Thanks to all who joined our special live episode of 50 Years of Iron Maiden celebrating Live After Death. I always like to write up a little show summary every time we do a live episode. For Harrison and I, scheduling guests required pre-recording episodes for this series. However, we aim to do the live albums as live episodes, because why not? Most of them do not have special guests attached to them, but Live After Death had to be an exception, due to its importance in heavy metal. This week our special guest was show co-founder and viewer favourite Uncle Meat!
Together, the three of us broke down the album, side by side. Each side of this album has its own flavour. I had a favourite. We discuss the spectacular vocal acrobatics of Bruce Dickinson, some (perhaps) excessive crowd interactions, some nearly definitive versions of songs, and some interesting stage banter. We also go deep with the three B-sides: “Losfer Words”, “Run to the Hills” and “Running Free”.
Finally, we take a really good look at the original vinyl itself, the gatefold, the Easter eggs, and much more!
And speaking of Easter eggs, we’ll see you next week for our special live Good Friday afternoon show, and following that, our 100th episode celebration!
Recorded:
14–17 March 1985 (sides 1–3) Long Beach Arena
8–12 October 1984 (side 4) Hammersmith Odeon
Released 14 October 1985 (audio)
23 October 1985 (video)
The first release of Churchill’s speech added onto Aces High.
SIDE ONE
String of hits, five in a row. Easily the best first side of any live metal album.
Aces High – a lot of really really “clean” backing vocals – overdubs?
Revelations – “Nice to see ya, to see ya…nice.” “Written about religion, or about washing your car, actually it’s about hanging a pair of curtains.”
Lot of “extra singing” from Bruce. “yeah, yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah oh, oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah…” Also lots of variation from the album melody. Lots of extra power from Bruce vocally.
And then “Oh, oh, it is you…” “Motherfucker!” – Nicko?
SIDE TWO
“This is what NOT to do if a bird shits on ya!” One of the most famous song intros of all time?
Also lots of that “extra singing” – “Yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah…”
Followed by “Powerslave” as a serious 1-2 punch.
Ending with Beast is a great record closer. Intro is interesting as it’s pitch-changed with effects added. Also Bruce sings the complete choruses and not just “six”.
SIDE THREE
Another side of smash hits. “Hallowed” (funny twang in Bruce’s delivery)
“Iron Maiden”, “Run to the Hills”, and “Running Free” with the long audience participation section. Kind of the definitive version of this kind of concert activity.
“Hills” is the only song I like a lot less than the album version. Guitar opening sounds thin, Steve’s bass too plunky. Bruce doesn’t sound as enthused compared to Beast Over Hammersmith.
SIDE FOUR
“Wrathchild” is a brilliant addition from the Di’Anno days though “Killers” would have been great too. A definitive Bruce version of “Wrathchild”. Lots of that “extra singing” and you can hear Harris on the chorus clearly.
“Acacia” – “Speak to me, Hammersmith!” – I like Bruce’s echo – “I know a place where we can go go go go…” Great guitar solo work here.
“Damned” – “Let me see those hands, yeeeah!” Magnificent vocal performance by Bruce, top notch all the way! Lovely guitar harmonics after Bruce sings “If he had lived, he would have crucified us all!”
“Boots” – Very frantic vocal delivery with speed.
“Phantom” – an absolutely epic way to end the album. When I first got it, it was an unexpected track. It was my first time hearing it.
B-SIDES
“Losfer Words” – Feels faster and more intense than the album version. A great bonus track and the only live performance available to buy.
“Sanctuary” – Too much “extra singing” in this one!
“Murders in the Rue Morgue” – “Got a surprise for ya!”
50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 10: Live After Death
A special 🅻🅸🆅🅴 episode
GRAB A STACK OF ROCK #98
Some call it the greatest metal live album of all time. It was certainly of an unusually high quality when it was released in 1985, for Iron Maiden’s Live After Death was over 100 minutes of masterful classics, accompanied by a generous booklet with liner notes and hundreds of tour photos. It had no equal in heavy metal.
Tonight on 50 Years of Iron Maiden, Harrison and I will be live! It’s a gimmick we want to try for live albums: live episodes to celebrate the live experience! Joining us is show co-founder Uncle Meat, returning to the channel for this special deep dive. Not only is 2025 the 50th anniversary of Iron Maiden, but it is the 40th anniversary of this legendary live album. Meat and I were there in 1985, relishing every note when it was brand new.
Together we will break down all four sides of vinyl (the original CD only featured the first three sides, and the cassette had an edited version of side two, so vinyl used to be the only way to get the whole album). We will also go deep on the rarely heard live B-sides “Sanctuary”, “Murders in the Rue Morgue” and “Losfer Words”. For physical media, we will look at the 1995 2 CD reissue, the remastered 2 CD reissue, the original vinyl, and the singles…one of which didn’t even have Eddie on the cover!
Since this is a live episode, we’ll also be able to take your comments live! Don’t miss this special episode of Grab A Stack of Rock.
LIVE on Friday April 11 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic. Enjoy on YouTube or Facebook.
Tim Durling came up with this topic, a nice simple one! Album covers with reflections on them. Could be mirrors, could be polished metal, or water! Whatever the cover may be, if it has a reflection, it’s fair game for tonight.
Tune in live!
THE CONTRARIANS – Done With Mirrors – Wednesday April 9 – 7:00 PM EST
‘Twas an honour to sit with Rush scholars Tim Durling, Chez Cetra, and Ryan Murphy and talk about this wonderful Rush 50 box set! You’ve already read my review, but what did these other fine folks have to say about this immersive Rush anthology box set?
Perhaps the most interesting testimony came from Ryan, who initially wasn’t all that psyched about the box set. His attitude changed when he started digging in. Why? You’ll just have to watch and see. Tim’s words are below.
To celebrate five decades of basically the best music ever, Rush recently released a career-spanning box set: 4 CDs or 7 LPs with a beautiful outer protective box, a stunning book full of information and amazing new Hugh Syme artwork for almost every song included. Ryan from @Rushfans, Mike from @GrabAStackofRocK and frequent TVC co-host Chez give our thoughts on the value of owning the RUSH 50 BOXSET.
It is my honour to sit in with Peter Kerr to discuss this thrash metal classic that is outside my comfort zone. We have had some success with similar shows before, such as the one where I became a Prince fan. With Slayer’s Reign In Blood, I was faced with an album with unprecedented speed and intensity. How did I fare? As always, I immersed myself in the album with repeated plays in different settings.
Check out the show below, and face the Angel of Death on Rock Daydream Nation with Peter Kerr and I!
‘Twas a cool day in both Australia and Canada when three of us braved the scorching desert sands of Powerslave! Joined by the legendary bicyclegs, Harrison and I took a deep dive into all eight tracks and all four B-sides. Each time, our guest has picked a personal favourite album and bicyclelegs’ passion for Powerslave is obvious. Join us for some deep insight into the songs, the lyrics and subject matter, the musicianship and of course the artwork!
As for physical product, we’ll see the vinyl and the new zoetrope vinyl too. There are some special Reaction figures by Super 7 relevant to the album, and some singles too.
Taking the wheel at the end, Harrison will tell us of the tour, the setlists, and the songs that were played and how frequently. Harrison is a musical tour encyclopedia, and this is always a highlight of the show.
Don’t miss this awesome episode, and be sure to like and subscribe if you haven’t already.
Friday April 4 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic. Enjoy on YouTube.
From the mind of Martin: Album covers with that “New York” vibe. Picturing the city, or just putting out that New York vibe. One of my picks went so far off the beaten track, you won’t believe it. Off by about 2000 years. Any guesses?
Tune in tonight!
THE CONTRARIANS – Greetings from New York – Wednesday April 2 – 7:00 PM EST
I don’t really do prank posts anymore, so instead let’s look back upon April 1 2022, the infamous “Prank Show” on my old show, the LeBrain Train. The episode was a tad long, as back in the pandemic days we were trying to entertain people who were stuck at home. It didn’t do well for views, so hopefully someone will check it out today.
This aired on a Friday night, and it was an evening of hilarity, pranks and Jackass appreciation! Thank you to long time pal Chris Thuss for joining! For lists, we did our Top Five Jackass Pranks, from the movies and TV shows.
This episode had three main segments:
Stories and reminiscing pranks (Chris is an expert).
The original 2020 prank calls made to the LeBrain Train, which confused the shit out of everyone!
The Jackass lists and appreciation!
As an added bonus, we received prank calls live on the show from some naughty viewer! And we even had a special drop-in from a certain Meat Man.
mikeladano.com 
You must be logged in to post a comment.