Iron Maiden at Banc Of California Stadium – Live Review

Iron Maiden, Legacy Of The Beast Tour, Banc Of California Stadium, September 14, 2019

Since their glorious inception in 1975, Iron Maiden has unleashed world class heavy metal, amassing 16 epic studio albums and countless tours all across the globe.  In 2019, Iron Maiden remains at the very height of their creative prowess, traversing North America demonstrating why they are one of the most acclaimed heavy metal outfits of all time.  The Legacy Of The Beast Tour is the name of their latest run, and Iron Maiden made their way to the vast and towering Banc Of California Stadium in Los Angeles for a concert of blockbuster proportions.  From the dazzling stage show, the brilliant lights and pyrotechnics, and then on to the tremendous talents of each and every band member, Iron Maiden poured their hearts and souls out, presenting to their fans the concert of a lifetime. 

Opening their set with an airplane bomber hovering overhead, Iron Maiden slammed into the stratospheric refrains of Aces High from their 1984 classic Powerslave, instantly enrapturing the very packed to the rafters and beyond Banc Of California Stadium.  Throughout the show, Bruce Dickinson not only commanded the stage with those thrilling vocals seething with a magnificent amount of power and intrigue, but the iconic front man proved to be quite witty as well.  Whether referring to the band as “your fucking granddaddies of metal” or commenting that the combined ages of the members predate the U.S. Declaration Of Independence, Dickinson was the perfect master of ceremonies. 

It was a staggering exhibition of fan favorites spanning a grand and inspirational career, and Iron Maiden would deliver tenfold.  And what a memorable and mystical night it was, with concert goers of all ages as far as the eye could see.  Combined with the raging tunes and a full moon shining incandescently over the stadium, the amalgamation was breathtaking to behold.  There were many highlights throughout the show, including two Blaze Bayley-era songs The Clansman and Sign Of The Cross which were absolutely devastating with Dickinson taking the lead.  Flight Of Icarus from 1983’s Piece Of Mind was supremely rapturous, with a vision of the Greek mythological character soaring over the stage and then mysteriously evaporating into thin air at the end of the song.

The unholy trinity of Dave Murray, Janick Gers, and Adrian Smith certainly know how to deliver a three guitar assault to the senses, setting the stage into supersonic gear with their powerhouse performances.  Founding member Steve Harris presents a wild and exhilarating low end on bass, delivering the blistering impact with a massive amount of skill and conviction.  And bringing it all home with an all-out vengeance was drummer extraordinaire Nicko McBrain. 

The one-two punch launched of The Number Of The Beast and the namesake Iron Maiden would result in the Banc Of California metal masses demanding an encore.  Iron Maiden was more than happy to oblige, returning to the stage to perform The Evil That Men Do and Hallowed Be Thy Name.   For the grand finale, Iron Maiden raged into a brutally thrashing rendition of Run To The Hills from 1982’s Number Of The Beast magnum opus – a stunning conclusion of a show that will remain within the heavy metal hearts of all who attended this vividly historic concert. 

(Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Jack Lue)

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