Children of the damned rejoice, as Iron Maiden return to Australia for their national The Future Past tour September 2024.
The Future Past tour is the first time The Beast has reared its horns in Australia since The Book Of Souls concert run in 2016. Joining Iron Maiden for all shows will be US metalcore legends Killswitch Engage.Boasting one of the most spectacular stage productions of the band's career, The Future Past set features songs from Iron Maiden's most recent studio album 'Senjutsu' (2021) and their cruelly underperformed 1986 masterpiece 'Somewhere In Time' as well as selected fan favourites.
Already thrilling more than 750,000 Iron faithful on the European leg of The Future Past run, bassist and band leader Steve Harris can't wait to bring the show to Australia.
"We're all really excited to finally be able to return to Australia as we know our fans have waited so patiently for us over the past few years," he says. "It's going to be great to get back there, especially with this new show. We promise you all, it'll be worth the wait."
For nigh on half a century, Iron Maiden has forged an enduring legacy as one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time.
Among the pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) in the late '70s and early '80s, they have been an almost ubiquitous influence on successive generations of heavy metal and rock artists.
In the evolution of metal, particularly during the early '80s, Iron Maiden are the vital link between the old school and the newer forms that were emerging, such as thrash, speed and death metal. More than a band, they are the blueprint for modern metal as we know it.
"So long as everyone still enjoys what we do we'll keep on going as long as we can." - Steve Harris
The mastermind and architect behind Iron Maiden is Harris, who formed the band in London in 1975 and remains its sole, longest-serving member. Harris is also the primary songwriter for Iron Maiden, renowned for his signature galloping bass style that has become a defining characteristic of metal.
They spent their formative years performing in local clubs with a revolving line-up, before recording their 1980 self-titled debut album with Harris, guitarists Dave Murray and Dennis Stratton, drummer Clive Burr and vocalist Paul Di'Anno. Stratton was replaced by Adrian Smith later that year.
Like the music they were creating, Iron Maiden worked hard and fast, releasing their second album 'Killers' in 1981. It would be the last album to feature Di'Anno, who was dismissed from the band for his excessive cocaine habit, which had begun to affect his behaviour and stage performance.
Bruce Dickinson, singer for NWOBHM band Samson, was recruited to record their third album 'The Number Of The Beast', released in 1982. With his vast operatic vocal range, Dickinson brought a theatrical quality to Iron Maiden's music that was suitably complemented by his onstage exuberance.
Revered as one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time, and rightly so, 'The Number Of The Beast' elevated Iron Maiden to international success and brought them a new level of notoriety.
The album's imagery and references to the Devil earned them a reputation as Satan worshippers among outraged special interest groups, a claim the band have repeatedly denied.
Iron Maiden continued their industrial output throughout the '80s with subsequent albums 'Powerslave' (1984), 'Somewhere In Time' (1986) and 'Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son' (1988). Dickinson remained with the band for two more albums – 'No Prayer For The Dying' (1990) and 'Fear Of The Dark' (1992) – before departing in 1993.
Blaze Bayley served a brief tenure as vocalist for 'The X Factor' (1995) and 'Virtual XI' (1998) until Dickinson returned in 1999 along with Adrian Smith, joining Harris, drummer Nicko McBrain (since 1982), Dave Murray and third guitarist Janick Gers.
With Dickinson back in front and now possessing a powerful three-guitar artillery, Iron Maiden solidified their most successful and long-lasting line-up.
Over the past 20-plus years, Iron Maiden have continued their heavy metal domination with a string of new albums and almost consistent touring. And in that time, their global legion of fans has only grown stronger.
However, even Harris admits that The Beast's days are inevitably numbered. In a recent interview with Classic Rock, Steve spoke about coming towards the end of Iron Maiden.
"Who knows for sure? At the moment, we want to tour as much as we can. But even if we did semi-retire [from playing live], we could still make albums. I don't know. We'll see," he says. "I always thought that it would be nice to make 15 albums, which we've surpassed. It's all downhill from here, isn't it?," he says with a laugh.
"But each of us is still enjoying it – possibly more than ever – maybe because we know that we're coming towards the end. We try not to think too much about that, but so long as everyone still enjoys what we do we'll keep on going as long as we can."
For now, thankfully, Iron Maiden and Ed Force One are in full flight. 'Senjutsu' is Iron Maiden's seventeenth studio album and their first in six years. It received high acclaim from fans and critics alike, reaffirming Iron Maiden's relevance and domineering presence as one of the world's greatest heavy metal acts.
Aptly named, The Future Past tour is the nexus of Iron Maiden's illustrious history and the promise of what is still to come from the band. Come September next year, dark figures will move and twist as stadiums across Australia resound with the rallying cry of "Up the Irons!" by the chanting hordes.
Iron Maiden 2024 Tour Dates
Sun 1 Sep - RAC Arena (Perth)Wed 4 Sep - Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Fri 6 Sep - Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne)
Tue 10 Sep - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Thu 12 Sep - Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney)
