Death on the Road (Death On The Road: Live - Iron Maiden)

Member Name: Frankingsteins

Product:	Death On The Road: Live - Iron Maiden
Date:	29/07/08 (15 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent performance of classic material old and new.

Disadvantages: Too much overlap from previous live releases.

The inevitable live release from Iron Maiden's 2005 tour, 'Death on the Road' can be either cynically viewed as yet another successful attempt by EMI Records to squeeze every last penny out of loyal Iron Maiden fans, or as a worthwhile addition to their already bulging discography. My reaction lies in both camps: while I can't deny this is a solid and highly enjoyable live album, it does seem very unnecessary so shortly after the previous live release 'Rock in Rio' that many fans will doubtless consider definitive.

The major difference between 'Rock in Rio' and this later release (and there are sadly quite a few similarities in the form of repeated songs) is that this album features a wealth of material from the band's then-current full-length 'Dance of Death,' which is good because that was a high quality album, certainly a large step up from the previous 'Brave New World' that dominated the Rio release. The band's enthusiasm for their own recent material is gratifying, as over half of its material is performed here at the cost of a few extra classics, and needles to say it's all done to perfection. My main gripe is the inevitable presence of unshakeable Maiden staples that are understandably fan favourites, but are getting a little old and repetitive after being present on so many releases, though this only makes it even more enjoyable when the band plucks a comparatively obscure offering from the archives such as the forgotten 'Lord of the Flies.'

(The even-more-inevitable DVD edition followed this a year later).

Disc 1

1. Wildest Dreams
2. Wrathchild
3. Can I Play With Madness
4. The Trooper
5. Dance of Death
6. Rainmaker
7. Brave New World
8. Paschendale
9. Lord of the Flies

Disc 2

1. No More Lies
2. Hallowed Be Thy Name
3. Fear of the Dark
4. Iron Maiden
5. Journeyman
6. The Number of the Beast
7. Run to the Hills

Summary: Iron Maiden's seventh live album (2005).