LA 2 December 8th 1998

Tuesday, 8th December at the London Astoria 2 saw the one time amputated head of Iron Maiden strut his stuff to a packed and appreciative audience.    For thosewho didn't quite take to the directions that Bruce dickinson appeared to be going in before, doubt no more fro Mr. D seems to be back on track with his latest bestowal 'Chemical Wedding.   Opening with 'Trumpets of Jericho' from this album, the next six songs inccluded the title track, 'Kings in Crimson', 'Killing Floor' and 'Gates of Unrisen' all coming from this same opus.   Meanwhile, our bruce was jumpimng around in customary cut off joggers and tee shirt (nothing changes) still looking like the eternal skoolboy with attitude to match.   Following on with 'Tears of a Dragon', 'Laughing in The Bush' (both from 'Balls to Picasso') and 'Accident of Birth', he whizzed us into 'The Tower', again from 'Chemical Wedding' followed by 'Dark Side of Aquarius' (Accident of Birth).
The many Iron Maiden fans present were not forgotten or disappointed as Bruce and band treated us all to the first Iron Maiden track of the evening, 'Power Slave' which took us to the end of the set.
This was not to be the only Maiden track played, but a mere taster of things to come... 
  Rocking on with fellow amputee from Maiden- Adrian smith- The bandproved adamantine in their performance and completely into what they were doing as Bruce cavorted around the stage like a Tazmanian Devil... devil of a good job he doesn't sing like one though! The first of two encores kicked off with 'Tattooed Millionaire' followed by the Iron Maiden classic 'Two Minutes to Midnight'.   After a retreat too brief for any of us captives to run to the hills or the loos, the second of the nights' encores drove us on to 'The Road to Hell' (Accident of Birth) and the night finally finished with Maidens' 'Flight of Icarus' playing us out.   In a way, it was something of a relief that the gig had come to a close as the venue was so packed it felt more like the Black Hole of Calcutta than a basement club in Central London.   Never the less, it was an enjoyable show with its' mix of some old and plenty new to take us into the New Year.   And my conclusion? The Bruce is back, long live the Bruce!


As reviewed for HardRoxX Magazine