RUN FOR YOUR LIVES 2026

And Maiden played it safe. Someone Steve has known and toured with for a long time.
Maiden has a history with that, picking replacements pretty much by what's close at hand. Bruce was in the same local touring circuit as Maiden was around the UK/Europe. Same with Nicko, and they were friends already to boot. Janick had just done Tattooed Millionaire with Bruce, and boom, he's in. Blaze had toured with Maiden in the '90s, and Steve was a big fan of his even then. Better singers were passed over for someone whose voice he liked and knew he could get along with. And Simon's probably the laziest pick of them all, pretty much, being from Steve's pub band.

Not that any were bad decisions. Most proved to be great, and one even pivotal to their success. It is a pattern, though.
 
Bruce's effective appearance for Hallowed.

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Once again, here's the uncensored photo.

Bruce is clearly channeling the spirit of the great late Dio during the Killing the Dragon era. The crucial difference, however, is that he didn't actually kill the dragon. The beast had long since been domesticated.

Instead, Bruce carefully collected as many dragon tears as possible. Consuming this rare substance is said to grant him extraordinary vocal powers and, most importantly, prevent him from detuning—a desperate measure reserved only for complete losers.

And don't be fooled by the lyrics:

The tears of the dragon
For you and for me
That is merely artistic misdirection.

Those magical potions are for Bruce alone. Not for you. Not for me. Certainly not for the fans.

I have also heard rumors that if one applies this mystical liquid to certain other body parts, one's beloved will soon begin singing:

Heaven, I'm in heaven
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
But that is an entirely different story, best left for another thread—and perhaps another dragon.

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Just came back from Ziggo in Amsterdam and - all in all very happy, few tiny points if I may:

  • It was nice to hear some deeper cuts from Killers even though it is my lowest ranked album, least memorable. I was happy to rock out to those songs.

  • Phantom, SSOASS, Dreams, oh my god please let me die there and then. Pure brilliance.

  • Simon: While I could hear that he is missing the playfullness, the spark and the character or Mr McBrain, he played very well. I was curious to notice the parts where he differs more and where less. I think he started Powerslave way too late, there was like a second or so between the playback intro stopping and him starting the "downward drumroll", not sure if this was on purpose or he simply forgot. :D

  • Davey: super impressed how on point his solos were compared to studio. I think some years ago he really didn't give much of a F and played whatever, now so many things sound exactly how I know them from recordings.

  • Bruce: hard to believe his age and energy. Simply a scientific wonder.

  • Steve: gives his heart and soul as usual - all in - how can someone do that for 50 years and still go strong? Respect.

  • Aces High is an incredible song but can be retired from live, it's just too challenging and I would prefer to hear something Bruce can do well in tune, instead of this banger, but sang "not well enough".

  • Rime: Hearing it live made me appreciate how insane are the verses to sing with the original cadence and tune. Naughty naughty Steve.

  • LED screen behind and on the sides worked quite well on me and the big Eddie looking out was quite realistic. So I didn't miss the inflatables and the statues all that much honestly.

P. S. LOVE that Bruce wished us a good life and told us to take care of ourselves. Something I personally need to hear.


--- And yes one more: why not continue with Wrathchild after Ides? Makes most and would sound the most natural.
 
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