When we stop to think about heavy metal’s greatest acts, who immediately comes to mind? There’s Metallica with their iconic Black album which bridged the gap between bay area thrash and a more refined, sophisticated sound. Speaking as a proud brummie we can’t forget about Black Sabbath, without them none of the music we know and love would exist and of course, there’s Iron Maiden. Coming up on their 50th anniversary, for half a century they’ve been touring the world, releasing critically acclaimed albums and have well and truly put British heavy metal on the map. They are the quintessential heavy metal band and tonight, they’re in the birthplace of heavy metal, Birmingham’s Utilita Arena. 

Supporting Iron Maiden tonight are Germany’s Lord of the Lost, who you may recognise from 2023’s Eurovision Song Contest. Bathed in red light they make their way from the far corners of the stage and kick straight into the aptly named ‘The Curtain Falls’. Lord of the Lost were founded in 2007 and their experience shows, all of the members take joy in playing with the crowd as they bound across the stage keeping the energy amped up high. Steve Harris personally picked Lord of the Lost to support Maiden back in 2020 but unfortunately this fell through with Covid, thankfully they were able to rejoin Maiden on the current ‘The Future Past’ tour. Both aesthetically and in regards to how they sound they greatly differ from Maiden but their gothic, industrial tinged brand of metal really works wonders and gets the Birmingham crowd amped up and ready to go.

Lord of the Lost will be touring the UK once again later on in the year and if tonight is anything to go on, they’re well and truly worth the watch.

UFO’s ‘Doctor Doctor’ rings out through the PA signalling that it’s time, the show is about to start. The energy in the room starts to rise as an arena full of eager metal heads all break out into song. Many fans of which have arrived in their vintage shirts and some have even arrived with flags and sets of armour. All stage lights turn blue as the classic Blade Runner theme starts into ‘Somewhere Lost in Time’. There are multiple bursts of smoke as Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Janick Gers and Adrian Smith rush onto the stage with screams of joy heard throughout the venue. Bruce Dickinson quickly follows suit and immediately grabs the microphone thrusting it into the air above the audience.

Iron Maiden are on fire tonight, they’re heavy metal legends for a reason, from the front to the back of this very sold out arena Bruce Dickinson has total control. Sporting futuristic sunglasses and a long overcoat he dashes from each side of the stage working the audience with his classic ‘scream for me Birmingham’. Tonight, his arch nemesis is Eddie, their signature mascot who makes several appearances throughout the show in different attire before ultimately being taken out by a ray-gun wielding Bruce Dickinson. 

Iron Maiden have been around for a great deal of time now and have achieved more than most bands could ever dream of, despite their age they’re not slowing down. They’re still going on world tours and selling out night after night and Birmingham was just one of many killer performances they’ve put on, till the next time; SCREAM FOR ME BIRMINGHAM!