Live Review: Steve Harris at Limelight, Belfast

As pretty much any Iron Maiden fan worth their salt will tell you, the band's boss (and most indomitable man in metal) Steve Harris always maintained that he would never make a solo record. Happy to be the unwavering leader of the genre's greatest group, the West Ham-loving bassist and tunesmith never really seemed to have the time nor inclination to do something different.

That all changed, of course, in 2012 when he shocked many a Maiden acolyte (including this reviewer) with the release of his debut solo effort British Lion. Pretty much an entity which 'Arry uses to indulge his hard rock influences and to blow off some steam when he isn't galloping across the stages of stadiums and festivals across the globe with the Irons, tonight, he brings his band (also called British Lion) to the relatively cosy confides of Belfast's Limelight for the last night of their European tour.

Any notion that Harris is here to muck around with his mates is pretty much instantly dispelled on the opening number 'This Is My God.' Looking fired up and as hungry as ever, the bassist mouths every lyric and is clearly enjoying being able to get up close and personal with a crowd once more. There are no Maiden tracks played tonight and I'm pleased to report there is no need for them as British Lion really are a different animal when experienced live.

Performing a fistful of new songs, 'The Burning' is the pick of the bunch and features a frankly phenomenal chorus that gets everyone onside, while the Deep Purple cap tipping 'Guineas And Crowns' and the muscular, power metal-infused 'Spitfire' all hint that the long awaited second album could be something special.

Singer Richard Taylor does a sterling job throughout and is the consummate co-frontman alongside Harris, who never stops working the audience and shooting fans with his bass. Final song, the '80s-tastic arena rock-fest that is 'Eyes Of The Young,' is sharper and heavier live and it sees British Lion go out with a roar as they leave the faithful happy and the curious converted. Here's hoping the band's first visit to Belfast won't be their last.