Artist: IRON MAIDEN
Album: BRAVE NEW WORLD (CD)

Year: 2000
EAN/UPS: 724352660520
Media type: CD

The reunion 'Brave New World' album (internet reports of an album title of 'Majesty Of Gaia' would be proved false), arriving in May 2000, vindicated the return of Dickinson with a vengeance, this despite tracks such as 'Nomad', 'Dream Of Mirrors' and 'Mercenary' being re-worked versions of tracks originally demoed for the 'Virtual XI' sessions. IRON MAIDEN scored a number 3 album in Germany with the 'Wicker Man' single going top ten in Britain. The album would blaze a trail across the international charts landing at number 7 in their homeland, 39 in the USA and even scoring a number one in the Heavy Metal strongholds both Sweden and Greece. Generally, the European continent's national charts found 'Brave New World' inhabiting the upper reaches, a definitive renewal of fortunes.

Courageously, IRON MAIDEN opened the set on their 'Brave New World' tour with three brand new album tracks back to back - 'The Wicker Man', 'Ghost Of The Navigator' and 'Brave New World'. The theatrics accompanying the band harked back to the glory years, with an elaborate array of props, special effects and an updated wicker Eddie. This global steamroller first bared its teeth at the Festival des Artйfacts in Strasbourg, France on June 2nd. Following a next day headline performance at the 'Dynamo' festival in Nijmegen's Goffert Park in Holland IRON MAIDEN hooked up with Steve Harris protйgйs DIRTY DEEDS to blaze across Europe. Support was switched to THE ALMIGHTY for June 13th's show at the Palais des Spectacles in Saint-Йtienne, France whilst SLAYER took on a special guest role in Paris and London. Notably the Song Festival show in Tallinn on July 2nd gave IRON MAIDEN their first ever show in Estonia.

A batch of European festival performances, in Germany, Bulgaria and Greece, were cancelled when Janick Gers sustained injuries after falling offstage during 'Number Of The Beast' in Mannheim on July 8th. The guitarist had recovered in time for the Vilar de Mouros festival in Portugal on July 16th supported by SPIRITUAL BEGGARS, ENTOMBED, ROLLINS BAND and RAMP. For the ensuing Spanish concerts SPIRITUAL BEGGARS followed in tow.

IRON MAIDEN were back in action touring North America at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario on August 1st with support from HALFORD and ENTOMBED. After three Canadian concerts the package was re-jigged to see IRON MAIDEN and HALFORD joined by QUEENSRYCHE for a US re-debut at New York's Madison Square Garden on August 5th. Although back in demand and pulling strong crowds IRON MAIDEN's resurgence was unfortunately marred by the stabbing of four fans at their Los Angeles Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre gig on September 13th. A mammoth, and hugely successful, series of dates finally closed on September 20th at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada.

In October the 'Brave New World' tour landed in Japan, with concerts held in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sendai, Fukuoka and Yokohama. They then partnered with HALFORD once again for November shows in the UK, Germany and Greece.

Quite bizarrely news emerged in 2000 that one of IRON MAIDEN's earliest guitarists Tony Parsons had created an IRON MAIDEN tribute band named METALWORKS 2000 including ex-ALICE COOPER and THE ALMIGHTY guitarist Pete Friezin and ex-JUDAS PRIEST drummer Les Binks.

A more surreal addition to the family came with the emergence of Californian act IRON MAIDENS. A quite unique tribute band being the first all female homage to IRON MAIDEN. The act includes some highly respected players in their own right featuring the PHANTOM BLUE duo of guitarist Josephine and drummer Linda McDonald, PROZACT PRINCESS singer Jenny, ex-BANDIT guitarist Sara and NEW EDEN bassist Melanie Sisneros (a.k.a. "Stephanie Harris").

TRACKLIST:

1. The Wicker Man
2. Ghost Of The Navigator
3. Brave New World
4. Blood Brothers
5. The Mercenary
6. Dream Of Mirrors
7. The Fallen Angel
8. The Nomad
9. Out Of The Silent Planet
10. The Thin Line Between Love And Hate

LINE-UP:

Bruce Dickinson (vocals)
Dave Murray (guitar)
Janick Gers (guitar)
Adrian Smith (guitar)
Steve Harris (bass)
Nicko McBrain (drums)