Iron Maiden Charged Into Battle with a Blistering Performance of “The Trooper” in Budapest 2025

Iron Maiden kicked off their “Run For Your Lives” 50th Anniversary World Tour on May 27, 2025, at the Papp László Sportaréna in Budapest, Hungary. The opening night set the tone for what many fans are calling one of the most nostalgic and energetic live performances the band has delivered in decades.

The concert featured a carefully selected setlist made up entirely of songs from the band’s first nine studio albums. For longtime fans, it was a trip back to the golden age of Iron Maiden, filled with rarely played gems and timeless crowd favorites that defined their early years.

A major moment in the night was the live debut of Simon Dawson on drums, replacing the legendary Nicko McBrain following his retirement. Despite the pressure, Dawson’s performance was tight and powerful, seamlessly locking in with Steve Harris’s galloping basslines and earning loud applause from the Budapest crowd.

The show began with “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “Wrathchild,” and “Killers”—tracks that hadn’t been played live in many years. From the very first riffs, it was clear the band was pulling no punches. The energy in the arena soared as Bruce Dickinson leaped into action, bringing the stories behind each song to life.

As the concert progressed, Iron Maiden tore through classics like “Phantom of the Opera,” “The Number of the Beast,” and “The Clairvoyant.” Each performance was punctuated by jaw-dropping stage visuals, blistering guitar solos, and Dickinson’s theatrical vocals, which remain impressively powerful.

Later in the set, the band delivered fan favorites “Powerslave,” “2 Minutes to Midnight,” and a truly epic rendition of “Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” These songs were elevated by dramatic lighting, fog effects, and visual storytelling on the massive LED backdrop.

The emotional peak of the night came with “Run to the Hills,” “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son,” “The Trooper,” “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” and their namesake track, “Iron Maiden.” Each of these classics reminded the crowd why the band has remained a metal institution for five decades.

For the encore, Iron Maiden returned with an explosive trio: “Aces High,” “Fear of the Dark,” and “Wasted Years.” The crowd erupted as Bruce appeared in full pilot gear for “Aces High,” while the haunting crowd singalong of “Fear of the Dark” turned the arena into a thunderous chorus.

Bruce Dickinson’s performance throughout the night was widely praised by fans and critics alike. At 66 years old and years after recovering from cancer, his ability to command the stage and deliver such a strong vocal performance was seen as nothing short of remarkable.

The stage production was nothing less than cinematic. Songs like “Powerslave” and “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” came to life through intricate set pieces, digital backdrops, and pyrotechnics that transported fans to another world entirely.

The entire Budapest concert was captured in full, with many fan recordings already circulating online. Viewers around the world have praised both the audio quality and the band’s unrelenting energy, making it one of the most talked-about shows of the year.

Iron Maiden’s “Run For Your Lives” tour continues across Europe, with each show acting as a celebration of their legacy. While each venue brings something unique, the Budapest performance has already been called one of the standout events of the tour.

For many in the audience, this concert was more than a show—it was a personal milestone. Some fans have followed the band since the 1980s and described the Budapest night as the most emotional Iron Maiden experience of their lives.

The band’s ability to continue evolving while still honoring their past is what keeps their fan base so devoted. Each member, even after decades of touring, gave a performance that felt fresh, urgent, and alive.

Iron Maiden’s night in Budapest proved that even after 50 years, they’re not slowing down—they’re just getting better at reminding the world why they’re legends. The roar of the crowd, the fire on stage, and the echo of a generation’s soundtrack all collided into one unforgettable night of heavy metal history.