Even those who aren't big metal fans have heard of Iron Maiden . Even those who don't know any of their songs understand the band's magnitude, which was only proven on the night of last Friday, the 6th, at Allianz Parque, in São Paulo.
The band's discography is enviable, with countless hits and tracks that have marked lives. Interestingly, they are able to unite generations. There were entire families at the show, demonstrating that music transcends age barriers.
The opening act of the evening was the Danish band Volbeat , who delivered a fairly precise show, but one that failed to excite the audience, despite the good quality of the music and the artists performing it.
Iron Maiden's current tour, The Future Past , generated a lot of excitement among the Brazilian public, who sold out both dates of the group's visit to the country, with the other one taking place this Saturday, the 7th.
The shows focus on songs from Somewhere In Time (1986) and the group's most recent album, Senjutsu (2021). The Future Past Tour invites us to hear songs that haven't been played in years and others never heard live before.
After Volbeat's performance, it was time for the main attraction to take the stage. Even before she started, the stadium was already chanting the classic "olé, olé, olé, olé, Maiden, Maiden".
UFO 's "Doctor Doctor" blared from the speakers. The song signaled that the show was about to begin.
But nothing surpasses the explosive moment when the band steps onto the stage and “Caught Somewhere In Time” begins. It was here that the first “Scream for me, São Paulo” happened, and the audience did not disappoint, just as they sang along to the song.
The show that Iron Maiden puts on can only be described as a true spectacle. The entire concept of the tour is reflected in its perfectly designed stage, with colors, lights, and effects that create the perfect atmosphere for a memorable night.
It's worth highlighting the songs from Senjutsu , such as "The Writing On The Wall" and "Days Of Future Past," excellent additions to the setlist. Meanwhile, the slow "Death Of The Celts" ended up breaking the rhythm the night had been building.
Bruce Dickinson 's voice , which, even after so many years, remains practically perfect, with minimal flaws. The entire band's performance is impressive, as is their dynamism on stage.
Anyone who has doubts about the current Iron Maiden lineup should attend one of their shows. In just a few minutes, that opinion will change. The chemistry they possess is evident and a key factor in their excellent performance.
The audience remained attentive and engaged throughout the entire show. Whenever Dickinson led an interaction, the fans responded enthusiastically.
Songs like “The Prisoner”, “Can I Play With Madness” and “Heaven Can Wait” – the latter two specifically in the parts where they name the songs – had the audience singing along with the band.
But perhaps the most anticipated moment of the night for many fans was the performance of "Alexander The Great," which, until this tour, had never been played live – and the wait was worth it.
The final part of the show was marked by the hits “Fear Of The Dark”, “Iron Maiden”, “The Trooper” and “Wasted Years” – the last 3 accompanied by “Hell On Earth” as an encore.
A classic is a classic, right? And Iron Maiden proved they have many in their repertoire, cementing, once again, their importance to heavy metal, not that they had to prove anything to anyone.
The Iron Maiden's performance is more than just a show; it's an experience. A completely sensory experience that requires you to keep all your senses as sharp as possible so as not to miss a single detail.
Guitarists Dave Murray , Adrian Smith, and Janick Gers complement each other so well that it's difficult to imagine Iron Maiden without one of them today. Nicko McBrain is an absolute talent on drums and an example of overcoming adversity . Bruce Dickinson impresses with his crystal-clear voice, and Steve Harris is a fundamental pillar of the band, having influenced a number of bassists over the years.
The group ended the first day of their visit in the same way they began it: with excellence.
Check out the photos from our contributing photographer , Leca Suzuki :
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