We dissect Iron Maiden's most epic show ever

Iron Maiden performing live

Iron Maiden's Legacy Of The Beast tour is nothing short of epic. The setlist alone is enough to send our tiny metal-addled brains into spasm, but the production is like nothing we have ever seen before. Sure, we know the mighty Iron Maiden love to bring the big guns, but this tour is just silly. Planes, pyro, flamethrowers, Eddies, even bigger Eddies... this is just a taste of what you're in for when the Legacy Of The Beast tour rolls in to town.

Here we break down the mind-blowing show into its vital parts, frothing at the mouth as we type.

The Stage(s)

First unveiled as a fog-ridden, smokey battlefield covered in army-grade camouflage netting, the stage evolves as the show goes on – first into a luscious, stained-glass chapel, and then an ancient, demonic vision of Hell. Lovely.

The Plane

The first and, arguably, biggest new addition to the Iron Maiden set. Coming flying out of the back of the set and swerving over the stage for Aces High, this is one you really have to see to believe. Dave insists it’s “so big you can get in it”. 

Iron Maiden performing live

The Pyro

Seriously, there’s enough fire and sparks going on here to make Rammstein look twice. Stand too close to this Maiden set and we promise you there will be singed eyebrows come bedtime.

The Noose

Brought onstage by Bruce during Hallowed Be Thy Name (when else?), this delightfully cheerful little prop is so at home in the Iron Maiden set it’s a wonder it hasn’t made more appearances over the years.

The Trooper Eddie

Arguably the most iconic Eddie of all makes a reappearance in the song of the same name, and he’s looking particularly grim and battle-trodden this time around. He still likes a good swear, though. The cheeky fucker.

Iron Maiden Eddie

The Cross

One of Bruce’s more cumbersome props, it looks pretty damn badass as it lights up while he stalks the stage with it during set highlight Sign Of The Cross.

The Icarus Statue

Maybe the coolest extra detail in the whole set. A towering, winged figure straight out of Greek mythology looms over the band as they fly through Flight Of Icarus. Though it’s very much in danger throughout the song thanks to a marauding Mr Dickinson, who happens to be packing…

The Flamethrowers

Yup, you heard right. Someone decided to greenlight the idea to let Bruce Dickinson bound around onstage with two giant flamethrowers attached to his person. Well, we did say they’d gone Full Rammstein with this one…

The Big Eddie

Best Eddie Ever? It’s got some stiff competition, but our favourite definitely-not-a-zombie-mascot has been given such an extreme, satanic makeover that he’s almost unrecognisable. It’s easily the most metal Eddie ever, and it looks immense in the flesh.

Iron Maiden live performance

The Costumes

Honestly, start a drinking game based around every time Bruce has a costume change and you’ll be bladdered by halfway in. We won’t spoil them all, but our favourite is his rather excellent, top-hatted Fear Of The Dark set-up. Spooky.

Iron Maiden are on the cover of this month's issue of Metal Hammer – available in shops now and via our own online store.

There is also a world exclusive Iron Maiden Legacy bundle with an exclusive Pharaoh Eddie patch and a limited edition Legacy Of The Beast figure. 

Iron Maiden bundle

Iron Maiden's Legacy Of The Beast tour wraps up in Europe this summer. Dates below:

Jul 24: Zagreb Arena, Croatia
Jul 27: Krakow Tauron Arena, Poland
Jul 28: Krakow Tauron Arena, Poland
Jul 31: Newcastle Radio Arena, UK
Aug 02: Belfast SSE Arena, UK
Aug 04: Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre, UK
Aug 06: Manchester Arena, UK
Aug 07: Birmingham Genting Arena, UK
Aug 10: London O2 Arena, UK

Metal Hammer

Founded in 1983, Metal Hammer is the global home of all things heavy. We have breaking news, exclusive interviews with the biggest bands and names in metal, rock, hardcore, grunge and beyond, expert reviews of the lastest releases and unrivalled insider access to metal's most exciting new scenes and movements. No matter what you're into – be it heavy metal, punk, hardcore, grunge, alternative, goth, industrial, djent or the stuff so bizarre it defies classification – you'll find it all here, backed by the best writers in our game.