And You Know And I Know That You Ain't Got Long Now To Last.

Last night was one of the most surreal and unbelievable nights of my entire (somewhat short in a way) 20 year life. Seeing Iron Maiden live is just one of those feelings that I doubt I'll ever experience again in my lifetime (total bullshit, once I see Mastodon live, then my life will have been complete). In the past two years, I've gotten to see three of the four bands that have shaped my life both as a person and an influence in what I listen to. In February 2010, I saw DevilDriver. April of 2011, I saw Mago de Oz and now Iron Maiden. (Like I said early, Mastodon is the only band left on the list). While there are other major bands I really fucking want to see before they retire like Megadeth and Slayer, they don't mean as much to me as these.

Spending yesterday with Gio, Kim and America just made the concert that much more special. For a bunch of old geezers in their mid 50s, fuck does Iron Maiden still put on a show. They played for two hours and essentially touched all the classics: "Run To The Hills," "Phantom of the Opera," "The Number Of The Beast," "Aces High," "The Trooper," "Fear of the Dark," "Wasted Years," "2 Minutes to Midnight," "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" and "Can I Play With Madness." Singing "The Number of the Beast" with thousands of other people sent shivers down my spine. One thing was singing "Fiesta Pagana" at the Mago de Oz show, but I mean this is Iron Fucking Maiden. That song is ten years older than me and yet just saying "666 The Number of the Beast" was something else and made me tear up inside.

Steve Harris has already stated that there is going to be another Maiden album in the near future so that means they'll still be touring for at least a few more years and I'll be able to see them next time they come to town. I've see some good concerts and great concerts (DevilDriver and Arch Enemy in September was just wow; Paganfest, incredible; Mago de Oz, amazing; Rammstein, unbelievable) but Iron Maiden just took it to the next level. They're easily in their own league. Gio said last night, "pretty much every concert from here on out is going to be not as good" and I have to agree with him. I hope I will see Eddie take the stage once again and Bruce wave the British flag as he sings "The Trooper" very soon with the same group of friends and hopefully Irving. This show was the very best way to have ended summer vacation. I love you guys (friends and Iron Maiden), thanks for making the night so memorable.