Photos by Brooke Striewski

It’s been over fifteen years since the last time I’ve heard Iron Maiden’s music live back in 2011, and although I’ve since seen frontman Bruce Dickinson on his spoken word tour more recently in 2022, it felt as though it was time to finally dust off the old Eddie merch and catch longtime drummer Nicko McBrain’s latest project Titanium Tart at The Barn in Sanford, FL this past Saturday, August 29 – another amazing show brought to you by Lazer Focused Talent Agency.

Upon arrival once again with my wife/photographer Brooke, I was a bit disappointed to learn that we had missed up-and-coming metal act Maximum Friction’s set entirely. However, within minutes of walking through the door and running into an old/familiar face, Douglas (who if memory serves we hadn’t seen since an Orlando Queensryche show back in 2018), we were informed that we missed an amazing set that included a cover of Anthrax’s “Caught in a Mosh” (footage since posted online confirm this indeed).

Metallica tribute act Medal Militia were well into Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” (there’s that song again!) by the time we fully got our bearings. Now, I’ve made my conflicted stance on tribute acts well known over the years (especially when it’s for a band that’s still active and touring like Metallica), but when you can see the passion for the material really shining through each member on stage, I tend to be more open-minded to the idea. (Bonus points that some of the members in the band are actually veterans, too…THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.) I’d be lying if I said I wanted to go out of my way to hear overplayed tracks like “Masters of Puppets” or “Enter Sandman” in any given setting most times though, but the guys were definitely spot on with their playing, and they honestly did have me fully engaged with their version of “One.”

Medal Militia performing at The Barn in Sanford, FL on 8/29/26. (Photo by Brooke Striewski)

And finally, Nicko McBrain and company took stage right around 8pm, opening with a soaring version of “The Number of the Beast.” (As soon as I heard frontman Paolo Velasquez hit that high note that was enough to make Dickinson proud, I knew we were in for one hell of an evening!) From then on it was a barrage of tracks both old and new that one’s not likely to hear at every Maiden show these days, including “Infinite Dreams,” “The Writing on the Wall,” “The Clansman,” and another Blaze Bayley-era cut (and an all-round personal favorite of mine that I had to actually record some of, complete with the monk chants in the very beginning), “Sign of the Cross.” Side thought/pet peeve of mine here, for those who like to stand in the way and shoot video for every song at shows like this these days – what are you doing with all of this footage, are you really re-watching it that much?! And doesn’t anyone like to actually just live in the moment at all anymore?!

But I digress, after another newer track in the form of “Darkest Hour,” McBrain briefly stepped out from behind his kit to engage some with the crowd. It was around this time that we were able to witness a very real Spinal Tap-ish (I never tire of using this reference!) moment when he attempted to throw something out in the crowd so high that it actually landed on the rafters, though efforts to retrieve the item with a mic and stand proved to be in vain. After a few laughs, McBrain resumed his position, and got back down to business with “Stranger in a Strange Land.”

Nicko McBrain steps out from behind his drum kit to give us the most Spinal Tap-like moment of the night at The Barn in Sanford, FL on 8/29/26. (Photo by Brooke Striewski)

“When the Wild Wind Blows” was up next before a face-melting rendition of “The Trooper” was sandwiched between it and “For the Greater Good of God.” Then finally, the one-two punch of “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and “Hallowed Be Thy Name” closed things out for the near-dream like set list for most Maiden fans (of course there’s maybe a track or two in there I would’ve personally switched out for something else).

On a personal note, I’d be lying if I said my mind was not elsewhere for a good portion of this show, as my father was recently hospitalized the week prior to it. Looking back, I remember actually staying at his place in Ellenton all those years ago when I had gone to that previously-mentioned Iron Maiden Tampa show back in 2011, so in a way, he’s kind of been there with me for each occasion. I’ve never asked for prayers on here before, but right now certainly seems like a time we could use some, should anyone reading feel so inclined.

Album Review: Paul Di’Anno’s Warhorse – Self-Titled (BraveWords Records)

By: Jesse Striewski

Upon initially hearing Paul Di’Anno, beloved early Iron Maiden singer from the band’s first two classic albums, was coming back with an all-new project and studio album titled Warhorse, the first thoughts that came to mind were simply “sign me up!”

I wasn’t too crazy about the first song I heard from the album (“Stop the War”), but by the time “Here Comes the Night” was released as a single, I started to catch the bug. And like most good albums, the best tracks are likely not the ones with heavier exposure, but rather the songs that take a little more digging to find.

Title track “Warhorse” is an admirable enough album opener, while “Get Get Ready” and “Go” keep things, well, going. A metal version of “Tequila” adds a slight bit of intrigue, though ultimately ends up being one of the album’s more hokey numbers.

But the best is definitely saved for last here; “Forever Bound” adds a softer element a la “Strange World,” while album closer “Going Home” gives off a slight “Running Free” feel. Doubtful it’s about to win any album of the year awards anytime soon, but still a fun, welcomed return from a metal legend in his own right nonetheless.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Bruce Dickinson at The Plaza Live in Orlando, FL on 1/18/22 By Jesse Striewski/Photos By Brooke Striewski

Some bands and musicians I will never tire of no matter how old I get; Iron Maiden is one of those bands. Each and every time I revisit their catalog, I’m instantly transported back to being that fifteen year old kid, still trying in earnest to figure out any and every Steve Harris bassline I could in my old bedroom. And when I finally saw the band live in 2011 after years of admiration, I must have had the most visibly dopey smile around that night as I sat in the audience in complete awe.

So it didn’t take much to get me through the door at The Plaza Live for frontman Bruce Dickinson’s Orlando stop on his new spoken word tour, which just kicked off this week here in Florida. While worlds away from a Maiden or even solo performance, the charismatic singer spent the evening going through both his professional and personal life experiences with enough energy and one-liners to rival just about any stand up comedian.

Beginning with his early life and leading up to his joining bands like Shots and Samson during his college years, he eventually lead up to his induction into Iron Maiden and many of the adventures that naturally came with it, using slides along the way like a professor teaching his course. Of course he also discussed his career as an airline pilot and battle with cancer as well. But don’t expect to hear much singing at these shows; aside from brief a cappella lines from “Run to the Hills” and The Beatles’ “Let It Be” weaved within his storytelling, there was not a whole lot of it to be found.

After a brief intermission, where the video for the latest Maiden single, “The Writing on the Wall,” was displayed, Dickinson returned to answer questions from fans who turned in handwritten cards handed out before the show. This lead to some of the night’s most comical moments, with one particular, KISS vs. Slade inquiry posed from a Liverpool fan being one of the highlights.

I could see this perhaps not going over too well for a mere casual observer. But for a die hard fan, it was just the right amount of history (although I must confess, I was already familiar with many of his stories, having already read his autobiography). Dickinson has no doubt lead a fascinating life, and if you’re able to go in with an open mind, you might just be glad you did.

Album Review: KK’s Priest – Sermons of the Sinner (EX1 Records)

By: Jesse Striewski

Originally I had debated reviewing a certain other metal album that also came out last week, but swiftly decided I’d rather spend my time on some good, non-preachy metal that’s not actually lead by some delusional, hypocritical tool (sorry, Al). I’m beyond glad I went with KK’s Priests’ Sermons of the Sinner instead, which reaches epic proportions in no time.

When guitarist K.K. Downing originally left Judas Priest in 2011, I was legitimately disappointed; in my book, he was the driving force behind the band, and as irreplaceable as Keith Richards is to The Rolling Stones. But I was glad to hear of this new project of his called KK’s Priest, which also features one time Judas Priest frontman Tim “Ripper” Owens on vocals. To say what K.K. has assembled here is a winning combo would be an understatement.

Like the last effort from counterparts Iron Maiden, unrelenting guitar riffs and empowering lyrics are immediately in full swing here, even with album opener “Hellfire Thunderbolt” being one of the weakest numbers throughout. Tracks like “Raise Your Fists,” “Metal Through and Through,” and “All Hail the Priest” reawaken that primal, youthful spirit in a way that only metal truly can.

Is it perfect? No. But Sermons of the Sinner is without a doubt the Judas Priest album I’ve been hoping for for years now. And if the two factions can’t find a way to ever merge forces again, I suppose this really is the next best thing.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Album Review: Iron Maiden – Senjutsu (Parlophone/WMG)

By: Jesse Striewski

It’s been six years since Iron Maiden released their last studio album, 2015’s The Book of Souls. At the time, Rewind It Magazine still didn’t even exist (although I did review the album for another publication at the time), nor did half of the lunacy that has since plagued humanity. But leave it to good old reliable Iron Maiden to stick to their guns and continue to grow their metal catalogue with ease in a way that only they know how.

Senjutsu (their second double album, and seventeenth overall), is just as epic as anything the band has released yet. The eight minute long title track starts the record off promising, but things really pick up by “Stratego,” a rallying battle cry reminiscent of the band’s 1983 classic “The Trooper.” At no point does Maiden disappoint or let up, continuing to get deep and explore multiple themes on tracks like “Lost in a Lost World,” “Days of Future Past,” “Darkest Hour,” and “Hell on Earth.” The only “complaint” one might be able to find here (if looking for one) is the actual length of many of its songs.

Those who “get” Iron Maiden will always understand their genius. They’re not some washed up nostalgic act forced to rely on their material of yesterday, as so many acts from their era so often do. After years of admiration, I was lucky enough to finally see them live in 2011 for The Final Frontier tour; to this day, it remains one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended, and I would go see them tour for Senjutsu in a heartbeat as well. We’re beyond lucky to still have them around, and at the top of their game at that.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars