Iron Maiden may be senior classmen in the school of rock but they manage to keep outperforming (while, in most cases, shaming to filth) touring rockers the world 'round with their professionalism and showmanship. Last night's show at the Shoreline Amphitheater (even singer Bruce Dickinson seemed perplexed as to just where the venue was supposed to represent, resorting to, "Scream for me Shoreline!" after asking, "Where the fuck are we supposed to be? San Francisco? Oakland?") was so phenomenally epic, a two hour an epoch in my life. And, according to further Bruce banter between songs, due to the limitations of the venue -- I believe he referred the Shoreline as an "old hippie bandshell" -- the band wasn't able to fully bring their show to life. Nevertheless, they certainly seemed to pack as many pyrotechnics, flames and Eddies on stage as they could in the hopes that, as per Bruce's comments, "burn fucker down to they can build a better one!". Here's hoping they achieve their fully realized set up tonight in Sacramento.

Anyway, find yourself on the fence about hopping the Maiden train this summer? Here's ten good random-order reasons (i.e. every reason could and should be reason number one anyway) to drink the kool-aid!

Reason number one: event tees! The Maiden England 2012 California event tee, pictured above, features Eddie riding an unchained bear, ripping the Golden Gate a new one? Yes please! I'm lucky I got me one of these last night as they were sold out even before the show began. Looking forward to wearing this sweet baby out. 

Reason number one: love that patent twin axe-attack "guitarmony" sound? Man do I ever. And Maiden one-ups the advance with the promise of a triple threat what with Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers on guitar. Add to that the galloping bassmageddon of founding member Steve Harris and there you have the classic recipe for a flaming face-melting of harmonized rifflines.

'Tis a thing of beauty, no? I am almost at a loss for words to explain how pumped I am for this tour. Seventh Son was the first Iron Maiden cassette I ever owned and it still serves as a source of workaday strength for me, especially the song (and music video for) "Can I Play With Madness" - any of you "talented arts" kids out there will fell me on that score. In fact, eff it, I'm so stoked right now how about we watch the music video for "Can I Play With Madness" and talk tour deets n' things after the break.

 

 

Now, if you or any of your clairvoyant friends are in the official Iron Maiden fan club then chances are you've already procured your tickets as they were made available to IMFC members today, but if you're not be ready to get the best of the leftovers on March 2nd or 3rd (check here or your local venue listings for official ticket sale dates and times) and remember to buy paperless and avoid the gauging habits secondary ticketing sites (i.e. the evil that men do lives on and on). For a complete list of set list speculations and 2012 tour dates, see below. Otherwise, up the irons! See you in D.C. and San Francisco!!!!!!!!