Saturday February, 26th Dayton’s premiere Iron Maiden tribute Aces High stormed the J.D. Legends stage taking over shoving a two hour setlist straight down the throat and up the irons of a packed house. The evening’s special attraction came as soon as the show began with the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son album played start to finish followed by a healthy stash of Maiden classics and one newbie.
Dayton’s ‘80s tribute Sunset Mafia opened things up bringing back the lighter-held, Aqua Net spandex clad (none was sported) arena vibe. Excluding retro comebacks, fashions of the decade may be gone to time and hair may be thinner, shorter, or possibly gone but the attitude and music never left or went out of style.
Maiden’s 1988 ice-aged concept album of sorts was rich with occult themes inspired by Orson Scott Card’s novel and cool MTV era videos but also criticized for its use of keys and synth background. Though one couldn’t argue that without them, the album wouldn’t be what it is, with so much atmosphere, ambiance and imagination added in.
Though the touring stage may have left something to the imagination with it’s mostly glacier white appearance, though Eddie album art was recreated on stage during the 100-show run. The Maiden England live VHS was a bi-product of the tour with the setlist and era revisited in 2012 on the Maiden England Tour. This was the album that many kids and teens discovered Eddie and the boys thanks to “Can I Play with Madness.”
Sunset Mafia kept things in decadence as guitarist, energy/cardio bomb Tyler Henry played like it was 1984 and his initials were V.H., though he wouldn’t be around for another few decades. He even made a few round house trips through the crowd, giving everyone not sitting an up close quick cameo.
1981 called loud and proud with flaming boots, spiked wrists and arguably the most successful band of the era with no argument of most debauchery caused. The Crüe got their kickstart on “Live Wire.”
Things got cold and crunchy quick with Kix and some icy “Cold Blood.” It’s all you need. The endless miles of the fire-licked “Gypsy Road” spread across stage and venue telling its stories with black-topped, asphalt breath. The devil got another Shout out, with “Looks That Kill.” Though it fits the decade, the legendary lads from Britain were around a while before, though in ’82 were Screaming “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming.”
Los Angeles was the hair-sprayed Mecca of the Sunset scene and few bands exemplified the look like L.A. Guns, offering their services to all the ladies.
Glam was no stranger to rodents whether unwanted houseguests or future multi-platinum bands ready to “Lay it Down.”
The snake got covered on “Slide it In” while the original Britney went back to “Girlschool” breaking all the rules. NO ONE was innocent back then.
“Little Suzi” may have been Tesla’s version of one of the girls, girls, girls. The crowd screamed, and hollered, several yelling the kid had guts as Henry went balls to the wall; fingers starting the beginning of “Eruption.”
They finished, dropping respect to the first metal record to go number 1 with vintage “Metal Health.”
The lights dimmed as the stage went British blue as “Doctor Doctor” blared out the speakers.
“Aces High” didn’t start the show but it was a trip somewhere back in time as vocalist Aaron Thomas strummed the acoustic intro to “Moonchild” and the seven deadly sins. Dreams, madness and the evil men do sequenced the early set with the Seventh Son getting his extended time. Bassist Randy Gaines played like Steve Harris was in the crowd watching, using the four strings as instrument and weapon. Dan Briley and Dave McCarty made the noise and Brian Harris played the skins in the name of Nicko. Seeing them on stage brought back memories of the early Maiden energy of the club days.
A screen flashed images of song, album or era during each song covering everything from original Eddie to the recent samurai shredder. During the show a fan brought up a shirt stylized in the mage of Thomas, soon to be available.
For the old-schoolers ‘side 2’ continued with “The Prophecy,” “The Clairvoyant” concluding with “Only the Good Die Young.” They officially went back in time to Egypt worshipping the “Powerslave.” From the history books of the Pharaohs to modern day strategy, mysticism and Senjutsu they showed the “Writing on the Wall.”
“Wrathchild” got some raised fists and Di’Anno era love while namesake “Aces High,” got some late set props. “Icarus” took flight for some peace and Piece of Mind while Eddie made his anticipated appearance with “The Trooper.” Consequently Trooper Beer was also available and advertised for sale.
The beast made his appearance as he knew his time was short running to the hills. Unto the gallows they finished, from their cold cell, forever “Hallowed be thy Name” of Eddie and the mighty Maiden.
Scream for me J.D. Legends!
Images by Mike Ritchie
