Death on the Road

Artist: Iron Maiden
Label: Toshiba EMI Japan
Category: Music

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Format: Live
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 2
EAN: 4988006833012
ASIN: B0009XE8D8

Release Date: 2005-09-22

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Tracks:

Wildest Dreams
Wrathchild
Can I Play with Madness
Trooper
Dance of Death
Rainmaker
Brave New World
Paschendale
Lord of the Flies

Tracks:

No More Lies
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Fear of the Dark
Iron Maiden
Journeyman
Number of the Beast
Run to the Hills

Customer Reviews:

An awesome live album.......2006-01-07

Death On The Road (Recorded 2003, released 2005.) The seventh live release from Iron Maiden.

INTRODUCTION:
Iron Maiden. For years, the band has been the ultimate in heavy metal. Despite some low points and some decisions that often made fans question their motives, the band has always persevered and stayed on top. The band's popularity and music-making quality is still high. Ever since classic singer Bruce Dickinson returned to the band, they have been on fire. 2003 saw the band touring to promote their thirteenth studio album, Dance Of Death. Recordings from this tour were used to create their 2005 live release, Death On The Road. How does the new live album measure up? Read on, and you shall see!

OVERVIEW:
Iron Maiden released their seventh live release, Death On The Road, on October 4, 2005 (in America.) The album was recorded live on the Dance Of Death tour in 2003, featuring the lineup of guitarists Janick Gers, Dave Murray, and Adrian Smith, bassist Steve Harris, vocalist Bruce Dickinson, and drummer Nicko McBrain. Album takes up two compact discs. Tracklist consists of Wildest Dreams, Wrathchild, Can I Play With Madness, The Trooper, Dance Of Death, Rainmaker, Brave New World, Paschendale, Lord Of The Flies, No More Lies, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Fear Of The Dark, Iron Maiden, Journeyman, The Number Of The Beast, and Run To The Hills.

REVIEW:
Iron Maiden has a LOT of live albums. I love the band, but I am not afraid to admit that the band has been doing overkill with the live album thing. In a way, I am sick of buying new versions of the same songs, over and over again. But, you know what? Maiden manages to keep things fresh. I can't believe some of the negative reviews I'm seeing for this album! So what if some of the songs are on every live album? Isn't it that way with every band and their most popular songs? Yes, there are some underrated favorites I would have liked to see here, and there are even some HITS I was disappointed not to see, but that doesn't change the overall message of my review - this is a DAMN GOOD live album. Read on to see how each track fares.

-DISC ONE-

-Wildest Dreams: Originally from the 2003 studio album, Dance Of Death. The studio version of this song was the first single off of Dance Of Death, the album the band was promoting during the tour for which this live album was recorded. It makes for a fitting opening here. This version features an extended, classical-style opening which builds the suspense. From there on out it's a heavy metal assault right on par with its studio counterpart. Awesome opener.

-Wrathchild: Originally from the 1981 studio album, Killers (original version featured Paul Di'Anno on lead vocals.) Usually, I am not too crazy about Bruce Dickinson doing the vocals on the songs that Paul Di'Anno originally sang - the songs obviously sound like they were wriiten with Di'Anno in mind, and as such, sometimes sound considerably weaker when Dickinson seems them. This time around, it's an exception to the rule. This is almost certainly the best Dickinson performance of this song I have ever heard! He emulates Di'Anno's punky singing style, while at the same time staying true to his own. As such, this is a damn good performance. Definitely shattered my doubts!

-Can I Play With Madness: Originally from the 1988 studio album, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son. Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son was one of the most popular Iron Maiden albums of all time, and as such, I was rather surprised to find that they performed only a single song from it on this album. Oh, well. They picked a good song to perform. This is a strong, solid performance, and the backing keyboards sound even better here than in the studio counterpart. One of the best live versions of this song Maiden ever did.

-The Trooper: Originally from the 1983 studio album, Piece Of Mind. The quintessential Iron Maiden classic. Straight-up hard and heavy relentless metal is what you get on this song. The live version here is a little bit faster than its studio counterpart, and actually benefits somewhat from this. Once again, the band manages to serve up a solid performance of a classic song of theirs.

-Dance Of Death: Originally from the 2003 studio album, Dance OF Death. The title track from the band's thirteenth studio album is an instant classic, and this live version reinforces that belief. The song is a tough one to describe, fusing heavy and melodic elements alike to create a sort of "symphonic" metal sound, and the end result is nothing short of excellent. The studio version of this song was great, the live version here every bit as great as its studio counterpart.

-Rainmaker: Originally from the 2003 studio album, Dance Of Death. This was another big hit single from the Dance Of Death album. For the most part, this is straight-up, hard and heavy rock, and as with most of the Dance Of Death renditions found on this release, it is right on par with its studio counterpart. Another piece well worth listening to.

-Brave New World: Originally from the 2000 studio album, Brave New World. Here we have the title track from the album that served as Iron Maiden's grand comeback into the heavy metal arena. I'm a little surprised they chose to perform THIS song from that album rather than the big hit, The Wicker Man. Oh, well. Once again, the band has taken heavy and melodic elements and combined them beautifully. The band hasn't lost their touch, as they demonstrate beautifully on this track.

-Paschendale: Originally from the 2003 studio album, Dance Of Death. Many songs from Dance Of Death are instant Iron Maiden classics, and that theory reigns true here. The song starts out with a spoken-word intro, actually somewhat reminiscent of Days Of Future Passed-era Moody Blues. From there on out, the song rocks hard, but in a totally unique way. It is a very hard song to describe in words, so I'll just put it simply - the song rules. Another classic, and this rendition is a solid one.

-Lord Of The Flies: Originally from the 1995 studio album, The X Factor (original version featured Blaze Bayley on lead vocals.) The Bayley era is the one most Iron Maiden fans don't like, so it's rather awkward that Bruce Dickinson would sing a song from this forgotten era. Of course, Dickinson is a better singer than Bayley, and as such, he makes this song better! This song was one of Bayley's better songs with the band, and with Dickinson singing it is improved! A worthwhile rendition of a song I actually expected a lot less from.

-DISC TWO-

-No More Lies: Originally from the 2003 studio album, Dance Of Death. Do I have to say it again? Most of the songs from Dance Of Death are instant classics, and this is another one of them. If you like those songs with deceivingly melodic introductions that suddenly turn hard and heavy and take you off guard, this one is for you. This live version is performed excellently, too.

-Hallowed Be Thy Name: Originally from the 1982 studio album, The Number Of The Beast. All Iron Maiden fans know this song, and they know it as one of their favorites. It starts out with a gloomy, melodic intro, and quickly becomes a heavy metal inferno the listener will not soon forget. It's only appropriate the band continues to perform this song, as it is a fan favorite, and truly one of their finest compositions. The band's ability to perform it well hasn't diminished either, as you will quickly discover when you give it a listen.

-Fear Of The Dark: Originally from the 1992 studio album, Fear Of The Dark. Fear Of The Dark is one of those albums that tends to get a mixed reaction amongst the Iron Maiden fans. However, one thing they can generally agree on is that the title track is awesome. And this live rendition is awesome, too. The gloomy hard rock song reigns as one of many fan favorites, and it isn't hard to see why it is so widely loved. A worthwhile track, no questions asked.

-Iron Maiden: Originally from the 1980 studio album, Iron Maiden (original version featured Paul Di'Anno on lead vocals.) Once again, the band performs a Di'Anno-era song. And while this is definitely one of Dickinson's finest takes on the old Di'Anno-era song, there is no denying that is weak in comparison to the Di'Anno original. Not a bad song by any means, though.

-Journeyman: Originally from the 2003 studio album, Dance Of Death. Yet another Dance Of Death song, and not surprisingly, another good one. This is one of my favorite Maiden songs, combining acoustic, electric, melodic, and heavy - and combining them all excellently. The end result is definitely a worthwhile listen. And this is a good performance, needless to say.

-The Number Of The Beast: Originally from the 1982 studio album, The Number Of The Beast. This song doesn't even need comments, because its reputation says it all. Just the same, I'll say that it's a Maiden classic, it rules, and I'm glad the band performed it here. Once again, the band's take on a classic was done very well.

-Run To The Hills: Originally from the 1982 studio album, The Number Of The Beast. Closing out the album is another one of the classics from The Number Of The Beast album. From its classic introductory guitar riffs, this song rocks hard all the way through. It just might be the band's biggest hit ever, and it shows up on nearly every live release, appropriately enough. The band's performance of this classic hit is a solid one, and a good finisher.

OVERALL:
Overall, I am disappointed to see that so many people think of this as "just another Iron Maiden live album." I won't deny that the band has a ton of them, but the fact of the matter is that most of them are damn good, and this is no exception. It blows the nineties live releases away. Sure, it's not quite Rock In Rio, but it's still top-notch stuff. If you're a die-hard Maiden fan, add this to your collection - just don't be expecting anything totally revolutionary as far as Maiden live stuff goes. If you're new to the band, consider starting your collection elsewhere. Final verdict? Damn good stuff once again! Highly recommended!

EDITION NOTES:
This album was just released not long ago (at the time I write this review.) Accordingly, it is not at all difficult to find in stores. If you're a Maiden fan who wants the album, it won't be tough to find. And to all you die-hard Maiden collectors - there is a limited edition vinyl set available as well!

Music CD:

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

Sugar ~ Leon Redbone

Burning ~ Thunderstone

Bloodred Hatered ~ Hatesphere

Io Non Ho Paura (Un Film Di Gabriele Salvatores) ~ Original Soundtrack

Latin Jazz Christmas ~ Caribbean Jazz Project, Poncho Sanchez, Sheila E.

Spliff Radio Show ~ Spliff

The Satelliters ~ Satelliters

Rock & Roll Legends Live, Vol. 5 ~ Various Artists

I Am Sam ~ Original Soundtrack

From Death to Passwords Where You're a Paper Airplane ~ Metamatics