Is there really a need for yet another Iron Maiden live album? After the seminal Live After Death, the two live albums commemorating Bruce Dickinson's departure from the band in the early 90s, Live in Japan, and the various live videos released over the years, you'd think there would be no need. And you're probably right. Unless you a devoted fan, or are just someone who's curious as to whether Bruce Dickinson can still hit those high notes, there's really no good reason to buy this. But if you're an Iron Maiden devotee, you will no doubt want to pick it up.

Although they're getting up their in years, the band is in fine form, and even sounds better than they did on the Real Live One and Real Dead One albums. However, this album still can't top Live After Death because I think it relies too heavily on their latest studio album. Not that Brave New World was a bad effort, they've included half the tracks from that album on this one, and other than "The Wicker Man," they're all about eight or nine minutes long. I suppose the band wanted to prove that they are not just some nostalgia act, but I think the album would have been better had they not decided to lean so heavily on one album.

I know it's a common complaint of Iron Maiden fans, but I wish the band had decided to air some of their less-played songs. I would have liked to have heard something off of Killers besides "Wrathchild" or more off of Seventh Son of a Seventh Son than "The Evil that Men Do," or maybe some B-sides. Or, failing that, I would have liked to have heard more of the Blaze Bayley-era material. Dickenson's vocals do wonders for two songs I previously didn't care for - "The Sign of the Cross" and "The Clansman." These songs turn out so well, that I wish the band had decided to take on "Futureal" or "Man on the Edge" also. Still, for a band that was largely considered washed up a few years ago, this is a very strong release, which bodes well for the future. The world can always use more good Iron Maiden albums.

With a box sets of live tracks on the way, I think it's safe to say that Iron Maiden will keep releasing live albums as long as people continue to buy them. In the end, you have to ask yourself whether you need yet another live rendition of "Run to the Hills" or "The Trooper." I would say that for most people, Live After Death will be al the live Iron Maiden material you need. However, if you have an Iron Maiden tattoo or just want a decent live version of "The Evil that Men Do," then you should definitely buy this.