Iron Maiden Album: “Death on the Road”

This is the live album that didn't need to be. While it's always nice to hear some new material live, the sound and production aren't really there. Moreover, there really was no need for yet another release of the same old staples such as NOTB, FOTD, etc. It would have been great to get some other material that we hadn't heard in at least 10 years. There is simply no excuse for this as Maiden has a terrific catalogue to draw from. I must also say that the performance is adequate, but not stellar. I am also a little confused as to why Jannick Gers' playing is turned way up while it is hard to make out Adrian Smith's playing. Clearly, this should have been the other way around as Jannick butchers almost everything he touches. Anyway, this would be a great live album for most bands, but for Maiden, it is simply lackluster and tired.

This album is only good for getting the Dance Of Death songs live and they are not all that great. Lord Of The Flies is best left for Blaze Bayley too sing...sorry Bruce. Get Rock In Rio and forget this bore fest. Bruce's singing is very tired sounding on this and all three guitar players pretty much do mindless noodling on this album...only good thing is McBrain's drumming...sorry, huge Maiden fan here but the setlist sucks and so does the overall performance.

Do these guys put out a live cd every month?, it sure seems like it. I think perhaps the only band that beats them in the live cd department is Aerosmith!

Anyway, is it necessary that we have yet another offering of live Maiden tunes? Well the answer is YES and NO. This one gives you the newer tunes such as Dance Of Death, Rainmaker, Brave New World, Paschendale, Lord Of The Flies etc, basically stuff you're never heard live before. They all sound really good live with all kinds of energy being put forth for our listening pleasure.

Maiden have always been a very good live band and this cd represents that to a T. I would rate this live offering as their second best cd coming in behind Live After Death, which we all know is gold. Rock In Rio is a very close third, however I have to put this one ahead of it simply because of the newer tunes it contains. Paschendale, Dance Of Death and the Journeymen sound awesome live. You know, Paschendale just might be the best song ever penned by the boys!!

The sound/mix is pretty good for a live cd. It's as good or better than any of the other two live cd's mentioned above.

So in conclusion is it worth spending the extra $$$'s on? Well truthfully it's a decision you'll have to make for yourself. I would say yes, but that's because I'm bias and because the newer songs sound great live.

Up The Irons!!

The thing about this album that is so "un-unique" is that this is their 8th, repeat after me, 8th live, repeat again, live album. i mean there really wasn't a good use for this. i mean look at Live after death, you wait for 5 studio albums and you get a great live album. But for Death on the road........ i mean they just released Rock in Rio after Brave new world. Iron Maiden just couldn't wait to sell another live album. All they did was make Dance of death and made another live album about it. 6 songs from dance of death makes it a great album. And then the ordinary, Run to the hills, Can i play with madness, blah blah blah. But we really don't need run to the hills being played on most of their albums! That is just the beginnning. Why does "Rock in Rio" (...)has 21 songs, while death on the road (...)has 17 songs? hmm? do you think it's because Death on the road is new? maybe, but for all i know i shouldn't have bought this album. Costs too much, not too many songs, not as much energy as Rock in Rio and just because it's their 8th LIVE ALBUM!!!!!!!!! It's making me pissed. Just buy Live after death and that should be enough energy+liveness as you need for a day.

Every time Iron Maiden puts out a studio album, a live album is soon to follow. That isn't a bad thing in theory, but when they put out a double disc with the same songs as their previous live album, it's a waste. Who needs another live "Run to the Hills" or "Number of the Beast"? Fortunately, on "Death on the Road," they do six songs from "Dance of Death," and two older songs - "Can I Play With Madness" and "Lords of the Flies." If you have their other live albums, especially "Rock in Rio," those are the only songs you'll want from this.