It was a night to remember at the MTelus as one of the giants of metal, Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson, brought his solo tour to town. After more than twenty years of attending shows in Montreal, I had never seen him perform live, so finally crossing this one off my list felt like a small victory.
The evening kicked off with local underground band Noor, who had the honour of opening before a packed house. For a young band, this was a big moment, and they seized it. Their half-hour set was a blur of rapid-fire riffs, soaring solos, and relentless drumming that had the audience headbanging almost immediately. They handled the big stage with confidence, and I left impressed — they’re a band I’ll be keeping an eye on.
After a short break, the room buzzed with anticipation. When the lights dimmed and Bruce appeared, the crowd erupted. Switching easily into French, he asked if Montreal was ready, and the response nearly took the roof off.
They wasted no time, launching into “Accident of Birth.” The audience sang every word as the band powered through a high-energy opener, complete with a playful keytar solo. Bruce moved across the stage with the energy of someone half his age, leading claps, urging singalongs, and proving why he’s still one of metal’s most magnetic frontmen. “Abduction” and “Laughing in the Hiding Bush” kept the adrenaline pumping as the band locked in behind him.
Bruce then took a moment to thank the French Canadian fans for their passion before introducing “Shadow of the Gods.” He began the song on theremin, which added a haunting edge to the opening. The track slowly built from a heartfelt ballad into a thundering, heavy groove, his voice soaring over it all — a clear reminder that his range and power remain intact.
“Chemical Wedding” followed to huge cheers, and then came the surprise of the night. Bruce teased that some in the room might have spoiled it by peeking at the setlist. I had, but it didn’t take away from the thrill. He started an a cappella verse of Iron Maiden’s “Revelations,” and when the band kicked into “Flash of the Blade,” the room exploded. It’s a deep cut Maiden have never performed live, and hearing it from Bruce felt like a gift. Judging by the reactions around me, I wasn’t the only one grinning ear to ear.
The show pushed forward with “Resurrection Men” and “Rain on the Graves,” with Bruce sharing stories between songs. The drummer delivered a solo that brought the house down, leading straight into a cover of The Edgar Winter Group’s “Frankenstein.” During the jam, Bruce returned to the theremin as the backdrop flashed the words “Oh my god! It’s a theremin,” which had the crowd laughing.
As the main set closed, the band ripped through “The Alchemist,” “Book of Thel,” and “Road to Hell,” with Bruce introducing the band one by one. The audience filled the venue with the traditional “Ole, Ole, Ole” chant until the band returned.
The encore began with “Tears of the Dragon,” performed with acoustic guitar and bathed in a soft glow. It was a reminder of why Bruce’s voice is still considered one of the best in metal. For the finale, he grabbed a pair of taiko drums, joining the drummer before the band launched into “Gods of War” and finally “The Tower.”
For anyone who has followed Bruce Dickinson’s solo work, this was a career-spanning performance that balanced old favourites with fresh material, delivered with the energy and charisma of a man who refuses to slow down. Seeing him in the intimate setting of the MTelus felt special — one of those nights that will stick with me for years.
Setlist:
- Accident of Birth
- Abduction
- Laughing in the Hiding Bush
- Shadow of the Gods
- Chemical Wedding
- Flash of the Blade (Iron Maiden song) (preceded by a cappella version of “Revelations” first verse)
- Resurrection Men
- Rain on the Graves
- Drum Solo
- Frankenstein (The Edgar Winter Group cover)
- The Alchemist
- Book of Thel
- Road to Hell (with band introductions)
Encore:
- Tears of the Dragon
- Gods of War
- The Tower
Review – Jason Maher
Photos – Ryan Rumpel
