Concert review: Iron Maiden and Megadeth

Photographer Chris Baird gives his thoughts on the Iron Maiden and Megadeth concert in Raleigh Tuesday night.

Posted 1:21 p.m. Sep 4, 2013 — Updated 1:21 p.m. Sep 4, 2013

Chris

and

Lexi Baird

RALEIGH, N.C. — Iron Maiden, an English heavy metal band from East London, paid Raleigh a visit on their first date of their North American/World tour. Their latest album The Final Frontier was released in August 2010, the group’s fifteenth release.

Iron Maiden is notorious for the 80s wave of British heavy metal (alongside Judas Priest), and is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential metal bands in existence. They rose to fame in 1982 with "Number Of The Beast," the band’s first record with current singer Bruce Dickinson, who replaced former vocalist Paul Di’Anno.

The show opened with a massive explosion as the band took the stage. Full of energy, the band darted from side to side in front of the crowd of near 18,000 elated fans. The show started with a flurry of favorites such as "Can I Play with Madness," "The Prisoner," from their famed The Number of the Beast release, and "2 Minutes to Midnight" from Powerslave.

Iron Maiden is widely considered one of the founding members of what we know today as heavy metal music. Considering their heritage, the chaps from England did not sound too shabby! Vocals were spot on as were the guitars. Minus a few gray hairs and wrinkles these guys still have it!

The tour moves next to Nashville, T.N., then progresses across the country to San Bernardino, C.A, when they exit the states for Mexico. Next up are stops in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.

Alongside the beastly Iron Maiden are the thrash metal pioneers, Megadeth. Frontman Dave Mustaine and bassist Dave Ellefson formed the band in Los Angeles shortly after Mustaine left Metallica.

Megadeth blew up in 1986 with “Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?” bringing the band commercial success. That commercial success continues with “Super Collider,” released June 2013, which debuted #6 on Billboard 200.

Megadeth opened the show with "Hanger 18," "Wake Up Dead," then "Sweating Bullets." A powerful opening barrage to begin the night. Without much commentary Dave directed the band from current releases such as "Kingmaker" off Super Collider to classics such as "Peace Sells." An excellent pairing of two legendary heavy metal giants provided an evening filled with flashbacks from the 80s, while making memories for the younger crowd and the next generation of headbangers.

Story by Chris Baird with contributions from Lexi Baird.

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