Tick … Tock … The lights dim and a ticking clock echoes through Glasgow’s Hydro. It heralds the arrival of Iron Maiden, theatrical stalwarts of British metal, and their new show themed on the passing of time. Pairing their 1986 classic Somewhere in Time with 2021’s critically praised Senjutsu, The Future Past tour unearths under-sung treasures from Maiden’s deep discography to give them their moment in the dry ice. With a jump-scare bang, Bruce Dickinson is suddenly centre stage, clad in a steampunk trench and shades, brandishing his mic stand in Matrix-style slow motion.
“Time is on my side!” he roars, as guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers ramp up the tension on atmospheric opener Caught Somewhere in Time. The song hasn’t been played since the late-80s and it feels thrillingly, cinematically grand. Clearly the band agree. Bassist and founding member Steve Harris stalks the back of the stage with a satisfied smirk, egging on drummer Nicko McBrain’s relentless kick drum.
