REVIEW: Iron Maiden – Flight 666 (2009 CD, DVD)

This is part 42 of my series of Iron Maiden reviews!  And we still ain’t done!

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IRON MAIDEN – Flight 666 (2009 CD, DVD)

In lieu of releasing a live album from the A Matter of Life and Death tour (where Maiden played all of the new album live front to back), they instead chose to document their Somewhere Back In Time tour with a movie, directed by Canada’s own Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn (Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage).   A live soundtrack was released not long after the film.

My buddy Peter and I got our tickets and got in line to see the movie the one and only time it played in town.  Turns out that Tom and Meat were there too.  Of course they were — who would want to miss this?

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The film itself documents Maiden’s massive undertaking of the tour — resurrecting the Powerslave stage and a lot of the old songs.  More important than that, it chronicles the logistics of singer Bruce Dickinson doing all the piloting himself, aboard the private charter jet lovingly known as Ed Force One.  23 concerts, 5 continents, from Mumbai to Toronto.  Nobody had ever done that before.  Due to regulations about a pilot’s rest time between flights, this is something that will probably never happen again.

Regardless of historical nature of this tour, some people bitched and complained.  Another Maiden live album?

Yes, another Maiden live album, and this one with classics available on Live After Death and elsewhere.   It’s still relevant.

Ever since Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith returned to the band in 1999, I feel Maiden have never been stronger. The way the three guitars of Smith, Dave Murray, and Janick Gers have meshed is something to behold. I really enjoy listening to the three-guitar version of Maiden, and once again producer Kevin Shirley has provided a strong mix where you can hear every nuance of those three guitars. Not to mention Bruce’s vocals, Steve’s bass, and Nicko’s steppin’! In other words, this album sounds great.

As for the track listing itself, it sure is great hearing all 13 minutes of “Rime Of The Ancient Mariner” once again. I never thought Maiden would ever play “Moonchild” or “The Clairvoyant” again either. “Powerslave”, “Wasted Years”, “Heaven Can Wait”…so many classics! As Steve Harris notes in the liners, some of these songs may never be played live again, so it’s great to have this document. Some fans will wish there were more old tunes such as “Flight Of Icarus” or “Running Free” instead of more common songs like “Fear Of The Dark”. Another tour, perhaps?

Worth mentioning, each song is taken from a different live gig from the Somewhere Back In Time tour. There’s some fade-in and fade-out between songs. Don’t let that bother you though.  The whole idea was to give fans the sense that, “Hey, I was there!”

When Flight 666 was released on DVD, it went to #1 in Canada and almost every other country it was released in.  The DVD is a great package, mixed in 5.1 by Kevin Shirley, but also including a hell of a bonus feature.  Just in case you wanted a straight Maiden live DVD without the songs being truncated by the documentary, it’s all here.  Every song from the movie can be viewed complete, in sequence, on the bonus DVD.

It would have been nice to see a new Eddie painting on the cover…but if you look closely he’s still there.

5/5 stars (both CD and DVD)

29 comments

  1. When I got this I must have listened to Moonchild who knows how many times,this is done how a DVD package should be done kinda like how they packaged the Live After Death vinyl from 85. Spare no expense as Maiden does,kudos to them for that…5/5 for sure Mike

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  2. First off… I’ve finally worn you down! You’re describing “Heaven Can Wait” as a classic! Hahaha my work is done here.

    I really loved this release. The DVDs and CD are both essential, despite the repetition of Live After Death tracks. Live After Death is still the numero uno Maiden live album for all sorts of reasons but it’s clear that this line-up of Maiden is the most formidable of their whole career. This album sounds excellent and is so much fun. The band sound like they’re totally enjoying themselves too. Focusing on Adrian’s vocals during the chorus of Wasted Years is a really nice touch too! And the 7th Son material stops it being too much like a Live After Death retread. Awesome.

    I always think of the “Bonus” DVD as being the main feature. The film is good but the live performances are the stuff you’re going to watch over and over.

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    1. Well, “Heaven Can Wait”…I suppose I have to pay attention to a respected metal fan like you and give credit where credit is due, right? It has never been a personal favourite although I did love the movie it was written about!

      Obviously many Maiden fans love the tune so I’d better give credit. It’s here for a reason.

      In a way it’s nice to have this material re-done by the current lineup. This version of Maiden is incredible to see and hear, so may as well do the classics. Even though I think a live album based on A Matter of Life and Death would have been even more awesomer :)

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      1. Yeah I would really have wanted them to do an album from that tour. Maybe something will show up on an archive box at some point.

        Heaven Can Wait certainly isn’t their best song. I just like joshing you about it! It does work really well live though. I think the woah oh oh section is always thrilling in a concert setting. So I can see why it’s been in the show a lot just as a set piece. But even on an album that part of it (love all the guitar fills) always gets me going!

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      2. You know what, Bruce actually mentioned at a gig from the second leg of that tour that they where filming it for a live release, and they never released the bloody thing

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  4. Yeah I seen that one HMO,what a great set list,I have watched it various times…great songs…and well at least theres footage….

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  10. I loved this movie. I watched it before beginning this Maiden odyssey in tandem with Mike’s reviews, and I was very impressed by the music even when I didn’t know all the songs! Bruce piloting the plane was an added binus – what an overachiever! Haha. I really should own this film. I really should own all of Sam Dunn’s films. Ah, with unlimited funds…

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    1. Bruce is also a champion fencer, take that for overachieving! He is also an author of fiction! A great role model for young rock fans. An intelligent well spoken rocker.

      This movie really shows why so many people love Maiden. If there has ever been a band more dedicated to their fans, I don’t know who it would be.

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  11. Great review.. and yes Tom and I were there… in the front row of course to get the most massive perspective possible. I have probably watched the movie 6 or 7 times all the way through. And like you said .. the “I was there” feel is so true. Cause I was at the last leg of the tour of the movie in Toronto. The commentary that Bruce makes about the filming, and the film crew being Canadian is a forever highlight as a concert experience. Another note … still when i watch the movie, my favorite part of the whole thing is early on in the film and i believe in a sound check at the Bombay show (could be wrong there) … where Steve Harris and McBrain are playing Wrathchild .. just bass and drums. Makes you appreciate the song more to hear it played that sparsely.

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    1. Yeah that is a really cool moment, I agree fully. To hear them locked in like that is really interesting and intimate as well.

      Well Mr. Meat it’s always good to have your perspective and I hope for more guest shots and perspective in 2013. Especially in regards to some of these great concerts that you have seen.

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  12. Watching Flight 666 at the cinema was a great experience. It wsa hard not to get choked up as the Churchill’s Speach starts and Ace High flattened us into our seats. Seriously, they cranked it right up at the showing we were at.

    AD/DC were playing in Manchester that night and some bloke asked me if I’d rather be watching Angus and I didn’t even stop to think about it when I said “no way”.

    Up the Irons.

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