Iron Maiden: Rock in Rio

In a time of chaos and calamity (check the review date) I wasn't expecting Maiden's debut DVD to be such a bastion of comfort but it really is. I had deeply coveted the lenticular cover'd CD as a Maiden-obsessed teen and when I got it, at last, I played it endlessly. I know every note and second of the bombastic and extensive set - getting it on DVD filled in all the blanks. Of COURSE there's a giant wicker man on stage, that makes sense now. I thought Bruce was just going insane. It's a wonderful show - for some quarter of a million people who are rapt - the energy of it is palpable and it catches the newly reunited Maiden in high spirits. Further to that you get special features of the band fishing, playing football, fencing and golfing because they're basically bunch of old men which is hilariously relaxing. Up the irons, always \m/

I love this Iron Maiden rock in rio it has just about got all my fave songs just name some of them Fear Of The Dark The Wicker Man Run To The Hills. I don't know if anyone notice but on the DVD the sound seem to go high and low like they made abit of a mess with the sound or mybe its just me. anyway makes me happy when i am watching Iron Maiden rock at its best. So giving this 9/10 UP THE IRONS

Iron Maiden has always been about live-shows and Rock in Rio is probably their ultimate live-DVD/album. With the six-piece band now playing in front of the incredible crowd of 1/4 million people you can truly feel Maiden's energy.

There are several high-points during the very long concert with a variety of songs from the (at the time) recent album "Brave New World" and even some of their older ones. Definite high-points include "The Sign of the Cross", "The Clansman" and of course "The Trooper" which sounds more aggressive than ever before.

Naturally "Blood Brothers" and "Brave New World" rise to the occasion and even after 20 years, "Sanctuary" still packs a punch.

On August 1, 2000, I witnessed Maiden's Brave New World Tour in Toronto. It was the opening show of the North American leg of the tour. This DVD captures the last show of the same tour, and it certainly captures the energy of Maiden's live performance.

The concert is enjoyable for Maiden fans young & old, because the set strikes a balance between new material (6 tracks off BNW) and a good mix of the classics. Bruce injects new life into the Blaze-era tracks "Sign of the Cross" and "The Clansman", and this DVD shows why he is one of the best frontmen in metal, with plenty of running around, jumping, dancing, feeding (and feeding off!) the crowd of 1/4 million crazy Brazilians.

The rest of the band are seen having the time of their lives. Nicko is all smiles behind the drum kit, Steve looks comfortable setting his groove, and the three guitarists gleefully take their turns soloing in the spotlight.

There have been complaints about the sound quality of this DVD, but let's be honest: it's a LIVE recording and it sounds pretty good even if it was touched up here and there. Watching it makes me feel like I am right there huddled alongside my metal brothers, and for that I think it is a complete success. A perfect 10 for all Iron Maiden fans.

I've had this DVD for years. It sounds great, though I still haven't watched it all the way through in one sitting. The editing is butchered by Iron Maiden's very own Steve Harris, and while I appreciate the idea of total artistic control, someone should really have stepped in and stopped him.

From Iron Maiden's own website - "Instead of using the existing TV broadcast the show was completely re-edited by Steve Harris to create an explosive two hour visual feast of the band's intensity on stage. The concert contains thousands of edits (more than the likes of most full length action movies such as Lord Of The Rings or Gladiator!) in a relentless two hour stage performance."

Thousands of edits. Thousands. Relentless? It's unwatchable. Steve Wonder might have done a better job. Good luck.