Iron Maiden
12 Wasted Years

THE REVIEW

Service Message: Despite 97 reviews on DeB, there's still some (official) stuff about Iron Maiden to talk about.

At the end of the promotional tour for "Somewhere in Time" ('86-'87), the Maiden faced the most serious internal crisis of their career, at least until that date: Dickinson was contemplating leaving the group because he felt undervalued and hadn't been able to contribute any writing to the album mentioned above. This triggered a chain reaction that would give rise to the first signs of the conflicts in subsequent years (Smith's defection in '89 and the singer's own departure in '93).

In this climate, the band wrapped itself up: the releases of the following years are there to prove it, the dark and pessimistic spirit of albums like "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" of '88 and "No Prayer for the Dying" of '90 are in absolute contrast with the epic backgrounds of all their previous works.

Therefore, it is no surprise if the overall vision of the thinking mind behind the "Maiden Economic Project," Rod Smallwood, still their manager, aimed for an attempt at a balance, even historical, of the epic of what was (and is), if not the most important, the most beloved Heavy Metal Band on the planet.

"12 Wasted Years" is an official documentary (the first not entirely centered on the group's live performances) narrating the story and anecdotes of Harris & Co. from the founding of the combo ('76) until the conclusion of the "Somewhere on Tour" ('87) and fits into the philosophy of the events described above.

Starting from the title, twelve wasted years, there were many speculations about the future of the Maiden born from the operation (hence Nicko's good joke: "the press announces our breakup with every album since 1987 onwards...") but it's also a pun woven on the name of the first single from "Somewhere in Time": "Wasted Years".

Interviews with current and past members, people orbiting their career (managers, photographers, roadies, technicians, etc.), and journalists alternate with footage of tour life, live moments, and promos providing a complete picture of the unique experience of a group that started from the underbelly of London’s East End and reached worldwide consecration despite the genre expressed.

In the 90-minute duration, one can enjoy very curious moments: the interview with Eddie's dad, Derek Riggs, recounting the creation of the musical mascot par excellence, or the five Englishmen as guests, in the role of a small orchestra, at a wedding in Poland, or again in front of thousands of fans in Budapest, in years prior to the dissolution of the Eastern block (recordings taken from the legendary "Behind the Iron Curtain" of '84), and for the masochists, Dickinson, live, with a rather kitsch jacket.

A Documentary, therefore, not only "hagiographic" (forgive the misuse of the term, please...) but definitely light, almost taken live, which anticipates by 9 years their first collection of hits ("Best of the Beast," '96), by 18 the epigone ("The History of Iron Maiden, The Early Days, 2005, which internally presents many quotes from the reviewed film) and by 21 the Special Edition of "Live After Death," in double DVD, containing not only the historic live but also the second part of "The Story," the already mentioned "Behind the Iron Curtain" and the highlights (50 minutes) of their performance at "Rock in Rio" in 1985, which will see the light on February 4 (no one dares to post a review before the 5... get it?).

For old, melancholic, and clingy fans (like myself) but also for the young, strong, and enthusiastic, in short…

Below I put the list of the songs present:

1.Stranger In A Strange Land (video)

2.Charlotte The Harlot (live)

3.Running Free (live)

4.Women In Uniform (video)

5.Murders In The Rue Morgue (live)

6.Children Of The Damned (live)

7.The Number Of The Beast (live)

8.Total Eclipse (live)

9.Iron Maiden (live)

10.Sanctuary (live)

11.The Prisoner (live)

12.Acacia Avenue (live)

13.Wasted Years (cut)

14.The Trooper (live)

Plus snippets of:
- Drifter (live)
- Prowler (live)
- Phantom Of The Opera (live)
- She's A Roller (live)
- Caught Somewhere In Time (live)
- Run To The Hills (live)

Up The Irons!

Mo.