Live After Death Review

Release Date: February 4, 2008
If you’ve been aching for the days when Iron Maiden ruled the metal scene, the band’s new DVD Life After Death will provide you with a much-needed dose of nostalgia.

Sound:	10
Content:	9.7
Production:	9.7
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	9.9
Users rating:	9.5
Comments:	38

overall: 9.8

Featured review by: UG Team, on february 18, 2008

Sound: There just aren’t a lot of bands with the showmanship that embodied Iron Maiden during the 1980s, and thankfully we get the opportunity to relive those years through the band’s latest DVD Live After Death. The new release looks back to what could certainly be called Iron Maiden’s most grueling tour and features 2 disks that are a compendium to the double album of the same name. A lot of us out there feel that you really couldn’t go wrong with Maiden most of the time, but Life After Death is the ultimate in terms of a visual greatest-hits package.

The first disk covers the 1984-1985 World Slavery Tour, which pretty much set the standard for touring bands everywhere in terms of it's duration. The featured concert on the disk was filmed over 4 days at Long Beach Arena, with a setlist that included classics like “The Trooper,” “2 Minutes To Midnight,” “The Flight Of Icarus,” and “Run To The Hills.” These are all songs that most Maiden fans embrace, and the band never disappoints with it's live performance. In fact, seeing the energy and flawless sound of Bruce Dickinson and the boys is a true testament to why they have become legends in the metal world.

The second disk is worth the price of the DVD itself, with a full-length documentary called “The History Of Iron Maiden: Part II.” It goes beyond the tour and tells what exactly was going on behind the scenes -- whether that be getting drunk and playing Connect Four, making the video for “2 Minutes To Midnight,” or the feeling the pressure of the unrelenting World Slavery Tour. There are interesting stories from pretty much every member of Maiden, and you certainly get a better idea of what the personalities are like within the band. // 10

Content: As was mentioned earlier, there is a lot to be seen and heard in Live After Death. Not only is the entire first disk devoted to the World Slavery Tour (in which Bruce Dickinson proves that he is the ultimate frontman; that man never tires of lifting his arms up and down), the second disk offers even more live footage. The famous Rock In Rio concert from 1985 runs around 50 minutes, while the documentary “Behind The Iron Curtain” (approx 57 minutes) contains 6 performances. Also included on the second disk is a promo video titled “’Ello Texas,” which although a little grainier in quality, features some memorable interviews with Steve Harris and Bruce Dickinson. // 10

Production Quality: We might not have had HD cameras back in the '80s, but the footage from the World Slavery Tour doesn’t need to rely on the cream of the crop equipment. You get an entertaining show, and more importantly, each band member is shown several times over. The camera work is clean, steady, and to the point, so you’re not getting overly artistic footage that distracts from the performance. The video on Life After Death is far from being sub par and after all this time is still highly professional in quality. // 9

Impression: The main feature is the 90-minute long World Slavery concert that features 13 songs, but you don’t just get classic songs on Life After Death. The documentaries should be just as interesting to most Maiden fans, and finding out all the behind-the-scenes dirt that went on during the tour will likely make you want to re-watch the live show all over again. Even if the DVD didn’t include 2 disks, either one would have made a pretty essential piece to add to the Maiden library. If you are someone who longs for the classic songwriting and performance ability of early metal bands, Live After Death should be on your DVD wish list. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: GNRrockslife, on february 18, 2008

Sound: This DVD was recorded at Long Beach Arena, the main concert was filmed March 15th 1985; the second of four sold out nights of Iron Maiden headlining in Long Beach. The footage was previously available on VHS and Laserdisc, but the new DVD transfer is much improved. The color is quite vivid and looks fresh, which will be a nice treat for old fans who have worn out their old VHS tape. I can't comment on the 5.1 audio track as I don't have a 5.1 system, but all reports on it in reviews I've read have been nice. The band was spot on this performance. Often the live album is the same name is held in regards as one of the best metal performances in history, the DVD really shows it. Maiden were at the peak of their creativity in '85. Bruce's voice is a little whiny in spots, but they had also been touring for 8 months straight when this was recorded. // 10

Content: The DVD features well over 5 hours of Maiden. Disc one of the set is the concert video Live After Death. In over a 90 minute performance, Maiden rolls out their hits such as The Trooper, Run To The Hills and 2 Minutes To Midnight, as well as some less played gems such as Aces High, Rime Of The Ancient Mariner, Revelations and Flight Of Icarus. The stage was the most theatrical show Maiden have done to date, with an Egyptian themed stage in support of their 1984 album, Powerslave. The stage features a moving lighting rig, pyrotechnics and a two story Eddie whose eyes spark. Disc two begins with Part 2 of The History Of Iron Maiden, which is the follow up to the 2004 DVD, The Early Days. Part 2 of the series focuses solely on the writing and recording of Powerslave, as well as their 13 month World Slavery Tour in support of the album. The documentary is incredibly in depth, featuring interviews with band members, as well as management and technicians associated with the band. Next up is another documentary called Behind The Iron Curtain. Also originally released on VHS as a 30 minute long video EP, the DVD transfer is doubled in length with 30 minutes of never before seen footage. The video documents Maiden's tour of Eastern Bloc in 1984, making them the first western band to take a full production into Communist Europe. In addition of the document footage, there are 7 live videos recorded on that leg of the tour. An hours worth of footage from when Maiden opened for Queen at the very first Rock In Rio on January 11th 1985 is also included. The footage is low quality, and only half of the show was inculded due to the rest of it being too damaged to put on the DVD. The full show has been circulating among bootleg traders for years, however the footage on the DVD is cleaned up a lot from the bootleg, and the audio is a lot clearer. Filmed in front of 300, 000 fans, it is to date the biggest concert Maiden has played to date. There is a 15 minute promotional spot of the band in Texas on their 1983 World Piece Tour. It features footage of the band visting the Alamo, as well as Flight Of Icarus and 22 Acacia Avenue, and the band soundchecking Wrathchild in Austin. Finally, there are 2 promo videos, Aces High and 2 Minutes To Midnight and 5 or 6 picture gallerys. // 10

Production Quality: The thing that stands out the most in terms of production is it lacks the quick editing of later Maiden videos. Fans who have seen Rock In Rio or Death On The Road know what I am talking about. This is due to the fact that Steve Harris didn't do the editing on Live After Death. The camera angles on the main concert are quite innovative, and a breath of fresh air compared to more recent Maiden DVDs. The footage is much more crisp than the VHS release, and they really went above and beyond in remastering it. All in all the DVD was well produced and fortunately doesn't suffer from a lot of the technical issues on Death On The Road. // 10

Impression: Live After Death is without a doubt the essential Iron Maiden DVD. The live footage captures the band in their prime and at the height of their popularity. The documentaries offer an insightful glimpse into the world of Maiden in '84 and '85. I don't really have any complaints, except for the inclusion of only half of the Rio gig. I have the bootleg of the whole show on a DVD somewhere, and the footage of the rest isn't too much more deteriorated than what was included. My guess is it was cut for time purposes. I would buy another copy no doubt if it were lost or stolen. Coming from a die-hard Maiden fan, the most impressive thing was that there were no promises about it not kept. The last few years in the Maiden world, everything has had something go wrong and they had to break a promise. I'm glad to say this is not like that. The DVD appears exactly how they said it would. Up The Irons! // 10

overall: 9.8

Reviewed by: Irish Dman, on june 11, 2008

Sound: What can I say? This is Iron Maiden in the pinnicale of their career!
Bruce Dicknson on Vocals, Arian Smith and Dave Murray on Guitars, Steve Harris on Bass and Niko Mc Brian on Drums is the ultimate line-up for a metal concert. The songs on this DVD are mainly off the Powerslave album. Examples of these songs include 2 Minutes To Midnight, Aces High, Powerslave and the epic Rime Of The Ancient Mariner! Also included off previous albums are Revalations, The Trooper, Number Of The Beast, Iron Maiden, Sanctuary, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Run To The Hills and Running Free in which Bruce includes the crowd spectacularly and is a prime example on how this band is one of the great metal bands of all time! This DVD was recorded in LA's Long Beach Arena in which they sold-out four consecutive night's during the World Slavery Tour. // 10

Content: The content on this DVD is top shelf stuff! There is two discs: Disc 1 is the Live After Death concert itself, Disc 2 includes The History Of Iron Maiden Part 2, Behind The Iron Curtain, Rock In Rio and the videos of Aces High and 2 Minutes To Midnight. The History Of Iron Maiden Part 2 is a very entertaining insight to recording of Powerslave and the tour of the album. Including the back-story about Misson From 'Arry and some of the band's more wild night's out! Behind The Iron Curtain is an insight on how Iron Maiden was the only band to play in the Eastern Bloc featuring unseen preformance's and interviews. // 9

Production Quality: The Quality of this DVD set's the standard for Music DVD's in terms of content and preformance! The every song can be heard prefectly aswell as the crowd singing along with them! Overall the sound, production and the quality of this DVD is top-dog. There is not many Technological tricks because of the era that the VHS version of this DVD was created but the stage lighting and effects make-up for this. // 10

Impression: This DVD is essential to any fan of Iron Maiden or Metal! The most impressive thing about this DVD is the concert Live After Death itself but everthing on this DVD is amazing! If I lost this DVD I would buy Two of them to make sure I'd never lose it again! I would recomend this DVD to any fan new or old of Iron Maiden as it is a grea insight to the band and their history during the time when they ruled the metal universe! // 10

Comments

[IMPERIUMMMM]

UP THE IRONS!

[shwilly]

Often the live album is the same name is held in regards as one of the best metal performances in history

Yup. Lots people who aren't that much into metal add the record to their "best live albums ever" list just to look cool, but it really is one hell of a recording. I'll get this DVD as soon as I see it

[Irontallica09]

got, it it's great, theres loads of extras on it it's not just the live performance, it's 2 cd's great

[slann101]

scene kids may add it to look cool, but it is an AMAZING album and dvd.

[TheAmenCorner89]

Finally, a truly great album/dvd on UG reviews that lives up to the 10/10 classic mark

[say5ss2]

I.R.O.N M.A.I.D.E.N A.R.E G.O.D.S!!!!! (thats all i have to say)

[CanCan]

Good god, I can't wait to catch them this summer.

[Mr.G]

had this in video form back in the late eightys,as I recall that had the live performance only and ya it kickes ass. Ill prob go buy the dvd combo sounds killer

[lairoads]

iron maiden ROCKS!

[sgboy666]

Got this DVD last weekend and all i have to say is AWESOME!!!!! The show is awesome the guitars are awesome it's just generally awesome!!!!

[ezlntrooper]

Had that concert on VHS some time ago so to see it on DVD with the 2nd Early Days part is great!
Also have the double LP version

[Chewy120]

omg why is this impossible to find in stores,=( i really want to buy a copy

[Infamou$17]

Iron Maiden pretty much still does rule the metal scene

[Skuzzmo]

Infamou$17 wrote:

Iron Maiden pretty much still does rule the metal scene

Agreed.....

Got the DVD, watched it and now I'm wetting myself to go see them at Twickenham...

Roll on July 5th

[the_burning_one]

ive havnt seen it yet, but i love maiden and im looking forward to it

[moodster]

Maiden is amazing live!

[priestfan76]

Iron Maiden are the kings of the metal world, and they are still reigning(no I'm not referencing slayer haha)

[Helker]

'the days when Iron Maiden ruled the metal scene'...man, this is NOWADAYS!! maiden rules

[dboOxEr]

Fucking Good band's i love them

[plectrum911]

im not really into older metal, but ive got to say that i really respect maiden, without them there would be no modern metal.

[AerialOverdrive]

Legends

They will never be forgotten

[guitari2ator]

Yeah cant wait i see them tomorow UP THE IRONS!!!!!

[Steve BP]

Thanks for the review -- it is priming me for their show in Toronto in March!

[jthm_guitarist]

Is this new or did they re release it? How come it took this long?

[Cloud147]

I'm going to their concert next week! First time in Costa Rica! And only 10 minutes away from my home.

[abdulalhazred]

i would kill to see iron maiden i wanted yo on my bday 2 weeks ago but my parents arent down with me traveling to a different continent for a concert

[Rajah]

jthm_guitarist wrote:

Is this new or did they re release it? How come it took this long?

This is the DVD of Live After Death released in 1986. I saw them 2 weeks ago here in Australia and they were perfect. Second time I've seen them live.

[gattcat0]

2 words how much?

[gattcat0]

only 2 of the somewhere back in time gigs werent booked out and at 98 percent full each that is amazing awseome

[darksauce]

awesomee this looks good. might pick it up soon

good thing is there has been no flame fest or bashing. just shows how good Iron Maiden is.

UP THE IRONSSSS

[Rajah]

gattcat0 wrote:

2 words how much?

Mine was A$22. I would have happily paid twice as much.

[SamTotman]

Still no caught somewhere in time/loneliness of long distance runner/deja vu/alexander the great/sea of madness live. WHY!?

[CapnKickass]

Saw them monday, facking awesome to the max. The stage is so coool, the playing was perfect, and everyone stood and sang along. Kick arse show.

[shredder.cheese]

Rented the DVD set from Netflix a couple of weeks ago for nostalgia (I was at the first show in Long Beach those many years ago) and man Iron Maiden still rocks. It is good to hear from other posters here that the band can still kick a** over 20 years later. Up The Irons!!!

[guitargodderyck]

Got it. Kicks ass

[SDMF_matty]

eeeeeyyooooo

anybody wanna lend me money so I can buy this?

[MorgMetal_666]

They're just as good now as they were then. I saw them and they sounded just like the albums, one of the best live bands ever.

[UltimateDud]

Worth every cent, best DVD I own :P