Iron Maiden (1 of 2)

To celebrate the release of “Live after death” on DVD Iron Maiden will take to the stage tonight on their “Somewhere back in time” tour. The tours name is obviously a play on the 1986 album “Somewhere in time.”

Given that this will be Iron Maiden's only appearance in this part of the world for the next two years it would just be rude not to attend the event.
And so I will be among the 55.000 strong crowd there to watch the band as they preform at the legendary Twickenham stadium.

Of course I will be posting my review of the concert, but before I do; I have opted to go back and review the now 23 year old Live after death on which the concert is based.

On October 14th 1985 Iron Maiden released their first true live album Live after death, simultaneously the then current video format VHS companion was unleashed upon the world.

The album would go one to not only be rated as one of the best live rock recordings, but one of the best live recordings of any genre ever. It is considered compulsory viewing for almost any artist who wishes to learn the art of stagecraft.

So what made Live after death so special? Why is it that this one album is viewed as sitting so highly above all others.

For years now fans have been screaming for a DVD release of Live after death, and in February of this year they got their wish.

The fear was always that it would seem a little dated 23 years on, but like the band themselves; its stood the test of time.
Although the sound has been remastered for the digital age, it hasn't been over produced. The visuals have been cleaned up but not altered, while the images may not be as sharp as modern recordings it is to be expected; it was filmed 23 years ago after all. Technology has moved on.

For this review I will be using the DVD.

I had originally owned the VHS version in my mid teens, fast-forward 17 years and like many other fans had rushed out to acquired the newly released DVD.

Although I could remember my old video, which meant i knew exactly what i was about to see and hear I still felt a sense of excitement as images of the crowd began to appear on the screen accompanied by the sounds of Winston Churchill giving his famous “We will fight them on the..” speech through the PA system.

No sooner does Churchill finish than the opening half-time riff of Aces high begins, and the crowd cheers. With a drum roll the curtain drops to revel the stage and the band are seen for the first time. If the crowd were cheering before, now they break into a frenzy.

Over the course of the next 90 minutes Iron Maiden prove why they are considered one of the world greatest live bands.

The twin guitars of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith are in perfect sync, unlike many two guitar bands its impossible to tell their rhythm pieces apart. I can think of many other big name metal bands who suffer from one guitarist starting a riff just before his partner. (Hint: The worst criminal of this offence bands name starts with M and ends in A)

The lead guitars are equally spot on, with their individual styles shining throughout the concert.

Dave Murray's blues based style and fast legato runs flow seamlessly from his fingers, his solo during the slow part of Powerslave is particularly a moving piece of blues guitar.

Adrian Smith's style is a complete opposite, melodic and slightly flashier. But all his leads are still executed with the stunning professionalism. While having more than a few tricks up his sleeve he doesn't use flash playing for the sake of it, it's always there to tell part of a musical story.

The two styles, while wildly different seem to compliment each other. Two half's of a whole they rap around each other to complete a musical picture.

Vocalist and front man Bruce Dickinson is on top form here, admittedly he seems a little too eager during aces high he soon settles down and puts in the performance of a lifetime. Not only does he sing with conviction (note to imitators: sing not scream) but he has a passion. Even when he talks to the crowd he oozes charm of someone who is simply lost in the moment.

There is little that can be said about the bands rhythm section that hasn't already been said. It's no wonder that Steve Harris is considered a bass legend. His playing is as tight as a ducks ass, almost by instinct he seems to know when to be the link between the drums and harmonic section, and when to go nuts and pop up out and take his own turn at being a star.

And last but not least drummer Nicko McBrian, when many other drummers were adopting a twin cam systems he refused claiming that it was cheating; and here he sows why. He has a very fast right foot.
Never playing the same fill twice the skin basher not only is the one to keep the rest of the band in time, but its sense of fun too.

Before i asked why this recording was so special, the answer is simple. Not only is this a group of musicians on top form, but it also 5 guys who are loving what they do. It isn't going through the motions. unlike many bands they don't hold back the hits till after the show to guarantee an encore.

Iron Maiden have always maintained that they are a live band, live after death contains what many consider definitive versions of many songs. And you can see why, there is an enthusiasm and energy that is lacking on other live albums.
Quite simply it is a band at the top of their game, and a band loving what they do.

To cut a long story short, if you like rock music then Live after death is a must have in your collection.

However the big question is still to come, 23 years later how will it stand up? Stay tuned to find out......