The English sextet’s incendiary show on Friday (6) would be enough for the fans, who unknowingly attended a historic show, drummer Nicko McBrain’s penultimate with the band
On an unlikely sunny day in December, the most beloved English people in the world heavy metal Mundial performed on the first of two days of shows in the capital of São Paulo. The performances are part of the tour The Future Pastwhich embraces the sixth studio album, Somewhere in Time (1986) and the last, Senjutsu (2021) and the stage, in double sense, was Allianz Parque, in the west zone.
THE Iron Maiden It’s a spectacle, whether through the anthological songs or the theater with puppets, lights and smoke on stages around the world, and this time it would be no different. In fact, the audience was different, with thinner and whiter hair, which is something you wouldn’t imagine when you think of a heavy metal band show. But this isn’t just any band, and this isn’t just any audience.
The curious thing about bands of this caliber is the fans are always completely passionate; you see entire generations together like in few other places (maybe a wedding or funeral, come on), there are grandfathers and grandmothers with their children and grandchildren in tow; a costumed family pyramid with mascot Eddie baring his teeth on classic metal album covers. THE Iron Maiden It’s a party. In every way.
The Danes of Volbeat They are responsible for warming up the engines of the public that begins to fill the stadium. The quartet’s mix of heavy metal with hard rock and a hint of rockabilly is lively enough, but as they are not as well known here, the public still takes the opportunity to find a good place to see the hosts of the night, eat something or get a drink. during your presentation.
The sixty-year-old sextet led by Bruce Dickinson (vocalist) gives the first signs around 8:50 pm, when the lights go out and a recording of Doctor Doctoralso from the British UFOexplodes over the speakers. Next, another recording, now by the Greek Vangelis with the final part of the soundtrack by Blade Runner (1982) paves the way for the opening chords of “Caught Somewhere in Time”one of the classics from the 1986 album.
While writing this article, history was made: we learned, in real time, of the drummer’s departure Nicko McBrain. At 72 years old, 42 dedicated to the band, the musician shared a statement saying that the show on 12/7/2024, here in Brazil will be his last with the Iron Maiden:
“After much consideration, it is with sadness and joy that I announce my decision to take a step back from the routine lifestyle of extensive touring. Today, Saturday, December 7th, in São Paulo, will be my last show with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success from now on.
However, I will remain firmly part of the Iron Maiden family, working on a variety of projects that my long-time managers, Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor, have in mind for me. I will also be working on a variety of different personal projects and focusing on my existing businesses and ventures including The British Drum Company, Nicko McBrain’s Drum One, Titanium Tart and of course Rock-N-Roll Ribs!
What can I say? Touring with Maiden for the past 42 years has been an incredible journey! To my devoted fan base, you made it all worth it and I love you! To my devoted wife, Rebecca, you have made everything infinitely easier and I love you! To my sons, Justin and Nicholas, thank you for understanding absences and I love you! To my friends who are always there for me, I love you! To my bandmates, you made a dream come true and I love you!
I look to the future with great excitement and great hope! See you soon, God bless you all, and of course, ‘Up the Irons!’”declared the drummer.
It was an unannounced reinforcement that what was witnessed was historic. Despite his age, Nicko and company appear to be enthusiastic young musicians at all of the band’s performances. The vitality and energy that the stage seems to inject into his veins borders on the supernatural. In the second song, also from the album Somewhere in Time (1986), “Stranger in a Strange Land”the guitarist Janick Gersaged 67, raises his foot to head height and rests it on an amplifier on the side of the stage while at the end of the song the other guitarist Dave Murrayalso 67 years old, throws his guitar in the air and catches it again with unbelievable ease. The three songs in the sequence are “The Writing on the Wall”, “Days of Future Past” and “The Time Machine”all from the album Senjutsu (2021).
“The Prisoner”from the album The Number of The Beast (1982), “Death of the Celts”from Sejutsu (2021) and “Can I Play With Madness”from Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988) continue the bassist’s classic pose Steve Harris pointing his bass at the crowd, while the guitarist Adrian Smith polishes your instrument with solos perfectly matched to the rush of Bruce Dickinson across the entire length of the gigantic stage set up in the stadium.
“Heaven Can Wait”from Somewhere in Time (1986), presents fans with a duel between Dickinson and the doll Eddie characterized as the android on the album cover, a bit slapstick, true, but very funny. The next song, “Alexander the Great”is also part of the 1986 album and paves the way for the classics “Fear of the Dark”from the 1992 album of the same name and Iron Maidenfrom debut of the same name by the band in 1981. The closing triad of the show was “Hell on Earth”from Senjutsu (2021), “The Trooper”from Piece of Mind (1983) and “Wasted Years”from Somewhere in Time (1986).
It would be commonplace to say that the Maiden is one of the biggest and best bands of all time and they continue to deliver everything and more in their performances, but what happens in São Paulo this weekend is historic. And the number of fans of all ages present at the shows reinforces that the audience is always renewing itself, it is practically a passion passed down from generation to generation. That’s what a giant band does, and from what they showed here in São Paulo, they will continue for a long time — whatever formation they exist in.
READ ALSO:Nicko McBrain confirms departure from Iron Maiden; read statement
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
