Paul DiAnno – Raleigh, NC – Volume 11 Tavern – 02/04/2010
Just how far would you travel to see a living legend? For me, a 7 hour drive from Atlanta to Raleigh, NC to see Paul DiAnno was an absolute no brainer. Who is Paul DiAnno you ask? Well, if you consider yourself a Metal Head and you don’t know who this man is, please take your “Metal” membership card and mail it to me so I can destroy it! Paul DiAnno is the original singer for Iron Maiden who is responsible for delivering lead vocals for two of the most groundbreaking and inspirational Heavy Metal albums of all time: Iron Maiden and Killers. Paul and Co. parted ways after the “Killers” world tour and was replaced by the now legendary Bruce Dickinson. Paul never went on to achieve the larger than life status that Iron Maiden did but Paul did release an impressive body of work over the years with 2006’s “The Living Dead” being an amazing metal album that was terribly overlooked.
When I saw that DiAnno was touring the states for the first time in nearly 17 years, I went apeshit. All I cold think of was how ever since I got into Iron Maiden wishing I would have a chance to see this man perform. I waited nearly 25 years for this opportunity and a 7-hour drive in icy rain was not going to stand in my way. And let me tell you, boy was it every worth the wait!
Paul DiAnno took the stage of the tiny Volume 11 club to a small but extremely pumped and receptive audience. Backed by the incredibly talented Icarus Witch from Pittsburgh, Paul entered the stage as the band kicked into the classic Maiden track “Wrathchild.” Fists were pumping, heads were banging and EVERYONE sang along. After the song, Paul graciously thanked everyone for coming out and apologized for his voice being shot because of being sick all day from puking courtesy of Bob Evans Restaurant. I personally thought he sounded absolutely amazing. Paul and Co. delivered a blistering set of some Iron Maiden classics like “Killers”, “Prowler” and “Murders In The Rue Morgue” which had everyone bouncing, singing and fist pumping. His choice of original material was absolutely outstanding with the song “Children of Madness” being a highlight of the set.
Paul left the stage a couple of times to literally puke only to return to give another 120%. He could’ve cut the set short but instead continued to deliver a show that was an absolute face melter. He sang with such power and intensity that it seemed that as the audience got louder, he got stronger. It was such an amazing thing to be five feet away from this legendary singer as he put on a show that far surpassed my expectations.
My personal highlight of the night came when the band launched into “Phantom of the Opera.” As soon as the guitarist played the opening progression of that song, the place just went nuts and sang so loud that DiAnno just stepped away from the mic smiling ear to ear. We were pumping our fists and clapping in time with the changes. I felt like I was back in England at Ruskin Arms seeing a classic Iron Maiden gig. It was completely magical and when the song drew to a close, the place just roared. It sounded like 1,000 people in that place. Paul just smiled and bowed and thanked everyone for being so welcoming and for remembering him.
After a nearly two hour performance, backing band Icarus Witch came out and delivered a face melting rendition of the 
instrumental classic “Transylvania” which was really something awesome to see. Having never seen so many of these songs live, getting to see them actually performed before my eyes was such in incredible experience. Paul DiAnno came back on and with some funny banter about this “old song” and then launched into “Iron Maiden” which was literally completing the circle in my opinion. You have Iron Maiden in the arenas singing “Iron Maiden’s gonna get ya no matter how far” and now you have DiAnno exclaiming the same thing to his people. It was then that, as corny as it sounds, I realized Iron Maiden is way more than a band. Iron Maiden has created a subculture of fans that understand just what an important history they have. As fans, we also understand the impact they’ve had on our lives and getting to see Di’Anno deliver this song just sort of made it all feel complete.
The band literally tried to leave as they turned on the house music and lights but nobody would leave. We pounded on the stage and chanted “Di-Ann-O” over and over again and finally, they came back on to a rousing ovation. Paul announced that he wanted to do a song by one of his favorite bands, his “boys from NYC” as he called them and the band launched into “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones. He pushed himself so far on this one as it was the last song he would ever sing. We were once again all joining in, singing along, pumping our fists and just bouncing around like a bunch of kids on ridlin.
After the show, Paul did a meet and greet where he met each and everyone who was lined up to meet him. I went up there like a 12 year old kid with my “Live +one” and “Iron Maiden” album. I peered around the corner and he says, “C’mon bloke. I don’t bite!” I walked over and immediately he says, “Thanks for coming out. I saw you and your mate down there rocking and it was so great to see that! What’s your name?” I was floored. We talked for about 5 minutes and I told him just how much seeing him meant to me. He just shrugged it of and says, “I’m just happy and proud that you remember me!” He gave me a hug and signed my shit and I was off. I was literally floating.
Paul DiAnno is alive and well folks. He may not be playing to huge arenas and what not but the man is out there doing what he does best and doing what he loves. The fans obviously are loving having him back and it was a truly magical evening to say the lease. A show like this has the ability to be cheesy and corny and not up to par. Not this show buddy. DiAnno was gracious, appreciative and humble yet he was still able to let everyone know just why he is one of the greatest heavy metal singers of all time. It was nostalgic yet it was modernly relevant. The songs sounded fresh and full of live as if they were new songs. Looks like the old guys can still show us youngens a thing or two and even do it better than we could ever imagine!
The Brainfart & The Killer – A Dream Come True!
Paul DiAnno – Raleigh, NC – 02/04/2010
Wrathchild
Prowler
General Lockjaw
Murders In The Rue Morgue
The Beast Arises
Children of Madness
Faith Healer
Ides of March
Killers
Phantom of the Opera
Running Free
E1: Transylvania
Iron Maiden
E2: Blitzkrieg Bop
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