There are certain bands that when you see them, you know you’re in for an EXPERIENCE and a perfect example of that is Iron Maiden. On Sunday (again with the Sunday shows) September 27, 2026, they brought their Run For Your Lives Tour BMO Stadium in Los Angeles and for support were Anthrax and Megadeth. Let’s take a look……
Sitting just south of Downtown LA and next to the LA Coliseum, BMO Stadium is definitely one of those venues that it doesn’t matter where you are, it’s always going to be great. I’ve always had a great time there and kicking off the night was Anthrax.
As I’ve said many times, Anthrax are one of the most fun bands you’ll see live and they are the perfect opener for a show like this. They kicked their set (and the night off) with “Caught In A Mosh” and that’s always a great way to open a show!! Of course after that they immediately went right into “Madhouse” and “Metal Thrashing Mad.” Now of course they did play their covers of “Got The Time” and “Antisocial” and I really wish that they would take those out of their set. They only played for 35 minutes and if you have that short of a set, I would rather hear and see you play originals. Also their latest album Cursum Perficio just came not too long ago so why you wouldn’t play songs off that is beyond me. Scott Ian and Frank Bello both were moving around on stage and really are just a lot of fun to watch and not to mention their guitar and bass playing was on point!! Charlie Benante proves why he is one of the best drummers and while I’m glad Pantera is back doing shows, Anthrax is where he does his best work. Normally lead guitar player Jon Donais just stands there but he was actually moving around this time. I’ve seen him with Anthrax a few times and he was at his best for this. Joey’s singing was some of the best it’s ever been and really just tied it all together. All that aside, if this is your first time seeing them then this is the perfect set.
Up next was Megadeth and oh boy…Megadeth. Where do I start with this one?? Well let’s start with the positives here. You know there was a time where I would get excited anytime they were playing and when this tour was announced I did get excited seeing them on the bill. I’ve seen this band six other times including in Italy and it’s been just about 10 years since I last saw them. Musically, they sounded great. Dave Mustaine has had a rough go at life (cancer, pinched nerve in his arm) and for being 65 years old can still absolutely shred. When it comes to great guitar playing, there are some that have it and he most certainly does. The other members in the band sounded great especially bassist James LoMenzo. I’ve seen him one other time and he is a great frontman in his own right.
Now we get to the biggest point of contention….Dave’s voice. At times it was downright painful to hear Dave sing. He was off key, off time, and at one point, he didn’t even sing at all and the crowd was singing the song. Like I said downright painful and he did announce that Megadeth are in fact retiring but if he keeps singing this way, he won’t even make it through the first leg of that farewell tour. Now maybe he sounded better on earlier tour dates but this was awful. They opened the set with “Mechanix (basically “The Four Horseman” by Metallica) and then played “Ride The Lightning.” What’s even worse is that the people around me were all excited and going crazy over it. If you open your set with what are effectively two Metallica songs, then you have to be trolling right?? Seriously out of all the songs in that catalogue, those are the two you go with?? Every time I’ve seen them Dave has always said “I want to thank you all for coming out tonight!! You’ve been great we’ve been Megadeth goodnight” except this time it was a monotone “thank you.” At the end of the day, Dave Mustaine is a legend and an icon who has more than earned his place in metal but if he really wants to make it through the yet unannounced final tour, he would be wise to hire a singer who can really do these songs right. I can honestly say that I won’t be disappointed if I never see this band again.
Time for the main event………Iron Maiden. At 8:41, the lights dimmed and the song “Doctor Doctor” by UFO starts followed by “The Ides Of March.” Of course this is one of those times where you felt the excitement building and on screen was an animated tour of Stratford (East London area) where you see the Cart And Horses bar (where Iron Maiden was born) to eventually a graffitied portrait of their mascot Eddie (The Killers version). It stops, paints his portrait, and then BOOM the band opens the night with “Murders In The Rue Morgue.” Following that up with “Wrathchild” then right into “Killers” is such a great three hit opening. At 68 years old, frontman Bruce Dickinson has so much energy.
This is my third time seeing Iron Maiden and every time, he’s always had the same amount of energy. He runs around on stage while absolutely nailing each and every song and it’s really a fun thing to watch. Of course the band itself which consists of Steve Harris on bass, Adrian Smith on guitar, new touring drummer Simon Dawson, and guitarists Dave Murray and Janick Gers are absolutely enjoying themselves and are having fun. Quick side note I love the fact that Janick was Adrian’s replacement and then when Adrian came back, they decided to just keep him as a full time member. Having a third guitar player just adds to the already badassery that is Iron Maiden.
Of course since this is a “hits” tour, you can’t not have songs like “The Trooper” and “Run To The Hills” which still sound great. Those songs may be their most played out but seeing them live definitely hits differently. But even with them playing those songs, they managed to play two of my absolute favorites “Fear Of The Dark” and “Aces High.” Before closing the night out with “Wasted Years” which is the perfect way to end an already amazing show.
That’s what’s great about Iron Maiden shows is that there’s always something for everyone. Every song tells a story and you put that with the visuals and all of that makes for one hell of an experience. That’s exactly what you get when you see Iron Maiden an experience. Everything from the visuals to the stage setup to Bruce Dickinson wearing various things costumes like the red coat during “The Trooper” all make for one HELL of a show.
From my first time seeing them on the Somewhere Back In Time tour in 2008 to the Days Of Future Past tour in 2024, these guys haven’t lost a step or their edge. I love the fact that you’ll either get a hits tour such as this most recent one or when they have a new album out, they play a bulk of it with a heavy focus on another album. As I said these guys are in their 70’s and they still play and move on stage like they’re still in their 30’s. Iron Maiden have now made my list of Bands To Always Try To See. You know that when this band comes to your neck of the woods, they definitely give you your money’s worth.
Final Grade: A
Anthrax is:
Joey Belladonna: Voice
Scott Ian: Guitar/Backing Voice
Charlie Benante: Drums
Frank Bello: Bass/Backing Voice
Jon Donais: Guitar
Anthrax played:
- Caught in a Mosh
- Madhouse
- Metal Thrashing Mad
- Antisocial
(Trust cover) - It’s for the Kids
- Got the Time
(Joe Jackson cover) - Indians
(with “War Dance” fake stop)
Megadeth is:
Dave Mustaine: Voice/Guitar
James LoMenzo: Bass
Dirk Verbeuren: Drums
Teemu Mäntysaari: Guitar
Megadeth played:
- Mechanix
- Ride the Lightning
(Metallica cover) - Hangar 18
- Let There Be Shred
- Poison Was the Cure
- Tornado of Souls
- Symphony of Destruction
- Peace Sells
- Holy Wars… The Punishment Due
Iron Maiden is:
Bruce Dickinson: Voice
Steve Harris: Bass
Adrian Smith: Guitar
Dave Murray: Guitar
Janick Gers: Guitar
Simon Dawson: Drums
Iron Maiden played:
- Murders in the Rue Morgue
- Wrathchild
- Killers
- Phantom of the Opera
- The Number of the Beast
- Infinite Dreams
- Powerslave
- 2 Minutes to Midnight
- Rime of the Ancient Mariner
- Run to the Hills
- Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
- The Trooper
- Hallowed Be Thy Name
- Iron Maiden
Encore:
- Aces High
- Fear of the Dark
- Wasted Years
