While some bands spend tireless months, and even years, formulating albums around heartbreak, politics, empowerment, etc., others spend their time constructing albums and tours that are immersive experiences. These rare acts create albums that tell a story and take you on a complete sonic journey in your mind. They put on live shows that bring those very albums to life on such a massive scale you end up trading those testimonials like war stories for years to come. If there is anyone who would not only check these boxes but help build that world of high expectations, Iron Maiden would be it. Between their staple guitar-saturated sound, one in a million voice of Frontman Bruce Dickinson, and one badass mascot in Eddie, you would think that is enough to keep the fans coming back… but the boys of Maiden always added extra incentive. So when The Future Past Tour (with special guest the mighty Mongolian Metal band The Hu) hit Denver, Colorado at Ball Arena on October 19, 2024, you would have been remiss not to check it out.
Upon entering the massive Ball Arena along with legions of fans, you were greeted by staff handing out little cards for the tour, giving you a chance to register for exclusive prizes from the band. This is just one example of those little things surrounding this band to ensure a true Iron Maiden experience. Fans from all over the world, adorning Iron Maiden flags from South America, Europe, and every corner of the United States only brought home the message of fan loyalty. If the diversity in backgrounds was not enough, the age variance was spot on; as parents made sure to bring out their kids for proper Heavy Metal education.
As the lights dropped, and The Hu’s pulsating intro began, the air was lit with overwhelming approval from the packed house. The galloping pace of their first song “The Gereg” from their debut album of the same name, entranced the audience and got them moving. Whether a head nod to every beat, dancing, or throwing up horns, not a still body could be found. The combination of deep vocals from Galbadrakh and Nyamjanstan is unlike any other experience as you can almost feel it rumbling through your chest. Add to this the percussion work of Ono Maralkhuu and Odko Gantumur and you have your own personal massage chair for the evening.
With tracks like “Wolf Totem” and “This is Mongol,” all the elements come together and you get that surgical Metal sound with Guitarist Jamba Ayush and Tovshuur Master Temka Naranbaatar, perfectly topped with Bassist Davaa Byambaa. Fans could not be more mesmerized by the sheer energy and sound of The Hu live, and if that is one experience a reader is missing, well…shame on you.
With senses in full swing, it did not take more than UFO’s “Doctor Doctor” echoing through the venue for fans to know the time for Iron Maiden had come. With a flash of pyro and blinding light, you were off to the soundtrack of “Caught Somewhere in Time” from 1986’s Somewhere In Time. The perfect guitar harmony of Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Janick Gers completely enveloped the arena and guided fans through their Metal journey. Each forward step was perfectly punctuated by the unmistakable bass work of the legendary Steve Harris, as well as the drumming of Nicko McBrain.
As the band jumped into “Stranger in a Strange Land” and used the classic Steve Harris bass riff to his advantage, Bruce Dickinson had every set of arms outstretched to clap with the beat. Showing dominance, you knew this was Dickinson’s show, and was accepting no laziness. As fans got into the track, the beloved Eddie, made a brief appearance as a cyborg cowboy as the band was gearing up to play “Days of Future Past” from 2021’s Senjutsu. From here Dickinson guided fans on what machines to purchase for time travel, of course, a fan right in the front row had not one but two DeLoreans in her purse, which honestly made the whole band’s and audiences’ night.
Music and lights were not the only highlights, as Dickinson gave a bit of a history of the Celts while introducing the track “Death of the Celts.” This begs the question, how do we petition a Heavy Metal history documentary series narrated by Dickinson himself? In fact, how has this not been done already? Pondering this for a moment, for a two-hour set Iron Maiden fueled Ball Arena with pure energy; playing tracks like “Can I Play With Madness,” “Fear of the Dark,” and an encore featuring “The Trooper,” and “Wasted Years.”
In the end, everyone was dripping with sweat and had horse voices from singing along throughout the show, but they had one more in them with signature Monty Python’s “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” playing over the speakers after the band exited. With the North American leg of The Future Past Tour wrapping up November 17th in San Antonio, Texas, you also have Central and South American dates going on through December 7th. A tour not to miss, you have epic newcomers like The Hu and one of the Gods of Metal in Iron Maiden joined together, easily making it one of the best headbanging nights of 2024.
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