Even though the ticket price was high and there are too many concerts ahead of us, the Basketball Stadium in Helliniko was packed (the gig was sold-out) with 10,000 metalheads that were more than happy to see MAIDEN for another time in Greece. In fact there were a lot of youngsters that felt lucky to watch for the first time a Maiden concert accompanied by their more than eager parents.

After the adventure of discovering a parking space I entered the stadium without further problems and joined the anxious crowd that was watching the performance of Steve Harris's daughter Lauren. Apparently, her modern groovy Rock and high pitched screams did not manage to earn the Greek auditions that gave her a warm applause as soon as they stepped down from the stage.

The road crew quickly cleared the stage in 30 minutes giving the crowd some time to get prepared for another MAIDEN show. After a short delay of 15 minutes from the announced time and an intro with the band's cover version of UFO's Doctor, Doctor one of the Greek audiences's favorite band took over the stage that featured a war atmosphere with a very good lighting show. The young crowd greeted Different World with an enthusiastic pulse singing every single note. The band was rather numb except from Harris that never stopped jumping up and down celebrating his 51st birthday. Janick Gers was apparently affected by his foot injury (he was wearing a caliper in his right knee) while Murray and Smith looked rather stationary. After 2 more songs from MAIDEN's latest release the ice finally broke with the first notes of Wrathchild. The sound was very good despite the fact that the vocals were a little bit lost in the first lines in the arena. The crowd's energy flow took over the British band that once again proved that is better to be on-stage instead of the studio.

Fortunately, the rumors that they would perform the whole Matter Of Life And Death album were not affirmed. MAIDEN played 5 songs from it and gave space to some all-time classics like Trooper, Two Minutes To Midnight and Fear Of The Dark created a hot atmosphere in the Basket Ball court. Eddie made two glorious appearances inside a tank turret and as a soldier walking upon the stage. Dickinson who was in a very good mood informed us the last album became gold and that they chose Greece instead of China where they would play for the first time. He was totally stunned when for another time the audience called for Alexander The Great amongst the Maiden, Maiden cries. Bruce announced that they will do so (every time he does this) in the following Golden Years tour where they will perform songs from the next 3 albums counting from The Number Of The Beast release.

The set-list lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes and comprised the following songs:

1.Different World
2. These Colours Don't Run
3. Brighter Than A Thousand Suns
4. Wrathchild
5. The Trooper
6. Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
7. For The Greater Good of God
8. The Number of The Beast
9. Fear of The Dark
10. Run To The Hills
11. Iron Maiden
12. 2 Minutes To Midnight
13. The Evil That Men Do
14. Hallowed Be Thy Name

I think everyone must have left the stadium satisfied regarding MAIDEN's performance, the sound and the rich stage show (for the Greek standards). The concert's organization was in a satisfactory level despite the classic complaints for descent parking space and a quicker way to leave the stadium. Well, until the next time; Up The Irons!.