The new songs sound good, but I'll admit it, I was waiting for some of the classics. I didn't have to wait long as "Can I Play With Madness" turns up as the third song, this has always been one of my favorites. We also get "Trooper," "The Number of the Beast," and to close the show "Run to the Hills." Among the newer classics is "Fear of the Dark," which always sounds great, especially with the crowd singing along at the opening. The new songs such as the show opener "Wildest Dreams," and "No More Lies" also have potential to grow in stature.
Iron Maiden is one of the few bands that I think can get away with as many live albums as they do. They have the talent and the material to back it up. Don't believe me? Put this in your player and try to disagree. It may not be the most technically sound of recordings, but it has energy and just flat out rocks. Just remember that Maiden has been doing this for over 25 years, and they are still going strong.
Bottomline. Iron Maiden is a great live group. They have put together an amazing career, and their live albums document the stages they go through. This is the latest chapter of this legendary band. Death on the Road is an excellent album, although I think I prefer the Rock in Rio show from 2001 a bit more. This is a must have for the Maiden fan, and anyone who likes their metal loud and powerful.
Recommended.
This is also being released as a DVD, so you can see the show as it happened in Dublin, Ireland.
Article comments
1 - Triniman
How does it compare to Live After Death?
There was a trend in the music business for bands that are past their prime to release an unusual number of live albums and compilations. This happens when sales of their studio albums begin to fall and when the creative juices begin to dry up.
Maiden are one of my favorite bands, although I lost interest in them when No Prayer For the Dying came out in 1990. I will likely buy this on DVD, though. Still, Maiden are one of the top metal bands of all time and achieved this status in the 80s - twenty years ago or so. Up the irons!
2 - Guppusmaximus
Considering "Live after Death" was released in their prime(Powerslave), I have to disagree with Triniman. The music industry had very little to do with Maiden seeing how Steve Harris had full creative control over the releases. (He does all the editing and producing for all of their newer works including DVDs) Granted, they stopped putting out great material after "Seventh Son...",The X-Factor still had huge distribution and generated plenty of sales in Europe and their homeland. "Brave New World" put them back on the charts on a major scale and since then,in my opinion, they have released newer material that holds up to their classics! I can say without hesitation that Iron Maiden is the BEST Heavy Metal band PERIOD!! They have been kicking ass for 25 years and can top anything that any band with the same amount time together could ever do...i.e; KISS,J.P.,Aerosmith,Ozzy(Metallica has yet to reach 25, but they suck now anyways)...I think DIO is the only real competition.
Great review Chris...
Here's to IRON MAIDEN!!! UP THE IRONS!!!
3 - Triniman
You disagree that there is a trend for bands past their prime to release an unusual number of live albums and compilations? Or you disagree that this CD should be compared to Live After Death? I believe it's fair to compare a band's recent output to their best output, to get a sense of how good the new stuff is.
I met and interviewed these guys on the tour for Seventh Son, which was the last album that I really enjoyed. I haven't listened to the last two albums a lot, but initial listens led me to conclude that they were, indeed, in the prime around the time of the Powerslave, as you point out, Guppusmaximus.
4 - Guppusmaximus
Triniman,
I disagree that Iron Maiden was a part of that "trend" because Maiden was never past their prime. I have to exclude my statement in the last post. All of their albums after "Seventh Son..." were in the top 10 in the UK. "Brave New World" put them back on the charts in the US but that never says much about Metal anyways. "X-Factor" wasn't a favorite of mine but if you compare it to the US Metal out at the time (like Metallica) then it definately becomes a better choice.As for comparing it to "Live After Death"... You really can't."Powerslave" isn't timeless and Yes, I feel the newer work stands up to the classics. They have progressed to stand the test of time and their new stuff feels more mature while still being heavy.I feel alot of their live releases were done to show where the band is. Plus, Steve Harris has always felt that the live work shows the true power and passion of Maiden. Kind of a purist...like me. Anyways, Interviewing Maiden must have been SWEET!! I haven't had a chance to meet them but I would love to...Someday!
I get passionate about Maiden because they don't get the credit they deserve!! They constantly put out better work than KISS,Aerosmith,Judas Priest,etc... But, because the US are a bunch of morons in the field of metal
(Avenging Sevenfold, should I say more?) we never give awards to bands based on merit just cashflow.
Oh well, I have over done it... I suggest you pick up "Brave New World" and "Dance of Death". I would even suggest picking up Dickinson's latest solo work...
5 - Triniman
What I enjoyed about meeting Maiden is that they are just a friendly, fun, down to earth group of guys. Dave Murray, especially, who always has a big smile on his face.
I believe Maiden became overshadowed by Metallica for the longest while, although I think Metallica's best material was their first five albums minus And Justice, which I didn't really care for. For me, Metallica have been disappointing for a long, long time.
It's probably safe to day that Maiden never sold out. Can't wait to see them on tour.
6 - edman
Death on the road is not particularly special when compared to Live After Death and RIR. The set list is brilliant but for the usual classics on disc 2. the classics don't sound bad but i would love to see maiden put out a live album with their b-sides. It's a solid but not outstanding album with some pretty poor sound recording. i think they should get martin birch back as producer and dump kevin shirley. The band itself are pretty tight but the real disppointment is Bruce's vocals. It's evident that he's struggling to hit the high notes that almost seem effortless in live after death. But, as with all maiden albums, a must for die hard maiden fans
7 - mission from 'arry
I havnt even heard death on the road, but i caught maiden in Paris on the same tour and Brucey nailed the high notes with ease and power..and also on rock in rio he hits 'em.. live after death has some atmospheric magic about it, but brucey boy is strugling from the word go (and even more on the maiden england video on seventh son tour)...anyway in summing up..maiden are still rocking, bruce is a great singer, who gives a toss, lick my love pump!
speaking of singing range, i have the led zep dvd and its frightening that plant couldnt sing the same after 1974