There is one thing that the two shows have in common, and it is not a positive. That commonality is the editing of Steve Harris. Harris is a great bass player and and excellent songwriter, but he has no place in the editing bay. It is almost as if he makes cuts as quickly as possible to include it all. I would have preferred to have longer takes. Perhaps using a couple of wide shots as beds and moving in on specific sections, like Bruce for the chorus, or Adrian for a solo, or Nicko for a particularly nice fill. Having so many cuts in such a rapid succession takes away from the overall power of the show. Death on the Road does get a bit better as the show goes on, but I would have preferred the whole show if the visual material had been slowed down a bit.
I don't want to sound like I am complaining, this is a wonderful show. The video looks great, excellent lighting effects, and an overall dark pall covering the stage with spotlighted sections highlighting where the eye should go. This is a darker show than Rock in Rio, and that helps to differentiate it from the two, the darker look and the varied setlist help the two shows compliment each other rather nicely.
The set doesn't end with the show, in addition to the two concert disks there is a third disk. This last disk contains documentaries, interviews, and videos complimenting the Death on the Road tour.
First up is an excellent 70 minute documentary called (what else?) "Death on the Road". This takes us into the studio with the band and producer Kevin Shirley. See how the band worked on creating the Dance of Death CD, how it was different than past recording experiences. This leads into the tour, including aspects of designing the set, costume preparation, traveling, pre-show regimens; it is all covered here. This is an excellent documentary, taking a look at the band in the studio and on the road.
Next up is the 40 minute "Life on the Road" documentary. This contains interviews with the instrument techs and set builders. We are taken through a day in the life, so to speak, of Maiden's support crew; without these guys, the show would never go on in the impressive form in which it does.
Article comments
1 - Triniman
Just picked up mine yesterday...fell asleep watching it simply because I was drained, but I look forward to watching it soon. I did notice the video editing issue with the scenes changing rapidly, sometimes too much so for my taste. I thought with DVD technology, then can allow you to have custom views. They should have done that here.
What little I did see and hear, however, made me quite happy. Maiden are really something special.
Excellent review, by the way.
2 - Paul Roy
I can't wait to pick this one up. I loved the Rock In Rio DVD. These old guys are still rockin like they are in their prime. I think I actually like most of their newer stuff better than the old classic stuff. Not too many bands I can say that about.
3 - Saqib
Nice review. Not the richest setlist for a Maiden fan who are equally familier with both old and new stuff but I can see the reason behind that.
Dont agree with Chris' Bruce hitting high notes bit. In my opinion the highest note ever hit by Bruce was in the song 'dance of death'. You may argue 'Where eagles dare'. This is a vaild point but in DOD his vocal is equally soaring but with more power and less squeaky. Only you cant do this in a concert where you have to sing 12/13 song non stop. And thats precisely why Bruce avoid hitting those high notes. But what he does still is a dream of most of any singer.