Concert Review: Iron Maiden - 'Somewhere Back in Time' at the Meadowlands (3/14/08)
Published March 17, 2008
Sometime last Fall, it was announced that Iron Maiden's latest world tour would be coming through New Jersey. This was too good an opportunity to pass up, I knew I had to be there.
To further fuel my excitement, I read the set list would focus on the 80's era and the stage show would be patterned after the 85-86 Powerslave tour, which spawned the legendary Live After Death recording. Having never seen Iron Maiden live before, I was excited to no end. So, I logged onto Ticketmaster the moment tickets went on sale and secured myself a pair.
I should admit that I was very late to the music game growing up and even later to the Iron Maiden camp. For some unexplained reason, Iron Maiden was one of those bands that I never listened to. I really don't know why. Then the attitude changed, I picked up a few albums, including Piece of Mind, Powerslave, and Fear of the Dark and my introduction had begun. I still have many albums to get and many songs to hear, but I feel confident in saying that I am an Iron Maiden fan. It's hard to find metal as pure and great as this.
That brings us to the day of the show. Myself and a friend, a newbie to the metal and Iron Maiden world, were off to witness the magic that is an Iron Maiden concert.
We arrived at the IZOD Center with plenty of time to spare. We rolled up to the prepay parking lot, Iron Maiden tunes blasting out the speakers, found a spot one level up and made our way down to where the crowd was beginning to grow. The first order of business was souvenirs. There was a trailer set up selling tour shirts and other assorted items. We joined the mass; it could not really be called a line, and made our way to the front where we purchased the new tour shirt, although the others looked pretty good too. We put our new shirts safely in the car and joined the line to get inside, where we stood for an hour.
Once inside, we found our seats, and scoped out the stage, real nice view of the stage from our upper level seats. We were on the right side of the stage and could clearly see the entire stage, while not being all that far away. With that out of the way, we made certain to satisfy our growing appetite before the excitement began. With that out of the way, we sat there watching the crowd grow.
Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about entertainment when he isn't sitting in a movie theater. He is known around the office as the "Movie Guy" and is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Interests include science fiction, horror, and metal music. His writings can be found at Draven99's Musings. 
- Concert Review: Iron Maiden - 'Somewhere Back in Time' at the Meadowlands (3/14/08)
- Published: March 17, 2008
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Live Concerts, Music: Metal
- Writer: Chris Beaumont
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Comments on this articleComments
"What else can be said"
Did Eddie show up?
Knew I forgot something!!
Yes, 'Somewhere in Time' cyborg Eddie made an appearance during "Iron Maiden."
I saw Maiden w/Dio and Motorhead back in 2003. One of the best shows ever. Metal or otherwise. Glad to hear you finally got to see them.
If they hit Dallas again anytime soon, I'll be in attendance for sure.
iron maiden is the best and i am going to the seattle concert
Great review. My kid brother is a big Maiden fan (I guess I rubbed off on him) and has never been to ANY rock concert in his life, so I'm taking him to the show for his birthday when they hit San Antonio in May. Glad to hear they're still kicking ass. Oughtta be a hell of an experience for his first concert.
Jerry, I also saw Maiden on the '03 tour. Now THAT was a lineup. I just wish Motorhead had a longer set.
Good news! (well, for me anyway)
I'll be seeing Maiden again in June when they play MSG!
I had the fortunate experience of seeing them in 1981 when no one, I mean no one knew about them. They were great. There were awesome on the World Piece Tour in 83 as well. I will be seeing them again for the first time in a LONG time next month. I am looking forward to IT!!!
I saw Maiden at the Sheppards Bush Empire in London (2001?) doing a low key, no theatrics warm up gig for the Brave New World tour...the stack of amps at the back of the stage put out so much sound it shock your innards - no joke, I felt sick for days - was awesome...
I saw Iron Maiden on 6/02/08
They were justas good , if not better then when I saw them 18 years ago...EDDIE RULES!!!!
Wife and I got to see the June 2, 2008 show in Seattle at the White River Ampitheatre. I was a huge Maiden fan in high school in the early 80's, still love the music from that era, and was very excited to find out that the setlist centered around the songs from that time. I got to see them on the Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind and Powerslave tours way back when. They have not changed a bit, at least until the jumbotron shows close-ups, haha. Maiden STILL puts on the best live show I've ever seen, hands down. Amazing band.
I was front row for PowerSlave in 1984. Eddie's bandages touched my head! What a memory. Can't wait for the Garden I will be there with my concert jersey!
WE WILL NEVER SURRENDER!
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I've seen Maiden 7 times since 1982, and have tickets for the May 31 show in L.A. .... no metal act on stage comes close to an Iron Maiden show, this band is the benchmark for all others!!