1998 magazine scans & clippings

[Eduardo Cabeza]

I think it would be useful to open a thread with interviews and other media from this era, similar to the ones opened in the other records' sections.
This is the Virtual XI tour program. I had it stacked under some old records, and stumbled upon it a few days ago. It was the first time I saw the band live.

 

[Eduardo Cabeza]

 

[Eduardo Cabeza]

 

[Eduardo Cabeza]

How impossible any of this would have been with Bruce in the band? I can't picture him putting up with the whole soccer theme. One of the problems of this whole era, I think, is Steve not having anyone questioning his decisions.

 

[Eduardo Cabeza]

And this Eddie...

 

[Kalata]

Thanks for sharing.

Eddie talking to all the fans, it really feels like Futureal is like the title track of the album.

 

[Azas]

Thanks for sharing.

Eddie talking to all the fans, it really feels like Futureal is like the title track of the album.

Hmm, I hadn’t given much thought to what the true title track of Virtual XI might be. Obviously, Futureal is tied to the album’s overall theme, but as a short, punchy opening track, it doesn’t really fit the traditional idea of a Maiden title track.

However, I agree with you. From this day forward, I hereby declare Futureal to be the true title track of Virtual XI. And I encourage other Maiden fans to do the same.

Just think about it: Iron Maiden would then have one very short (3:00min) title track among their seventeen albums. Then again, the title track from their debut album is only 3:43 long.

Who knows? Maybe the title track of Album No. 18 will also come in under five minutes.

 

[Helmuth Von Moltke]

Also the first time I saw the band, with about 1,000 people in attendance on the south coast of England.

I also have that programme and still love VX11 and the whole concept.

 

[Eduardo Cabeza]

Also the first time I saw the band, with about 1,000 people in attendance on the south coast of England.

I also have that programme and still love VX11 and the whole concept.

Was it a small venue? That must have been so cool to witness... I don't care what the profane said... the energy they were projecting then, Blaze included, was astonishing.

 

[Eduardo Cabeza]

Here's that Madrid show, with excelent sound:

 

[CA Bryers]

I don't care what the profane said... the energy they were projecting then, Blaze included, was astonishing.

I too was a big fan of the era, having come in shortly before Blaze joined. Since they were up against grunge and a contingent of the audience wanting Bruce back, they played with a lot of fire, like a band with something to prove again. The Virtual XI tour especially, Blaze sounded better and more confident with the in-ear monitors--not to mention he could move around stage better, unlike the way he was stuck in front of the drum riser for much of the X Factour.

I've still got piles of scrapbooks from this era somewhere, with loads of interviews from US and UK mags, as well as all the stuff Bruce was doing at the time peppered throughout.