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Iron Maiden is showing no signs of slowing down as they extend their massively successful Future Past World Tour into the remainder of 2024. This tour's final leg will see Maiden taking the stage at arenas across the globe, with tonight's sold-out performance at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, only one of twenty US shows. 

As the venue lights dimmed and the stage uncovered, the City of Brotherly Love quickly buckled their seatbelts and secured their safety harnesses, preparing for the ride of a lifetime! They were about to bear witness to an electrifying live show by Bruce Dickinson [vocals], Adrian Smith [guitar], Steve Harris [bass], Dave Murray [guitar], Janick Gers [guitar], and Nicko McBrain [drums], filled with thunderous riffs, galloping basslines, soaring vocals, and of course an appearance by the cadaverous 7th member, Eddie.

The concert unfolded on a stage resembling the futuristic city portrayed on the band's 1986 album cover, Somewhere In Time. It is no surprise to fans that the setlist was going to weigh heavily on that album, with some songs not being played in decades, and in that instant, they launched into "Caught Somewhere in Time." 

Wearing black-out goggles and a beige trench coat resembling a character in the dystopian aesthetic of the movie Blade Runner, Bruce commanded immediate attention. He is a larger-than-life performer who was our captivating ringleader, narrator, actor, and, of course, singer, as he guided fans on a spellbinding journey. With every verse and chorus, Bruce painted vivid thematic pictures in the fans' minds. His every step was infused with captivating theatricality, whether roaming the stage, leaping off the drum riser, or dramatically gesturing to the crowd. He exuded an electric stage presence and almost operatic vocal power that left the audience enthralled.

All 15 songs in their 2-hour set were played with the unbridled passion and energy of when they were written. Five songs from Senjutsu were played, including "The Writing on the Wall," with its Western-style acoustic guitar line intro transforming into the larger-than-life arena anthem, "Days Of Future Past," and "The Time Machine." Five songs from Somewhere In Time were in the set, including "Alexander The Great" and "Wasted Years," with Adrian's famous tremolo-picked intro.

Founding member and bassist Steve's fingers danced across the fretboard in a mesmerizing display of technical mastery on songs like "Can I Play with Madness" and "Iron Maiden" bordering on the supernatural as he unleashed the roaring low-end. He owned the front of the stage as he pointed his Fender Precision bass like a shotgun while bringing his signature ferocious and almost primal bass playing to the performance. His two-fingered right-hand technique and unconventional trebly tone on "The Trooper" set his bass tone apart from the guitars in the mix. Beneath the surface-level brutality of his playing, there's a deep well of soulfulness and musicality beyond mere technical showmanship most evident while on the stand-up acoustic bass for "Hell On Earth." 

Along with Nicko, he and Steve formed an unstoppable rhythm section. It was as if they shared a single, pulsing heartbeat, particularly on "Stranger in a Stange Land" with its galloping shuffle. Last summer, it was announced Nicko suffered a stroke, which left him partially paralyzed on his right side, putting his career in jeopardy. Many feared his days of pummeling the drums with such virtuosic mastery were over. 

Nicko's playing tonight was thankfully as thunderous and authoritative as ever, his limbs moving with a speed and precision that belied his recent health scare. His unique drum fills and swing-playing style have impacted Maiden's songs and were perfectly recreated tonight. Those in the GA were unable to see Nicko playing behind his monster kit but could certainly feel his performance pulsing through the air.

High school friends Dave and Adrian worked in tandem all night, giving the songs a towering, muscular heft that propelled the galloping rhythms and lifted the soaring melodies. Dave's fluid and slower blues-tinged soloing and Adrian's aggressive, high-gain riffing complemented each other while weaving a distorted metal tapestry. Their playing styles are different yet rooted in the hard rock of the ‘70s, which formed the backbone of Iron Maiden's guitar sound, not to mention defined heavy metal in the ‘80s. 

In 1999, they made a revolutionary move to a three-guitar band. This arrangement has worked by having one guitarist follow the vocal melody and harmonies while two guitarists play rhythm. The guitar arrangements are carefully orchestrated, with the guitarists adjusting their roles and responsibilities on each song. Nowhere is their three-guitar attack more thrilling than on "The Trooper," as the three guitarists and Steve stand shoulder-to-shoulder, as a banner of Eddie loomed in the background depicting the charge of the Light Brigade. It was a hair-on-the-arm-raising moment. 

Janick entertained fans by marching around at the stage's edge and tossing his Fender Strat around like a toy. He handled many of the solo sections, like on "Death Of The Celts" and "Caught Somewhere In Time." There is a playfully taunting rapport between him and Bruce that lights up Bruce's face with a smile every time they stand next to each other.

Colorful thematic backdrops elevated each song's musical appeal and provided a sense of presence for the audience. There were no inflatable props for this tour, like on The Legacy of the Beast Tour, as the band wanted fans to focus solely on the musicians and their performance. But don't think for one minute that the boys didn't hit the audience with smoke and pillars of flames that belched high into the air on "Hell On Earth" as they licked the arena's roof.

No Maiden show would be complete without the band's notorious mascot, Eddie, making three appearances throughout the night: a quick one early in the show as futurist Eddie in a cowboy hat, later dueling with Bruce on "Heaven Can Wait," and then as Samurai Warrior on "Iron Maiden."

As the show reached its close, the audience found themselves completely immersed in the relentless barrage of sound, their senses overwhelmed by the raw energy and technical brilliance of Iron Maiden's performance. It was a master class on how a band should perform, leaving the crowd exhilarated while hungry for more.

They are already looking ahead to 2025 and will embark on their Run For Your Lives Tour; their relentless touring schedule and commitment to delivering the ultimate live metal experience have cemented their status as one of the genre's greatest and most influential bands.

Tickets can be purchased at ironmaiden.com/tour.