Posts Tagged ‘heavy metal’
I was visited by an angel the other day.
Saw this elsewhere and found it share-worthy.
Iron Maiden – Concert Review – 06/12/2010
The last time I saw Maiden was in 2008 on the Somewhere In Time Tour in San Antonio, Texas. It was probably the best performance I had ever seen by the band and was my 3rd show since the Seventh Son Tour. Anyone who knows me knows that Maiden is my number one band of all time. Sure they have some albums that I despise, but I love them. Always have, always will.
When I found out that they were coming to San Antonio’s AT&T Center this year, I was stoke. Even more so because this time it was an inside arena show. There’s something special about seeing big bands in an arena as compared to an amphitheater. I wasn’t too excited to learn that Dream Theater was opening up. Sure, they’re a talented band but I haven’t cared for anything they have put out since Images and Words.
As usual for just about any show, I bought 2 tickets. Someone always wants to go who may have forgotten to get a ticket or couldn’t afford one at the time or whatever. My spare ticket was originally purchased for my guitar player but he decided a few weeks ago that he didn’t want to go. No biggie. So I asked my beautiful friend Christine to go with me as my guest and thankfully she obliged. Her knees may have even buckled a little when I asked. :)
The only unfortunate thing was that I bought my tickets late in the day when they went on sale as I forgot all about it. I got decent seats, but not great seats. No biggie. Just being there is all that matters.
A few weeks ago my friend Michael asked if he and our mutual friend, Sean, could go with us and of course I said yes. He’s a huge Maiden fan as well, no matter that he’s the bass player for a well known country band in Texas. A few days before the show we were chatting he said that he may be able to get us better seats or a box suite for the show. He knows a dude who knows a dude or something like that. I got even more excited about the show, but even without a hookup, the trip with good friends to see the greatest band in the world was going to be wonderful…and it was.
I saw the setlists from the previous 2 shows in Dallas and Houston and was originally a little disappointed that it contained stuff primarily from the last 3 albums with 3 or 4 old songs thrown in at the end. After a day or 2 of rationalizing, I figured hey, they did the hits tour 2 years ago, why not play stuff that is fresh to them, eh? Sure, having to endure songs from the painful Dance of Death wasn’t making me excited but they were playing some stuff from Brave New World and the awesome A Matter of Life and Death. So, we’re all good here.
So here we are on Saturday, show day. I played taxi and picked everyone up separately and we headed south to San Antonio. We get to the venue around 6:30PM and the crowd is rolling in. It’s a hot and beautiful day.
There was a merch booth outside and we grabbed a load of shirts and then get in line as the doors were open to the venue. Michael and Sean had to go to the will call booth to get theirs so we met them inside. Christine and I hit another merch booth and I buy some more shirts. Iron Maiden always makes shirts especially for their Texas shows and this one was no exception. In 2008 I only bought one shirt for me and the next day they were selling on eBay for $100 or more. You see, I am a capitalist. If I can turn a profit on my investment, I’m going to do it. So I bought a small load of the Texas only shirts. We’ll see how my venture turns out. :)
Michael calls us as we are finishing up at the booth and we meet him near the main entrance. We get introduced to his “guy” and we’re ushered up the step to the box suites. He says, “I’ll bring some beer in a little bit but this is the best I can do for the moment.” The best you can do? Dude! You just put us in a beautifully decorated box with a great view of the stage! None of us were complaining and we were all a little freaked out by the whole thing. It was very special treatment and I certainly owe my friend something huge in return for this.
After getting my head back down to earth, the lights go down and Dream Theater takes the stage. I’m not really a fan even thought I like their first 2 albums. I don’t know any of the material beyond Images and
Dream Theater
Words and suspected that they wouldn’t play anything except Pull Me Under. I was right. Their performance was solid but I was a little bored. The rest of crowd seemed to enjoy them pretty well.
Here’s their list:
- As I am
- A Rite of Passage
- Home
- Constant Motion
- Panic Attack
- Constant Motion
- Pull Me Under
Dream Theater taking their final bows
Between sets, Michael and Sean go down to see where their seats are and they’re close to the front on Gers’ side and they stay there for Maiden’s set. Christine and I stay in the box. It was literally about 10 rows straight up from where our seats were, so why leave?
Maiden hits the stage and starts the rock with Wicker Man. The sound was good and the band was energetic. In true Maiden style, they changed back drops quite a bit and Bruce was all over the stage. The band was
Bruce Bruce. Photo used by permission by Jay West
great. They always are. As most who know me already know, I despise the fact that Gers is still in the band. It always pains me to see him prancing around the stage and playing sloppy solos. Last night was a little different though. It seems as if they have maybe reigned him in a little bit. Sure he did a little of his prancing and guitar twirling, but he mostly stayed to his side of the stage. I think also that since they were primarily playing songs from “his” era, he was involved in the music a little more. His solos were pretty good. It does still pain me to see him doing some of Adrian’s solos in the old stuff while Adrian is standing there on stage. I would assume that Adrian isn’t bothered by it.
Christine and I rocked it in the suite. It was a blast and was a very special night. Any night seeing Iron Maiden is special for me. Bruce stated that the show was sold out but I saw lots of empty seats. Maybe some people got mad about the setlist and didn’t show. Who cares. We were there. Dallas got to see them do Brighter Than a 1000 Suns but for Houston and and San Antonio we got Wrathchild. I would have preferred 1000 Suns. I love that song. I think they threw it in the list as a replacement to keep the crowd involved. Bruce said several years ago that US fans only wanted to hear the hits and that it was annoying. He was right. We got the hits 2 years ago so I can totally see why they wanted to do a set of stuff that was more fresh to them. They played a new song from the upcoming album…El Dorado. It sounded much better live than on the studio recording that was released last week.
One awesome thing that I saw was that there were 2 people on the floor behind the soundboard doing sign language to every song for both bands and all of the between song banter. Obviously there were some deaf people in that section. That was pretty cool to see.
Here’s Iron Maiden’s setlist:
- The Wicker Man
- Ghost of the Navigator
- Wrathchild
- El Dorado
- Pachendale
- The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
- These Colours Don’t Run(!!!)
- Blood Brothers
- Wildest Dreams
- No More Lies
- Brave New World
- Fear of the Dark (I hate this song…and album)
- Iron Maiden
- Number of the Beast (encore – they have a new devil!)
- Hallowed Be Thy Name (encore)
- Running Free (encore)
Let me just add in here that I am so friggin’ glad I didn’t have to sit through the Trooper. That almost made the show worth it right there.
Overall it was a great night with great friends seeing the greatest band in the world. I am utterly humbled and thankful for the special treatment that we got. The drive home was great and went by quickly. All of us talking about the show. This was Shawn and Christine’s first Maiden show and they were blown away. It’s funny, Michael and I have only known each other for about 2 years. He’s originally from Virginia as well. He was wearing his original Seventh Son tour shirt and we both saw that show at the Hampton Coliseum in 1988. Small world. Thanks Michael, Christine and Sean. Always nice to share experiences like this with good people.
I’ll have videos uploaded soon. For now, enjoy the pictures.
Iron Maiden
Sean and Christine in our sweet suite
The view from up there...where eagles dare.
Me, Michael, Sean...Eddie's boys
La mas bonita del mundo disfrutando el show.
Texas only shirt...front
Texas only shirt...back
Iron Maiden
Always look on the bright side of life...
See more of Jay West’s awesome photos here!
UP THE IRONS!
Thanks Señor Dio.
Dio died yesterday.
Ronnie James Dio.
Dead. It still pains me to even think about.
Sure it sounds cheesy that the death of someone I had never met has saddened me so much, but it is what it is. Ronnie was legendary not only for his longevity in the business, the “devil horns salute,
an incredibly strong voice (even into his 60s) but also for being one of the nicest and classiest guys in the music business. He’s one of the few big stars that I always wanted to meet and never got the chance to. I’ve known several people through the years who did meet him and some who spent ample time with him on tour and they all said the exact same thing…’class act.’
Thanks to one of my older brothers, I got introduced to this voice in the late 1970s, probably ‘78 or ‘79 if I had to wager on it. I’m pretty sure it was Rainbow Rising. I just remember that I liked it a lot. Subsequently I remember him bringing home Long Live Rock and Roll and the first Rainbow (my guess is that he stole them – funny but true). I really liked that stuff but it was right around that time that Heaven and Hell came out and I was already a Black Sabbath fan thanks to my brother. But this Sabbath was different. A lot different. Pleasingly so. How could one not love this stuff? And Mob Rules? C’mon! Dio was really making his mark in the music world and I fucking loved it. I’m not never shy to say that I prefer the Dio era of Sabbath over Ozzy’s. Don’t get me wrong, that Ozzy stuff, most of it, was great, but there is something about Dio’s voice that suits me better. Even 15 years after Dehumanizer came out, I finally liked it. Quality record for sure.
But this blog isn’t about the Dio discography. After coming home from seeing some bands in the wee morning hours yesterday, I started seeing rumblings of “RIP RJD” posted on various social networking sites. Then I saw that rumor get squelched. Then yesterday afternoon around 2PM CST, I saw the official word from Dio’s page and the note from Wendy. Crushed. That’s how I felt yesterday; it’s how I still feel today. I honestly feel like a friend of mine just died…in some ways a friend did. Ronnie’s music, especially with Sabbath and the DIO (band) stuff was really important to me throughout my adolescent years. I spent hours upon hours playing drums to these records in the 80s, especially Last In Line. That is my favorite record of his over anything else he has ever done.
When I first saw the news about his death I just sat there for a few moments dumfounded. Really? He’s dead? Dio? Dio can’t die. He’s Dio! He’s going to live forever! Then the pit in my stomach came. I am not afraid to admit that I cried a little yesterday and am actually a little choked up writing this today. Music can be a very emotional thing for me and Dio’s music certainly moved me for most of my life.
I’m glad I did get to see him live a few times, even if the first time was c. 1998. In 2007 I went to Radio City Music Hall in NYC to attend the Heaven and Hell show, the same show that’s on the DVD. That was quite a special experience because I also got to see Iommi and Butler on stage together with Ronnie. I got a little verklempt when they hit the stage that night as well.
I remember my Dad saying to me years ago before he died (1997) that the older we get, those that we know and love in our lifetimes are going to die off. So true. Everyone dies sometime, eh? Coincidentally, my Dad and Dio were only 2 weeks difference in age, Dio just lasted longer.
Not to drag this on any further, but thank you Mr. Dio for making my world a little bit of a better place because of the quality music you have been creating for as long as I can remember. Much of the Dio catalog stays in steady rotation in my playlists, but I’ll surely be spinning a little more of it this week. There’s no such thing as too much, Dio, right? Whether you ended up in Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, a crematory or just a box in the ground, you touched the lives of many. Thanks again.
Megadeth/Testament/Exodus Concert Review 032610
Wow. Where to begin.
I love Testament. While I haven’t liked all of their albums, they are one of the best live bands I have ever seen. Friday’s
Exodus
show was I think the 7th or 8th time I have seen them since 1987 when they opened for Anthrax on the original Legacy Tour.
Let’s go back a little further with Megadeth. I first saw them in 1986 on the Peace Sells tour with Overkill opening up on their Taking Over Tour(!!!). What a night that was! Friday’s show was my 5th(?) time seeing them and I’ve never been disappointed.
So a few months back when this tour was announced, I was pretty excited. Two bands that I love to see live and one that I have never seen, albeit not a major fan of either. While I like Fabulous Disaster and Pleasures of the Flesh a lot, Bonded By Blood and all of their other albums never did a thing for me. But, I was going to get to see them. They are legends, even with only 2 original members left.
When I purchased tickets, there was a meet and greet package available and I figured what the hell, I’ll drop the cash on it. Why not? Either I misread the original advertisement or it was misrepresented when I bought my ticket, but I thought it was for all 3 bands, not just Testament. Don’t get me wrong, Testament are badass dudes and Chuck Billy is nice as hell. I met him in 2000 on The Gathering Tour at Jaxx in Springfield, VA. So yeah, I paid the bucks to meet Testament. Whatever. Early birthday present to myself.
I had to be in line for the meeting before 5pm on Friday and there were a few others ahead of me. I really expected it to be a small crowd of people who bought the special pass but it ended up being about 35 or so. Good for Testament.
random fat guy with Testament...ok, it's me.
Dudes can’t make money on albums anymore, so make it through these kinds of deals and through merch. Good on ’em!
Met this cool dude from Oklahoma City who saw them the night before in Houston. We hung out most of the show and I lost him during Megadeth.
We get to the backyard part of Stubbs and get herded like cattle through the line to get our shit signed. We were given a poster that the band could sign and most everyone brought other personal stuff. of course I had “the book” with me. As we’re going through the line, Glen Drover signed the poster and I spoke with him briefly about seeing him with King Diamond several years ago and how much I liked the first Eidolon CD. I also saw him with Megadeth 2 years ago. Eric Peterson and Greg Christian were next and I had them both sign their photo in the book. I got the usual reaction, “What the hell is this and where do I find a copy?” Got to Paul Bostaph and had him sign on the Forbidden Evil section. Seems to be a relatively quiet dude. When I got to Chuck, he saw that he had signed it and asked when and where. I told him it was at Jaxx in 2000 and the other guys in the band all said, “Jaxx! Fuckin Jaxx!” It was pretty funny. I told Chuck that my first Testament show was the Legacy Tour at the Boathouse in Norfolk, VA. “We played that place a lot over the years.” Yes, I know. I was there for almost every one of them if not all of them.
Anyhoo, we get herded again to do photos with the band and then a couple of shots with the band and the whole meet and greet group. One cool thing was that we got to get to the merch booth before they let the crowd in. We were able to buy one t-shirt for $10 and one hoodie for $20, as opposed to the $35 and $60 they were priced. I bought one of each.
As we were sitting in the venue waiting for them to let the crowd in, I saw my friend Jay West who is an incredible rock photographer. His brother is the guitar tech for Exodus. Jay worked some magic and got the Exodus page signed by Tom and Gary. Jay grew up in the Bay area and knew those guys when they were still just a local band. Pretty cool.
I live next door to the venue and took my swag and the book back to my place. Didn’t want to lug it around all night. Luckily I know one of the security guys and he let us get right back in the venue without having to wait in the long ass line.
So the crowd gets let in and it’s a sold out show. Austin’s been getting a lot of good metal shows lately. Kreator was last night! I didn’t go.
Exodus hit the stage while the sun was still up and in general they sounded great. I only recognized a handful of songs but their performance was great. As the new singer was introducing the band, he noted that Lee Altus was one of the guitarists. HEATHEN?!?!?! Shit! I should have had him sign the book as well. Dammit. Oh well.
When Testament was getting their drums soundchecked, you could tell that they were having some difficulties. Unfortunately their sound was shitty for the whole show. All you could hear was mostly drums and some semblance of guitars. I could, however, hear Drover’s solos and he sucked. Learn Skolnick’s solos. You’re playing the whole Legacy album…LEARN IT! Overall, They were good, from the best that I could tell.
Mustaine as shot by Jay West
They never disappoint live.
I ran home to change shoes between bands. Stuffs has an unevenly sloped gravel floor and it was killing my feet, knees
Megadeth
and legs.
Megadeth hits the stage and were great. Mustaine is a guitar god. Love him or hate him he’s a badass when it comes to guitar riffs. I’m in the minority, though, in that I never cared for Rust In Peace or anything else from the Friedman era. He bored me with Megadeth and Nick Menza’s drumming was the most boring. Shawn Drover did a good job imitating it but sounded great on the other Megadeth stuff. Dave Ellefson just returned to the band and was great. I’m such a fanboy. Chris Broderick’s solos were spot on as well. Of course I would like to have heard more from Peace Sells, Killing is My Business and So Far So Good So What, but there just wasn’t time. Megadeth delivered again, though. Love em! They also played a song from the new album that Dave stated had not been played live before that night. Sweet! The new album is great. Go buy it!
Apparently after the show the Testament and Exodus guys were hanging out at Headhunters with my pal Billy Milano. Had I know they were there I would have grabbed the book and got Altus’ signature in it. I LOVE Heathen’s first 2 albums. Oh well, hopefully they’ll come back again.
It was a great show and a fun night altogether. Shows like this bring everyone out. Ran into Rodney from Devastation which is always cool. I was really glad that testament was able to do more than 25 minutes like the last time I saw them.
Megadeth
gift picks. why does Chuck Billy have his own pick? haha
Megadeath setlist:
She-Wolf
In My Darkest Hour
Skin O’ My Teeth
Holy Wars… The Punishment Due
Hangar 18
Take No Prisoners
Five Magics
Poison Was the Cure
Lucretia
Tornado of Souls
Dawn Patrol
Rust in Peace… Polaris
Headcrusher
The Right to Go Insane
Trust
Symphony Of Destruction
Encore:
Peace Sells
Testament setlist:
Over the Wall
The Haunting
Burnt Offerings
Raging Waters
C.O.T.L.O.D.
First Strike Is Deadly
Do or Die
Into the Pit
Souls of Black
Alone In The Dark
Apocalyptic City
Exodus setlist:
Bonded By Blood
Iconoclasm
Children of a Worthless God
Piranha
Braindead
Deathamphetamine
Blacklist
War Is My Shepherd
Strike Of The Beast
The Toxic Waltz
I think I got the setlists correct. Someone please let me know if I missed something.
The Metal Files 
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