Back from the Pacific Northwest

In case you were wondering why there hasn't been a new update since Tuesday (and even if you weren't, you're still going to know), I went to the Pacific Northwest for Agalloch weekend.  Instead of giving out the details here (that will happen soon), I will have to say that things were exactly what I expected them to be: good friends, good music, and getting to see a little of Portland on my own time on Thursday.

More Things Missed...Non-Hockey Related

So, with a month devoted to hockey previews, there have been other things that I will have likely missed writing about, so to get you, who probably won't be reading this, and even if you do, it will probably be the equivalent of watching East Coast sports in that it will be predictable.

Well, the return trip to the Pacific Northwest is pretty much written now, as Agalloch announced their four show tour of the West Coast.  Weekend before Christmas, watch out because there will be dismemberment (or not) and many horrible jokes.  Since this is October, it's time to break out the horror movies, and since I reviewed a lot of what is in my collection, I might rehash some of those just for perspective from when they were talked about to the current view of it.  And I can finally stop thinking about wanting to punch the season of Summer in the face for a few months, now that Autumn has arrived.  Hoodie and hockey jersey weather, here I come.

Iron Maiden thoughts

Wednesday night of the week in New Mexico brought the Iron Maiden/Dream Theater show and as one would expect, there was quite a crowd.  To your left is the gateway to the venue where the show was held: the Albuquerque Pavilion.  It's practically located in the middle of nowhere and going down University Blvd., there are a couple of snake statues that look like actual giant snakes pulling a Tremors like invasion.  Waiting to get into the venue was obviously a pain in the ass, as the sun was beating down in a way that only the Southwest can offer.  On this day however, it was also quite windy, which if I was twenty pounds lighter, I would be gone with the wind.

As for the show itself, Dream Theater played a 45 minute set, which was rather surprising, given that the band has been around for twenty-five years.  Iron Maiden played a near two hour set, with most of the songs being from Brave New World forward.  The new single from the upcoming album The Final Frontier "El Dorado" was also played.  Old school fans weren't left out, as "Fear of the Dark" was played, and the encore was all older songs that many in the crowd were familiar with, though "Run to the Hills," "Aces High," and "Powerslave" were all left off, which was just as well, since Maiden's set list was due for a change.  When it comes to comparing seeing bands live to religious experiences, for me, Agalloch and Iron Maiden are right up there, and now, I have seen them both live.

And here's a visual that made the evening all worth it, Maiden on a side screen with a beautiful sunset in the background: