Al Kratina at The Montreal Gazette has filed the following report on IRON MAIDEN's July 7th show in Montreal:

If the familiar refrain is to be believed, today’s youth are losing their innocence. Playing catch has become hurling slurs over Xbox live, family time takes place over text message, and first kisses have become first teen pregnancies. But hopefully, one formative event remains unchanged: the moment when every 12-year-old boy hears his first Iron Maiden song. The legendary British metal band’s accessible blend of hook-driven guitar riffs, thundering rhythms, and acrobatic wails of war, monsters, and EC Comics-influenced demonology should be essential to any child’s upbringing.

Judging by the crowd of almost 15 000 at last night’s Bell Centre concert, hope is not completely lost. Sure, grey hairs, comfortable sandals, and faded skull tattoos outnumbered Adidas runners and lip rings. But the next generation was certainly represented. And they made themselves known, head-banging furiously during set opener 'The Wicker Man', from 2000’s Brave New World.

Formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris, Iron Maiden went through numerous line-up changes before releasing their self-titled debut in 1980. But it wasn’t until a 1981 shuffle brought in singer Bruce Dickinson that the band hit its stride. Dickinson’s trademark soaring voice combined with Harris’ driving basslines to help popularize the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, leading the band to records that sold in the millions worldwide.

Unlike many of their contemporaries, Maiden isn’t an oldies act, and their regular album releases make comprehensive setlists difficult. Accordingly, last night skewed towards material from the past decade, ignoring classics of the late 80s. The impossibly catchy opener was followed by 'Ghost of the Navigator' from the same record. 'Wrathchild' was next, taken from 1981’s Killers, after which Dickinson showcased both his dynamic stage presence and respectable French in the first of many lively interactions with the crowd.

Go to this location for more. Click here for a picture gallery from the show.

Remaining dates on the band's current North American tour are as follows:

July

9 - Quebec City, QC - International Summer Festival
11 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
12 - New York City - Madison Square Garden
14 - Pittsburgh, PA - Post Gazette Pavilion
15 - Cleveland, OH - Blossom Music Center
17 - Detroit, MI - DTE Music Theatre
18 - Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
20 - Washington DC - Nissan Pavilion

(Photo by: Pierre Obendrauf / The Gazette)

Iron Maiden's new single, 'El Dorado', is now available for streaming via YouTube. Check it out below.