Iron Maiden/ Ghost

Date: 6/7/17
Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
Report By: Rich Catino

So, the irony of the band Ghost and in its members called “nameless ghouls”, is that the “band” apparently has always been a solo project according to singer Tobias Forge – aka. Papa Emeritus. Regardless of the rotating members between who plays on the albums, and who performs live – still, Ghost exists as such. With a Grammy win, and a formula of traditional Sabbathy/doomy riffs that can be both slow and more uptempo and aggressive (see ‘Mummy Dust’), melodic vocals, and a catchy hook to sing, even though the lyrics and imagery are Satanic – doesn’t seem to bother many or stop the name’s popularity. If you are a fan of Blue Oyster Cult, Deep Purple – 70s’/early 80s hard rock/ prog rock with a metal edge do check them out. They also dabble in more psychedelic sounds on ‘Monstrance Clock’, which I found slow and plodding to close out their set.
Let it be known before I start my rant that I love Iron Maiden. One of my all time favorite bands. They are masters of metal and the complete package. But…when it comes to tour setlists they are all too predictable all too often. Since the 2000’s, Maiden have released five albums of new music. All well and good. Means they are still relevant musically and not a nostalgia act that can only live off their past. Also, they have given us in between three retro tours – Somewhere Back in Time ( 84/85“Powerslave” setlist, Maiden England (aka “Seventh Son”), and the Early Years only playing songs from the self titled first album up through “Piece Of Mind”. But, every time they tour behind a new album, its always the same old same old rotated 6-8 songs from the 80s…’Run To The Hills’, ‘Trooper’, ‘Number of the Beast’, ‘2 Minutes to Midnight’, ‘Hallowed be Thy Name’, ‘Fear of the Dark’, ‘Wrathchild’, etc. And now ‘Wasted Years’ and ‘Powerslave’ are reruns from two of the retro tours. ‘Children of the Damned’ was the only thing different for the “Book of Souls” tour.
Outside of that, the Book of Souls tour is as epic and extravagant as previous ones. Still the same lineup from when they reunited in 2000 for the “Brave New World” album – Bruce Dickinson, the twin guitar tandem of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, Janick Gers – guitar, bassist Steve Harris, and Nicko McBrain on drums. Bruce comes on stage behind Nikko’s drums narrating the opening to ‘If Eternity should Fail’ over a smoking pot. Acoustic guitar (by Janick) melody begins the ten minute title track with stone pillars on stage flaming. Harris begins The Red And The Black’ with a few bass lines, and Eddie of course comes on stage twice – once as an inflatable behind the drums for the song ‘Iron Maiden’, and for “Book Of Souls’ walking around, swinging a hatchet messing with the band members and fans. Prior to ‘Blood Brothers’, Bruce has a positive message for the crowd about tolerance and being accepting of people regardless of race, religion, political beliefs, etc. That you come to an Iron Maiden show to enjoy yourselves.
So, with my opening statement, its going to take a completely different setlist with predominantly deep cuts, to get me to another Maiden show. I need something new, and have for some time. Preferably another set similar to the Early Years tour.

Iron Maiden Setlist:

If Eternity Should Fail
Speed of Light
Wrathchild
Children of the Damned
Death or Glory
The Red and the Black
The Trooper
Powerslave
The Great Unknown
The Book of Souls
Fear of the Dark
Iron Maiden
The Number of the Beast
Blood Brothers
Wasted Years

Ghost Setlist:

Square Hammer
From the Pinnacle to the Pit
Ritual
Cirice
Year Zero
Absolution
Mummy Dust
Monstrance Clock

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