This was the concert that most of us have been waiting more than anything else this summer and the one that would top in the best possible way an ideal 48-hour metal extravaganza as it is not so common – not only in Greece – to see Priest and Maiden back to back! From the early afternoon it seemed that there would be a lot of people at OAKA and so when we entered just before the first opening act started there were already several thousands of people in the stadium. The entire arena and almost the entire lower section of the stands were filled…so one can easily gather there were many fans present throughout the day! This was something we’d expected. But surely no one expected what would happen, a little later…in a good and a bad manner of speaking. Let’s take things from the very beginning…
At 6:30 the German outfit of Lord of the Lost appeared on stage; I gotta tell you that their set left a lot to be desired of despite all their well-intended efforts. Their dark gothic style combined with some modern industrial elements did not “win over” the crowd and the fact that they were playing in front of an unfamiliar audience that had not been to OAKA to hear that style of music was also a downside for them.
An hour later, the Australians Airbourne came out, a band that was clearly more…compatible with the overall musical taste of the average Maiden fan. Right from the very first songs they created the right atmosphere for a concert. Uplifting, groovy songs in their familiar style (see AC/DC) and with lead singer Joel O’Keeffe running up and down the stage, Airbourne ideally warmed up all the…Greek malakas – as O’ Keeffe kept calling us – although I have to I have to say that after a certain point all their songs sounded like a loop of the same track. However, “Runnin’ Wild” at the end of the 60-minute set stirred up the crowd even more.
Two minutes (not before midnight) before 9:00, the first notes of “Doctor Doctor” rushed through the gigantic PA amidst a general pandemonium as everyone knows that it is a matter of minutes before Maiden’s appearance. McBrain comes out first, greets us and the first hit of the drum gives the signal for the title track from “Senjutsu”. With an imposing backdrop and an excellent light show, Maiden hit the stage and it is obvious that they have come in great spirits, hungry and with no intention of taking any prisoners in their path. “Stratego” and “Writing On The Wall” that followed further driving the crowd wild with the latter, in fact, sounding clearly better than the studio version. Bruce Dickinson didn’t fail of joking right before “The Writing On The Wall” that…Alexander The Great didn’t see the writing on the wall as he knows that Greece always want to hear this specific song by their favorite band. Oh well…
After the conclusion of the triple-attack from “Senjutsu” the scenery changes and we are transferred to the world of “Legacy of the Beast Tour” with “Revelations” starting and “Blood Brothers” following. Personally, I’m glad that this particular track has reached a classic status and is supported in concert by Maiden themselves. Murray always smiling, Gers doing his thing and helping as much as possible, Smith remaining the coolest guitarist in heavy metal, Dickinson always running and of course the leader…for me and millions of people out there, Steve Harris is the ultimate personification of an entire movement and style of music…the very definition of heavy metal!
Every single track went down like a storm but what we experienced in “Fear Of The Dark” and “Hallowed Be Thy Name” was unprecedented with dozens of flares creating a fantastic stadium atmosphere and the crowd singing like there was no tomorrow! In the Standing A section there is a fantastic atmosphere while turning back to look at the stands the sight is extremely impressive. And somewhere around that time everything changes…
With the first notes of “The Number of the Beast” Dickinson goes mental with a guy who lit a flare right in front of him, making it difficult for him to sing. After calling him with various harsh names (Greek cunt, he called him), he leaves the stage and sings the first verse of the track from the back of the stage (behind the backdrop) and without actually keeping up with the rest of Maiden. When he returned, he was visibly a changed frontman as he was affected by the whole incident. Both the fans and the rest of the band were somewhat “frozen” despite laudable efforts afterwards to appear unaffected. Look…it’s not the first time this has happened in our country at a Maiden concert. My opinion is that as much as it is reprehensible to light flares in front of a musician – and especially a singer – by some who do not even respect those around them, it is no less reprehensible Dickinson’s unprofessional attitude to leave the stage exposing his band members. Yes…he is 100% right but his attitude is not justified at all. Especially when we are talking about a metal concert where during “Fear of the Dark” there were dozens of flares lit throughout the duration of the song. Again…I am not doing justice to the ones that lit the flare right in front of Dickinson but on the other hand I cannot say by any stretch that Maiden’s singer was justified to leave the stage. And you know what…I honestly think that Harris left the stage after greeting almost everyone… as if he wanted to compensate the people for what happened. Just my two cents and nothing more…
It would be a remiss if we didn’t mention that at the end of “The Clansman”, Dickinson stopped the concert to ask medical assistance for a guy who was in the barrier and he was clearly needing help. Fortunately, no bad news and everything went down well with this lad..
All in all, until “The Number of the Beast” Maiden’s performance touched absolute perfection with the crowd rocking and chanting along. From that point on, both the band and the crowd were somewhat numb. Dickinson left straight at the end visibly pissed off while the rest of us cheered for a long time…until next time. We hold on only to the positive stuff…Up The Irons.
PS: This summer we experienced -and continue to experience- incredible moments after more than 2 years of an absolute no concert activity. A big shout out to all the promoters and bands who do their best to make our lives a little better during this harsh period in our lives.
Sakis Nikas
Photos: Nikos “The Trooper” Drakopoulos
Setlist: Senjutsu, Stratego, The Writing on the Wall, Revelations, Blood Brothers, Sign of the Cross, Flight of Icarus, Fear of the Dark, Hallowed Be Thy Name, The Number of the Beast, Iron Maiden
The Trooper, The Clansman, Run to the Hills
Aces High
