Rod in Toronto

I'll interview Ian Anderson next week to discuss the new album!

Danish. Very cool band that I've never seen live. They're one of the last bands I discovered in the "traditional" way of going to a music store and trying something new. I was in Copenhagen, went to a record store and asked for a recommendation of a new Danish metal band, and they recommended Volbeat. There was an iconic weekend in Toronto where Maiden played on Saturday with Ghost as an opening act, and Metallica and Volbeat played on Sunday. Janes Hetfield was in the middle of the crowd for Maiden, but I didn't see him...I met Rob Caggiano, Volbeat's guitar player, between Ghost and Maiden, and took a picture with him. That weekend would have been Earl's Heaven!

New song came out today!!!

I thought about going to this show. It was at the Massey Hall, which is reopening now with a series of unique shows by Canadian artists. This was cool, but I would have paid $150 for less than 8 minutes of Alex playing. There's a point where fandom stops making sense.

Got two tickets for the Toronto show in October. Now the debate begins...who should I bring, my wife or my daghter? I brought my wife in 2019, so I was thinking now it's time to bring Stella...she will be 8 next year, and I don't think there will be many chances of seeing Maiden in the years to come.

Trivium is a much better fit to be the opener in this bill imo. Within Temptation is a great band, which I got to know when I interviewed their singer, but I think the audience will have a harder time to embrace them. We'll see.

Soul Mover, Music for the Divine, FUNK and my favorite, Addiction. I have everything he released, and love his solo output!

She was actually Brazilian.

He's been on an incredible roll lately, and has completely reinvented his career with the last 3 or 4 releases. I'll be honest, I wasn't too excited about a Christmas album with guitar versions of the songs - it's been done before, and I didn't think we needed another one. But he deconstructed those songs and made them into completely different ones. Let me now what you think of the interview, man!

Also, I don't know if you guys are familiar with their song "Build me up, break me down", from A Dramatic Turn Of Events. It's almost a carbon copy of this song:

As I Am is pure Metallica too.

I've heard of him! Yes, but have you listened to the interview with Paul? Give us a like and a comment, mate!!!

I believe John 5 belongs in the same category. I went to see him without knowing much about what to expect, and left completely amazed. He can play, and puts on a great show!!!

Paul Gilbert is a genius. He's been on an amazing path with his solo albums lately. The most recent one is called 'Twas, and consists of versions of Christmas carols, with new material which is also on the same Christmas spirit. I'm no Rick Beato, but I did a good interview with Paul to promote this album. Hope you like it: If you can leave a comment on the video, that would be of great help!

Oh my God!!!! I was supposed to interview him a while ago when Egomania came out. It is indeed a great album, and Turbonegro is amazing. Such a shame! May he rest in peace.

His focus right now is on finishing the album with Andy Curran of Coney Hatch.

I read an interview with Bruce where he said he was a big fan of the song Prodigal Son. That's the only song off the first two albums Maiden has never played live. I wonder if he could convince Steve to finally play it. You are right! Bruce mentioned that he wants to play "Prodigal Son!" That would be incredible!! I think that song fits his voice well. Not sure why they never did it with him before. I totally agree! It's a good song, but their catalogue has so many better ones! Let's be honest, if they played this one, 89% of the crowd would be scratching their heads.

I wouldn't go that far with it. There is certainly something missing for me with this album. I've come to enjoy the last three songs but everything else just doesn't do anything for me. I still feel like the album has a lack of energy to it and nothing comes right out and punches you in the face like most of their albums do. Haven't listened to it in weeks, and highly doubt that I'll come back to it.

Happy Birthday!!! If you're staying longer, let me know if you'd like to catch up!!!

I think aside from Alexander the Great, Montsegur and Empire of the Clouds, they played everything I'd like them to play. I love Gangland, Quest for Fire and Sun and Steel, but they would fail miserably in a live setting...now, if you want to make a list of "rarely played songs" from their catalogue, I'd be up for it!!!

Transcending Time is PURE Rush juice!!!!

Can't wait to hear it. Last album was brilliant. If you enjoyed Systematic Chaos, and want BETTER, eat your heart out! My least favorite album. I hope it's nothing like that. There are instrumental sections on the album that will remind you of Systematic Chaos, but the resemblance stops there.

I LOVED it from start to finish!