Iron Maiden steps back to 1980

In a packed Chesapeake Energy Arena, Iron Maiden reunited with Oklahoma City fans.

The English metal act has released 16 albums and has played its heart out for nearly 40 years. The band didn’t look close to slowing down during its Monday stop in OKC. Iron Maiden’s latest tour centers around their “Book of Souls” album that was released in 2015. That record was delayed because vocalist Bruce Dickinson needed cancer treatment. Monday night’s 15-track playlist featured songs from its latest album, as well as classics such as “The Trooper,” “Children of the Damned,” “Blood Brothers” and “The Number of the Beast.”

The song “If Eternity Should Fail” kicked off the concert alongside a video message from Iron Maiden’s zombie mascot.

Like a stage play, the background changed for every song to match a different theme. Iron Maiden members Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Nicko McBrian, Adrian Smith, Janick Gers and Dickinson rocked each song without any sign of slowing down.

I was anxious to see how Iron Maiden would perform live, along with the long list of albums. The performance was stunning and full of energy.

The rest of the group showed just as much vigor as Dickinson. Gers tossed his guitar around, Murray and Smith casually nailed the solos, Harris rocked bass and McBrian playing beautifully on various percussion instruments.

Dickinson ran all across the stage, changed into multiple costumes, wore different masks and whipped the crowd into a frenzy as if it were still 1980. The band also used props throughout the show, including a disgusting fake heart that landed in the crowd and a large inflated zombie mascot head.

The performance was exhilarating, and I felt like I was part of the band’s earliest concerts.

It’s even more impressive to see the band overcome a damaged tour plane last year and Dickinson’s fight with cancer. Monday was a surprise that not only exceeded my expectations but also wowed a room of classic metal fans.