Bank Atlantic Center

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Reviewed by Beserker

What do you know? Dreams DO come true.

It took thriteen years from them to do so, but Iron Maiden FINALLY came back to Florida to perform live. What perfect timing too. You have here a tour based off of Maiden's classic stage sets and classic songs mostly from that era. It's also the last night of the tour. "We were going to stop the tour in Brazil," says lead singer Bruce Dickinson. Followed by loud boos from the florida fans. Bruce did say he pointed out a Brazilian soccer jersey. He added on, "but we decided to stop for gas for our plane in Florida" "All of a sudden, there's 21, 000 people surronding us." It's like hitting the heavy metal jackpot.

Me and two friends made our way up to the Bank Atlantic Center. The show was to start at 8. We met up with another friend and headed inside. Lauren Harris, the daughter of legendairy Maiden bassist Steve Harris, was the only openng act of the night. We were able to catch about 4 songs of her band's set. They actually sounded pretty good. Got the classic rock feel mixed in with the sound of today's modern hard rock acts (Lacuna Coil first comes to mind).

After 30 minutes, the sounds of UFO's "Doctor, Doctor" filled the arena, and the place went wild. When the song concludes, the lights go down and a short video of the tour is show on the side screens with Maiden's "Transylvania" playing in the background. Finally, the soundclip of Winston's Churchill's famous speech plays and we go into Aces High. The stage setup looks great. Think of it as an updated verson of the "Live After Death" stage setup. The background tapestry would change for every few songs with sone having their own ("Two Minutes to Midnight," "The Trooper," "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner," "The Evil That Men Do," and the closer "Sanctuary."

The band sounded great. Usually, the acoustic in this arena seem to always suck no matter who's playing. Tonight, the sound was crystal clear. This only proves how great of players Maiden has if they can pull a show off here with no muffled sound whatsoever. All the guys seem alive and fit. Januck still twirls his guitar round and Bruce is jumping around everywhere. Its amazing after all ths time his voice still sounds incredible. He can still sing the high notes, hold them, scream his lungs out, and unlike most of his peers and comtemporaries, does not need the band to play ther songs in a lower key for his benefit. That's the biggest complitment that I can give him and the band. Usually, other veteran bands, Priest unfortunately comes to mind, have to play songs in lower keys in order to be able to play it, or for their singer to feel more comfortable. Madien never did that with any of their songs. The only kink in the armor I could tell is that they played "Phantom Of The Opera" by half a beat slower than normal. Considering the main riff of the song is very fast, thats not that bad (especially if that's the only real complaint.)"

Overall it was a great night. It would be very hard to name a better concert than this one. Hopefully, they will keep their promise, and come back in 2011. I now I will definitely be there if they do. UP THE IRONS!

The following are some of my highlights and the setlist.

• Aces High
• Wrathchild
• Two Minutes To Midnight
• Children Of The Damned - Before this song, Bruce took a look around the place and said "Wow, I guess this place is really sold out." This was one of two favs. from my first friend (The other being "Fear Of The Dark)."
• Phantom Of The Opera
• The Trooper
• Wasted Years
• Rime OF The Ancient Mariner - As Bruce said, this song, along with some other like Poweslave, maybe the last time their performed. What a treat when you think about it. Bruce had a huge intro on this one. He asked the crowd if we knew what an albatross was and if we knew the author of which the poem the song is based on. He proclaimed, "What an educated audience we have....very cool." He also mentioned that when he was thinking of this song, the author, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, was already talking about the evironmental issues we possibly have today and that nature will always win against man. Ultimately though, he said the the song is about "what happens when a bird Shits on you." Very nice. The production on this was great. The backround banner, the smog, and the thunder fireworks during the guitar solos. Awesome!
• Powerslave - "Scream For Me Florida. Scream For Me Ft. Lauderdale!" Ohh the many times I heard that tonight (during this song a lot). I never thought I would see the day.
• Run To The Hills
• Fear Of The Dark - Ironc that with such a sng title, everone who had a picture phone flipped them on. Moodkillers. They may even replace the cigarette lighter
• Hallowed Be Thy Name
• Iron Maiden- They really did bring the entire show tonight. I did not expect to see the giant eddie money. That looked awsome. I've seen footage where they just bring out the walking Eddie from "Somewhere In Time" instead. He came out tonight during "The Evil That Men Do."