Live After Death

Live After Death

Iron Maiden

Raw Power Records, 1985

REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 04/02/2002

For the longest time, I considered Live After Death, Iron Maiden's 1985 concert snapshot, to bethe ultimate live album ever recorded. Even watching thehome video, recorded at the front half of Iron Maiden's four-nightstint at Long Beach Arena, helped to intensify the performancesthat I heard.

It's now 17 years since this disc was issued (and, thankfully,re-issued in its unexpurgated form, tacking back on the five tracksfrom Hammersmith Odeon), and I still think that this disc capturesIron Maiden at the top of its game. Is it still the best? I don'tknow if I could still say that, though I'd have a tough time namingany disc that could claim the throne. Let's just say that Live After Death is still one of the best live albums everreleased.

Touring behind Powerslave, Iron Maiden had everything they could ask for atthe time. They had, for the first time, recorded two albums withthe exact same lineup. They were in top form musically, crankingout songs that still are considered legendary. Popularity was at ornear its peak, and heavy metal was very much in vogue. What couldpossibly go wrong?

The answer: nothing. And for damn good reasons, too. First, IronMaiden had been smart to make use of Martin Birch as a producer formany years - and, having helmed Deep Purple's Made In Japan, knew how to capture the live sound of a bandat its prime. (Birch also seemed to know how to bring out the bestin Iron Maiden in the studio.) Second, Dickinson and crew wereshowmen as well as musicians; there was something to theseriousness of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith's playing thatcounter-balanced the more comedic aspects of Dickinson and drummerNicko McBrain. (Halt the flame wars; I'm not calling either man aclown; if you've watched the home video, you know how animatedDickinson is on stage and McBrain's sense of humor.) Anchoring allthis, with his thundering bass lines and singing along to everyword, is Steve Harris, one of the best bass guitarists in thebusiness.