Michael Gravel Edmonton Writer

Iron Maiden in Edmonton

This evening, the aging but still face rocking bruisers known as Iron Maiden swing into town. Rexall, 7pm, tix still available I believe. Back when I was an ungrateful teenager, Maiden was my favorite band. In hindsight they were the height of cheeseball 80’s metal, but that didn’t matter. I had a backpatch. I had the baseball tee with the white sleeves & black body – their mascot Eddie screaming out of a grave. I might still have the Journal article from 84 when they came to town for the World Slavery Tour. Piece of Mind never left my Walkman in grade 8. Does anyone still own a Sports Walkman (lots on ebay, it seems)? Anyone still have their Maiden backpatch and spiked wristbands?

As I’ve mentioned before, Maiden’s schlock was a smack in the face for me. They had the Sabbath esque, quasi occult thing going on, and I thought their album covers were incredible pieces of art (I still think they are – especially Powerslave). Some of the music has held up well, some hasn’t. The early Paul DiAnno stuff (the lead singer before Bruce Dickinson) likely holds up better, with its brash punk-metal energy and super-raw recorded quality. Most of that early work still sounds fresh and somewhat dangerous. The rest of the Maiden catalog is of excellent – if somewhat bloated and pretentious – quality. I’d say Powerslave was their peak, but that’s arguable. You gotta give the Irons props for sticking in the game so long and weathering the swiftly evolving and changing music scene of the early 90’s and beyond. Against rational prediction, they’ve managed to remain “cool”. They seem to be the band to like these days, as evidenced by the large amount of Maiden apparel readily available. A strong internet presence can make all the difference in the world, too. I don’t see any Twister Sister shirts (remember the bone logo?), or RATT backpatches in the head shops. Then again, there’s the wholly inexplicable and unfathomable web presence of Kip Winger. Everyone’s got a fan base.

Along with the other Iron heads, I’ll be screaming at the top of my lungs tonight. This tour is a bit of a “retro” affair – the band is concentrating on material from the mid to late 80’s. They’ve even hauled out the old Slavery tour stage setup, complete with Egyptian theme and giant, robot Eddie with exploding eyes. It’ll be fun to see these guys, if nothing else but for the memories of a time lost. Here’s to old friends and old bands. May they always by there when we need them.

Update: Iron Maiden’s Set List Edmonton

Churchill’s speech
Aces High
2 Minutes to Midnight
Revelations
The Trooper
Wasted Years
The Number of the Beast
Can I Play With Madness?
Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Powerslave
Heaven Can Wait
Run to the Hills
Fear of the Dark
Iron Maiden
———
Moonchild
The Clairvoyant
Hallowed Be Thy Name

Entry #91 · June 6, 2008 in