Heavy metal legends Iron Maiden took over a sold out DCU Center in Worcester, as they make their way through North America on the second leg of the Legacy Of The Beast Tour, joined by special guests Within Temptation. After a 3 year break from touring, the band’s return to the stages ushers in their latest release, Senjutsu.
Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation started off the evening with the haunting “The Reckoning”, bursting into the stage with great energy. Lead vocalist Sharon den Adel expressed the band’s excitement to be back on the road, and opened up about how grateful they are to be on tour with Iron Maiden, and how they inspire them. The focus was mostly on recent material, heavily featuring their latest EP, Don’t Pray For Me, as well as 2019’s album Resist. The band would close their mesmerizing set with a classic track, the anthemic “Mother Earth”.
The anticipation grew rapidly amongst fans in preparation for Iron Maiden’s arrival. The arena was at full capacity, flooded by fans of all ages and backgrounds; little children could be seen with their parents in full band attire, young adults in large groups, and seasoned fans with vests full of patches. The barricade was a diverse mix of locals and foreigners, with some coming from Poland, Brazil and El Salvador. As UFO’s “Doctor Doctor” played in the background, the audience knew it was time for the show to begin.
Iron Maiden erupted onto the stage to “Senjutsu”, dedicating the opening segment of the show to their newest album, a bold decision that was welcomed warmly. Fans would also be treated to the first appearance of the band’s iconic mascot: in full samurai attire, a menacing Eddie walked around the stage and interacted with the band during the very first song. “Stratego” and “The Writing On The Wall” would follow, closing out the Senjutsu themed portion. The stage setup would change constantly to adapt to the band’s different eras, from a stunning candlelit room for “Sign Of The Cross”, to a heavenly scene with a doomed winged man for “Flight Of Icarus”. Iron Maiden’s performance is as massive as always, and manages to continue to impress even the youngest of fans. Vocalist Bruce Dickinson even addressed the crowd’s diverse demographic, asking about those who were born after 1988; the answer would be a wild roar coming from almost half of the arena.
The second half of the show was dedicated to the band’s classic hits, with the audience turning into a powerful choir during “Fear Of The Dark” and “Hallowed Be Thy Name”. As the stage turned an ominous red, the iconic spoken intro of “The Number Of The Beast” was also recited by fans. The last segment of the set was a flood of fan favorites, including a second grand appearance of Eddie during “Iron Maiden”. The mascot would come on stage for one last battle with Dickinson, and the iconic Trooper Eddie was finally defeated. After the galloping “Run To The Hills”, Winston Churchill’s famous speech announced the final track, “Aces High”.
Iron Maiden continues to prove that heavy metal is not only very much alive, but still draws new fans from across the world. The Legacy Of The Beast Tour is testament of the band’s undeniable staying power and legacy. Make sure to catch the last lap of the tour in a city near you.
IRON MAIDEN
WITHIN TEMPTATION
Photos by Maria Alejandra Mata
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Keep up with Within Temptation: Twitter / Instagram / Facebook
Sounds like an awesome show! Wondering how long was the opening act and how long did Maiden play?