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By LEN MAHONSKI West Branch Life

eavy metal fans, prepare for the Ancient Mariner’s Williamsport debut on March 11 at 7 p.m. at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport.

The Philadelphia-based tribute band will perform the music of iconic metal band Iron Maiden.

Iron Maiden, well-known for their complex and technical style of play, are one of the most successful and prolific metal bands. The band, which sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, is often regarded by many in the music industry as one of the most influential metal bands of all time.

Tim Oliver, the group’s lead vocalist, is a Williamsport native. This will be his first time returning to his hometown to entertain local residents. “Iron Maiden has elevated heavy metal to an art form,” Oliver says. “It's material that really needs a very specialized collection of musicians dedicated to its reproduction, which is why you don't hear of many people doing it.”

Shortly after earning a music degree from Lycoming College, Oliver moved to Philadelphia to get closer to an active classical music scene, where he performed in more than 40 operatic roles and countless classical projects. But, the vocalist says the urge to get into the rock/metal scene was always in the back of his mind and it wasn’t long before he got the chance. One day, while walking down the street, Oliver spotted an ad for a lead singer for an Iron Maiden tribute band. “Bringing my love of the stage and theatrics together, with the metal genre and all the iconic songs, I knew it was exactly where I wanted to be,” he says.

Performing the lyrics of Bruce Dickinson, lead singer of Iron Maiden, is not an easy feat. Oliver says that if it weren't for his operatic training, he most likely would not be able to pull it off. “As the vocalist, covering his voice is a challenge each and every time I step on the stage. [Dickinson] is one of the greatest singers of all time of the genre and I'm thrilled to recreate that to the best of my ability,” says Oliver.

In addition to Oliver on vocals, he shares the stage with an extremely talented group of musicians including guitarists Alphonse Fradella and Paul Dunleavy, Kip Mills on bass and Dan McGrouty on drums.

Ancient Mariners will perform in the Genetti Hotel’s grand ballroom. Tickets are available for purchase online at thetributeofthebeast.com or at the door the night of the show.