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50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode: The Essential Iron Maiden

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode: The Essential Iron Maiden

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK bonus episode

This week’s bonus episode of 50 Years of Iron Maiden falls on a Tuesday.  This is a shorter episode, that we wanted to run mid-week.

On 12 July 2005, Sony released The Essential Iron Maiden in North America.  As Maiden’s fourth compilation (and third multi-disc compilation), it was interesting for several reasons.  First and most obviously, there is no Eddie on the cover.  Second, it was released as part of Sony’s Essential series, and we’ll look at another disc from that series for comparison.  Third, it is again mostly reverse-chronological, almost like an updated Best of the Beast without the rarities.

We’re calling it the “weirdest” Iron Maiden best of album for these reasons and more.  Would you buy it?  Have a watch and let us know about this truly un-essential Essential release by Sony!

 

Wednesday January 13 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T., 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube.

 

 

Past episodes:

Handy YouTube Playlist:

 

REVIEW: Iron Maiden – The Early Days (2004 DVD)

IRON MAIDEN – The History of Iron Maiden Part 1: The Early Days (2004 EMI DVD)

Staying on the cutting edge, Iron Maiden released one of the best and most value-packed videos of anyone’s career with The History of Iron Maiden Part 1: The Early Days.  We won’t get too much into how they never really properly followed it.  We’ll just praise it for what it is:  A must-buy DVD for your Iron Maiden collection, and your education.

The DVD is divided into several sections, with the main feature The Early Days winding up on Disc Two.  That’s where we’ll start.

 

 

Disc Two

The Early Days

Released to DVD on, The Early Days is a 90 minute feature directed by Matthew Amos.  Impressively and most importantly, they gathered together as many past members as were willing and able.  Many of them have never seen interviewed before:  Doug Sampson, Rob “Rebel” Matthews, Dave Sullivan, Terry Rance, Bob Sawyer, Terry Wapram, Paul Di’Anno, Dennis Stratton, and Clive Burr.  This in addition to Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Nicko McBrain.  We gain some insight into the formation of Steve’s early band Gypsy’s Kiss.  What Steve really needed was a band where he could lead.   Gypsy’s Kiss broke up after a mere five gigs, due to the usual “musical differences”.  Iron Maiden formed, and gained fans via word of mouth.  There is the claim that original singer Paul Mario Day didn’t have a great stage presence, according to original drummer Ron “Rebel” Matthews.  Looking for a showman, they went with Wilcock who was highly influenced by Kiss.  He had this sword gimmick with fake blood coming from his mouth.  Musically, Dave Murray was the turning point, but Dennis Wilcock convinced Steve to fire the whole band.  Steve and Wilcock formed a new Iron Maiden, with Thunderstick on drums.  You know!  The guy with the leather mask, best known from Samson.  He blew a gig (on drugs) and was fired.  Maiden tried a keyboard player instead of a second guitarist, until Wilcock suddenly left the band.  Doug Sampson from one of Steve’s first bands, Smiler, joined in.  Dave Murray came back, and they found Paul Di’Anno.  This would prove to be the foundation of Iron Maiden.  They toiled with a four-man lineup, as they tried out guitarists.  Paul Todd, Tony Parsons, and “Mad Mac” all their moments, but don’t last.  Parsons, at least, was recorded on a number of tracks now released on Eddie’s Archive.  Speaking of whom, Eddie is finally created (as a smoke-breathing head), and Maiden had a mascot.  The Soundhouse Tapes were recorded, and handed to DJ Neal Kaye.  This led to a live gig at the Soundhouse and things began to snowball.

Future manager Rod Smallwood got hold of the tape.  Somehow he managed to sign Iron Maiden to a three record deal, which was an incredible guarantee for Iron Maiden.  Doug Sampson unfortunately was not healthy enough to enjoy the spoils.  He would not be able to tour, and had to be replaced.  The talented Dennis Stratton came aboard on guitar and backing vocals, bringing drummer Clive Burr with him.  The lineup that recorded the EMI debut was set.

The band were not happy with original producer Will Malone, who was disengaged and uninterested.  Artist Derek Riggs was found, and Eddie was brought to life.  Iron Maiden performed live on Top of the Pops, the first band to actually play live since the Who in the 1970s. Touring with Kiss, Maiden took note of their stage and performance.  It is acknowledged that Kiss were their model when they chose to get more theatrical on future tours.  Unfortunately for Stratton, Dennis was let go at the end of the Kiss tour.  Regardless of his talent, they were not cut from the same cloth.   They knew Adrian Smith from his band Urchin (“Roller” is shown).  Martin Birch (Deep Purple) is recruited to produce the more satisfying second album, and they band embark on their first world tour.

The beloved Paul Di’Anno began to falter.  Even Paul acknowledges that Maiden did the right thing by getting Bruce Bruce from Samson.  Bruce electrified the band, in the studio and on stage.  He enabled them to push it further.  On stage, he was an acrobat.  This caused some friction with the bass player, who was quite used to standing next to the singer on center stage.  Now, there was a madman running about, colliding with Steve Harris at center stage as they battled for position.  It only made the band that much better live.

It’s clearly a tough gig.  Clive Burr was not doing well.  The drummer was given three months to sort himself out but he couldn’t.  Lacking time, the band had to move on.  Nicko McBrain was known from the band Trust, and was the natural guy to take over.  Food For Thought was considered for the next album title, but we all know it became Piece of Mind.

Cut to Maiden live at Dortmund.  To be continued.

 

Disc One

Live at The Rainbow (originally released on VHS on 11 May 1981) – 30 minutes

Recorded 21 December 1980

The video quality on Live at the Rainbow is incredible – feels more like late 80s than early 80s quality!  However it was recorded and remastered for DVD, they did a smashing job here.  This lineup features a short-haired Adrian Smith on guitar, and has a stage set with the first album Eddie as the backdrop.  Paul Di’Anno is rocking mega spikes on his arms and belt, as was the look at the time.

The set begins with a cracking good version of “Wrathchild”.  Then Paul introduces the “Title track from the second album!”, but the lyrics are the early version from before the words were finalized.  “Killers” features an incredible top-speed Clive Burr.  There are great closeup of Davey playing the descending harmonics.  The lights go dim, and the band are in darkness for the quiet opening of “Remember Tomorrow”.  The lights really go nuts on heavy parts.  Steve moves to the front for the instrumental “Transylvania” as he becomes the focus on stage.  The epic “Phantom of the Opera” follows.  Clive shows the world why he was so beloved in Iron Maiden.  He’s absolutely hammering here.  This could be the greatest version of the song ever released.  The set closes with “Iron Maiden”.  Davey starts with a whammy dive, before going into the main lick.  Paul has jacket on.  You can tell there was some editing here, as Paul had no shirt on the previous song, and now he has his jacket.  It’s a treat to see Dave and Adrian play those harmonies and leads though.

Beast Over Hammersmith (full audio available on Eddie’s Archive, video previously unreleased) – 45 minutes

Recorded 20 March 1982

They claim the full show is unwatchable.  They say they had to do a lot of work just to restore the nine songs on this DVD.  Regardless, this show including Bruce is great to watch because of the contrast.  Now the band were on the big stage.  Now they had a stage show.  Now they had Bruce.

There is an opening montage of the crowd entering the venue, lots of jean jackets and patches, to the tune of “Murders in the Rue Morgue”.  Bruce enters like a whirlwind!  The lighting rig is cool – like a “V” of lights on stage below Clive.  “Run to the Hills” is early in the set and now it’s refreshing to go back to 1982 and hear Young Bruce singing it at full lungs.  Bruce is noticeably a far more visual frontman than Paul was.  Only one studded arm though!  “Children of the Damned” is next, as the lights dim a bit and Bruce stands center stage.  No running about, this time.

“The Number of the Beast” sees the crowd fairly calm during the opening, since it is a new song and they don’t know the opening yet.  Davey headbangs through the whole thing!  Annoyingly, the camera avoids Adrian during his part of the guitar solo.  During “22 Acacia Avenue”, Bruce reveals that Adrian had some bruised or broken ribs!  Though musically brilliant, this is where the band lost their way.  Charlotte appears on stage in the flesh, dancing next to Adrian, raising her legs, and moving to center stage in front of Bruce.  It’s a rare miss for Iron Maiden as it takes the focus away from the band.

Bruce introduces the “B-side of our current single!”, and it’s the rarely played “Total Eclipse”.  Bruce’s vocal is far more expressive than the studio version.  This time the camera focuses on the appropriate guitar players during the split solo, thankfully.  Bruce then removes his leather jacket for the melodic masterpiece “The Prisoner”  For “Hallowed Be Thy Name”, he most dramatic song of the set, Bruce stands on the “V” steps by the drums.  Then, he comes down later to rile up the crowd as the song gets faster and harder.  Finally, it’s “Iron Maiden” and Bruce explains to the crowd what the torture device does.  The band really explode onstage for this fast blaster!

Live In Dortmund – Rock and Pop Festival (previously unreleased) – 45 minutes

Recorded 18 Dec 1983, broadcast only once

Maiden headlined over Ozzy, Scorpions, Def Leppard, Priest and Michael Schenker if you can believe it.  Maiden over Ozzy.  For this Piece of Mind era show including Nicko McBrain, we only have the surviving broadcast tapes.  “Iron Maiden” was also played, but cut from broadcast due to an Eddie “lobotomy” with tissues and ribbons counting as “excessive violence”.  The recording of that song is now lost.

Bruce had what we’ll call his “caveman look” with a shirt like something Fred would wear on the Flintstones, paired with some leather trousers.  We open with “Sanctuary” and a very animated Nicko on the cymbals, when he stands for the cheer break.  Bruce’s vocal delivery is a tad too operatic for this song.  Davey’s solo is gravy.  Onto “The Trooper”!  Bruce waves the union Jack, with smoke all over the stage.  The guitars are a bit thin sounding on this recording.  One cool moment is when Steve runs up drum riser and plays face to face with Nicko.  Steve is a real band leader, interacting with all the members on stage.  It is during “Revelations” that Bruce plays a Les Paul during the guitar harmonies.  Plays, or “plays”, it was rarely seen and here it is documented.  (It is this version that is included on the Best of the Beast vinyl LP limited edition.  His vocal here is powerful and far more expressive than the album.  It is a brilliant, full sounding version, loaded with energy.  There is however an annoying close-up on the stage Eddie (behind Nicko) during instrumental mid-section that keeps repeating.

“Scream for me, Dortmund!  The Flight of Icarus!”  The bass sounds heavier on this version.  Bruce nails the chorus.  No backing vocals audible as on Live After Death.  An absolutely killer rendition.  Back to “22 Acacia Avenue”, there is no dancing girl this time, Maiden having learned their lessons.  The audience is a sea of hands.  A great live version, with Bruce adding extra flair.

Now that they are familiar with the song, the audience speaks along to “The Number of the Beast” and its opening narration.  A grim reaper, concealed in smoke, appears on stage.  The band leaves, and then returns for the encore “Run to the Hills” and final song of the included set.  The chorus sounds different this time, lower perhaps.  Maybe it is because Steve’s backing vocals being so high in the mix?  At the end, Bruce destroys a drum kit!

 

Disc Two

There is plenty more to be seen and heard on disc two of this set, besides just The Early Days documentary.  There is a whole other 45 minute unreleased set of music from the band’s own archive, and lots of TV stuff included as well.  Here is a detailed breakdown of everything else on Disc Two.

20th Century Box – 21 minutes

Recorded & broadcast 1981

This television special is primarily framed in terms of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (here called a “revival”), and the musical culture of the time with Punk also reigning high.  There is rare black and white footage from the Marquee club, including “Phantom of the Opera”, “Drifter” and “Iron Maiden”.  There are interviews with Steve and Paul (in a comics shop!), Neal Kaye, Geoff Barton, famed air guitarist Rob Loonhouse (age 23), and many fans.  Produced for television, everything is slick and pro-shot.  A valuable time capsule.

Live at the Ruskin (previously unreleased) – 45 minutes

Recorded 14 April 1980

As of this DVD, Live at the Ruskin is the oldest known video of Iron Maiden live.  It is single camera of surprising quality, probably filmed by road tech Vic Vella.  The Ruskin was kind of a home base to Iron Maiden, and so the introduction goes:  “Welcome, your very own Iron Maiden!”  Paul is very talkative, as if presiding over a party with friends.  Heck, his own mum is in the house!  And so is guitarist Dennis Stratton, not yet sacked, and very much showing his value in this video.

“This is a song you should all know by now, it’s our next single.” And know it they do.  “Sanctuary” lights the place up.  The young band appears crowded on that small stage.  Dennis’ Les Paul solo is speedy magnificence.  Davey takes the second solo, with wah wah pedal.  Paul Di’Anno is very growly, and the “chuggy” section at the end is longer.  The video gets blurry a bit on “Wrathchild”, but it’s awesome to hear a version with Dennis’ solos.  The sweat is visible on Di’Anno’s face during “Prowler”.  Again, it is amazing to hear a live version with Dennis, as his tone was not the same as Davey’s or Adrian’s.  He also sings ample backing vocals, and his voice is different from Adrian’s.

A touch slower version of “Remember Tomorrow” follows, and then Clive leads the clapping on “Running Free”.  Vocally this is one of the best versions available, and that’s partly due to Dennis’ audible backing vocals.  Dennis and Davey perfectly in sync on guitar harmonies.  Outstanding version.  The instrumental “Transylviania” also features a lot of Dennis.  He does the first solo, and the main guitar lick of the song.

Time for band intros, as Paul removes his shirt.  Then it’s onto “Another Life”, the only official live version with Dennis ever released.  Steve’s bass is dominant, with a lot of high notes.  This is back when Maiden still had drum solos.  “Clive Burr on drums!” The audio goes out for a second, it’s not your DVD.

“Phantom of the Opera” features Steve and Dennis on backing vocals, in a very version.  Amusingly , you can spy lots of beer cans visible behind Davey on his amp.  Then we end the recording with “Charlotte the Harlot”.  Paul explains that it’s a song about a whorehouse, a brothel!  He can’t say more, as his mum is in the house!  There is a meandering intro, but Iron Maiden were not an arena act yet.  Another powerful version!

Top of the Pops

Two tracks here:  “Women in Uniform” (22/02/1980) with Adrian on guitar.  Actually live!  This is the only official live version of “Women in Uniform”, ever.  The drums sound shit, and you can hardly hear the guitars.  It’s not like Top of the Pops knew how to broadcast a live rock band.  The second track is “Running Free” (13/11/1980) which sounds better.  Paul is wearing the striped shirt under leather jacket.

Rock and Pop ZTV

Only one track here, from a German broadcast in 1980.  It’s a mimed “Running Free” with Adrian on guitar.

Five Promo Videos

You’ve seen ’em on TV, on Visions of the Beast, and now here too:  “Women In Uniform”, “Run to the Hills”, “The Number of the Beast”, “The Trooper” and “Flight of Icarus”, all original versions.  It doesn’t matter what people think today; back in the 80s these were some of the coolest music videos ever!  “Flight of Icarus” even had footage from inside the recording studio, which was not common for a lot of metal bands.

Steve’s Diary & Scrapbook, On The Road

Click and flick through the scans!  Interesting stuff about seeing Genesis at the Hammersmith, and the Stones at Knebworth.  There’s even some band bookkeeping:   getting paid 5 pounds for expenses, 10 pounds for a gig at Cart and Horses.  The biggest payout you see in these receipts was 25 pounds.  Steve even documents his bass amp payment installments.  Some major Maiden history is recorded:  the day Dennis Wilcock auditions to replace Paul Day (“Mon the 20th”).  Steve’s thoughts: “Now the hard part is to tell Paul…”  Paul Mario Day did 26 gigs in total, and understood when Steve broke the bad news.  The scrapbook has gig ads back to 1976.  One gig has them second to Samson (at the Music Machine, in Camden).  The section titled “On the Road” contains photo galleries going all the way back to 1973, Smiler, and the first Iron Maiden lineup.  There are pictures of Vic Vella, Rob Loonhouse, and many more.   This goes up to 1983, and includes tour programs, tour dates (back to 1979), shirts, backstage passes and assorted art.  All very fascinating stuff, but limited by the DVD format.  Today you’d do this on a website.

There is also an album and singles discography, with art.  Again this is something that works better on a website today.

And that’s an exhaustive review on an essential Maiden DVD.  There is even a beefy booklet with liner notes to read.  Maiden even toured for the DVD, playing only songs from the “Early Days”.  Now that’s how you do a release.  If only we had a live album from that tour!  Deluxe edition, lads?

4.5/5 stars

 

 

 

 

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 27: The Early Days DVD

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 27:  The History of Iron Maiden Part 1:  The Early Days

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK #133

Buckle up, for tonight is one of the most detailed episodes of 50 Years of Iron Maiden to date!  In 2004, Iron Maiden went out on tour, but not to promote a new album.  This time (and for the first time!) they were out to promote a video:  The History of Iron Maiden Part 1: The Early Days, on DVD.  Tonight, we break down the entire contents of the DVD release (including the special features you probably never watched!) and the tour to boot.  Yes, this is an episode of 50 Years of Iron Maiden as essential as any!

The DVD itself centers on The Early Days, a 90 minute documentary on Maiden history from 1975 to 1983 (the “early days”).  It includes interviews with Maiden members you’ve probably never met before, such as Ron “Rebel” Matthews, Terry Rance, Doug Sampson and many more.  The history of the band is run down with great care, ending in Dortmund in Germany on the World Piece Tour.

There are four concerts, in various states of completion:  Live at the Ruskin (1980), Live at the Rainbow (1981), Beast Over Hammersmith (1982) and Live in Dortmund (1983).  Even though we have discussed some of these tracks in previous episodes (including a full episode on the CD version of Hammersmith), we will go through every single track in exhausting detail.  Then there are the Top of the Pops and other TV shows to cover!  Then, Mike will take you through all the interesting details in the bonus features, such as Steve’s diary and scrapbook.  Find out exactly how Steve fired original singer Paul Mario Day, and when!

When this all said and done, Harrison will guide us through the Eddie Rips Up the World Tour, including the setlists and an incident involving Sharon Osbourne.  You might have heard about that one!  It happened on this tour.

Don’t miss the premiere of this episode, as we always like to interact in the comments!  Up the Irons!

 

Friday January 9 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T., 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube.

BONUS:  Tomorrow, January 10, Mike will post his written review of this DVD, never before seen, right here on this site.  This review, at almost 3000 words, is for those who prefer to read!  Mike never wrote a review of this release back in 2013 when he did his Maiden review series.  This is brand new and will not be exactly the same as what we will present in the video.  Enjoy both!

 

Past episodes:

Handy YouTube Playlist:

 

A Far-Ranging Chat: The First Ten Years box set and More…

I’m a bit of a perfectionist.  I felt our episode on The First Ten Years box set by Iron Maiden was longer and more comprehensive.  Harrison also felt the episode deserved some expansion.  That’s why we did a live post-show chat after 50 Years of Iron Maiden last night.

An informal but semi-formatted chat, Harrison and I showed off a Japanese printing of the Purgatory / Maiden Japan CD that we forgot to show on the actual episode.  We also brought you some interesting facts from the fine people at Reddit.  This live bonus chat really is an essential part of the actual bonus episode.  That sounds confusing, but you know what I mean.

We also delved a little into the solo careers of Blaze Bayley (thank you @darcyska for the question) and Bruce Dickinson.   That tangent took us to the Ripper era of Judas Priest, and a discussion of the bleak 1990s.  We foreshadowed some coming episodes in 50 Years of Iron Maiden.  Next week will be a live show, and the first 50 Years of Iron Maiden episode to come to you live from the cottage.  We are doing Maiden England next.

As an added bonus we, re-told the story of how I acquired this holy grail of a box set.  We also ran a clip (Inception-style) that didn’t make it into our 100th episode, and finally a very special video showcasing the comedy of Jex Russell.

Thanks for watching, a shout-out to Henry Wright, John Clauser, Chris Sarre, Melissa Nee and D’Arcy Briggs for the comments.  We’ll be back for more soon.

Check out the full show below.

In 1990, Iron Maiden reissued all their 20 singles/EPs (except The Soundhouse Tapes) individually, on CD and vinyl.  Each CD and record held two singles/EPs.  The only missing track was “Wrathchild” from Maiden Japan, which will be discussed in the episode.  But what about the box itself?  You could send away a special coupon for the box that holds them all, for either CD or vinyl formats.  As the fortunate owner of this box set, we has to cover it in this bonus episode.

 

 

 

 

Past episodes:

Handy YouTube Playlist:

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Running Free” & “Sanctuary”
1. “Running Free”
2. “Burning Ambition”
3. “Sanctuary”
4. “Drifter” (Live in 1980)
5. “I’ve Got the Fire” (Live in 1980) 3:14
6. “Listen With Nicko! Part. I”

“Women in Uniform” & “Twilight Zone”
1. “Women in Uniform”
2. “Invasion”
3. “Phantom of the Opera” (Live in 1980)
4. “Twilight Zone”
5. “Wrathchild”
6. “Listen With Nicko! Part. II”

“Purgatory” & “Maiden Japan (EP)
1. “Purgatory”
2. “Genghis Khan”
3. “Running Free” (Live in 1981)
4. “Remember Tomorrow” (Live in 1981)
5. “Killers” (Live in 1981)
6. “Innocent Exile” (Live in 1981)
7. “Listen With Nicko! Part. III”

“Run to the Hills” & “The Number of the Beast”
1. “Run to the Hills”
2. “Total Eclipse”
3. “The Number of the Beast”
4. “Remember Tomorrow” (Live in 1981)
5. “Listen With Nicko! Part. IV”

“Flight of Icarus” & “The Trooper”
1. “Flight of Icarus”
2. “I’ve Got the Fire”
3. “The Trooper”
4. “Cross-Eyed Mary”
5. “Listen With Nicko! Part. V”

“2 Minutes to Midnight” & “Aces High”
1. “2 Minutes to Midnight”
2. “Rainbow’s Gold”
3. “Mission From ‘Arry”
4. “Aces High”
5. “King of Twilight”
6. “The Number of the Beast” (Live in 1983)
7. “Listen With Nicko! Part. VI”

“Running Free” (Live) & “Run to the Hills” (Live)
1. “Running Free” (Live in 1985)
2. “Sanctuary” (Live in 1985)
3. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” (Live in 1984)
4. “Run to the Hills” (Live in 1985)
5. “Phantom of the Opera” (Live in 1984)
6. “Losfer Words (Big ‘Orra)” (Live in 1984)
7. “Listen With Nicko! Part. VII”

“Wasted Years” & “Stranger in a Strange Land”
1. “Wasted Years”
2. “Reach Out”
3. “Sheriff of Huddersfield”
4. “Stranger in a Strange Land”
5. “That Girl”
6. “Juanita”
7. “Listen With Nicko! Part. VIII”

“Can I Play With Madness” & “The Evil That Men Do”
1. “Can I Play With Madness”
2. “Black Bart Blues”
3. “Massacre”
4. “The Evil That Men Do”
5. “Prowler” (1988 Version)
6. “Charlotte the Harlot” (1988 Version)
7. “Listen With Nicko! Part. IX” McBrain

“The Clairvoyant” (Live) & “Infinite Dreams” (Live)
1. “The Clairvoyant” (Live in 1988)
2. “The Prisoner” (Live in 1988)
3. “Heaven Can Wait” (Live in 1988)
4. “Infinite Dreams” (Live in 1988)
5. “Killers” (Live in 1988)
6. “Still Life” (Live in 1988)
7. “Listen With Nicko! Part. X” McBrain

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode: The First Ten Years box set

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode

The First Ten Years box set

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK bonus episode

 

Welcome to a short episode this week, as we already covered every one of these songs in our comprehensive series to date.  Without going over all the songs again, Harrison and I revisited the best Iron Maiden box set that money could buy:  The First Ten Years.  

In 1990, Iron Maiden reissued all their 20 singles/EPs (except The Soundhouse Tapes) individually, on CD and vinyl.  Each CD and record held two singles/EPs.  The only missing track was “Wrathchild” from Maiden Japan, which will be discussed in the episode.  But what about the box itself?  You could send away a special coupon for the box that holds them all, for either CD or vinyl formats.  As the fortunate owner of this box set, we has to cover it in this bonus episode.

Check it out and let us know in the comments if you’ve ever seen this box set before in the flesh!

Airing Friday May 16 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube.

BONUS!  Harrison and I will be LIVE tomorrow night at 7:15 PM E.S.T. after the show airs, to talk to you, add information, and tell more stories about this incredible box set!  Don’t miss the post-show chat!

Live stream launches Friday May 16 at 7:15 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:15 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube and Facebook.

 

Past episodes:

Handy YouTube Playlist:

 

 

 

 

 

“Running Free” & “Sanctuary”
1. “Running Free”
2. “Burning Ambition”
3. “Sanctuary”
4. “Drifter” (Live in 1980)
5. “I’ve Got the Fire” (Live in 1980) 3:14
6. “Listen With Nicko! Part. I”

“Women in Uniform” & “Twilight Zone”
1. “Women in Uniform”
2. “Invasion”
3. “Phantom of the Opera” (Live in 1980)
4. “Twilight Zone”
5. “Wrathchild”
6. “Listen With Nicko! Part. II”

“Purgatory” & “Maiden Japan (EP)
1. “Purgatory”
2. “Genghis Khan”
3. “Running Free” (Live in 1981)
4. “Remember Tomorrow” (Live in 1981)
5. “Killers” (Live in 1981)
6. “Innocent Exile” (Live in 1981)
7. “Listen With Nicko! Part. III”

“Run to the Hills” & “The Number of the Beast”
1. “Run to the Hills”
2. “Total Eclipse”
3. “The Number of the Beast”
4. “Remember Tomorrow” (Live in 1981)
5. “Listen With Nicko! Part. IV”

“Flight of Icarus” & “The Trooper”
1. “Flight of Icarus”
2. “I’ve Got the Fire”
3. “The Trooper”
4. “Cross-Eyed Mary”
5. “Listen With Nicko! Part. V”

“2 Minutes to Midnight” & “Aces High”
1. “2 Minutes to Midnight”
2. “Rainbow’s Gold”
3. “Mission From ‘Arry”
4. “Aces High”
5. “King of Twilight”
6. “The Number of the Beast” (Live in 1983)
7. “Listen With Nicko! Part. VI”

“Running Free” (Live) & “Run to the Hills” (Live)
1. “Running Free” (Live in 1985)
2. “Sanctuary” (Live in 1985)
3. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” (Live in 1984)
4. “Run to the Hills” (Live in 1985)
5. “Phantom of the Opera” (Live in 1984)
6. “Losfer Words (Big ‘Orra)” (Live in 1984)
7. “Listen With Nicko! Part. VII”

“Wasted Years” & “Stranger in a Strange Land”
1. “Wasted Years”
2. “Reach Out”
3. “Sheriff of Huddersfield”
4. “Stranger in a Strange Land”
5. “That Girl”
6. “Juanita”
7. “Listen With Nicko! Part. VIII”

“Can I Play With Madness” & “The Evil That Men Do”
1. “Can I Play With Madness”
2. “Black Bart Blues”
3. “Massacre”
4. “The Evil That Men Do”
5. “Prowler” (1988 Version)
6. “Charlotte the Harlot” (1988 Version)
7. “Listen With Nicko! Part. IX” McBrain

“The Clairvoyant” (Live) & “Infinite Dreams” (Live)
1. “The Clairvoyant” (Live in 1988)
2. “The Prisoner” (Live in 1988)
3. “Heaven Can Wait” (Live in 1988)
4. “Infinite Dreams” (Live in 1988)
5. “Killers” (Live in 1988)
6. “Still Life” (Live in 1988)
7. “Listen With Nicko! Part. X” McBrain

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 12: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son with bicyclegs

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 12:  Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

With special guest bicyclelegs talks music

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK #102

BONUS:  Click here to read an amazing 1988 interview with Bruce Dickinson, transcribed from Music Express Magazine by Jex Russell.

Please welcome back bicyclelegs, from the YouTube channel bicyclelegstalksmusic!  He is the first guest to make a return visit to 50 Years of Iron Maiden.  He got to talk about two of his favourites, Powerslave and now Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.

It’s another historic Iron Maiden album.  Not just songs with common themes about topics such as “time”, but this time Iron Maiden completed their first and only full concept album.  The topic was quite esoteric:  a seventh son of a seventh son.  Such people, born from an unbroken line of seventh sons without daughters in between, were rumoured to posses powers of healing or foresight.  What if such a character found himself a pawn in a game of power between good and evil?  Not every song on this album is a sequential part of the story, but together we try to walk you through the plot and the twist ending.

Musically, Iron Maiden were using keyboards, which caused some controversy.  Though Bruce Dickinson was back in the game and contributing songs and lyrics for the first time in four years, it was a time for change.  One member of the band found himself unhappy on tour, and the band’s longtime cover artist was also frustrated with his artistic expression.  We cover all this tonight on the show.

Not only that, but as usual you can count on us to cover all the B-sides* (and one unique A-side).  Physical product will include an original Seventh Son vinyl, a multitude of singles including a shaped picture disc, and of course CD.  As per our custom, Harrison will walk us through the setlists for the tour.

Can I Play with Madness?  Scream for us, YouTube, and enjoy this comeback episode of 50 Years of Iron Maiden.

*The only B-sides we will not include in this episode are the tracks from “Infinite Dreams”, which were all re-released on Maiden England, a future live episode.

 

Airing Friday May 9 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube.

Past episodes:

Handy YouTube Playlist:

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 11: Somewhere In Time with Peter Kerr

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 11:  Somewhere In Time

With special guest Peter Kerr

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK #101

Exit Pharaohs…enter synth!?

Please welcome Peter Kerr from Rock Daydream Nation to this epic episode of 50 Years of Iron Maiden.  Now that we are done with the 100th Episode festivities, we can get back to celebrating the 50th anniversary of Iron Maiden.  After the lengthy Powerslave tour and resultant live album Live After Death, one member of Iron Maiden was completely burned out.  The new album would be the first since The Number of the Beast to lack a Bruce Dickinson writing credit.

Not that this major detail held anything back.  Bruce’s singing was still lung-burstingly powerful, and the band were writing amazing songs…this time with guitar and bass synthesizer.  It was a controversial decision, but our panel was not phased.  Check out what we have to say about all eight tracks, and all four B-sides.

We also take a serious deep dive into the album artwork, without any help from Wikipedia or other sources.

As usual, we close the show with Harrison’s deep dive into the tour (Somewhere On Tour) and setlists.

Scream for us, YouTube, and enjoy this comeback episode of 50 Years of Iron Maiden.

 

Airing Friday May 2 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube.

Past episodes:

Handy YouTube Playlist:

Scream For Me, YouTube! Live After Death with Uncle Meat and Harrison

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!

Thanks for watching!

Past episodes:

Handy YouTube Playlist:

 

 

 

 

 

Show Notes:

Words for Joelle and Roger.

 

SCREAM FOR ME, YOUTUBE!

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

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.

Past episodes:

Handy YouTube Playlist:

 

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 9: Powerslave with bicyclelegs talks music

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 9:  Powerslave

With bicyclelegs talks music

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK #97

‘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.

Past episodes: