The Final Frontier! World Tour

Iron Maiden returns home to the UK in order to finish off their latest world tour. The band have been touring since June 2010 in their much loved custom Boeing 757-200 (Ed Force One), piloted by the lead singer, Bruce Dickinson. This tour has been to promote their newest album, The Final Frontier, in which the classic Maiden sound embraces science fiction influences. These influences even extend to the latest look of their famous mascot, Eddie, who’s makeover now looks a cross between Alien and Predator. On the 31^st July 2011, Maiden travelled to the NIA in Birmingham UK to perform their two and half hour show, supported by Airbourne. This was my first Iron Maiden concert and my very first exposure to the full force of Maiden went as follows:

The lights in the arena went down and the crowd erupted into applause. There was a hint of bass guitar then the drum kit signalling the beginning of the Satellite 15... intro tape. For those who haven’t heard the first part of the first track from the new album, it sounds very panicky, perfect for building up the tension in the arena. As it gets close to finishing, there is a cheer from the front third of the standing area (in front of the stage). The intro tape and lighting effects finish in unison, everyone seems to hold their breath, Nicko hits the snare drum and Iron Maiden are there on stage powering into The Final Frontier (the second half of the first track off the new album). Suddenly the crowd comes alive and the cheer can be heard easily over the PA, which is set at 11 (obviously). As the song finishes they dive head-first into El Dorado, followed by 2 Minutes to Midnight.

I was very happy with their set because they played a fair few from the new album, including When The Wild Wind Blows (love it!), and many of their major hits such as The Trooper.

Originally, my only disappointment with the concert was that they got the crowd to sing the ending of The Number Of The Beast rather than finishing it as a band. However, one of my friends sent me a video he had found which included a comment about a technical issue. On the video it shows the confusion on Bruce’s face when the guitars cut out (so the comment seems to be true). With that in mind, I would like to say a big well done to the band for their professionalism and how well they coped with it. Finally, when the show had finished (the band had gone off stage and the house lights had come back on) they played Iron Maiden’s outro tape over the PA, which is Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life by Monty Python! The result was a large group of people dancing and singing in a circle the standing area. There ends my first Iron Maiden Concert. Truly Epic!

Up The Irons!!!

Jack Black Gets Brutal!

Game: Brütal Legend
Available Platforms: PS3 (reviewed), Xbox 360

After kicking ass as an awesome kung fu panda Jack Black enters the video gaming world as a metal band roadie, Eddie Riggs. The story begins in present day where Eddie is a roadie for the world’s worst heavy metal band and is unimpressed with modern day music. Suddenly, something goes horribly wrong and the stage collapses. The legendary roadie is crushed under the head of a statue of a giant fire breathing demon. Eddie wakes up in a strange world where the sound of metal music powers everything from hotrods to full scale armies. He soon learns that humans are slaves to the glam metal ruler of the mines and pleasure tower, General Lionwhyte, and joints a band of rebels to help free them. The best part is Eddie is armed only with a giant double-headed axe, and his classic Gibson flying V electric guitar that blows people up!

Beginning with graphics, the look of the fantasy heavy metal world has been perfectly created. Based on classic heavy metal album covers from the 80’s, dotted around the landscape there are metal-related statues, dragons, giant metallic structures, and a cliff made of Marshal Amplifiers! There are different factions you meet during the game created based on classic metal (the good guys), glam metal, emo, and finally an S&M/nightmarish army in the later stages. Every faction has weapons and powers tailored for their style of music. For example, Eddie’s Classic metal army has regular infantry which kill people by head-banging and knocking enemies to the ground using their heads alone.

The game-play itself has an open world element about it. You are allowed to explore freely across the areas of the world currently unlocked and you are provided with an easy to read map which shows all available missions. The missions split into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary missions are the main storyline and completing them progresses you further through the game. Secondary missions are small, standalone missions which mainly involve a skirmish between small groups of opposing forces. There is one or two comedy missions such as you have to race to get the kegs of beer to the beach before they get warm. These missions, when completed, give you a little extra experience that you can use to improve your car or combat attacks. At intervals during the game there are primary missions that involve you taking part in a full-scale battle between your army and an opposing force. You start off with a heavy metal stage and you are able to call out units to fight when you have enough energy (called fans, of course). This is the most challenging and strategic part of the game.

The element that takes this game to the next level is the music. Each mission has its own classic metal soundtrack from Ozzy Osbourne to Whitesnake. When not in a mission you are able to drive around in a hotrod called “the deuce” and enjoy a mountain of tracks from its inbuilt radio. Eddie is able to use his flying V guitar to execute seemingly impossible solos and executing nearby enemies in the process. Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy (mötorhead), Rob Halford (Judas Priest) have provided the voice-overs for some of the key characters. At every possible moment there is a music reference, which makes it perfect for any metal fan.

I have to admit I loved this game. My only negative with the game is there is an option to have the gore on or off. Have it off. I turned it on n all that happens is when you hit an enemy, the floor turns red. The blood doesn’t even leave the bad guy, it just appears! Other than that, it’s one hell of a game. Prepare to throw your horns and go to war shouting, “FOR METAL!”