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On July 21st and 22nd, Iron Maiden wrapped up American dates in support of their latest album Book Of Souls with two nights to a packed house in New York.  Following their current plan in the new millennium for the previous four studio albums, as with Book Of Souls, the setlist includes at least four to six new songs (the latter this tour), and eight popular classics from the ‘80s/early ‘90s.   
 
A short video precedes the band hitting the stage- a forest location and ruins from the latest album’s storyline, mascot Eddie and a bloody heart squeezed by a giant hand. Show opener from the new album, “If Eternity Should Fail”, sees Bruce Dickinson behind and atop the drums speaking the intro over a smoking pot, while “Speed Of Light” follows Nicko McBrain kicking up the tempo and energy with Dickinson, Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Janick Gers all over the stage. “Death Or Glory” maintains their trademarks of a galloping anthem with Adrian on the solo.  Flaming stone pillars and fog for atmosphere, Gers on acoustic guitar and a bass melody begins the ten minute title track, Murray, Janick, and Adrian sharing leads. Harris takes the spotlight twice - begins “The Red And The Black” and “Great Unknown” with a few bass lines.  And Eddie of course comes on stage twice – once as an inflatable behind the drums for the song “Iron Maiden”, and for “Book Of Souls”, walking around, swinging a hatchet messing with the band members and fans. 
 
Prior to “Blood Brothers”, Bruce has a positive message for the crowd about tolerance and being accepting of people regardless of race, religion, political beliefs, etc. That you come to an Iron Maiden show to enjoy yourselves. “Fear Of The Dark”, “Number of the Beast”, and “The Trooper” never leave the set, while “Powerslave” and “Wasted Years” made a return from the Somewhere Back In Time revisited tour, and “Wrathchild” a recurring favorite.  “Children Of The Damned” is the lone dusted off tune. 

What’s next for Maiden? Well if they follow the model from the past ten plus years they are due for another retro tour. My fingers are crossed for something like The Early Years from 2005, and another set full of deep and rarely, or never, played songs.  Iron Maiden’s gonna get you, again!