Iron Maiden shows its cruel world in Munich

The hall is cooking. Down in the arena, a young man, with the help of the audience, allows himself to be carried in hands from the middle of the hall towards the stage.

It looks like he’s floating. Shortly before the podium, room stewards stop his progress. The metal party is in full swing. The majority of the approximately 10,000 fans (at least two thirds of whom are wearing Iron Maiden shirts) in the completely sold-out Olympic Hall are text-safe. “Fear of the Dark” roars through the wide circle, and even on the seats there is hardly anyone sitting. Iron Maiden fulfill all expectations this evening.

Six daring looking men stand atop to conquer the hall. But don’t worry – they don’t do anything, they just want to play. The fact that the Brits will be remembered for a long time is mainly because you can tell how much fun singer Bruce Dickinson and his crew are having. Bassist Stephen Harris shows how good he can bar his teeth. The guitar trio Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers keep flirting with the audience. Likewise drummer Nicko McBrain, who is usually completely covered by his shooting gallery. Above all Bruce Dickinson. Not only does he have a powerful voice, but he puts in a running streak as if trying to qualify for the Olympics.

The mascot Eddie accompanies the whole Iron Maiden concert in Munich

And of course always Eddie. The zombie-like figure, which has always been the band’s mascot, accompanies the whole evening. Either on screen, as a ghost riding a motorcycle, or as a Statue of Liberty in a doomed desert state. Sometimes Eddie comes on stage as a ten foot tall figure. As a cowboy, as a futuristic robot or as a cruel warrior who wants to get at the Maiden guitarist on stage. Nothing has changed. With Maiden you dive into a dystopian world that is cruel and terrible. The stage sets speak for themselves when Zombie Eddie in the costume of Alexander the Great leads a wild army into battle (“Alexander The Great”).

The show, which hasn’t changed either, begins with the taped “Doctor, Doctor”. The former huge hit by UFO. Maiden present a lot from their last album “Senjutsu” (2021). “Days of the Future Past”, “The Time Machine”, “Hell on Earth”, “The Writing on the Wall” and “Death of the Celts”. You miss a bit of classics like “Run to the Hills” or “The Number of the Beast”, but that would be moaning on a high level. Especially since the English are of course also throwing out “old stuff” and start right away with “Caught Somewhere in Time” (1986). Bruce Dickinson, who enters the stage with a flowing coat, is in top form and also runs from one side of the stage to the other. No wonder that the coat flies into the corner on the fifth song “Prisoner”. Firebolts shoot across the stage incessantly. Appropriately accompanied by “Can I Play with Madness” or “Heaven Can Wait”. The finale furioso of course with “The Trooper” and “Wasted Years”.

Iron Maiden also played their anger out of their souls in the Olympic Hall

Iron Maiden always play their anger from the soul. Many cannot understand that the musicians have not yet been inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”. Still the highest honor for rockers. In Cleveland, Ohio, where this institution is based, the thumb goes either up or down. The list of honorees is long and ranges from Chuck Berry to the Yardbirds.

Iron Maiden is nominated from time to time, but has always been thwarted. Even Gene Simmons, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame with his band Kiss in 2014, is stunned. He called the institution “hypocritical” and said it was “disgusting” not to include Iron Maiden. Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson chokes on being asked about it, saying the institution is run by a “bunch of hypocritical Americans”. On the other hand, Iron Maiden has sold over 130 million albums to date. In principle, the gentlemen can relax. And whether Hall of Famer or not Hall of Famer.