Iron Maiden
Live After Death

THE REVIEW

I would like to present the splendid "Live After Death," which I came into contact with a short time ago, thanks to the cordiality of the magnanimous Cioe, from whom I managed to borrow this CD using the usual "flattery" technique, outdoing the biggest sycophant in history, and under strict conditions to return it within a maximum of 24 hours safe and sound, with any damage done to this album being presented at the moment of return on my poor little body.
It only took one listen to understand that this live album definitely surpasses records like "Rock In Rio," "Live At Donington," and "A Real Live One-A Real Dead One," presenting itself as the best live album the Iron Maiden have ever played and as one of the greatest live albums in metal history.
Dated 1985, it captures two sections of two concerts played at the Long Beach Arena in Los Angeles during the "World Slavery Tour" (the promotional tour for "Powerslave"). It can be said to have been recorded at the best moment, after five albums in five consecutive years, the band reached the peak of their career during that period, and this live album demonstrates it perfectly: A TRUE NUCLEAR BOMB!!!!! From the massive setlist to the execution of the songs.

"Live After Death" starts mildly with the Intro "Churchill's Speech," practically a speech by Winston Churchill (and here my friend Giovanni will be pleased) that animates the crowd, moving quickly to the beautiful "Aces High," played very well and splendidly sung by Dickinson, who suddenly interprets one of the most kick-ass lyrics in all his repertoire without warming up, proving he’s from another planet.
As mentioned before, the album boasts a thrilling setlist, which contains both gems like "The Number Of The Beast," "Hallowed Be Thy Name," "Run To The Hills," "2 Minutes To Midnight," and "Iron Maiden," as well as less-known but undoubtedly good songs like "Revelations," "Die With Your Boots On," and the very long "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner."
Unfortunately, I can't take all the songs individually and examine them, as they are each better than the last and divinely performed by the band.
Praiseworthy is also the production curated by Martin Birch, who in the past also produced "Made In Japan" by Deep Purple, one of the most famous live albums history has ever given birth to: you can hear the audience even though a bit too little and the songs do not even seem played live.
So, the performance of the Iron is excellent, where the rhythm inflicted by the great Steve Harris's bass enhances Niko McBrain's drums and the guitars of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, producing solos that seem almost recorded in the studio.
A blemish of this album is precisely the lack of improvisation, present only in a few songs ("Running Free" above all), but it is still a trifle compared to the disproportionate greatness of this live.

So in conclusion, I can say that this CD is indispensable in the collection of every self-respecting metalhead. A must-have.
And to finish.......... UP THE IRONS!!!!!!!!!!

P.S.: Otherwise, the purchase of the DVD is recommended, beautiful for the choreography where you see these five young guys (it's '85, so they aren't those funny "old men" of today) running like beasts on stage...

P.P.S.: Sorry, it's four young guys running on stage (how do you expect McBrain to run at the drums ;-])