Iron Maiden: Rock in Rio

I've owned Rock in Rio on DVD since it came out and its a really great Iron Maiden performance. All the band members are here putting on a great show for all the fans in Brazil.Bruce Dickenson hasn't seemed to lose any of that vocal ability he has. The set list is good as ever. They always have a great stage setup and lights. The sound mix is right on. I've seen them live on the 86' Somewhere on Tour and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son in 88'. They're one of the best live metal bands in the world. Rock in Rio is a really good DVD to own for any Maiden fan. The Early Years is also another one to check out for the Iron Maiden of old.

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.

Iron Maiden: rock in Rio. How do you go about reviewing this title in a way that does not make you sound like you are on the payroll? If you a are a Maiden fan this is a title you must on, like it or not it is a resounding performance delivered by six men at the top of their game. The vocals are clear, the riffs are loud and the drum and bass is spot on. the only fault i have with it is that i wasn't there to witness this truly inspiring feat. there are not many bands out there nowadays that could pull of such a performance and from the intro to the end of run to the hills this performance delivers.

Iron Maiden have since toured the world more than once, and released to more albums, Dance of death might not be to everyones taste but i like it and a Matter of Lfe and Death? the beast is back to its best!

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/

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.