The stars were aligned at the Observatory OC as heavy metal’s iconic frontman, Bruce Dickinson, delivered a performance that will be etched forever into the collective memory of an electrified audience. With a 16-song set that reached back to his early solo years and extended to his latest creative endeavor, The Mandrake Project, the show was a whirlwind of passion and nostalgia. Pound for pound, this was one of the most amazing live metal performances I have seen in years and it’s not even close.
From the opening notes of “Accident of Birth” to the final crescendo of “The Tower,” Bruce Dickinson reigned supreme. It’s not every day you witness a legend redefining the space with an ageless voice that pierces through genre and time. Plowing through a 16-song setlist, fans bore witness to arguably one of the best metal shows performed in Orange County in years.
My favorites from the night included “Chemical Wedding,” “Gods of War,” and “Darkside of Aquarius.” However, the zenith of the night came during a cover of Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein”—Bruce leaped in front of a stand-up drum kit, adding a raw and primitive beat that transported the crowd to a place where music interfaces with the primal soul. Unbelievable.
The over-capacity crowd was an echo of Bruce’s vigor, matching his energy with raised fists and choral sing-alongs. Every lyric, every riff, reverberated through the hall in a mutual exchange of adoration and performance mastery. Bearing witness to such synchronicity drove home the certainty that we were part of something truly singular. Personal sensations bordered on the surreal—the intimacy of the small concert environment contrasted against the towering onstage presence. With Bruce at the helm, the experience transcended the auditory; it was exhilarating, to spiral momentarily into the realm of living legends.
Of course no man is an island, and Bruce’s band was a testament to that truth. Chris Declerq and Philip Naslund wielded their guitars like modern-day Orpheus figures, while Tanya O’Callaghan’s bass lines bridged the earthly with the otherworldly. Dave Moreno, a titan behind his drums, laid down the heartbeat of the evening, and Mistheria’s keyboard wizardry cast a harmonious spell that completed the band’s synergy. This band was tight, energized, and had a killer stage presence that was second to none. Fans could tell from their very first note that they loved playing with each other, and their collective energy came out in spades in each song all night long.
Bruce Dickinson and his cohort’s recent show at the Observatory was a haven of heavy metal perfection. Beyond the individual skills displayed lies the collective spirit and shared experience of rock reverie. The setlist was a mapping of Bruce’s evolution, each song a tribute to his undying inventiveness. For those who missed the spectacle, regret is inevitable, yet hopeful anticipation for another chance is not misplaced. A call to action is simple—catch Bruce Dickinson and The Mandrake Project live; it’s a pilgrimage every rock and metal aficionado owes themselves. And if the Observatory OC was any indicator, the path leads straight to the pulsating core of heavy metal’s legacy.
