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🅻🅸🆅🅴 50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 32: En Vivo!

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 32:  En Vivo!

A special 🅻🅸🆅🅴 episode – 15th Anniversary of the Santiago Chile concert!

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK #142

Another Maiden live album?  Another 50 Years of Iron Maiden live episode.  Hitting the skies in a brand new Ed Force One jet, our heavy metal heroes embarked upon “the road” once again.  With the new space and science fiction-themed Final Frontier album providing new Eddies and new songs, the Maiden live show evolved once again.  With six new songs (including intro “Satellite 15”) and an alien hybrid Eddie, Iron Maiden roared into Santiago, Chile intending to record a live DVD and Blu-ray.  Recorded on this day, 15 years ago,  April 10 2011, history was made and documented.  The album was released almost a year later, on March 26 2012.

Join Mike and Harrison live, as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the En Vivo! concert.  Another double live CD and DVD or Blu-ray set, we will take you through the entire track list song by song.  The visual aspects of the show will be accounted for, and the unique split-screen editing will be assessed.  The bonus DVD includes a music video (and a short behind the scenes clip) and a 90 minute documentary called “Behind the Beast”.  We will take you through each in our usual detailed manner.

Is this just another Maiden live album?  What tracks stand out?  How does it compare to other live albums?  We’ll assess the whole thing and let you know.

Please join us live if you can.  We love interacting in the comments, and these live albums give us an excuse to do these Maiden episodes as live ones.  You make it worth it!

Friday April 10 at  7:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube or Facebook.

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50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode: From Fear To Eternity – The Best Of 1990-2010

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode: From Fear To Eternity – The Best Of 1990-2010

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK bonus episode

Iron Maiden have certainly done many compilations since the reunion era began.  Last time we looked at Somewhere Back In Time, which covered the 1980s.  Leaving no loose ends, the followup album From Fear To Eternity covers 1990 to 2000.  It is Maiden’s sixth compilation album, and fourth 2 CD set of that kind.  It follows a blueprint set by Somewhere Back In Time, but with some notable inclusions and exclusions.

The cover art on this album is given a special inspection in this episode, as Mike and Harrison point out every Easter egg and reference to prior albums.  We also take a good look at the inside cover, a nice piece of art in itself.  This episode is a feast for the eyes!

Not quite long enough to make into an officially numbered episode, but informative and interesting nonetheless, From Fear To Eternity is a good solid look at an era of Maiden that snobs often ignore:  the underrated 1990s, the glory of the reunion era, and some of the best epic long-bombers of Maiden’s career.  Don’t believe us?  Join tonight for the fun.  It’s all for the love of Maiden.  Up the Irons!

 

Friday March 27 at  7:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube.

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50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode: Hot Metal

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode: ‘Hot Metal’

Featuring Tim Durling from Tim’s Vinyl Confessions

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK bonus episode

 

This special bonus episode of 50 Years of Iron Maiden would not be possible without the efforts of Tim Durling of Tim’s Vinyl Confessions, who years ago informed us of a long-forgotten Iron Maiden cassette release from 1986.  On TVC episode 351 (“Rare CDs”), during a portion where I was showing of my Iron Maiden First Ten Years box set, Tim told us of a cassette release exclusive to the A&A Records and Tapes chain in Canada.  Mike has a long history with A&A, being something of a home base for him during his highschool years.  Tim acquired and sent Mike the cassette of this odd release:  Iron Maiden – Hot Metal, an A&A three track “sampler” exclusive, on Capitol Records.

In this episode we take a good look at this release, which featured a nice three-page foldout with lots to look at.  The tape is clearly geared to new fans who are still buying Iron Maiden catalogue releases, as you’ll see when we dive deep into the innards of the tape.  Priced at just 99 cents, the cassette is essentially a “cassingle” of the “Wasted Years” 12″, but with a twist.  Join Mike and Harrison for a mini-episode suited to this mini-cassette!

Join us for some memories of A&A Records and Tapes (and Compact Discs!), and a close look at a really nice cassette release with quality music and content inside.  Special thanks to Tim’s Vinyl Confessions for providing the video content from his episode providing background on the tape, and actually sending us a copy!

This special episode will run at a special time, see below and hope to see you in the comments.

 

Wednesday March 25 at  7:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube.

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50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 31: The Final Frontier

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 31:  The Final Frontier

With special guest D’Arcy Briggs

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK #140

When Iron Maiden returned on 13 August 2010 with a new studio album The Final Frontier, for the first time in a long time, it felt like “just another Iron Maiden album”.  There were no gimmicks, no comebacks, just 10 new songs.  Many of the new songs were longer and looser.  The beginning of the new Iron Maiden?  We at 50 Years of Iron Maiden try to appreciate each album as they stand on their own, and in this episode we break it down track by track, retrieving nuggets of gold.

Joining Mike and Harrison this time is new guest D’Arcy Briggs from the @Darcyska YouTube channel.  D’Arcy was glad to be able to choose this album.  He explains why in the episode.  Once again, we have the right guest for the right record.  This is a passionate episode with depth and appreciation for an album that often slips through the cracks.

Unfortunately, for the first time in Iron Maiden history, we have a new studio album with no new B-sides.  We do have singles, but no additional songs.

Once our trio of fans breaks down the album for analysis, Harrison will run us through the tour and setlists.  Would many of these songs reappear on tours down the road?  Harrison has the details.  And of course, we’ll address the controversial artwork!

Please join us for this premiere as we love to interact in the comments!

Friday March 6 at  7:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube.

SCHEDULE NOTE:  CLOCKS CHANGE ON SUNDAY – DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

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🅻🅸🆅🅴 50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 30: Somewhere Back In Time & Flight 666

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 30: Somewhere Back In Time & Flight 666

A special 🅻🅸🆅🅴 episode

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK #139

Scream for me, YouTube!  In May 2008, Iron Maiden released a new “best of” CD, unlike the previous four.  Yes, that makes Somewhere Back In Time– The Best of: 1980-1989 the fifth Iron Maiden “best of”.  Despite the title, it has no songs from the first two albums, subbing in live versions with Bruce singing.  The actual tracklist focused on the Dickinson albums from 1982-1988 (Number of the Beast to Seventh Son).  Then, Maiden embarked upon a tour designed to recreate the Live After Death era, with some added goodies (and Eddies) from Somewhere In Time and Seventh Son (plus one song that didn’t fit).

Singer Bruce Dickinson, who was also a licensed pilot, had an idea:  would it be possible to modify a passenger jet to carry all their gear and crew, and fly it from gig to gig no matter how far?

It was indeed possible (if not difficult), and Ed Force One took to the skies to bring Iron Maiden to their fans around the world.  In the pilot’s seat:  Bruce himself!

The first leg of the Somewhere Back In Time tour was documented by Sam Dunn and Banger films for a movie:  Flight 666.  This film played theatrically, and was eventually released on a double DVD set with the movie and all the complete songs.  There was a complete soundtrack on CD and vinyl, and tonight we’re going to look at it all.

Mike and Harrison will dive deep into the film, the songs and the tour.  Mike has over 2000 words of notes, and copies of Flight 666 on CD, DVD and vinyl.  We will tackle Somewhere Back In Time itself as an album, and Harrison will discuss the tour legs that followed.

This will truly be an epic episode, so do not miss it.  We love to interact with the comments.

 

Friday February 27 at  7:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube or Facebook.

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🅻🅸🆅🅴 50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 28: Death on the Road

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 28: Death on the Road

A special 🅻🅸🆅🅴 episode with guest Jex Russell

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK #135

Scream for me, YouTube!  We’re back with our first live Maiden episode of 2026.  We try and do the live albums as live episodes, since we love that live show experience so much.  With us this time is a lucky owner of the Death on the Road DVD, Mr. Jex Russell!  We first saw his copy of the DVD back in June 26 on a special episode on our Maiden collections.  That set being such a rarity, we had to get Jex back on board when it was time to talk about it.

The early 2000s were an incredibly busy time for Iron Maiden, and for the first time ever we had two consecutive live albums after two consecutive studio albums.  This leads to natural comparisons with Rock In Rio, which also received CD and DVD releases.

Tonight we go all-in for the live album, breaking it down track by track.  Harrison and Jex will have their DVD copies on hand to detail us on its contents.  All three of us will be live to answer your questions and comments as we go!  Don’t miss this special live episode!

 

Friday January 23 at  7:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube or Facebook.

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Tim’s Vinyl Confessions Ep. 756: Thin Lizzy (CDs)

It has been 40 years since we lost Phil Lynott.  To mark the occasion, Tim Durling recruited myself and John the Music Nut to meticulously document our Thin Lizzy CD collections on video, once and for all.  While I clearly had the biggest collection (and size does indeed matter), I still need three box sets to “complete” my Lizzy CD collection.

Please join Tim, John and myself as we go through every album one by one, and discuss the history of Thin Lizzy from the beginning right to the John Sykes and Ricky Warwick eras of the band.  We have physical CDs to marks several post-Lynott lineups, and loads of compilations and box sets too.  A truly comprehensive episode, and probably the best single-episode overview on the Lizzy discography that you’ll find on YouTube.  Enjoy!

REVIEW: Mötley Crüe – Cancelled (2024 EP)

MÖTLEY CRÜE – Cancelled (2024 Big Machine EP)

I’ll give Motley Crue credit for two things:  1. Giving us some decent packaging for the Cancelled EP, in the day and age of cheap-out wallets.  This has a full jewel case and booklet.  2. Employing John 5 as their new guitarist.

That’s about it.  John 5 aside, this band has acted shamefully in recent years, and giving us sub-par new material is no consolation.  Sure, it’s great that Motley are releasing new music on CD.  It’s fine that they’re working with Bob Rock again.  It’s not good that these new songs are generic and boring as hell.  This EP feels lazy.

“Cancelled” has a pounding riff.  Vince does a patented “WOAW!” at the beginning.  John absolutely smolders.  Then… the song really starts, but there’s no song here.  The lyrics are actually irritating.  As if Motley Crue ever got “cancelled,” and the less said there, the better!  The positives to the song are the riff and the shredding, both of which can be credited to John 5.  The solo even recalls the classic days for a little while.  Vince is actually singing fine for his age and stage of his career, but he sounds bored to death.  Any spark to this song sounds artificial; either from the production or the hired flashy guitarist.

The single, “Dogs of War” has never stood out.  Same formula.  Slammin’ riff, and unmemorable song.  Production and guitar.  “Don’t let those bastards get you down,” sings Vince, knowing that he’s sailing easily into retirement.

The final abomination is “Fight For Your Right”, the Beastie Boys cover, and it’s actually the best song here.  Why?  Because the Beastie Boys wrote a song!  One with some verses and a chorus that you remember to this day.  Once again though, Vince sounds bored to tears.  As if he’d rather be at another rager than in the recording studio.  Anywhere but where he was right then and there!  Tommy sounds like he’s enjoying himself, and John’s spewing guitar slag out of the speakers in a far more interesting display than anything the singer has on offer.  Whammy tricks and noisy notes galore, it’s great that John 5 is able to loan this kind of playing to Motley Crue.  Does it fit?  Does it sound like Motley Crue?  Not the Crue of old, no.  Mars had his own blues-based style and while John can play anything he wants, he’s not Mars and he’s not trying to be Mars.  If Motley Crue themselves were more interested in writing good tunes that integrate John into an actual band, we’d have potential here.

I really hate when Vince says, “Tommy!  Sixx!  5!  Let’s make some noise!”  It just doesn’t have the same vibe as “My buddies Sixx, Mick and Tom,” even though it does feel like they’re copying themselves.

Final quality control note:  This disc will not play in my brand new PC without horrible background noise, one of only two or three in my collection with that issue.

1/5 stars

Tim’s Vinyl Confessions Ep. 736: Ace Frehley (CDs)

Like ships passing in the night, once again I cannot seem to hook up with Logan Collins at the same time and place!  Logan and I did, however, contribute to this fantastic episode of Tim’s Vinyl Confessions.

With the loss of Ace Frehley fresh in our minds, the three of us go through our Ace Frehley CD collections.  There are certain items in my collection you may not have seen before, such as a promo single for “Do Ya”.  We engaged in deep discussion on each album, the key tracks, and the specific versions we have on display.  Most of us, we miss the Ace and spend most of our time just talking about how great he was.

Check out this episode of Tim’s Vinyl Confessions, which will premiere later today.

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 24: Eddie’s Archive and Edward the Great

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 24: Eddie’s Archive and Edward the Great

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK #121

Post-Brave New World, Iron Maiden were back on top.  With the struggles of the 1990s well behind them, Iron Maiden forged forward with new releases such as Rock In Rio, Edward the Great, and Eddie’s Archive.  Rock in Rio was a double-live, the likes not seen since last Bruce was in.  We covered this in our previous episode.  The latter two were Iron Maiden collections aimed at two very different groups of fans.

Edward the Great was a “hits compilation” aimed at new fans.  As a single disc compilation, it was limited by its length, and an interesting selection of tracks.  As a whole, it offered nothing besides new artwork for the seasoned Iron Maiden fan.  They were advised to save their money and buy the massive, limited edition Eddie’s Archive instead.

The Archive was a generous six-disc collection of three:

Discs 1 & 2 – BBC Archives.  We covered the first four songs in this set on our debut episode of 50 Years of Iron Maiden, so we won’t be tackling these again tonight.  These discs span professional BBC recordings from 1980 to ’88.

Discs 3 & 4 – Beast Over Hammersmith.  Episode 6 of 50 Years of Iron Maiden was dedicated to this double-live album, so there is little need to repeat our praise.

Discs 5 & 6 – Best of the B’Sides.  We already critiqued all of these songs on the relevant albums, so our commentary here is focused more on value to the fan.

Mike and Harrison will break down the above releases, including Edward the Great, and have lots to show as well.  The goodies on display include two complete Eddie’s Archives:  One pre-ordered and delivered back in 2002, with rear sticker still intact, and one “Archive of Theseus” that Harrison will explain the origins of.

This magnificent metal episode is brought to you by the letter E, not to mention Mike and Harrison.  Please check out the premiere tonight if you can!  We love to interact in the comments section.

Friday October 17 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T.  Enjoy on YouTube.

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