Iron Maiden performs on stage during the Battle for San Bernardino at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on September 13, 2013. (Paul A. Hebert/Freelance Photographer)
The Battle of San Bernardino is going to go down in history.
The Iron Maiden-led day of music at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on Friday, Sept. 13 isn’t just a footnote for the Maiden die-hards, either (although the night ended the band’s 7-date 2013 U.S. run of the “Maiden England” tour that began in 2012). With the tens of thousands of fans who thrusted their fists in the air and banged their heads, not only to the esteemed headliners, but also to supporting acts Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament, Sabaton, Overkill and Warbringer, the Battle of San Bernardino laid the groundwork for Maiden to take on the touring festival circuit, should the band choose to do so.
Arguably, what made the show so successful is the simple fact that Iron Maiden is a dynamic band. When you consider that they’ve been meting faces around the world for nearly 40 years, it’s even more impressive than other bands who have hit 50 years and don’t have the endurance test of a “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” in their sets, either.
PHOTO GALLERY: Iron Maiden at San Manuel Amphitheater
That boundless energy and performance is what keeps the fans coming back. I met people at Friday’s show who have seen upwards of 20, 30, and even 80 Iron Maiden concerts. The only person I met going to their first Iron Maiden show was a 13-year-old who was attending his first concert.
The fierce loyalty and passion that its fans from around the world display are unparalleled. Even fans who had seen the Maiden England tour last summer in Irvine (or who at least sported shirts from the 2012 tour) were out there again.
From the stage, Bruce Dickinson often implored the crowd to “Scream for me San Bernardino!” with thundering success.
While he addressed that the show was inspired by the “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” tour, the stage banter is kept to a minimum with the band.
Some of the highlights included the crowd pleaser “2 Minutes to Midnight,” as well as the beloved songs “The Trooper” and “The Number of the Beast,” the latter complete with a red-eyed animatronic demon at the back of the stage.
Iron Maiden performs on stage during the Battle for San Bernardino at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on September 13, 2013. (Paul A. Hebert/Freelance Photographer)
Maiden’s mascot, Eddie the Head, made an appearance during “Run to the Hills,” towering over the band and lumbering around on stage in his cavalry uniform brandishing a bloody sword that he threatened guitarist Janick Gers with on stage.
The pyrotechnics and the constantly evolving stage (nobody does backgrounds like Iron Maiden, they move so swiftly and give nearly every song its own special feel) are a mere bonus. The fans are there for the religion that is Iron Maiden.
That being said, the Battle of San Bernardino wouldn’t have been won without the support of its other units.
PHOTO GALLERY: Megadeth at the Battle of San Bernardino
Megadeth played a blistering set after sundown on the main stage. Leader Dave Mustaine, a Fallbrook resident, celebrated his birthday at the show, too. With a stage full of huge screens, the band played some material off new disc “Super Collider,” but the biggest fan response came from staples such as “Sweating Bullets,” “Symphony of Destruction” and “Peace Sells.”
Megadeth has been touring with Iron Maiden on this run of “Maiden England.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Anthrax at the Battle of San Bernardino
One of the other Big 4 of American thrash metal, Anthrax, was also on the bill. It was the first show back for drummer Charlie Benante, who had been out of commission while healing from carpal tunnel surgery.
Singer Joey Belladonna’s vocals were spot-on as the band tore through classics like “Caught in a Mosh” and also honored fallen metal heroes Ronnie James Dio and Dimebag Darrell. They also covered AC/DC’s “TNT.”
I also loved Testament’s set. The crowd was really into it. Earlier in the afternoon, Overkill and Warbringer played on a special stage set up among the concession and T-shirt booths, too. I’m sorry I missed them, but the pictures from their sets look like it was packed.
Did you go to the show? What bands did you love? Should Iron Maiden make this a touring festival?
Check out all of our photos from the show. Shout out to Paul A. Hebert for capturing such amazing images.
PHOTO GALLERY: Iron Maiden at San Manuel Amphitheater
PHOTO GALLERY: Megadeth at the Battle of San Bernardino
PHOTO GALLERY: Anthrax at the Battle of San Bernardino
PHOTO GALLERY: Testament and Sabaton at the Battle of San Bernardino
PHOTO GALLERY: Overkill and Warbringer at San Manuel Amphitheater