Maiden NJ (A Clinic in the Art of Sonic A__-Kicking)

Know what kicks all kinds of a__?

Having your brother take you to the Iron Maiden concert at the Meadowlands for your birthday.

That kicks a__ because Maiden themselves kick so much a__. Which is the reason, I think, behind their penchant to continuously tour all manner of countries in their near-marathon stints; they kick so much a__ that in order to afford all of the a__ that they must kick, they have to travel to countries where a__ is cheaper in relation to the GBP. I.e., "outsourced a__-kicking," if you will.

Adding even more "a__-kicking-ness" was our proximity to the stage from the VIP GA section. I comfortably had my a__ totally kicked by Maiden and had the option of moving from nearly directly at stage-front to a more sound- and visuals-friendly spot about 30 feet back.

And it TOTALLY RULED. Highly recommended from me if you're in need of one of the most rawk-ing b-day gifts ever, and you have a hankering to have your a__-kicked by masters of the metal form.

While on stage last night, Maiden announced that they are extending their sell-out Somewhere Back In Time tour to include more dates in the U.S. So you still have a chance to witness the full stage show from the World Slavery Tour, basking in the glory of their all-80s set-list, and cowering under the shadow of the 15-foot tall Cyborg Eddie. Everything about this show for me was just about perfect: the classic Maiden setlist, the 80s throw-back stage set-up, the fact that Maiden flies (and pilots!) their own 757 jet airplane to each of the shows, and seeing bassist Steve Harris (who I realized had a bigger influence on my playing than I would have guessed) still playing amazingly well.

I was amazed at how much negative, grade-school-mentality teasing I received when I told people that I was going to this show, and that I couldn't wait to see it. Comments like "are they still alive?" and "yeah, you and what, like 15 other people?" show just how low under the radar this band flies in the U.S. Never mind that they sold out the NJ arena in 2 hours, or that their last album was a huge hit with fans and critics alike and proved they are more than just viable, they're making vital prog-metal music this late into their careers.

Sad, really.

I leave you with a pic my bro snapped during The Trooper (a performance that - guess what! - kicked all kinds of a__):





Cheers (& Up The Irons)!

"Screeeeaaaam for me, MEDOWLANDS!!!!"