Death On The Road (Live) - Iron Maiden

I don't see myself as an insider of the rock- and metalszene in Europe, but nevertheless I recognize, of which topics metalfans are annoyed. This might be the 12th DVD single release by Manowar or black salsify-eating Black Metal bands throwing heads of dead sheeps into their audiences (me, I will going to bombard Mayhem with the skull of an elephant next time I see them on stage. Just for fun.). Or even a new live album by Iron Maiden.
For ...
..."Death On The Road" is not really the very first live release from this favourite band of mine. Back catalogue already containing various live albums, for instance the legendary "Live After Death" from 1986, which is still considered to be the best Iron Maiden live album ever by lots of Maiden maniacs. Furthermore, there is the double album "A Real Live/Dead One" (I think it's from 1993), which was ony some comfort for ... more

I don't see myself as an insider of the rock- and metalszene in Europe, but nevertheless I recognize, of which topics metalfans are annoyed. This might be the 12th DVD single release by Manowar or black salsify-eating Black Metal bands throwing heads of dead sheeps into their audiences (me, I will going to bombard Mayhem with the skull of an elephant next time I see them on stage. Just for fun.). Or even a new live album by Iron Maiden.
For a better understanding I have to throw in here, that "Death On The Road" is not really the very first live release from this favourite band of mine. Back catalogue already containing various live albums, for instance the legendary "Live After Death" from 1986, which is still considered to be the best Iron Maiden live album ever by lots of Maiden maniacs. Furthermore, there is the double album "A Real Live/Dead One" (I think it's from 1993), which was ony some comfort for the listeners due to leadsinger Bruce Dickinsons quit from the band. In addition, we also have "Live at Donington" (1992) and the awesome 2001 released "Rock In Rio", which actually was and is my very favourite Iron Maiden live album.
As you can see, not really a lack of live albums. But one could see it as kind of legitimate, with Maiden making music since more than 25 years nowadays.

But the gentlemen are getting older by now, and with going straight up to fifty years and more, you are no more able to release CDs and touring throughover the world every year. So the cash must flow with various re-re-releases, Best Ofs, DVDs and so on. So it was a question of honour that one concert of the latest Iron Maiden tour (which was in Dortmund in 2003) had to be filmed and sold on double CD and triple DVD.
The Album is delivered in a very nice looking digipack, again with an outstanding artwork, showing Eddie as an undertaker in the 19th century. Looks great. So does the booklet with some fine shots from the tour of all the band members, crew, audiences etc.

The sound quality of "Death On The Road" is as stunning as expected. Obviously, Maiden have spent lots of cash for the recording equipment. The music is roaring loudly and clearly from out of the speakers, with a brilliant mixing, even better than on "Rock In Rio". Or on all the other live albums at all (due to several years parting them). The audience singing along all the tunes seems to be mixed in exactly where producer Kevin Shirley and Maiden mastermind and bass player Steve Harris want them to be, but that's okay so far. You hear them in all the songs, where there are the typical harmonies, like "Journeyman" or, of course, "Fear Of The Dark".
The particular instruments are contrasted magnificiently from each other. Versed Maiden listeners will not have any problems to make a difference between all three guitars. The sound is catched directly from the concert, without any overdubs, which makes the CD even more authentic. You can even hear a couple of playing mistakes. Very good.
And finally the singing from Bruce Dickinson. He is simply getting better and better with the years. Ways better than in the eighties, with many more variations. May it be booming Heavy Metal thunder or sensible semi-ballads, Dickinson is handling and refining it with his gift. Outstanding.

The show is taking 90 minutes, containing all the holy evergreens (which take almost the complete CD #2), a couple of songs from the later albums and just a very few older tracks. The only real surprise being Blaze Bayley-Song "Lord Of The Flies" from the X-Factor-album. The Highlights are of course the songs from the latest album "Dance Of Death", like the solid rocker "Rainmaker", the ballad-like "Journeyman" or even the groovy "No More Lies". Absolute high spots are the dramatic operas "Dance Of Death" and the amazing "Paschendale", a powerful epic poem in three acts, having everything what a contemporary but traditional Heavy Metal song needs; heavy riffs, great solos, stunning acoustic parts, extraordinary singing. A little paradise. I love it.

Further favourites of mine a the more dynamic version of "Can I Play With Madness", "Brave New World" and the best Maiden song ever in my opinion, "Fear Of The Dark". Short and fast classics like "The Trooper", "Wrathchild" and of course "Run To The Hills", are nice supplementes for a one-time enjoy, but you forget them quickly. Because fundamentally, "Rock In Rio" remains the standard, the best Maiden live document there can ever be.

So concerning setlist and atmosphere, the 2001-album can not be reached. But the band is playing tight and well experienced, is ruling the audience and leaving all doubts of their technical play. Above all, the soloparts of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith are blowing me away every time. The short playtime is okay, with the band members reaching 50 years soon. For this, they prove impressively that they're getting better and better. Making music for more than 25 years, they can select from a huge fundus of hits, which shows that Iron Maiden are still one of the greatest Heavy Metal bands ever.

Up The Irons!

1. Wildest Dreams
2. Wrathchild
3. Can I Play With Madness
4. The Trooper
5. Dance Of Death
6. Rainmaker
7. Brave New World
8. Paschendale
9. Lord Of The Flies

1. No More Lies
2. Hallowed Be Thy Name
3. Fear Of The Dark
4. Iron Maiden
5. Journeyman
6. Number Of The Beast
7. Run To The Hills

Please note: You will recognize that english is not my mother tongue. I am member of Ciao Germany for several years, and now I'm trying the english one to improve my writing and speaking. So I do not mind about weak ratings and would be very grateful for hints. Thanks a lot .
 

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