Iron Maiden: Rock in Rio

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 is best when live, and this DVD is an excellent demonstration of that fact. The playing is awesome, with Adrian, Dave and Janick tearing off the walls with their guitars, Steve making the ground tremble, Nicko smashing the drums and Bruce giving the performance of the decade. The band sounds better than ever, the real highlights of this show are: the band (of course), the scenery (the album backgrounds are awesome), and Bruce singing Blaze Bayley's songs (I mean, the Clansman is to me one of the best songs of the whole DVD, the shredding screams of "Freedom!" sound really energetic, completely different from the studio version). So all in all, this is a must have for any Maiden fan, and even if you aren't a fan, this is one of the most awesome DVDs ever.

you are correct Barry (manson21), the sound does go up and down, so it is not just you who has noticed this!!! The best concert i have ever seen on DVD, i wish i was there in person to get the real, full experience (one of the DVD extras being able to choose what quality sound you wish to hear the concert in, such as Dolby 5.1 surround etc. so all is not lost ;)). The passion each member puts into each of the 19 songs is unreal, especially Dickinson, the lead vocalist, he is never static for one moment!. If you ignore the brief ups and downs in sound,this is definitely worth a 10/10 in my opinion.

BRAZIL, ROCK IN RIO... GOODNIGHT!!!

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 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