Live Review: Iron Maiden, The Raven Age

Nepotism is not a new prospect within the headliners' camp regarding support selections. This time around The Raven Age featured Maiden bassist Steve Harris' son George on guitar. The heavy rockers acquitted themselves to the task, but lacked many actual songs. Instead they proved a middling soundtrack to many punters downing overpriced cups of Maiden's own Trooper beer, after complaining about not being allowed to keep the collectible glass bottle.

Aside from retrospective-themed tours, Iron Maiden have typically displayed great credence towards fresh output in the live environment. "Loud and proud, new material. That's why we've got a lot of young fans. It's not because we're a bunch of old codgers playing karaoke stuff," effervescent frontman Bruce Dickinson told this scribe last year. The English sextet's mammoth latest release, double effort The Book Of Souls was therefore a key focus, both in terms of setlist and presentation. A lavish Mayan-themed set (mascot Eddie got in on the act too) ensued. The metal veterans' stock in said songs paid dividends, Robin Williams-dedicated Tears Of A Clown and title track standouts.

This was offset by plentiful references to the back catalogue, such as Dickinson donning a giant noose for Hallowed Be Thy Name, or frantically waving the Union Jack during The Trooper. It was the classics devotees paid their hard-earned for, after all, and plenty were aired. Recently reintroduced early favourite Children Of The Damned was also a welcome inclusion. Now cancer-free and in fine form, the singer revelled in being on stage, whether teaching the audience the dad-like "climbing like a monkey" manoeuvre, or grinning wildly as he repeatedly moved guitarist Adrian Smith's microphone away from his bemused bandmate as he attempted backing vocals during anthemic closer Wasted Years. Enraptured fans of all ages — and often multiple generations within some clans — were afforded a reminder that no one does arena-metal theatrics better.