Oh dear. A live album. The first from the band, if you don't count Maiden Japan, a EP release from 1981. This is a true classic. The sound is far superior to any live album recorded up to 1985. It is regarded as one of the 3-4 best live recordings ever and still is to this date. The songs were recorded during the World Slavery Tour at Long Beach Arena from March 14-17 1985, although CD2 is recorded at Hammersmith Odeon October 8-12, 1984. The Long Beach Arena gigs were the first time ever, that a band sold out 4 consecutive nights. The tour lasted 322(!) days. Outstanding. There are many details in the booklet so do yourself a favour and read it.

As this is a live album I won't be going into detail with every song, as it would be repeating myself. But I would like to point out some of the highlights on the album. Track wise, there isn't single weak track. Pure classic material! For one thing it is nice to hear "2 minutes." played at the right tempo. Thx Mr. Smith!! Revelations is played faster than the original. But it doesn't ruin the song. It actually makes it stronger and more powerfull. "Rime.", "Powerslave" and "Hallowed." are all classics. But to hear them played live just gives you a vision. A vision that tells you that the Gods like heavy metal. And they like it a lot. 'Cause the Maiden festivities ain't over yet. A stunning 8 min version of "Running Free" just gives an idea of how captivating Maiden is on stage and how Dickinson controls the audience and holds them in a leash as we mortals would hold a small dog. Amazing. CD2 was not on the original CD, so this is new material for many fans. Earlier on, you could only get these songs on Double Vinyl and Double Cassette. The same goes for "Running Free" Is was only the single version on the original CD.

Highlights on CD2 has to be "22 Acacia Avenue" and "Phantom.". But all of a sudden "Die With." sounds pretty cool. The guitar sound is different. It has been adapted to the Powerslave sound, so suddenly we have a cool live track. But that is typical Maiden. The track may sound a bit slow/lame or in other ways don't feel right on the album. Then when played live, the Maiden magic starts. Ain't it great?!

On a little side note, you should, if you can, get hold of the 2 singles from the album. It's "Running Free" and "Run To The Hills". On the b-sides there are a few tracks that hasn't been available anywhere else. There are 4 tracks, but one of them is "Phantom.". The other 3 are: "Losfer Words.", "Sanctuary" and "Murders in.".

Happy hunting.

Written by Ulrick
Thursday, July 11, 2002
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Ratings

Ulrick: 9.5/10

Members: 10/10 - Average of 1 ratings.



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notrap Rating: 10/10 No review was posted

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Comment by Chase the Ace (Anonymous) - Friday, April 11, 2003

Maiden is at there best here,great live album! UP THE IRONS!

Comment by Eetu Tahvonen (Anonymous) - Friday, January 30, 2004

Those missing tracks are on the lp-version. As far as I remember, all of the missing songs mentioned on the reviw can be found on the lp.

Comment by Fallopian Tubes (Anonymous) - Tuesday, May 11, 2004

Having long ago decided that 'Powerslave' was my favourite Maiden album (against some tough competition), I heard this for the first time today and was blown away. The liver versions of "Revelations," "Mariner" and "2 Minutes" sound amazing, and the tempo of the whole thing makes this my favoruite album ever. I haven't heard the second disc yet though. At the risk of being unoriginal I'd say Up the Irons but seriously, UP 'EM!

Comment by i.Ron S. (Anonymous) - Friday, May 21, 2004

This is really legendaric. The Powerslave songs, great. And Revelations. 10/10

Comment by I Maiden (Anonymous) - Saturday, May 22, 2004

Stand back!! give me some room whilst I pull this motherfucker out of my vault, not with my hands, tongs but this baby here is the holy grail of all heavy metal. Rime of the ancient mariner really grabs you by the balls, and leaves me speechless, there but for the grace of God, fuck this album is too good for all of us, god has to have a copy in his fucking player! This the maiden at thier peak, no stones, no beatles, no elvis or fucking Metallica, this is the album that makes Maiden no ones bitch!

Comment by ap (Anonymous) - Friday, May 28, 2004

Unbelievable....BD's rendition of "Phantom" seriously is better then the original. I love both singers, but this, live, kicks ass.

Comment by bruce sucks (Anonymous) - Wednesday, February 16, 2005

amazing how bruce dickinsomeass fucks up most of Dianno's songs, Phantom, wrathchild, running free and Sanctuary, he sucks! that screaming bastard

Comment by i love u nicko mcbrian (Anonymous) - Sunday, March 13, 2005

te amooo!!!!!!

Comment by nj23nut (Anonymous) - Monday, May 9, 2005

To bruce sucks: you're a moron. Maiden would've died if not for Bruce. LAD is the greatest live album ever made. The video for it is the greatest video of a concert ever made. This album is Maiden at their peak and if someone doesn't like this, then they're either stupid or don't like metal. 10/10

Comment by bruce sucks (Anonymous) - Thursday, May 19, 2005

im hot for bruce

Comment by Vranarc (Anonymous) - Sunday, May 22, 2005

I got a dvd-rip of this and it's got all tracks on CD1 and the last one is Sanctuary.. i tried to look for cutting errors and hints but no success...

Comment by M. Owen Santy (Anonymous) - Monday, January 9, 2006

I had the pleasure of buying this record on the day of release as a senior in high-school - Almost 20 years later - still the best damn live album Ever made by ANY band. Any metal fan that doesn't have this should be shot!

Comment by bruce sucks (Anonymous) - Monday, February 27, 2006

Hey nj23nut u suck if u luv dickinsomass , go marry him and his boyfriend smith

Comment by notrap (Member) - Sunday, September 14, 2008

View Profile Comments: 55 Ratings: 66 My first Iron Maiden Album...Aces High, 2 Minutes to midnight, the Tropper, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Hallowed Be thy Name,... changed my life. In those days Maiden was the Heavy Metal's highest flag. I can't remember a life album so good (maybe Priest Live! or World Wide Live, from Scorpions). Good review Ulrick! I only disagree with the rating... 10/10...of course Up the Irons! Posted by notrap Sunday, September 14, 2008