Maiden World Forum

Snake · Sat Dec 09, 2006 11:15 am

"One last thing, talking proudly about my home county in northern England – a mate sent me a link to a very funny sketch on Yorkshire Airways so if you want a laugh here is the link – obviously there is absolutely no truth in it!!
http://www.ftg.co.uk/simon/yorkshire"

STOCKHOLM NOV 19 1pm

Late setting off for Tempere last Sunday. There was a pile up on the M25 clockwise so Bruce, H and Jan all got caught up in it and were about an hour late. No big problem though as we obviously allow leeway in the schedule for unforeseen problems – lm sure the Fins in Tempere wouldn’t be too impressed if we missed the gig due to a traffic jam on the M25. other than being bored sat in traffic everyone in great spirits and ready for the last of the warm ups and into the real meat of the tour with the big arenas everywhere. Have to say l was getting pretty excited – this tour has always felt to me like it was going to be very very special. We flew in to Tempere for the show and then after quick showers headed off to the airport for Helsinki and two shows and three nights there then five nights in Stockholm.

It was a 6700 capacity ice hall and sold out in about an hour last Feb. we have never played here before so l think everyone was pleased to see us. The gig went ok – it wasn’t a great sounding hall but the smaller halls often aren’t as the ceilings in this type of hall are often low with metal beams so can be tough to get it right. Band not too happy with onstage sound so decided to do soundchecks both days in Helsinki. The sound is usually much better in the big arenas as due to the size and height of them there is less to negative effect on the sound. Also with the audience all round the sides of the hall and often very high up this helps too. I think in Aalborg and Tempere the fans were a bit miffed we aren’t doing Run to the Hills, Beast, Trooper etc as many wont have seen us as we haven’t visited there before. Of course in most of the other cities we have played four times in the last 5 years with 2 tours being sort of hits based for the summer so less to complain about as they get a regular fix of the old stuff but l do feel a bit for the fans in Aalborg and Tampere as of course they would like to hear those songs but you just cant please everyone sadly. This came through is some press reports – see later

This was also Trivium’s first gig. They are a very good band and excellent people so its good to have them out with us. They have a fine stage set up so it was disappointing that on the first show here they couldn’t use it as there was not room to get it on and off stage quickly enough but they will be fine in the bigger halls. You should all get in early enough to check them out. I met them a while ago when they came round to the Sanctuary office in NY xmas 04 and we had a number of beers and played the album about five times. We invited them on the tour sept 05 and confirmed it early 06 – we do try to get really good young bands to tour with us so as its added value for the fans at the gig and Trivium are doing really well with a recent top 10 album debut in the UK and good initial chart entries round Europe so it all makes for an even better night for everyone

Arrived in Helsinki about midnight , spent a bit of time in the bar . Met up with our agent John Jackson from K2 and Andy Taylor and Pete de Vroom, Maiden’s business team who were all over for a couple of days to go through a few things and also bumped into Kerry from Slayer – they were playing Helsinki the day before us and Tampere the day after with the Unholy Alliance package which is doing really well. Its always good to see the Slayer guys – of course we have done quite a few shows with them over the years.

The next day was off and l spent a lot of time going thru various things with Andy/Pete and also John, along with the usual stack of email but now l am on the Phantom server life is much better as online connctions are very quick as it doesn’t have to have the degree of firewalls the Sanctuary server had , which being a public company l suppose it needed, although hugely annoying at times as you guys who read the USA diary will know!! In the eveing the label took us all out for dinner and a good evening was had by all – thanks our friends at EMI Finland.

So to the Helsinki shows – full on from here on. Hartwall Arena holds about 11,600 and both nights sold out ages ago with extra production seats being released the last few days. It is always worth checking on tickets for sold out shows – and this applies to any band – near to the show date as once production is finalised and in there are often more tickets available. We also of course have a band allocation for family and friends and some of these are often released a few days before the show.

Both shows went really well. The soundchecks and the layout of the hall made for good onstage and outfront sound and Dougie did a great job – he is really nailing the new album now. The fans were of course terrific and the reviews also. One thing that always amuses me up here is the competitiveness of the Nordics – if you mention Norway in Sweden or Denmark in Finland they boo – but even when you mention Tempere in Helsinki or Aalborg in Denmark ie the same country – they boo too!!! I guess it’s a bit like London being booed in Newcastle but it always makes me smile

Before the first show EMI presented us with platinum discs for the new album – it went platinum in the first month the fastest we have ever done here. Finland is a fantastic metal market and we have always done really well here as have many metal bands. They also have a lot of great metal bands of their own. Visions of the Beast has been top 10 DVD here since it came out ages ago and often pops back up to no 1!

Kimmi Raikkonnen (l do hope l spelt this correctly) the brilliant Ferrari F1 driver came to the first show – like many Finns he is a Maiden/Metal fan. Bruce got talking to him and they arranged to go Go-karting the day of the second show. John Jackson was really pissed off as he is a major F1 fan but had to fly back to London that morning. Bruce came third behind Kimmi and his manager who is also a pretty mean racer but – and would you believe this – Bruce got the fastest lap time 0.4 secs ahead of Kimmi. Bloody typical – l guess Bruce is a lot more reckless, its in his nature as you have probably all guessed by now – but l must stress, not when he is flying so if you are ever on BruceAir you have nothing to worry about.!!!! Bruce said he was a terrific guy - l didn’t realise he was in the band lounge so didn’t get to meet him which is a drag. Though l love sport l am not a massive F1 fan but this guy is really starting to become a legend and is a great driver - Ferrari No 1 - that’s something.

So all in all l was very pleased with Helsinki. Everything is now working great, sound problems all sorted, show looks and sounds superb and the band are really starting to be on fire – and with an album as difficult as this it does take a bit of time!!! And l've been eating properly, getting out for a walk and getting some kip so feel a lot better - still fired up with tour adrenalin though!!

After the second show we flew straight off to Stockholm. Sweden is probably our most successful country anywhere – Maiden really are huge here and even a mainstream household name !! We even get followed by paparazzi which is pretty weird!! The first 2 shows at the 13,500 cap Globen (known locally as the golfball due to its spherical nature) sold out in a couple of hours.. a few days late we added a third show which also sold out in a couple of hours – and we couldnt fit any more dates in!!! also as you probably know Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg sold out 55,000 last year in two and a half hours. So pressure – just a bit!!!! Expectation is so immense here. More later, and there is an awful lot to talk about!! I am on my way to the Irish Pub – The Dubliner, so no cliché there then – to watch Ireland v Australia rugby on their big screen and hopefully to get some fish and chips. Will try to do some more later depending on intake of John Smiths Yorkshire bitter...

One last thing, talking proudly about my home county in northern England – a mate sent me a link to a very funny sketch on Yorkshire Airways so if you want a laugh here is the link – obviously there is absolutely no truth in it!!
http://www.ftg.co.uk/simon/yorkshire

Snake · Sat Dec 09, 2006 11:15 am

"After this song, the audience takes over completely. Bruce tries to speak, but get drowned in a deafening thunder. Then he just stands there, silent and speechless, for well over a minute, while Maiden receives a declaration of love that is totally impossible to put words to'."

STOCKHOLM NOV 19 8pm and NOV 20 2pm

Back from rugby – not a great game but very poor conditions. Ireland beat a very ordinary looking Aussie team who really looked like they were ready to get on the plane home – away from the lashing rain and strong Irish winds prevalent during the game.

So to Sweden and what a great but hectic time it was. When we arrived from Helsinki headed for bar but only time for a quick beer before it closed so off to bed. Nice skybar though.

Day off on 16th – Val from my office was in for these shows so caught up on a lot of work and then emails. In the evening went out for dinner with EMI (thanks Asa, Charlie, Matthias and Anders) and EMA our promoters, Thomas and Tor. Thomas Johannesson and EMA have been our promoters here since the first Kiss shows in 1980 and Thomas is a real genteman and as good if not better a promoter as any in the world. Scandanavia is lucky to have him – we almost always follow his advice. The dinner was good and there was even paparazzi lurking outside. Tor alerted me to one worrying thing though. The 2 main daily papers here Aftonbladet and Expressen had bought their own tickets to our first show in Aalborg and given us pretty poor reviews in their papers a couple of days earlier. We don’t usually have reviewers at warm up shows – especially not national papers – as they are just that, warm up shows to get everything tuned up. They said the sound was poor, Bruce sounded like he was choking (!!!) and that the fans didn’t like the set as we weren’t playing the old hits and it didn’t work playing the whole album. Now all this is hardly surprising as we hadn’t been there before so as l said here previously we can understand why people who have never seen us may be disappointed about song selection. Also fair comment on the sound as it wasn’t a great sounding hall and the band had sound problems on stage – but also it was all new gear for PA and lights, a ground support rig so no moving lights and other production values, part new crew, we hadn’t played for a week or so and were recently back from going through about 19 time zones in a couple of weeks!! Which is of course why we do warm up shows and cant expect them to be of the quality of the later arena shows. All the same its worrying when l hear something like this and such is my nature l start pondering on it and second guessing. It’s the price of success for papers of this importance to “sneak in” early to check you out before a major tour and then report very unfavourably.

Shouldn’t have worried though. The gig that night at the Globen was fantastic and crowd reaction incredible. As in Helsinki when Bruce had his chat with the audience after Longest Day the place went nuts for a full two minutes or so chanting Maiden Maiden and the roar was intense. The atmosphere was just brilliant – this is what love about Maiden concerts, that goose bump feeling of total connection between band and audience that fires the band on to get better and better. It really was an excellent concert. And to top it off EMI presented us with gold discs for sales of the new album in Sweden – again in record time

After the show all went different places – Jan bar hunting, some of us to hotel bar. Had a couple with NIcko and headed off for bed leaving him to it – definitely a mistake l would find the next day!!

The next morning l got the Aftonbladet and Expressen and even l – with no working knowledge of Swedish – could see that the reviews were terrific. On the front page of the Afton at the top it said (l would later find) IRON MAIDEN MAKE THE GLOBE ROLL!!

I had it translated - Everything was good – the set worked, new album excellent, great fans, incredible reaction, great sounding hall (unlike Denmark they said where fans were laid back and hall poor sound!! I told you Nordics were competitive!!) Here is a bit that Tor translated for me from his email –

Sent: Sat Nov 18 11:28:26 2006
Subject: SV: SV: So how were the reviews???

Expressen:
'The crowd is so incredible, that the Maiden-guys are almost moved to tears'.

........"The longest day" is performed in a too high tempo and therfore it feels like a raging bull rushing against you. That kind of magic only occur when musicians want's to espress so much, that they almost burst open. After this song, the audience takes over completely. Bruce tries to speak, but get drowned in a deafening thunder. Then he just stands there, silent and speechless, for well over a minute, while Maiden receives a declaration of love that is totally impossible to put words to'.

Final lines:
'If it were somewhere that Maiden would triumph, with such a demanding repertoire, it would be the favourite land of Sweden. And that the maiden of iron do, and exeeds all expectations'

Headline in 'Aftonbladet': Got the Globe in rotation. Iron Maiden has started their victory train.

And here's a nice line: The proudness of the latest album becomes like a sober cloak swept over the evening and then when "Fear of the Dark" get released just before 10PM, it's just like the big golfball started to move a bit.

Final line: 'The challenge do work - and with that, a 4-shows long victoory train has begun'.

Phew!!! Thank you!!! Had me worried for a minute. But they were right, it was an emotional and fantastic gig .

2nd show day was always going to be very hectic –

- Steve had a football match at 1.30 and had his team fly in from England for the big game – sadly they lost 4-1 but Steve scored!!

- Bruce had flown to Oslo early that morning to pick up Bruce Air 666 which had left Gatwick in the early hours to pick up 150 or so Norwegian fans to bring them to the second Globen show. He was flying them back to Gatwick straight after the show – totally mad!! He also brought in a few friends from London including Dave P and Hannah from our office.

- Adrian had all his family over for the weekend.

- Radio One Rock show, Ian Camfield for VH1 and MTV Germany were at the gig to do specials

- All steves football mates, a cast of many, all the media guys, office , friends, label etc would be backstage drinking our beers.

So what did l do in the midst of all this action - why took the day off of course – well Val, Dave and Hannah were there to do the worrying and organising with of course our Maiden team Ian and Gaddsy.

Got a cab to the waterfront at about 10 to be picked up by my good mate and Bravado Merch boss Barry in his boat. Barry has a lovely (are there any others) Swedish wife and has a house about 40min outside Stockholm by the water in a very beautiful part of the country so we went out for a visit. Argued about concession rates and then took the car back into town for lunch (fish and chips – bloody marvellous) at the Dubliner – to be followed by, of course, England v Argentina on the big screen there (great picture – highly recommended for sports viewing in Sweden). England were again very poor most of the game but managed to dredge up some real spirit in the last 20 min to snatch a win 23-21 to avoid the ignominy of losing 8 straight and being labelled as the worst England team ever. Feel good for Martin Corey who l don’t think has deserved the barbs in the press. Only had a couple of John Smiths then went to gig about 5.30, meeting and having a photo with the nice chap who runs the (unofficial) Swedish Fan Club on the way in.

Everything seemed fine – all the media stuff was getting done, everybody happy and all seemed thrilled to be there to see the show before most of the Brits.

Here is a guide how not to prepare for a major show:

Singer – fly early for an hour and then fly a 200 seater airliner back an hour / take pic with 150 fans on the stage / do major interviews with various important media.

Bass player – play a full football match (even if you score!) and do same interviews.

Guitarist – have whole family along and do interviews.

Guitarist – Dave – get ill and need a big shot to get you together.

And yes …the drummer…yes you Nicko…...get pissed the night before, feel like s**t and act as backstage guide and MC to VH1 with a hangover!!!

Well maybe they should do it more often – the gig and the audience were even better than the night before. Absolute blinder in every way. Love you Dougie, sound was perfect. Crowd brilliant.. I always thought this show and set list was as good as anything we have ever done and l shouldn’t have let a couple of poor reviews get to me. This all works just great!!!!!

After the gig Steve, Jan and the footballers went off to wreck the Dubliner, Bruce flew off with his 150 or so mates, Nicko (thank god!!) and Dave (get well) had an early night and Adrian, his family, Barry, Val, Dave , EMI and most of the media guys went to sky bar til it closed. Definitely something to celebrate – a couple of cracking shows with one more to come at the Globe next Saturday.

Finishing off now – spent the day catching up on work and doing this (and reading English Sunday papers l got from station next door – luxury!). Leave at 4 to fly in to Gothenburg for the show there then on to Oslo afterwards.

After the first 4 major shows l feel we are most certainly ready for anything. It is gonna be a memorable tour. I feel effin great!!! Roll on tonight

*Wratchild* · Sat Dec 09, 2006 1:04 pm

Da li ima netko koncert sa ove turneje, volio bih nabaviti?

Snake · Sat Dec 09, 2006 2:50 pm

Yesterday in Dortmund Bruce announced a Summer-Tour in 2007

Bruce told the crowd:
"Our promoter wondered if you would like to see another Maiden show ?
But this is our last Maiden show in Germany .... before Christmas ... "

He added that Maiden will come back to Germany in Summer 2007 and will play a couple of Songs.

The show ended with a "Goodbye - See you next summer."

Snake · Sat Dec 09, 2006 2:52 pm

"I had a nice glass of wine with Matt from Trivium and told a few war stories that my dear friend Jim Marshall had told me. He will be joining us in Paris tomorrow."

Hotel room Eindhoven II
Time 0:55am
November 27, 2006

Well, well, well, just got back from the show here in Den Bosch Holland. What a night. Had a few problems tonight I can tell you.

Half way through ‘Different World I had a brain storm. I thought that I was at the beginning of the second verse but alas we were at the solo. I missed me drum feel into that and just ‘Kin made a complete balls up of it. The guys managed not to be put of by me missing it and so it fell back into the solo without any real problem. Well, it took me a while to settle down. All went great after that though. We had a blast again.

After the show, Jan, H and Davey did a runner. Steve, Bruce and meself stayed behind to unwind. We thought that we have had better nights playing wise but it still was a great evening.
I had a nice glass of wine with Matt from Trivium and told a few war stories that my dear friend Jim Marshall had told me. He will be joining us in Paris tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing him I am!!!!!!!!

Be in Paris around 2pm so should have plenty of time to find a nice restaurant to take Jim and his chums to before the show. I will most definitely have to go and have some snails tomorrow. Lovely Jubbly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I’m going to get in the shower and get ready for me bed. I’m going to have an early night. Bet I won’t be so lucky tonight and get to see a great piece of music on the box???????? Oh well.

Stay safe and well

Oh, nearly forgot, thank you to all on the board for your kind words. Re: the ‘Nicko’ thread. Great!!!!!

God bless you all.
=Nicko=

Snake · Sat Dec 09, 2006 2:52 pm

"The show in Bergen was fantastic. Although I wasn’t feeling so good we had a blast. It seemed to fly by in no time at all."

Hotel room Eindhoven Holland
Time 1:30pm
November 27, 2006

Well, well, well, I hope you lot are doing fine today.
I have been a little under the weather this last couple of days.
Got a bit of the old tour curse, you know the lurggie that does its round of crew and band. Harry’s not feeling to well either. Been on a course of antibiotics since Friday, seems to be working.
Hence, boys and girls, no diary entries since Oslo. To be honest I haven’t had the strength over the last few days to get it together.

So, Oslo. ‘Kin magic night that was. The crowd at the Oslo Valhall was amazing; the 12.500 Billies were very load and singing all the new stuff at the top of their wee lungs. Brilliant night it was I can tell you!!!!!! We played our socks off and we all had a great time on stage.
After the show we hit the showers and then made our way to the plane. We decided that a night home was in order.
I got to me drum at a little before 2am. Watched a spot of the glue tube and then went to me bed.

Wednesday I had a stroll down to the village shops to pick up my shoes and jacket that were being repaired. Picked up a few things for the flat as well. New zip needed in me jacket and me shoes needed some TLC. I had a spot of breakfast in the local coffee shop, a nice fry-up!!!!! Yummy.

Me chum Geoffrey from Denmark studios came over to sort out me jam jar as the old electrics were playing up. I met him in the pub car park and we drove back to mine. Bless him; he was out sorting things out in the ‘Kin rain. After a while he was done and I had me indicators and head lights working again. He came in and we had a chat about the studio and what he’s been up to over the last couple of months. He’s a great mate. We had a nice cup of rossie and then it was time for him to head out.

In the evening I went to dinner with, H and Natalie, his misses, and a friend of theirs, Jane. We went to a really nice rubber dub called The Swan out close to where we live. Good tucker in there I can tell you. I had a nice piece of sole for me main course with spuds and veggies accompanied by a couple of pints of real ale. Oh Yes!!!!!!!
After dinner I went back home and watched a spot of telly. I had an early night. I could feel that I was getting that tingling feeling in the back of me throat. Took a couple of aspirins and went to sleep.

Thursday was up at 9 and started to get ready for me trip. We are off to, Bergen, Norway, for a show there. Car picked me up at 11:30pm and we were in Bergen for 5pm.

The show in Bergen was fantastic. Although I wasn’t feeling so good we had a blast. It seemed to fly by in no time at all. I thought that it was not one of my best performances. Well, you get days like that know and then don’t you??????

After the show we headed back to Blighty. I wasn’t feeling so good and new that I had to get in touch with me doc. I had been coughing pretty hard and also had the nasty green shit coming out of me lungs. When I get sick it always gets me in the chest.

Friday, I got up at 10am and called me doc, he was over in Austria on a doctor’s convention, bet there was a ‘Kin great party that night!!! He called in a prescription for me to the local pharmacy. I’m on a 7 day course of, Amoxiclav. Feeling a lot better today, (Monday). I stayed in front of the telly all day and just got to rest. I was going to go out and have a nice meal somewhere but didn’t have the strength to do that. I decided to check out the local Chinese takeaway. It is just over the road from me drum.
Well, was I happy with that decision? It was the best takeaway that I have ever had. It was really well prepared and tasted as though it was prepared at a good restaurant kitchen. I ate all the food that I had bought home with me. After dinner I had an early night.

Saturday, I was up at 9:30am and started to get packed for my trip. We are away for six nights this trip. I was ready and waiting for me car to pick me up for 1:30pm. We are playing the third of our Stockholm shows. We made the flight in good time and were at the hotel for 6pm. I had to have a rest as I was still feeling rough.
Left the hotel at 7:30pm and met with Sola and some of the guys from J Lindeberg. I had a room set up for them with some drinks and stuff. We had a chat and then I got ready for the show. Did me warm up and boy was I feeling stiff and tired.

The gig went really well all considered. I again didn’t have me best gig but we still rocked the house. Not as good a reaction as the first two shows but I think that it was still a cracking show. Thank you to all our fans from Stockholm, Sweden and Scandinavia for making us so welcome and giving us the best tour so far. We all had the best time. Thank you all again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, we had the day off here in Eindoven. Yesterday we traveled in from Stockholm and arrived at 2pm. After checking into me room I went for a walk with Minnie and Ena but was still feeling a little tired. Headed back to the hotel and had an early meal in the hotel restaurant. After dinner I went straight to bed. I watched the telly for what seemed a lifetime and turned in at around 3 this morning. Highlight of me night was the ‘Who’ concert on BBC. ‘Kin fantastic. Not only was it a wonderful show it was from the ‘Kin ‘Roundhouse’ in Camdem. I played there meself in the seventies with a band called ‘Streetwalkers.
The place was closed down for ever but it has been used recently for videos and the odd bit of filming, we did the Rainmaker video in there. I’m so happy that they are having live shows there again. It is a fantastic venue.

Pete Townsend is just phenomenal, as was the rest of the band. The song ‘Mirror Door’ was awesome. The show really cheered me up. What a ‘Kin gig, I would have loved to have been there for that one

Well, got to go and have something to eat boys and girls. Not good to take medicine on an empty stomach is it????? AAAHHHEEE!!!

Stay safe and well
God bless you all.
=Nicko=

Snake · Sat Dec 09, 2006 2:53 pm

"We then decided to go to the Hard Rock café here in Oslo for a spot of lunch. Well, can you believe it, when we got the ‘Kin bill they had charged us for the ‘Kin vinegar AND the mayonnaise. I had a word with the manager but to now avail, she would not relent and so kept the charge on the bill. Can you believe that!!"

Hotel room Oslo Norway
Time: 3:15pm
November 21, 2006

Well, well, well, had a nice day so far and an even better evening last night.

We played at the Scandinavian Arena in Gothenburg Sweden.
It was a smashing gig. We played really well again and had a remarkably good time on stage. Lots of fun tonight I can tell you!!
At the intro to TRoBB I come out in front of the drums as I usually do to sit on the steps to watch Mr. Murray play that intro. I just love hearing his guitar on that section. Well, Bruce came up behind me and squashed me between his legs locking me in place with vice like energy. It was getting close to the end of the intro and he would not let me up. Well, he started joking with the audience saying, “Shall we let the drummer up or leave him here”?
I was getting in a bit of a pickle I can tell you, so with all the strength I could muster I stood up trying to carry Bruce on my shoulders. It nearly worked but he managed to jump off just as I was rising up.
I love it when things out of the ordinary happen like this, it really makes the evening a little more special. Of coarse sometimes things like that can go horribly wrong, but not tonight.
We all had a blast and backstage we all were in agreement that it was a stunning gig. Loads of energy and good playing!!!!!

After the show we had our showers and got ready for the drive to the airport. We had decided to come straight up to Oslo after show.
It was only a 40 minute flight and then the drive from the airport to downtown. The drive is about 45 minutes and we were at the hotel at around 1:30am.
Well, when we arrived there were two fans waiting for us at the hotel doorway. I asked them how they knew when we would be here in Oslo. One guy said that it was a secret as to how they knew so he didn’t want to tell me his source. ‘Kin cheek, all I wanted to know was how or who told him only as a matter of interest.
Oh well, ‘Kin bollox that’s all I can say about that!!!!!!!! TEEHEE

This afternoon I went for a nice stroll with Ena and Minnie, we had a pit stop at a nice coffee house and had a rest from our travels. We sat outside with our drinks and I had a nice warm blanket to put over me knees. ‘Kin great that. Most of the restaurants have places to sit outside and they all have either heaters or blankets for you to take advantage of, very civilized. We then decided to go to the Hard Rock café here in Oslo for a spot of lunch. Well, can you believe it, when we got the ‘Kin bill they had charged us for the ‘Kin vinegar AND the mayonnaise. I was astounded, what a ‘Kin liberty that was, especially as there were a host of our wonderful fans coming into their restaurant for smudges and autographs and whatnot.
Anyway, I had a word with the manager but to now avail, she would not relent and so kept the charge on the bill. Can you believe that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are playing at the Oslo Valhall this evening. Looking forward to that.

Oh yes I forgot to tell you that I had a very pleasant day off in Stockholm on Sunday. I slept till late and then arranged to meet with Sola for an early meal. I did have a wonderful hour with a remarkable therapist who worked on my back. I had to go to her office and she gave me acupuncture to relieve me stress and some electric shock treatment and a deep tissue massage. I felt like a million dollars after I can tell you!!!!

After the treatment, Sola and I went to a wonderful seafood restaurant. It was great. We had a nice bottle of Chablis, yes boys and girls I did say Chablis. I know what you’re thinking. He usually drinks the red right well, I fancied a change didn’t I??? So I did see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Had an early night and was ready for the next day’s adventure.

Star safe and well
God bless you all.
=Nicko=

Snake · Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:33 pm

Norwegian fansite MaidenNorway has posted a following update from Rod Smallwood, who is checking in from Barcelona Spain on Wednesday, November 29th:

"Firstly apologies for being a bit late on this – its been quite hectic!!! From where l left off we flew into Gothenburg for the show at the Scandinavian – cap 10,500 and again sold out immediately last February we have played here a lot over the years – l was told it was the 10th time and we have played there more than any other act, including Swedish artists! - and the crowd is always terrific. And again this time was no exception. After the show we headed for the airport to fly into Oslo for the show the next day..."

Got up early in Oslo to catch up with emails then went off with Pelle from EMI and Janick (Gers) to go to the Viking Museum. Really interesting – they had the remains of Viking longships from over a thousand years ago. When a chieftain or important person died they were buried with the boat and as they believed in the afterlife _ Valhalla _ like the Egyptians, they would bury with them food, booze and everyday items that may be useful……and of course a few weapons! There are apparently reckoned to be many more as yet undiscovered longships with bodies buried around Norway. Being a fan of the old classic Kirk Douglas film “The Vikings” l always thought the chieftains were put on a pyre on the longboat which was set on fire and sent out to sea!! The lines of the boats were really quite beautiful but l wouldn’t fancy crossing the North Atlantic in one – it must have taken remarkable courage to cross to Greenland and Nova Scotia as they did …..some 500 years or so before Columbus. In Norway they are rightly very proud of this heritage.

And believe it or not the hall we played was called Valhalla. Its actually a massive well constructed “shed” with a flat floor big enough to hold a football pitch. Sold out 12,500 fans on the floor, sort of like an indoor festival. We were presented with gold discs by EMI prior to the show – thanks guys. Another really good gig.

After the show we flew straight off back home and l got home to Brighton at about 2.30am.

I missed the shows in Bergen and the third Globen in Stockholm but the band told me both went really well. I had meetings in London, a wedding on the Saturday and coincidentally (of course) the days home coincided with the first test match at the Gabba in Perth. This has now been renamed the Gabbattoir as we sadly got well and truly hammered. Stayed up til the early hours each night hoping for a change in fortune but to no avail. A couple of weeks ago just before the team set off l had the pleasure of spending some time ….and indeed a few beers…. with our captain Freddie Flintoff and he is as great a guy and drinking partner as he appears to be in the media. Wished him luck of course – he needs to win the toss in Adelaide on Friday. It would be really sad if after such a great summers cricket last year for the Ashes if we didn’t get a close contest down under. Heres hoping. I will be on tour during this period so need to find somewhere in Milan that has test cricket on all night!!! Any ideas??? I wont even talk about the rugby on last Saturday when another miserable performance saw us lose to south Africa. What is happening with English sport??!!

On Monday the 27th it was back on the plane to Den Bosch – 14,000 sold out months ago and the biggest indoor show we have done in Holland. Another really good show and a few beers with Bruce (Dickinson) in the hotel bar then my minibar after.

The following day it was off to Paris – that’s yesterday now! Bercy was the first show we played in Europe when Bruce rejoined and has always been a bit special to us as a venue. It really is a fine hall and again it was sold out 16,500. it must be about the seventh time we have played there and the Paris audience is always VERY LOUD!!! No exception here – great show. Our agent John and our publisher from BMG Paul were over so spent some time with them. Also met up with Francois from Neighbourhood Of The Beast and he brought along Herve. Herve is a fan and also a really good artist who asked to do our event shirts for some of the dates so if you have the great event shirts from Scandi or Paris you are wearing his very fine art. Thanks Herve, great job. Francois l am sure you will be reading this and l will no doubt see you at another gig soon!! Thanks for all your support with the Neighbourhood guys – you all do a terrific job and its always a pleasure to see you. The quality and commitment of our fans never ceases to amaze me.

After the show we went to a Pub near the hotel for a few well earned beers. Many French and UK fans in there but as always very cool. The band never mind doing autographs and having pics taken as long as they are not over pressured or hassled unduly – but with our fans this is a rare event so l take the opportunity to thank you guys for being reasonable and patient and not overbearing. A great night was ended with Dickie, Jan and myself raiding my minibar

Today l had a reasonable lie in til about 10 – and l needed it – then we left the hotel at 11am to get the plane to Barcelona. Tomorrow will be mad – having a night in tonight to heal the wounds and get ready for tomorrow – maybe catch a pay movie. Will catch up with you guys again soon."

BoBo · Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:59 pm

Napokon je i na mene dosao red. Sutra idem u Glasgow.

Vidimo se u ponedjeljak.

Screamy · Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:00 pm

have fun mate

Maiden croatia · Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:11 pm

pozdravi rangerse.... a koliko čujem i angus young trenutno tamo živi...

Snake · Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:16 pm

Gavin Allen of South Wales Echo has reviewed Maiden's show in Cardiff last night. Due to the excessive amount of spoilers you'll have to keep reading for the review.

Iron Maiden came close to vindicating their selfish decision last night but dropped the ball at the last.

In playing their 14th album A Matter Of Life and Death in its entirety - and each track one after the other at that - they were bound to disappoint swathes of the sold-out crowd, with even the hard-core fans tolerating rather than worshipping.

The thirst for them pre-gig saw thousands of devil horns silhouetted against the CIA's soulless white walls as the crowd chanted "Maiden! Maiden! Maiden!"

Vocalist Bruce Dickinson bouncy-balled magnificently onto the stage but when five tracks in he confirmed they would play the whole album there was a negative reaction; largely silence, even the odd boo.

It's a shame because the war-obsessed album - the stage set was designed like a World War Two bunker with broken masonry and sandbags - is among their strongest material.

Classically mock-operatic, the likes of These Colours Don't Run, The Longest Day and The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg would grace any of their previous albums.

But when that lot was over, after forcing people to tolerate 70-odd minutes of such indulgence, the pay-off simply wasn't enough.

The crowd exploded into mosh circles to the opening bars of Fear Of The Dark but the follow up of Iron Maiden, Two Minutes To Midnight, The Evil That Men Do and Hallowed Be Thy Name, while glorious in themselves, was too eclectic.

Maiden won't regret the decisions they made last night, but their fans will.

BoBo · Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:22 pm

Ivan · Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:46 pm

axy · Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:34 pm

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