Metal, Metal, Metal…….

I probably should have written this blog this morning, but to be honest I was far too hung over!

I went to see Maiden at MSG on Sunday night.  The gig was outstanding, the same set as they played in March in Jersey, but the stage show was much bigger.  A lot of pyro and a bigger mummy Eddie who appeared during Iron Maiden.

When Bruce was in K-Rock on Friday were talking of how this tour in terms of ticket sales has put Maiden on a par with The Stones and U2.  The band’s performance is also comparable, not only with those aforementioned superstars, but also with today’s metal outfits half Maiden’s age.  I love the likes of Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium, but they could still learn a thing or two from checking out Maiden.  Something Trivium actually mentioned when I ran into them post show.

There was an unoffical after party in a bar where Trivium and Maiden were hanging out.  At one point at about 2am Trivium decided it would be good if the bar played their new album.  Loudly.  This is a place which often has quiet Jazz bands performing in the corner, while diners quietly enjoy the French cuisine available.  So this was hardly like Axl playing Chinese Democracy in a Vegas strip club, but then I hate predictability.

So let me tell you, what I heard was great!  There is some shredding stuff on this CD.  And there’s a lot more screaming.  Matt Heafy sings too, and there are moments where the full throttle nature lets up, but if you thought The Crusade missed some of the ferocity of Ascendancy, it’s back on this new album.  Only the song writing and musicianship is above and beyond anything the band have done so far.  And while Trivium still proudly wear their influence on their sleeves (or their albums), what I heard will silence critics who considered The Crusade to be a Metallica facsimile.

I also heard a great cover of Iron Maiden’s ‘Iron Maiden.’  They nailed that classic.  It’s not a part of their new album, but will  be available on a Maiden tribute CD that you’ll be able to get free with Kerrang magazine in about three weeks time.  So look out for it!

Rolling Stones/Scorcese- “Shine A Light”

I checked out the Rolling Stones concert documentary directed by Martin Scorcese called “Shine A Light,” filmed in 2006 at the Beacon Theatre, NYC.

OK, first things first, if you have never seen the Stones play live, go see this movie!! (April 4th release) You are going to have the best seats EVER to a Stones show for MUCH less than I ever paid to see them on tour!

In some ways this is just like any concert video/dvd you’ve already seen. It’s a full show with some old interview footage thrown in. However the sound and picture here are SO clean that at times you almost forget that you aren’t actually AT the show. It’s really amazing how much you’re IN the show. You get to see their reactions, facial expressions, and the way they interact with each other throughout the gig. It’s incredible for any musician or fan to get to see this perspective! The best part is that you get to see the pure joy on these guys’ faces. Mick running full speed down the stage towards the audience. Keith & Ronnie lovingly wailing on their guitars. They are SO in the moment and totally get how lucky they are. You also get to see many, many wrinkles, which serve to remind you throughout the show that it’s almost impossible for them to be THIS tight at their age!!

As soon as the concert begins, your heart leaps as the band comes out with “Jumping Jack Flash.” They then hit “Shattered.” Beautiful! Keith Richards shifts to his acoustic guitar for an absolutely poetic version of “As Tears Go By.” Something about that nostalgic song, and a wrinkled Mick and Keith delivering it after all these years makes your eyes just well up.

The only negatives I will state about the film is that the setlist may leave you feeling pretty disappointed. Keeping that in mind, they do hit some staple tunes that will bring you back if you drift off. “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Start Me Up,” and a killer encore of “Brown Sugar” and “Satisfaction.” It was SO hard to resist the urge to stand up and cheer after each one!

For one “country” song they brought out Jack White. If you’re a White Stripes fan you’ll probably enjoy this. If you’re a Stones fan you’ll be annoyed that they wasted a song with it. Same thing when they trot out Christina Aguilerra. However, they brought out Buddy Guy to do a blues song and I figured I’d hate it. Turns out it was one of the best ones of the night!

There are definitely some cool Scorcese moments, like the matrix-esque shot of Keith Richards spitting out his cigarette and the amazing aerial of Manhattan at the end. WhoA.

All in all, this movie is TOTALLY worth seeing for anyone that loves Rock. THIS is truly what it’s all about.

One of the final old clips that they show is of a young Mick Jagger being interviewed just before they hit the stage. The interviewer asks;

“Can you picture yourself at age 60 doing what you’re doing now?”

Mick wistfully answers, “Yeah… easily.”

A damn good lesson for all of us.

“…I said, ‘Hey! You! Get off of my cloud!
Don’t hang around ’cause two’s a crowd
on my cloud baby…”
-The Rolling Stones
“Get Off Of My Cloud”