IRON Maiden hit Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena on the first date of their Legacy of The Beast tour.

Faithful fans queued in all-black ensembles, donned in merchandise dating from 1985 through to their last world tour in 2017, ready to re-live one more night with the heavy metal giants.

Lead singer Bruce Dickinson made full use of the stage wearing a fighter pilot’s suit as the band opened with the song Aces High, accompanied by an impressive inflatable spitfire soaring over their heads.

The frontman addressed the crowd early in the show, telling them it would be the only time he would speak fully to let what was happening on stage tell The Beast’s story.

We quickly realised the aircraft from earlier was just the beginning, as each song was told through rolling background scenery, costume changes and props that tried to outdo each other until eventually Dickinson was standing on a platform with his own personal flame thrower and duelling with a live 10ft skeleton.

The atmosphere stayed high as the band played favourite after favourite, throwing out anthems such as The Trooper, Flight Of Icarus and The Number Of The Beast. The only bit of respite the audience received was during the slow opening of Fear Of The Dark.

The band disappeared for short minute before rising again for a much-requested encore. They finished with their most notorious song, Run To The Hills, truly keeping the crowd hooked until the last.

  • Pictures by Dave Lawrence.