Iron Maiden Album: “History of Iron Maiden, Pt. 1: The Early Days”

During their early days from 1980 to 1983, Iron Maiden was most likely the greatest metal act on the planet. This double DVD catalogs that time in enthralling detail. Three shows, a 90-minute documentary, and a host of other goodies make this one of the most complete DVDs ever produced for a band. The DVD is a fantastic buy for its price, and the material is essential for any metal fan. Buy this now.

If you still need more convincing, think on this. Three shows are included on Disc 1 from each of the three years between 1981-83. Live at the Rainbow, the first show, is a half-hour sprint through Maiden's earliest, punkiest material featuring original frontman Paul Di'Anno. Di'Anno turns in a great show here, and makes you wish he was still with Maiden - until you see the 1982 Beast over Hammersmith show, with Bruce Dickinson. Maiden's classic singer is a bit younger, less assured during this show than he would be later on, but he does do well enough to make you forget all about Di'Anno. By the 1983 World Piece tour, which is catalogued in the third video, Maiden is at the peak of their powers, and the concert reflects that. All three shows are more than worthy, though the Hammersmith show is a bit low-res.

Disc 2 is where many Maiden fans will find themselves fixated. The centerpiece is the 90-minute History of Iron Maiden, Part 1 documentary, which sets a new gold standard for band trivia and minutiae. The documentarians take 8 years of Maiden and find many former members that even Maiden hardcores will never have heard of, now looking like respectable British citizens but proud of their time with one of the all-time great rock bands. The story is captivating, the anecdotes are often hilarious, and it will leave you calling your bandmates for practice (if you have any). Also included are a circa-1980 British TV documentary on the band, the long-lost Live at the Ruskin Arms concert, all the band's music videos from the period, and an extensive gallery of Steve Harris' scrapbook.

Maiden fans cannot miss with this DVD, and more general metal fans will find themselves enthralled as well. The only reason not to want this DVD is if you absolutely can't stand the music - but even if you don't like Maiden, you stand a chance of being won over. Strongly, strongly recommended.

Just to clear something up, people are saying you can get it cheaper... Sure but this is not the US version if you read the details close it says:

# Format: Import, Ntsc

# Studio: EMI Int'l

# DVD Release Date: December 28, 2004

The format is NTSC which will work in the US but ut is an Import. I am sure there is a little extra footage people are not able to get on the US version.

Hope this clears up the reason for the 45.00 price.

Boy, i am exhausted!

Last night i decided to view all of the material and it was almost overkill! No, i'm kidding.Could anyone have too much of Early Iron Maiden? I don't think so.

The boys did an excellent job of trying to restore audio and images from their jurassic and ominous past.But certainly you only can do so much with the source material.In the Rainbow concert there is a constant hizz throughout the show.And in the show at Ruskin Arms (recorded like a bootleg, with only one camera)the audio even colapses for a few seconds and goes to "mute" during After Life song.

But this material will nonetheless be aprecciated by fans of Iron Maiden from all over the world.And the documentaries on disc two are full of surprises and gives fully context about what it was like back then (early 80's) to listen to something so imaginative and complex as Iron Maiden music was.

The highlight of the documentals is The Early Days, shot recently with a vast array of colorful characters.12 Wasted Years is masterful insight but this is just plain profound and detailed stuff.You have more time and dialog to understand the most inner feelings of pretty much everyone involved at certain point with Iron (although Derek Riggs is sadly not here giving his opinions and recollections of the past.It is here only for a few seconds from footage of 12 Wasted Years).The recollections are vivid, candid and not overly self indulgent.

Bottom line: a treasure.The fact that there is plenty of material to come that - hopefully - will be given the same detailed approach it makes me drool in anxiety!

In 1983 I payed over $40 for a bootlegged video off the Dortmund show - one of the 3 included here. If the guy who sold it to me had had the Rainbow show and the Hammersmith one too I would have payed him $120 back then without hesitation! At todays value that must be over $250 and here we are paying way way less plus we're getting way way more! I cried watching the 3 shows - being transported back over 20 years to an amazing time in rock music - a great feeling. Thankyou Iron Maiden for this incredible DVD - the BEST yet!

Whats here to type, ill be a liar, Maiden is the Greatest Heavy Metal Band ever after 25 yeras, i just wanna see how they did it, now i understand true power from beyond.

Up The Irons, where ever you are, here in Guatemala, we have a fan club of 65,000 members, how about that.