammer
From the Pinnacle to the Pit
Ritual
Cirice
Year Zero
Absolution
Mummy Dust
Monstrance Clock

Iron Maiden Set List:
    Doctor Doctor
    (UFO song)
    If Eternity Should Fail
    Speed of Light
    Wrathchild
    Children of the Damned
    Death or Glory
    The Red and the Black
    The Trooper
    Powerslave
    The Great Unknown
    The Book of Souls
    Fear of the Dark
    Iron Maiden
    Encore:
    The Number of the Beast
    Blood Brothers
    Wasted Years

Concert Review: Iron Maiden and Ghost In Concert

Iron Maiden and Ghost In Concert
Xfinity Center Mansfield, Massachusetts
July 19, 2017
I can tick one off the bucket list now. I finally got my opportunity to see the iconic metal legends Iron Maiden in concert. I have been waiting for many years for this night and it was worth the wait. On a steamy July night, an over capacity crowd at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts reveled in their time witnessing the heavy metal giants perform. 

I have never seen that many people in sync like that, the admiration and respect was evident all night long. You would expect a raucous crowd, and I know we are all stereotyped like other groups of people, but this was an orderly crowd and when we all left there were no issues. So much for the stereotypes, you can throw them right out the window. We love our metal and our bands, and as Bruce Dickinson said, prior to a short dissertation of the world before a song, we are all “Blood Brothers.” One people enjoying each other’s company and the music.

The opening band Ghost is one I was anticipating as well. I had already purchased all their music and found their presentation onstage very theatrical. Of course, Maiden takes that element to entirely different level when they get on the stage. The music of Ghost is heavy and precise. The band’s lead singer “Papa Emeritus III” has put together a well-oiled machine, and he looks menacing as hell (no pun intended there). The “Nameless Ghouls,” the rest of the band, all have their devil masks on while the lead singer is a moving skeleton working the stage all night. The act is a tribute to the dark side and Satan. It is entertainment, an act yes, and I do not believe for a second they are worshipers of Lucifer. When you talk about being happy and prosperous as the lead singer did last night, well, worshipers of the dark master just don’t discuss such things, so there you go. The music is as awesome as I expected in a live setting. I would expect this band to continue to grow a large following and eventually be headliners.

Ghost was a superb warm up band for Maiden and I think everyone in attendance really enjoyed their music and presentation.

Iron Maiden’s stage sets the tone for their shows. With mascot Eddie and the backdrops for whatever album they are touring under, it always makes it a total multimedia event. This was the next to the last show for the incredible masterpiece The Book of Souls

All the members look to be in terrific shape physically and Bruce is still running around the stage all night long. He was totally soaked in sweat after only a few songs (as was I all night long). The energy he commands onstage is something to behold. The band has been together so long it is like watching a family joining together to celebrate what they love. You can feel the honesty in their performance. With three excellent guitarists and the phenomenal founder and bass player Steve Harris uniting them to make their way through fan favorites and the most recent recording, it really was something people in attendance will never forget.

The large video screens were amazing. The shots of the band on stage were HD quality, you could see the sweat on their arms and watch their fingers blazing away on the guitars. It made a difference for all of us in the upper sections. It was hard not to keep looking at the screen!

The one thing I did notice that was a blemish on an otherwise excellent show, was how Bruce’s mic kept cutting out last night. It happened frequently, so hopefully that is something that would be corrected by the venue or their own team on the mixing board. I am not sure where the problem was originating from.

The venue is in an off the beaten path area and by the time we made it through the incoming traffic, the only parking left was the very last lot with a 2 hour wait to get out. I learned my lesson when attending such a major event there. You should either get there when they open the lots or pay the price to park outside the venue! Fair warning to those who have not been there yet.

The inconveniences were not welcomed but dealt with in good spirits by all in attendance. And why not? We got to see phenomenal heavy metal in one evening so it was worth it. I had always watched the DVD sets over the years of Maiden and now understand the energy level and commitment of the band and their fans.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
July 20, 2017

Founder of:

Ghost Set List:
Masked Ball
(Gregorio Allegri song)
Square Hammer
From the Pinnacle to the Pit
Ritual
Cirice
Year Zero
Absolution
Mummy Dust
Monstrance Clock

Iron Maiden Set List:
    Doctor Doctor
    (UFO song)
    If Eternity Should Fail
    Speed of Light
    Wrathchild
    Children of the Damned
    Death or Glory
    The Red and the Black
    The Trooper
    Powerslave
    The Great Unknown
    The Book of Souls
    Fear of the Dark
    Iron Maiden
    Encore:
    The Number of the Beast
    Blood Brothers
    Wasted Years

10/20/2015

Heavy Metal Review: Iron Maiden-Book of Souls

Release Date: September 4, 2015
Label: BMG Recorded Music

Iron Maiden is one of heavy metal’s most legendary bands, who rose to fame and dominated the charts during the 1980s. This is one of those cases where if you do not know who they are, you must have been living under a rock for the past few decades. Formed in London in 1975, the current incarnation of the band consists of Bruce Dickinson (lead vocals, piano), Dave Murray (guitar), Adrian Smith (guitar), Janick Gers (guitar), Steve Harris (bass, keyboards), and Nicko McBrain (drums). 

The Book of Souls is their sixteenth studio album, and their first since 2010’s The Final Frontier.  This eleven song double album clocks in at just over ninety minutes, and it is ninety minutes well spent.  While hitting on themes of mortality, the soul, death, and sorrow, The Book of Souls is one wild ride, leading to an unforgettable and incredible finale. 

“If Eternity Should Fail” is an all-around fantastic opener. First, there is the thrilling atmosphere in the beginning and, second, are the stellar vocals that bring everything to the next level. The music and vocals fit so well together that I would never want to separate them. There is also a great solo section a bit after the halfway point for good measure. Overall, it is a grand and mythic song musically, vocally, and lyrically. It is the perfect song to open the album, because if you like it, then I would be astonished if you did not like the rest. Living up to its name, “Speed of Light” is a hard-hitting rocker that comes out soaring like a comet through the night sky. There is great energy in the vocal performance, but the guitar work steals the show on this one.

“The Great Unknown” opens with a killer base line and astounds with its otherworldly sound. The vocals reach new heights that the previous songs did not, and the guitar solo around the five minute mark absolutely tears things it up. A towering beast of a song, “The Red and the Black” grabs you by the hair with its delicious opening riff, and then continues to groove right along. It is a fairly long, clocking in at just over thirteen and a half minutes, and though it does an adequate job of not wearing out its welcome, I was waiting for it to end by the eleven minute mark. Pulsating with energy, “When the River Runs Deep” is a fast paced, head-banging tune. “The Book of Souls” starts off mellow with an acoustic opening, before the whole band drops in to turn things up to eleven. The song has a great flow, leading to the most memorable riff on the album, making for a fantastic end to the first album. 

Starting off the second album in glorious fashion, “Death or Glory” is a high tempo track packed with unrelenting energy. It is a ripping and roaring song that absolutely soars, and has a great eighties throwback vibe to its sound with its riffs and melodies, making for a rock solid metal tune. The jarring opening of “Shadows of the Valley” has a slightly sinister feel to it and it could be the theme song to a dark fantasy film. The music is nice and controlled metal during the instrumental. 

“Tears of a Clown” is an interesting song, because it is a bit of a heavy metal lament. As you can tell by the title, the lyrics are sad and depressing. There is a nice guitar solo to lift the spirts up, as much as it can on a song like this. “The Man of Sorrows” is a haunting song with plenty of emotion. I am also thinking that it possibly makes “Tears of a Clown” a tad redundant. “Empire of the Clouds” is the closers of all closers, a truly epic and stunning song. There is the beautiful piano opening, an album highlight for sure, that moves seamlessly into metal territory with some nice harmonies and killer guitar parts.  It is by far the album’s longest song, but it never wears out its welcome.

It is safe to say that Iron Maiden has knocked it out of the park with The Book of Souls, and it made it over the fence with plenty of room to spare.  Despite a few minor glitches, I have found that this album has grown on me with each listen. This album is a must for Iron Maiden fans. The Book of Souls is a 21st century metal masterpiece. 

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: If Eternity Should Fail, The Great Unknown, Death or Glory, Empire of Clouds

Tracks:

Disc One
1.If Eternity Should Fail
2.Speed of Light
3.The Great Unknown
4.The Red and the Black
5.When the River Runs Deep
6.The Book of Souls


Disc 2
1.Death or Glory
2.Shadows of the Valley
3.Tears of a Clown
4.The Man of Sorrows

5.Empire of the Clouds


Brian McKinnon - Write A Music Review Sr. Staff
October 20, 2015
Review Provided By Write A Music Review



Heavy Metal/Prog Metal Review: Iron Maiden-Book of Souls

Release Date: September 4, 2015
Label: BMG Recorded Music

Iron Maiden is one of heavy metal’s most legendary bands, who rose to fame and dominated the charts during the 1980s. This is one of those cases where if you do not know who they are, you must have been living under a rock for the past few decades. Formed in London in 1975, the current incarnation of the band consists of Bruce Dickinson (lead vocals, piano), Dave Murray (guitar), Adrian Smith (guitar), Janick Gers (guitar), Steve Harris (bass, keyboards), and Nicko McBrain (drums). 

The Book of Souls is their sixteenth studio album, and their first since 2010’s The Final Frontier.  This eleven song double album clocks in at just over ninety minutes, and it is ninety minutes well spent.  While hitting on themes of mortality, the soul, death, and sorrow, The Book of Souls is one wild ride, leading to an unforgettable and incredible finale. 

“If Eternity Should Fail” is an all-around fantastic opener. First, there is the thrilling atmosphere in the beginning and, second, are the stellar vocals that bring everything to the next level. The music and vocals fit so well together that I would never want to separate them. There is also a great solo section a bit after the halfway point for good measure. Overall, it is a grand and mythic song musically, vocally, and lyrically. It is the perfect song to open the album, because if you like it, then I would be astonished if you did not like the rest. Living up to its name, “Speed of Light” is a hard-hitting rocker that comes out soaring like a comet through the night sky. There is great energy in the vocal performance, but the guitar work steals the show on this one.

“The Great Unknown” opens with a killer base line and astounds with its otherworldly sound. The vocals reach new heights that the previous songs did not, and the guitar solo around the five minute mark absolutely tears things it up. A towering beast of a song, “The Red and the Black” grabs you by the hair with its delicious opening riff, and then continues to groove right along. It is a fairly long, clocking in at just over thirteen and a half minutes, and though it does an adequate job of not wearing out its welcome, I was waiting for it to end by the eleven minute mark. Pulsating with energy, “When the River Runs Deep” is a fast paced, head-banging tune. “The Book of Souls” starts off mellow with an acoustic opening, before the whole band drops in to turn things up to eleven. The song has a great flow, leading to the most memorable riff on the album, making for a fantastic end to the first album. 

Starting off the second album in glorious fashion, “Death or Glory” is a high tempo track packed with unrelenting energy. It is a ripping and roaring song that absolutely soars, and has a great eighties throwback vibe to its sound with its riffs and melodies, making for a rock solid metal tune. The jarring opening of “Shadows of the Valley” has a slightly sinister feel to it and it could be the theme song to a dark fantasy film. The music is nice and controlled metal during the instrumental. 

“Tears of a Clown” is an interesting song, because it is a bit of a heavy metal lament. As you can tell by the title, the lyrics are sad and depressing. There is a nice guitar solo to lift the spirts up, as much as it can on a song like this. “The Man of Sorrows” is a haunting song with plenty of emotion. I am also thinking that it possibly makes “Tears of a Clown” a tad redundant. “Empire of the Clouds” is the closers of all closers, a truly epic and stunning song. There is the beautiful piano opening, an album highlight for sure, that moves seamlessly into metal territory with some nice harmonies and killer guitar parts.  It is by far the album’s longest song, but it never wears out its welcome.

It is safe to say that Iron Maiden has knocked it out of the park with The Book of Souls, and it made it over the fence with plenty of room to spare.  Despite a few minor glitches, I have found that this album has grown on me with each listen. This album is a must for Iron Maiden fans. The Book of Souls is a 21stcentury metal masterpiece. 

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: If Eternity Should Fail, The Great Unknown, Death or Glory, Empire of Clouds

Tracks:

Disc One
1.If Eternity Should Fail
2.Speed of Light
3.The Great Unknown
4.The Red and the Black
5.When the River Runs Deep
6.The Book of Souls


Disc 2
1.Death or Glory
2.Shadows of the Valley
3.Tears of a Clown
4.The Man of Sorrows

5.Empire of the Clouds


Brian McKinnon - Write A Music Review Sr. Staff
October 20, 2015
Review Provided By Write A Music Review