A Different World called Iron Maiden.
"Tell me what you can hear,
And then tell me what you see,
Everybody has a different way to view the world.
I would like you to know,
When you see the simple things,
To appreciate this life, it's not too late to learn."
These are the exact words that put Maiden fans in a "Different World", a world filled with untainted adulation, a world of awe for this legendary Heavy Metal band from Britain! With these very words put into practice about 7 years ago, we began our journey with Iron Maiden. I vividly remember a college rock show where a band covered "The Trooper". This was during our pre-Maiden (Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Metallica) days and this was our first association with a Maiden number! What followed was a friend lending us the tape of "Best of the Beast" and asking us to start off with "Hallowed be thy name", "2 minutes to Midnight" and "The Trooper". A compilation of some of the "best" (while compiling a list for Maiden, the word "best" would include nothing lesser than their Discography) Maiden tracks, we instantly took a deep liking to this form of music, personified by the name Iron Maiden. And as they all say, the rest is history!
The Ides of March, sorry...the 17th of March.
On the 13th day of February '07, our dreams had begun to materialize, the minute it was officially announced that 6 Gods were going to bless their disciples in Bangalore. The 17th of March!!! The day of reckoning!!! The day when over 30,000 fans would eventually lose their "Iron Maiden virginity"! It all began after a number of sleepless nights leading to the 17th. Armed with the invaluable tools (tickets) for entering the king's courtyard (for the uninitiated, the show was held at the Bangalore Palace), we were there at the Palace by 11:45 AM. And yes, we were not alone...a thousand other Maidenheads with soaring adrenalin levels had positioned themselves as close as possible, to the entrance gate which was to be opened only by 3! Phew! After a(n) (im)patient, never-ending wait, the gates were finally FORCED open by relentless Maidenheads at 2:45 PM. This was where it all started. The security guard who was supposed to frisk people at the gate, never knew what hit him. Hundreds cannoned through and sprinted towards the stage in a manner not too different from an army charging towards it's target. The human wall starting from the stage barricade, thickened in no time and we were in the midst of it, getting pushed, moshed...basically crushed, all to occupy a place as close to the stage as humanly possible. Middle of March, the temperature soaring to almost 35 degrees (the temperature inside the human wall was at least 2-3 degrees higher), the 8 of us were firstly separated, then pushed and we were dehydrated in no time! We would give anything for even a few drops of that life saving liquid - water! After an hour and a half of this extremity, we could take it no more. Making our way through the hordes of Maiden armies, we finally reached the sound console, where life was a little less hectic and we finally breathed freely. This was the way it all started, before even a single note by the opening band was played!The Wasted Years before the Revelations.
After 90 more minutes, the first opening act (don't even bother about what they called themselves...in short, F*** The Name) took the stage and they SUCKED! In the thought of what was to come 2 bands after this, we patiently ignored this band. After being booed off, the next band was Parikrama, which was much better. They played an own-comp setlist which was well appreciated by probably the biggest crowd they'll ever get. They were really good, with a couple of acoustic songs, with well timed violin pieces in their numbers. After another 45 minutes of this, just after sunset came Lauren Harris and her troupe. Their songs were not that bad, but Lauren Harris has a lot to work on, regarding her vocal duties. Going off key several times during the show, she didn't steal many Bangalore hearts as far as music was concerned!
A show Brighter than a thousand suns!
When Iron Maiden announced that they were playing in India, the excitement levels soared. But the interim period between Lauren Harris and the Intro for Iron Maiden, saw the 25,000 strong crowd screaming like there's no tomorrow. Groups of people taking their places at various parts of the ground, some of them rushing to the food/drink stalls to grab a quick one before they get ready to face reality, some others mouthing lyrics of the innumerable Maiden anthems...this was the scene, which can be best described as the lull before the storm.
Suddenly, all the lights were off, as a forewarning of things to come. I've been a part of many a rock concert, but THIS was the moment thousands were craving for. THIS was reality. THIS was the time to scream out LOUD. THIS was something else. THIS was Iron Maiden!!! The lights on stage turned bright red and the Intro begun. I've never heard louder screams in my life and I'm not sure if I ever will, in future. The Intro lasted about 25-30 seconds, with crimson red lights flashing all across the stage. As suddenly as this had begun, the Intro came to a halt and the stage was again enveloped in darkness for 2 seconds. Immediately, the stage lights were turned on, with a brilliant display of flashing white, and the first notes of "Different World" were belted out. Thousands of mobile phone cameras were held up, focussing on the stage to capture the moment! For the first time in history, India got a glimpse of 5 GODS in front of them! As soon as the initial notes were played, the 6th GOD (yes, Bruce Dickinson) came running on to the stage, jumping over a monitor screaming out "You lead me on the path, keep showing me the way..."! THIS WAS IT!!! The decibel levels in the crowd were something that would be best explained ONLY by being a part of it! The Iron Maiden experience had kicked off, and in the most INCREDIBLE manner! In short, Bangalore was transported to a "Different World"!!! The Gods were their usual self, unleashing note perfect energy to all parts of the crowd. Their energy on stage was something which India has never previously experienced. Bruce Dickinson, 49 years young, was running to all parts of the stage, and yet not missing a single note! He sounded exactly like he did in the studio version of the song and this went on till the last note. The first song came to an end. We had just seen Iron Maiden play a number live!
The crowd was just warming up, when Steve Harris struck the beginning notes of "These Colours Don't Run". Needless to say, the decibel levels reached another record, while the band was going about with such ease, alike a stroll in the park. We all sang along with Bruce, those powerful lines which portray the scenes just before a war and the situation after it begins. For another 6 odd minutes, the Gods became soldiers in the battlefield...Bruce the commander in chief, Adrian, Dave and Janick with their machine guns, Steve with his missile launcher and Nicko with his battle tank with many arms, definitely capturing the 25,000 strong crowd in a vice like grip!
The end of this number signalled the start of "Brighter than a Thousand Suns", one of the epic tracks from Maiden's 2006 release, "A Matter of Life and Death". This track had Bruce taking the highest notes with such ease, that it really left us stunned! The commander in chief had lit up the environment to an extent that would make even the sun a little coy. After all it was "Brighter than a Thousand Suns"!The first 3 tracks of the latest album were thrown open to us in succession. It was time for Bruce to address the crowd. This he did and he was extremely positive about the scene in India becoming "a lot different after tonight". He went on about how he met a person who had waited 17 years for this day. The remark that brought out the greatest cheer in the concert was "the next time, you won't have to wait for 17 years, not even 17 months. We will be back here in another year"!!! We got goose bumps when we heard this. Truly amazing! Just after this, Bruce spoke about Moksha's vocalist, the late Leon Ireland and he dedicated the next song "Wrathchild" to this person. A world famous band dedicating one of their songs to the vocalist of a local band in India? Yes, we were all humbled at this nice gesture by the Gods.
"Wrathchild" was the first of the older songs that Maiden played. Can this song start without Bruce's siren-like announcement? Never! And so, "Wraaaaaathchhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiillllllldddddddd" begun and it was as hard and filled with chorus as ever. The crowd made no fuss in assisting Bruce with the chorus and so "Wrathchild" came out of 25,000 mouths, whenever Bruce pointed the mike at us.The next song needed absolutely no introduction and without a warning came the opening beats/notes of "The Trooper". There were several things noteworthy in this song - The brilliant backdrop on screen, in which Eddie stood in the battlefield, holding the Union Jack. Just for this song, Bruce had put on a red jersey and he too waved the Union Jack in command, as his co-soldiers fought the war, blasting out galloping sounds and firing canon shots. The atmosphere was again like a battle ground, and the crowd was jumping in unison, making it look like the Gods were leading a 25k strong army towards the enemy! This was absolutely magnificent!
Benjamin Breeg died in the above battle and he was reincarnated! "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg" was next and the band marched on with pin point precision, as Bruce unleashed those note perfect lines filled with emotion. He is in that league of vocalists who can portray emotion excellently with variations in voice. When he sings "Someone to save me, something to save my from myself..." in the song, it portrays an emotion in itself! His vocals were absolutely mind blowing on this track!
"For the Greater Good of God" was the next epic from Maiden's 2006 release. Another extremely catchy track by Steve Harris, it started off with the Iron Maiden founder's bass lines. The sound emanating from 'Arry's bass is always powerful and it wasn't different this time. The crowd sang along, describing war and it's aftermath. The lines in this song pose questions about war and about how stupid and nonsensical the concept of war is. In the song, Bruce was as hyper-active as ever, running from pillar to post and belting out the lines. He repeatedly positioned himself on the right and left pillars on either side of the stage and remarked "Tell me why, tell me why", questioning all parts of the crowd the purpose of war. We were absolutely thrilled to watch such activity live. It was a classic!
When a particular bass voice (known to all Maidenheads, worldwide) starts off with the words "Woe to you Oh Earth and Sea", it is but natural for any Maiden fan to become possessed and start acting like the devil himself. This was what precisely happened. "The Number of the Beast" was what caused the noise level to reach another record at the Bangalore Palace. Extremely catchy, with a chorus that goes "Six, Six, Six...The Number of the Beast", the entire crowd joined Bruce in those sacred chants. The lines "I'm coming back I will return, And I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn. I have the fire I have the force I have the power to make my evil take it's course" in this context have so much meaning, in us expecting the Gods to return and possess us again in 2008!
"Fear of the Dark" has to be the song which evoked the loudest response from the crowd. Even the casual listener will hum the tune and sing out some lines of this track. Such is the popularity of this song! By saying that 30,000 people (yes, by this time of the concert, there were a few thousands added to the crowd) sang along with Bruce, every line in unison with exact timing, I'm not exaggerating, one bit! Yes, the atmosphere was electric and the band, I'm sure were pleasantly shocked to realize they were this popular in India. In short, this sounded really like the live version of the song, we are so much accustomed to hearing. A memory to cherish forever!"Run to the Hills" started off after just a 2-3 second pause, with Nicko really giving the bass drum several powerful beatings. Being an old number, the crowd instantly recognised it and the mass singing began, with the crowd volume going a bit higher on the chorus. Bruce held out the mike several times and the crowd didn't disappoint him. Another classic!
The next track was special. Very special. Many fans will know that Bruce is nicknamed "The Siren" for his wailing, screeching voices and for his sustenance of this pitch for a really long time. With this would comes his characteristic "Screaaaaaaaammmmmmmmm for me..." followed by the place of the concert. This statement is exactly like the commander-in-chief giving out an order for a war cry and his army of thousands screaming out before the final charge! This is what we were waiting for! The track I'm referring to is "Iron Maiden". It is usually preceded by the war cry order and the war cry. This time, it was "Screaaaaaaaaammm for me Bangaloreeeeeeeeee, SCCCCRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAMMMMMM FOR ME BANNGAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE" and then the army screamed out and the charge, oops sorry...the song began. In the middle of this, the music suddenly came to a halt and the stage was lit up by flashing lights and sounds of bombs/grenades/gunshots. There was a battle on stage. After about 30 seconds of this, there came the canon arm of a tanker, which turned to point to the crowd and then, a loud canon shot - BOOOOOOOM! All was quiet on stage and then "Iron Maiden" resumed! It was spectacular! What a display! What a stage setup! We were stunned into silent admiration!
After the final notes of "Iron Maiden", the thank you, the throwing of plectrums and drumsticks into the crowd, etc was done and the Gods returned for an encore. Bruce introduced the band members starting off with Janick, then Dave, Adrian, Steve and Nicko. When Bruce was about to introduce himself, the crowd did the job for him. 30k fans screamed out "Bruce, Bruce.." in unison! The frontman was stunned into silence and announced the time - "2 Minutes to Midnight"! Another old Maiden classic, this song was known by most of the crowd, as they sand along the lines with the Gods.
The next in line was "The Evil that Men do". This track is very special, for a reason. In most concerts, the Gods prefer to get their mascot Eddie, out on the stage during this song. It was expected, but still when the 15 feet tall Eddie came out from behind onto the stage, it was a sight to remember! With blood red-lit eyes, looking evil as hell, Edward the Great walked, but not too late. This was another crest in the sinusoidal of crowd participation. Edd-Fest was alive and rocking!Can Iron Maiden ever play a concert without their '82 classic "Hallowed be thy Name"? No way! One of the most popular tracks of Maiden, ever! This was never missed in any Maiden live show and will probably never be left out in future! With each old classic, the intensity of the crowd reached new records and this was the highest! The song started off slowly, picking up in intensity, but the crowd was jumping and shouting, with raised arms and extreme enthusiasm. In the middle of the song, where the tempo slows down and again picks up with the drums, just before the solo, Bruce for the final few times let out orders for war cries and the crowd was only too glad to oblige.
THIS was Maiden! THIS was their intensity! THIS was what brought out the best in thousands gathered for the single cause - IRON MAIDEN! They came, they saw and they most definitely conquered! Playing for about an hour and 45 minutes, it seemed like they just started 15 minutes ago! Bruce himself remarked "It was very special...too good, but too short". He couldn't have put it better! As we left the venue, we hope these Gods return in a year, as promised! In their own words,
"I'm coming back I will return
And I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn
I have the fire I have the force
I have the power to make my evil take it's course"
We, at India definitely want THIS evil to take it's course back here!!!
For those that missed out on the "Iron Maiden experience" and for those who want to recollect their "Iron Maiden experience", below is a set of live videos shot during the concert:
Intro leading to "Different World"
These colours don't run
Brighter than a Thousand Suns
Bruce talks to the crowd
Wrathchild
The Trooper
The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
The Number of the Beast
Fear of the Dark
Run to the Hills
Iron Maiden
2 Minutes to Midnight
The Evil that Men do
Eddie entering
Hallowed be thy Name
Closing clip
