At Last: Return Of The Beast

I count myself really lucky to have been able to have seen Iron Maiden back at October 23rd, 1992 when they last visited Australia. It was the start of a darker time for the band, with Bruce about to leave after the tour finished.

Grunge had taken over, and metal, after being so dominant in the 1980's, had breathed what seemed its last loud breaths and taken a back seat. While I loved the Seattle sound along with my punk, skater and metal friends, my love for Metal didn't die at this time.

By this period in 1992, I had been aching to see Iron Maiden for already 6 years. My first exposure to them was in 1986 at the age of 11, and I never turned back, even during my hiatus from metal in the mid to late 90's.

When Maiden did come in 92, it was my life's wish fulfilled. I had spent six years with my bedroom walls plastered with Maiden posters, cutouts from magazines and newspapers of each band member, live shots, articles, all reaching from floor to ceiling. My cassette tapes were already worn out and I had already replaced one or two of them from overplaying.

Maiden played at the Hordern, Friday October 23, 1992. It was my first "pure" metal gig, and my first real concert. My head was shaved, and I think I was the only dark skinned guy there. There was still an air of the 80s in the atmosphere - skintight jeans, boots, bad hair, leather jackets, those totally daggy sleeveless denim jackets with patches, and of course, flannelette shirts. I even went out of my way to make sure I had my own skintight orange tab black Levi's - and they were damn awful, not to mention uncomfortable. I was hyped, albeit isolated, given my bad social memories of high school were still actually active during this time. Alone perhaps, but overjoyed.

The dark time for metal was obvious when the hall filled - to half empty. It was alarming for such an amazing band to play to a half-full hall. Despite the numbers, the noise was among the loudest I've ever heard at a gig, regardless of size. Tonnes of metalheads were drunk, and me, at the tender age of 16 and not yet drinking, well, I was pretty scared of them!

The gig opened with From Here To Eternity, and from that moment to around half way through the show, I couldn't move - I was awestruck, realising that the band were there, in front of my own eyes! I couldn't believe it.

That feeling, of everything I've described to this sentence, has been something I've never forgotten. The only thing which came close was Megadeth last year, as I had been waiting to see them since around 1987, and along with Iron Maiden, they served as the roots of my Metal education and remain at my core.

Iron Maiden's 2008 Australian tour was announced 2 days ago. Initially I didn't feel excited, but now the memories have coming flooding back and I'm anxious to get my ticket... perhaps I might even see them in more than one city, I'm still yet to decide.

Next February may be a reflection of the last 15 years of my life and how far I've come, how much further I've yet to go. I may relive some memories I wish better forgotten, but will do so with a stronger mind. This gig will be personal for me for the kind of anniversary it commemorates. I'm looking forward to it, whether alone or not seeing Maiden again will remind me of who I am, and why I'm glad to return to me.