AWESOME!The first time my friends & I were to see them in Cleveland. We had the tickets, but wrecked the car the night before the show. So, a few weeks later, we saw them in Dayton. Words cannot even describe. Next to Zeppelin, my pick for The greatest all-time band and even better live! Took my oldest son to Columbus to see them for his 5th birthday (at his request), then, he & I went to Cleveland to see them again this year. They say that wine gets better with age....same goes for MAIDEN!!! Bruce, Dave, Adrian, Nicko, Steve & Janick....Keep rockin' & we'll keep comin to the shows!!!

Yep, it was great day for Iron Maiden fan indeed. It all begun about 19 (or was it 20?) local time while Megadeth got on stage to do their warm up act. It was good set, "A Tout Le monde" being my personal favourite. Still, it was Maiden that we everyone came to see and after short break it was time of ..hmm...fulfillment. It all begun with short introduction of Ed Hunter computer game while "Transsylvania " was played background. Then familiar Churchill words and then Maiden rushed on stage with "Aces High". After that, next about 1 h 40 min was real heaven of Maiden fan. It was first time to see this now (2003) already familiar triple-guitar-attack of Murray/Smith/Gers. And Mr. Air Raid Siren was also back after Bailey´s era (in my opinion he did good job, he just has different style and voice than Bruce). Based on that night in Helsinki icehall, I have to say that there is no other singer like Bruce in metal scene, both in terms of pure singing and also showmanship. And of course there was energetic Steve Harris running from corner to corner on stage with his bass guitar and Nicko McBrain behind his drum set. Every member of band seemed to be in good form and have really great time. All songs in concert were taken from Ed Hunter 2-CD compilation, to which all songs were chosen according to internet vote by fans. It is quite useless to pick favourite songs from concert, since it was non-stop hits from beginning to end. If I must pick 3, The Trooper, The Clansman and Fear of The Dark would be my choice. But then again as said, there was no weak moment. Eddie appeared 2 times, firstly during Futureal and secondly during Iron Maiden(?) behind Nicko´s drum set. Finally, Run to the hills made good concert closer. So, after concert what were main feelings? I think happy...and exhausted. Because you can´t just stand and watch this kind of show. No...you sing,you scream and you jump. And doing that about 2 hours demands some fitness :). I think I was not the only one with this feeling... Something negative to say? Yes, Maiden did not soundcheck (and in fact never soundchecks), and this means that sound in the beginning of concert was somehow unclear. Luckily that was fixed soon. Concert could have been also bit longer since it lasted only about 1 h 40 min if my memory does not cheat me. But above all, it was night I will always remember. (...And luckily Maiden is coming to Helsinki next summer JEEE !!! :) )

Brave New World Tour 2000. This marked the official rejoining of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith back into the band. Maiden went on a massive world tour to promote their new album "Brave New World." If anybody has ever had the privilege to see this band perform in the 80's, then you know the great stage spectacle they put on. The Brave New World tour continued on with this great tradition, with all of the classic Maiden fair. I'm talkin' pyro, the incredible stage set, and of course EDDIE!, the official Maiden mascot. Maiden beat the hell out of all the New Wave bands of the day and continues to do so, because they are one of the few true survivors from the 80's.