Iron Maiden gained a place in my teenage music lovin' heart back in the '80s and into the early '90s.
While admittedly and for no good reason, I don't often indulge in tribute bands these days, I'm at The Triffid (14 May) for The Iron Maidens on the recommendation of a friend who knows this and still told me to go or else I'd regret it.Now amongst many 'metalheads' who are flapping their lips about tonight's show, some are saying they've been waiting years for it. I can't help but get caught up in the buzz of the mostly old-school metallers who are out in force.
On the dim and overly smoky stage the banner drops flanking the stage for Brisbane's Motorized (a Motorhead cover band). They quickly bring the gibbering crowd to attention with their opener 'No Class'.
Motorized had punters singing along boisterously loud with heads inclined upwards in Kilmister fashion with each song played. We get a well-honed selection of well-known Motorhead songs, including 'Ace Of Spades', 'Killed By Death' and crowd favourite 'Overkill'.
A tight set from woe to go featuring a drummer and guitarist who are no cowboys on their instruments (I mean there is some serious riffage going on there), and a frontman that seals the deal with his physical similarity of the late great Lemmy Kilmister and likeness in vocals with gravelly pipes to boot – what more could we be asking for? Aside from raising Lemmy from the dead?!
Motorized - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Fans are starting to get restless with anticipation when 'Doctor, Doctor' from the 'Phenomenon' album by the UFO is played above their raucous din. It's just like being at an Iron Maiden concert.
Sure enough, four of The Iron Maidens enter stage right, one at a time, to a mighty roar at a volume I was so not expecting. Man, I swear the fans hanging over the barrier are already frothing!
On the stage before are Linda McDonald (drums), bassist Wanda Ortiz (bass), Nikki Stringfield (guitar) and Jimena Fosado (guitar).
As they soak in their Brisbane welcome and get behind their instruments, we hear the strong and forceful voice of Kirsten Rosenberg (lead vocals) before she's stalking the stage joining them for a cranking cover of '2 Minutes To Midnight'. Yes, these will ALL be covers.
The Iron Maidens - image © Clea-marie Thorne
The Iron Maidens waste no time in taking us on the 'Flight Of Icarus', which really heats things up. Rosenberg is asking us what the best way is to die and we all know and shout our replies; to 'Die With Your Boots On'!
'Wasted Years' sees Eddie join on stage for the first of two appearances with a laser light gun he's pointing above the heads of the crowd while the band manoeuvre around him. Fans are very vocal at the sight of Eddie, who is encouraging this additional burst of interaction by leaning towards fans and gesturing.
After Eddie and his laser leaves our sights, the band crush us with 'Killers' – Rosenberg sends shivers down my spine from the sheer depth and height of her vocal prowess. When she mimicks the "oooh yaah, yaah" part in this song, it sounds so much like the real deal, it is astonishing. I am awestruck for the remainder of the song.
'Revelations' comes before the surprise treat Rosenberg says has in store for us – 'Deja-Vu'. Its haunting guitar solo is always all too fleeting before the lively hammering on drums and strings commences.
We next get smashed in the face with 'Transylvania', and the hammering riffage that is all about fan favourite 'The Trooper'. Rosenberg asks us to "scream for me Brisbane" as the ladies launch into 'Flash Of The Blade'. Brisbane does not hold back on the screams.
The Iron Maidens - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Fear Of The Dark' follows 'The Number Of The Beast' which has goose pimples on top of my goose pimples. The Iron Maidens conclude their set with guitar solos taking us all the way to dizzy heights with another fan must-have 'Hallowed Be Thy Name'.
Once more fans are singing at the top of their lungs and the band are showing no signs of fatigue as they finish strong, if not stronger than their opener. The exchange of energy in the room is explosive. But you guessed it, we're not leaving it at that and call out loud for one more song.
Being the good mob of punters we are, we got our just desserts with not just one helping but two as they return to the stage to reward us, performing 'Aces High' and I notice Rosenberg made a tweak to her wardrobe with an aviator cap.
Backed up by our second helping which is yet another goosebump maker 'Run To The Hills', the whole floor is singing along loud enough rattle the roof. The nostalgia in the room can be heard, smelt, felt, and tasted – I see why members of Iron Maiden endorse their show. It's 100 per cent homage done to perfection and then some.
The Iron Maidens - image © Clea-marie Thorne
The talent before us tonight has been simply outstanding, individually, and collectively. Rosenberg really hits the spot for those of us who love Bruce Dickinson's inflection and the American is even smack on with his enunciation, often. Kudos for the pipes that not only hit the operatic highs – but totally owns that sh.t! Lady. Don't stop.
The heart and pulse of the night gave a rhythm section that is solid and tight. Ortiz held pace and McDonald held the beats steady until those moments when she charged in giving the tubs a royal flogging – no holding back, skins and cymbals copped it. Such a furious force behind the kit but not so furious that we didn't get given a few cheeky grins throughout the set.
With Cortney Cox on tour with Burning Witches, it saw Jimena Fosado in her place. Fosado has demonstrated to Cox fans that she is more than a capable stand-in. Fosado and Stringfield showed us they are both shred-tastic axe-Queens – their solos were impeccable as they bounced between each other like they'd been playing that way for years.
The Iron Maidens - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Whether you're a fan of the real deal or someone who's never ever heard of Iron Maiden before (I do find that hard believe) tonight you would be leaving a fan of The Iron Maidens and Iron Maiden.
The Iron Maidens give you covers that are served up so tastily and respectfully, adding a dash of their own special spice with all the professional and technical chops of the ridgy didge band.
More photos from the show.
