Last night I relived my youth by watching an Iron Maiden tribute band The Beast UK which is an obvious nod to the 1982 album The Number Of The Beast. This review went live earlier today but this is my version with a different selection of pics. I have admit that the bosses and staff at the Old Fire Station were more than helpful when I arrived.

The Beast UK, The Old Fire Station in Carlisle, Friday, July 31.

IT WAS May 1983 and I had left school the previous year when I first saw Iron Maiden at the Newcastle City Hall – it was my second proper gig, with the first being AC/DC the previous year at the same venue, and I totally enjoyed it as I recall.

I can remember chatting to local rock DJ Alan Robson, who was quietly watching the show while stood at the back of the venue, and by that time all the elements were in place including band’s iconic mascot Eddie the Head.

Fast forward to 2017 and a mate, who worked for a music magazine, asked me if I wanted to see the band at London’s O2 Arena. While the band were still recognisable, they had become a six piece and the stage set was considerably larger.

Having said that it is hard to believe this year marks the 40th anniversary of the release of the band’s sixth album, Somewhere In Time, and tribute act The Beast UK marked the occasion with their 40th anniversary Somewhere On Tour 1986-87 which hit Carlisle on Friday.

As we arrived at the venue the band had just got started their set and there was a cracking version 2 Minutes To Midnight before launching into Sea Of Madness.

The band promised to play the whole of Somewhere In Time and, after a quick check of the album’s tracks, they delivered and gave fans the rare chance to experience every track from the album live. I was pleased there was a liberal sprinkling of fan favourites.

Vocalist Paul Jeans, is a perfect Bruce Dickinson soundalike and bass player Chris Norris could easily be mistaken for band founder Steve Harris, while Will Sheils was obviously Adrian Smith.

In addition, they were joined by Shaun Binns as drummer Nicko McBrain, James McLoughlin as guitarist Dave Murray and Mario Kranidiotes as guitarist Janick Gers to create what I consider a tight unit dedicated to giving a faithful reproduction of an Iron Maiden show. 

Early on singer Jeans told the audience that their stage set was too big to fit into the Old Fire Station but added: “But we’ve brought the noise and that’s the main thing.”

However, I made a rookie error when I left the photographers’ pit before they played The Trooper, from the Piece Of Mind album, as I later spotted Jeans carrying a Union Flag while wearing a military uniform which I felt would have made for a great shot to go with this review.

The singer also sported a brightly lit jacket which had what I presume was a beating heart, which flashed to signal each heartbeat, which my mate Neil wryly observed made him look like Dynamo from the classic Schwarzenegger movie The Running Man.

I did like the little nods towards Maiden such as bass player Norris wearing wrist sweat bands in West Ham FC’s colours and a team sticker on his bass guitar.

Personal highlight for me was the chance to hear classic tracks such as: Number Of The Beast; Run To The Hills; Fear Of The Dark; Iron Maiden; and Wasted Years.

The band left stage to the sound of a recording of Monty Python’s Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life after a truly enjoyable show which defintely sounded and looked like Maiden.

I must admit I must agree with the promo blurb which read: “If you ever saw Iron Maiden in 1986, or wish you had — this is the closest you will ever get.”

Ian Duncan.