Iron Maiden Live, 17th March 2007, Palace Grounds, Bangalore

Prelude to The Beast

I wrote this for the post before I was leaving for Bangalore, couldn’t post it because was busy most of the time before I left.

17th March is going to be a historical date for every Metalhead in India when Bruce would scream "Scream for me Bangalore!!" and thousands would scream back to that roar, with the devil horns up in the air.

Iron Maiden is all set to perform in India, can you believe it? I still can't believe I am going to see live one of the true bands that got me into metal. I thanked my friend Shailen few days back for introducing me to this band. Back in school days I use to hear about Iron Maiden from him, but that time I was much into Metallica, that too their 'Black album' and mainstream era unaware about how much more heavy metal has to offer. I heard Iron Maiden for the first time during my first year in college. ‘Brave New World’ was the first Maiden album that I heard in entirety and loved it. After listening to 2 more years of mainstream metal, and so many other related genres under rock I was glad that I realized it is true heavy metal that leads it all, that offers me so many subgenres under its umbrella, that offers me so many themes lyrically and musically that I can relate myself to. That’s where it became the essence of my being, where I almost left listening to other genres and decided to stick to heavy metal in its truest and purest form.

‘Brave New World’ was Maiden’s most recent release when I was in first year. It took me some time to start exploring the older stuff. I saw a documentary on ‘The Number of Beast’ and its making, hearing and seeing Iron Maiden live back in 80s made me explore the older era more. By the time I was half almost done with exploring the older stuff, ‘Dance of Death’ came. And I could realize that Maiden is definitely one of the bands that has earned a lot of respect for being true to the genre, still playing what they started with, and didn’t end up doing commercial suicide like so many bands did for the sake of money and popularity. I then got a chance to explore more, heard the Paulo D’iano era (I love the albums Iron Maiden and Killers, recently brought the CDs for the same).

Bruce Dickinson’s vocals are inarguably one of the best in the metal scene. Such vocals and screams at the highest of the pitches are something not many possess. Just one ‘Scream for me Bangalore’ is going to get goosebumps in thousands, that voice is just amazing. Steve Harris needs no introduction for the songs he has written are one of the best metal anthems ever written – ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’, ‘The Number of the Beast’, ‘Fear of the Dark’, ‘Iron Maiden’, ‘Children of the Damned’, ‘Aces High’, ‘No More Lies’ to name a few. Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, and Janick Gers with immense talent and experience add the unique touch that Maiden’s music has and that no band has ever been able to achieve till now, or can even be closely compared to. With Nicko always great on drums, I personally believe this is the best Iron Maiden lineup.

This is again one of those once-in-a-lifetime-chances to see the beast live, and cannot me missed at any goddamn cost.

Up the Irons! \m/

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Iron Maiden Live – 17th March Palace Grounds, Bangalore

I still can’t believe I finally saw the gods of heavy metal live.

Everything was finalized some 15 days before the gig was about to happen, the tickets, the reservations. After a big confusion on going the Mumbai way and then taking flight to save time because of the problem of getting leaves from office, it was finally decided that I’ll board Karnataka Express from Bhopal with a friend of mine and his cousin on 16th, would reach B’lore on 17th at around 2 PM if all goes fine and would see Iron maiden live standing there in the front row. All went well, and I got to see The Beast live standing second in the front row. Nothing in the world can compare to the experience I’ve had there in the gig, screaming aloud the songs, seeing the ones play live that I’ve always seen on the CDs, DVDs, television. That’s one unforgettable night and experience.

I left for Bhopal late night on 15th, reached there at 3 AM, rushed to the hotel where my friend was staying. Spent 3 hours talking metal, and making heavy metal genre charts and bands that fall under them, and left for station at 6 AM, boarded the train at 7:10 AM, on 16th. Luckily, our 3AC tickets got converted into a 2 AC one because of some adjustments Indian Railways had to make in people who had Tatkal tickets. All the more comfort!

I reached Bangalore at around 2 PM on 17th (thank god the train reached in time), rushed to a nice hotel near by the station, took bath, quickly had my lunch, got dressed in my Iron Maiden tee and left for Palace Grounds by 3:00 PM. The road near the Palace Grounds was full of people in black Iron Maiden tees. Few people were carrying flags that had Iron Maiden logo, and album covers printed on them. I had asked one of my friends in B’lore to get the Eddfest tickets, the gates opened at around 3:30 PM and I was waiting for my friend to come. It was frustrating to see people enter and think about the front row being gone. Thankfully after an hour of standing there my friend came and the moments I got the tickets in my hand I rushed in. There were some 500 people around the stage, the front row was gone. But I managed to get inside through the left side of the stage and after a lot of pushing; I managed to be after some seven persons from the front. I knew by the time Iron maiden will come to stage I’ll make it to front. Like media reports, there were around 30000 people there at Palace grounds that day to see Iron Maiden.

FTN, the campus rock idols winners were the first to perform and the set they played was a total torture. First thing, I could hear nothing except total noise with no synchronization between instruments. Secondly, I don’t at all like nu-metal. Their set was just pathetic.

Next up were the Indian rock favorites Parikrama who surprised everyone by playing an all original set. And at last Nitin made a statement "A big fuck you to all those who think Parikrama is only a cover band and can’t play an all original set". But did you do that just to prove you can play all originals in one gig, and to disprove others? It’s sad to see a band like Parikrama to do mostly covers, when they have enough experience and capability to write and compose good music. They have done that, but never given it more importance than the covers. Well, it’s just my opinion. But one more thing, I loved their set. It was good to see them play an all original set. I hope it’s just not the only gig with an all original set. Great set, again, loved it!

Lauren Harris, the daughter of Steve Harris was next with her band named after her name. Lauren Harris is one heck of a beauty. Loved every part of their set expect when she used to scream loud, her voice was sharp, penetrating the ears badly. The guitarist was a Zakk Wylde lookalike, and played some great leads, the drummer was a lady who looked like she was in her eighties, have no clue about her age. In all, a great set! Not many people would have enjoyed it, it seemed. Everyone was eager to see Iron Maiden on stage.

After her set was over, drums were removed; stage was being checked again for it was Maiden up next. After all things checked and confirmed, the soundcheck done, the lights went off and the intro started. As the intro ended, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Janick Gers came running to stage playing a familiar riff. It was ‘Different World’. I just couldn’t believe my eyes for a minute that I’m finally seeing the gods of heavy metal play live the song I had heard so many times since I got ‘A Matter of Life and Death’. For a moment I was confused, should I sing aloud, headbang to the song, or snap a picture for even knowing that the set would be around 2 hours, my mind was not sure how long would this moment last seeing those on stage whom I’ve dreamt of seeing live, whom I’ve only heard and seen on the television, my PC. Those goosebumps that started with the ‘Different World’ riff were here to stay for 2 more hours till the set would end. Those 2 hours were filled with ‘Omg! Am I dreaming’ thoughts.

Next up was ‘These Colors Don’t Run’ and then ‘Brighter than the Thousand Suns’. ‘Brighter than the Thousand Suns’ has a nice part in between with fast drumming a nice fast riff that’s played with Bruce’s singing in high pitch, I love banging my head to it. The chorus is just perfect with Bruce starting it in low pitch and singing ‘Brighter than the Thousand Suns.’ in a high pitch. Those vocals are godly. After three songs from ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ Bruce told that they’ve got a bunch of good old songs for the night’s set list, started the old list with ‘Wrathchild’ and dedicated it to Moksha’s Leon who passed away recently. For those who don’t know Moksha is the only band from India till now to have featured on an official Iron Maiden tribute album. Next was ‘The Number of the Beast’. The beast had just started.

Next up were ‘The Reincarnation of Benjamin Brieg’, ‘For the Greater Good of God’. ‘For the Greater Good of God’ is my favorite song from ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ has an amazing start, and brilliant lyrics. All other songs that were then played were old – ‘Iron Maiden’, ‘Run to the Hills’, ‘The Trooper’, ‘Fear of the Dark’, ‘The Evil That Men Do’, ‘2 Minutes to Midnight’, ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’.

I still remember that earth shaking sound after the small solo in the song ‘Iron Maiden’, and then the cannon resembling the one in ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ lifting up to the centre of the stage behind Nicko’s drum kit. That sight was awe inspiring, seeing Eddie riding the cannon. Eddie came during ‘The Evil that Men Do’ with a gun, got near to Janick for a small but funny fight like the one in the ‘Iron Maiden Live Rock In Rio’ show. Those moments that people roared back to Bruce’s scream ‘Scream for Me Bangalore’, they are just unforgettable. Also I noticed Nicko playing double bass live on various songs that I left unnoticed in the original songs, perfect drumming. Dave Murray is always up on stage with a smiling face, great stage presence. Steve Harris was great on bass singing vocals to every line, interacting with people and at times holding his bass as gun so as to pretend as if he’s shooting the crowd. To the side where I was standing (left side of the stage) Janick only came once (or twice?) while most of the time Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, and Steve Harris were playing on the left. And Bruce, he was all over the place. What a stage presence this band has!! And how awesome do they sound live!! *bows*

And people singing ‘Fear of the Dark’ loud from the very intro to the end would have even shocked Bruce. I’ve recorded that as a clip, crowd singing to the ‘Fear of the Dark Intro’. I still remember that shocking look on Bruce’s face when people were chanting loud screaming ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’. I’m sure they loved the crowd, the support of the fans here in India and the testimony for the same would be Bruce’s statement where he said that we won’t have to wait another 17 years to see Iron Maiden live, in fact not even 17 months to see them live again in India and that this gig (definitely the biggest metal gig ever in India) would open the gates for India to many heavy metal bands that fans are eagerly awaiting to see live.

I wasn’t lucky like many others who got to meet Iron Maiden, but I feel lucky enough to have traveled to Bangalore and to have seen them live that close. Thank you Iron Maiden and thank you DNA for bringing The Beast here! I had the best time of my life there in those 2 hours and seeing Maiden live for this first time is something I’d never forget (so will the 30,000 people in the show that were there) in my life (hoping that I’d get to see them live again in the time to come).

Up the Irons! \m/

Enslaved Live at TC

So, I have a new blog!

The title might seem weird to you but that's what am doing these days. It’s no less holy for me than bathing in any holy water. With India blessed with Enslaved and Iron Maiden coming and performing and rumors of Sepultura coming, it's a dream come true for any Metalhead.

Thank god I was there in Delhi to see Enslaved live at Turquoise Cottage. For those uninitiated, Enslaved is a Melodic Viking Black Metal band from Norway. I still remember my journey to Hyderabad and listening to the RUUN album past midnight sitting at the window seat and dreaming if I could see such an act live ever. And my dreams came true at TC where I not only got to see them live, but also meet them in person, talk to them a few words and a once in a lifetime chance to own the band’s handwritten setlist, that too autographed by all five members, and an Enslaved wristband from Herbrand Larsen, the keyboard player.

After the gig I was feeling like I've lived a life, and that I don't care if I die now that I've seen them that close. But then I'd postpone my saying till the Iron Maiden's gig which is definitely going to be a BIG one. TC had around 100-150 people attending the Enslaved gig (or even less but not more than 150). I reached there with the baggage I had brought with myself. At the venue a RSJ staff guy asked me if I had come from some other part of India just to see Enslaved live. I said, yes! Thankfully I had a friend (Hemu) there to help me out with it, and I kept my bag in his friend’s car, what a relief that was! Not just me, there were few other people as well who came from other places, met few who came all the way from Bangalore. I thought the gig would end up late around 12-1 AM and then I’ll reach the station late around 2-3 AM and would only have to wait for some 4 hour before I catch the train back home. But the gig ended early and I ended up waiting at station for 7 hours.

Enslaved started with ‘Path to Vanir’, followed on to play ‘Fusion of Sense and Earth’ playing the progressive sound that the band has recently been into. ‘Bounded by Allegiance’ was next, then ‘The Voices’. Meanwhile people were shouting for 'Isa', which I think is probably the most known song of Enslaved in India and I guess the reason well is its video is easily available through IRC, and P2P networks. Then they played ‘Violet Dawning’ and then the crowd favorite 'Isa'. ‘Ruun’ followed ‘Isa’. ‘Ruun’, has a great melodic start which when ends and the atmospheric riff comes before Grutle start growling 'Communing Once Again with God...' gives an orgasmic feel. I love ‘Ruun’ for the breakdowns, the atmospheric riffs, and the unpredictable nature of the song. They continued with ‘Return to Yggrasil’, which is another great melodic track with a great sing-along 'For ages we have wondered....’. They ended the set with two great old tracks 'Sotunblod' and 'Slaget' which were raw black metal making a perfect heavy ending to the set. Loved Cato’s drumming throughout, amazing double bass. Ice Dale and Ivar were perfect on guitar; Hebrand’s clean vocals couldn’t be heard properly but great keys, and Grutle, those killer growls. Love that growl when the clean singing portion of ‘Path to Vanir’ ends and the last heavy portion begins, double bass comes. In all an extremely tight set, I had never seen such a perfect act live before I saw Enslaved.

I was hoping they would concentrate much on RUUN but good that they played a good mix of the tracks from few albums, though they were few albums that were left untouched. I felt the set was kind of short. They should have had played more songs. I'd have loved to see ‘Essense’ being played live, that is another song with those amazing atmospheric riffs. Seeing them play it live would have been heavenly. Their setlist, (that I have with me now) has ‘Essesnce’ written in brackets, I was wondering why they didn’t play it then. Time could have been the reason. After Enslaved's set I took the setlist that I got near the stage and went to one of the dames with Enslaved and asked her if she could get it autographed by all 5 members and thank god she did.

IIIrd Sovereign was next. I had heard SO MUCH about this band, that its one of the most promising death metal bands in India, and seeing them live just proved everything kickass that I had heard about them. Though they weren't with their old vocalist Mala but still the new vocalist (Vedant I suppose, please let me know if am wrong) did justice to the songs. I had only heard one of their originals 'Everlasting Burn' and now I hope to buy that old EP they had released and any new material that's going to come out. Reuben is a monster on drums, certainly the best Indian drummer I've ever seen live till now.

After the show, I got to meet Enslaved while they were having dinner at TC, got to speak to Grutle and Herbrand Larsen. When I asked Herbrand that if I can have that Enslaved wristband he said 'I saw you singing man, you knew the lyrics to many songs' and gave me the wristband. That sentence, well, is burnt on my memory now.

I guess they liked playing here, the fan-following is less in number but these are the people who not only love it, but also live it. Heavy Metal has always had less number of people to its credit but the dedication of the people listening to it is immense and that’s what makes this genre proud. The numbers are less, but people following it religiously make it even stronger, even prouder. Long Live Heavy Metal.

After I was done with the show I rushed to station, I can never forget this night not just because of the Enslaved show but because I also had to stay there at the New Delhi station for the whole night. But then it was worth everything that I had been through the day.

PS: Not to forget, I met one of my good friends that very day, had a great time eating out and visiting Bangla Sahib. It's not just the Enslaved show but that meeting as well, that's burnt on my mind now, forever. :D