Operation: Long-Shot, Failed But Not Forgotten.

                        Blackened & Maiden Chicago Preforms at Bourbon Street.  

Maiden Chicago. Photo By: Robb Estland

Not all battles are victorious and not every operation is successful. For example, Operation: Paperclip, and Operation: Bloodstone had a major influence in American society.   However, Operation: Long-Shot was not about Nazis propaganda or kidnapping German scientist to plunder their knowledge and steal the secrets to build the Death Star. No sir, My battle is against poverty and the mission was to have Blackened & Maiden Chicago play at my college graduation party for all my friends, family and professors in Chicago, Illinois. Perhaps my poor leadership skills, lack of planing along with shitty outside weather had much to do with the failed outcome for a canceled operation. Even General Patton was forced to pull the plug on this emotional drain, and then it hit me like a cold bucket of water, that I do not matter in this life. 

I am a small  man with small dreams and these are great men with great dreams. John Dent is a powerful attorney with his own law office. And Dan Driskill owns several tractor/ trailers, pulling large carnivals across the country. As for myself, I would like to rip the tendons from my hand, so that I do not have to live in the grip of reality. Many questions will remain when this is all gone. What will they say about Blackened & Maiden Chicago? That they were wise men? That they were talented musicians? That they were generous with both time and resources? All is true and without the music and their kindred sprites of these men, there is chance I would not be here now telling my tail. 

On May 08, 2021 our driver, Ricky Bobby and award winning photo journalist, Ken Kope picked me up in 1978 Black El Camion known as the Black Night.  I was forced to sit bitch between Ken & Bobby as we raced to see to see Maiden Chicago and Blackend live at Merrionette Park, Illinois. Topping speeds at over 105 mph we arrived at Bourbon Street at 7:43 PM just making it there before we had to pay the $10.00 cover. Our associate, John Gusman could not make the show and warned us about the north side of the establishment and the yuppie Billy Idol fans that roost there. 

We had moved to the south part of the Establishment and spotted lead guitarist, Al Contreras and did shot together and I wished him luck on stage that night. The place was bullshit with the reserved setting arrangements and patron David Ramirez would agree. "When I tried getting seats online, Bourbon Street said No Way!" said Ramirez. Plus they stated there would be plenty of seating for everyone. This was no true, so I was forced to seize a table under the jurisdiction of the Collegiate Press to cover this story.

At Nine o'clock in the evening the lights are set low and the Maiden Chicago opens with "Aces High" and at 9:01 they restarted their introduction. Okay, take two, "I said to myself whispering under my breath. The band looks a little nervous tonight," I thought. Anyway, All the classics had been preformed and I suggest they update Maiden Chicago's website. I don't know who the singer is and too me, that matters. After Texted Facebook, I found out the new lead vocalist is   Taran de Pablos that has a powerful range and style. He closed the set with "Hallowed Be Thy Name."  

Next up was Blackened and what a night to remember folks! This was all about old school Metallica hits. "Trapped Under Ice"  was awesome to hear live. However, the younger fans did not seem to understand that dynamic force that once drove Metal to new heights. The best part of the show was when Vincent Ochwat would bounce the drum stick off the snare and into the audience. The fans would toss the sticks back to Big V and they continued this until the end of the song. What song you ask? I was too drunk to remember and with that in mind, it was time to leave and say good bey to everyone. 

This was a great show, and these are great men and one day when this is all over, I can honestly say that I was part of something great as well. What's not great is leaving in fear and band members still wearing mask. That is not Metal and that weaken the player's performance. Trust me, I am a Doctor of Journalism and covering your face tells me you are still afraid of the invisible enemy. Not one band member wore a mask in Maiden Chicago and I proclaim them to be the most fearless tribute metal band in the Nation. There are no Mask in Heavy Metal music and this one guy running around looked like a fly wearing his dark looking bug eyed glasses and blue surgical mask. For a moment I though her was going land on someones food and shit all over someone's meal as he rubbing his hands like a nasty bar fly that he was.  Only a coward will hide behind a mask and live in fear and  shame. Stand Up, and Mask Down America! The battle has just begun.