LIVE AFTER DEATH

I counted up no less than nine different IRON MAIDEN live albums in the PA database. Nine live albums ! That's what we call an overkill. It is therefore time to remind you about the best IRON MAIDEN live album of all times. This one.

I have previously reviewed the DVD version of Live After Death. That is a monumental release and the one I prefer. But this live album has been a dear friend of mine since 1988. That's when I bought the two cassettes version of it. It sent goosebumps down my spine. Twenty-one years later, it still gives me the same feeling. Well, almost.

Churchill's Speech sets the tone. I believe even he would approve of the following seventeen stirring anthems. This is seventeen anthems you send people to war with. We all know the songs so I am not going to waste anyones time by running through them. I want to mention the sound which is very authentic and monumental. It is not the best sound, but it works. It gets the message across. The pyramids. The greatness of this band. How it feels to be sacrified by a despot. How it feels to watch this band. It gets across the World Slavery Tour '84. That is all I want from this album. That and the great songs. IRON MAIDEN have released no less than two additional live albums covering this era. Forget about them. Only Live After Death gives the songs the attention they deserve. From Iron Maiden to Rime Of The Ancient Mariner. The latter one is a massive progressive song. I am in awe of the live versions of Powerslave and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Just magic and utter magic. Can it get any better ? The jury is still out on that one......

This is for me a classic live album and one of the five best live albums of all time. It is running Made In Japan close. This album is also the live album progressive rock fans should get. It is monumental, it is grand and perhaps over the top. From the artwork to the music; Live After Death is brilliant. I am not a fan of Running Free though. But the rest, we are talking heaven.

4.75 stars