Iron Maiden - Rock In Rio - 2 DVD

*=Staff's pick

DVD 1:
Intro
The Wicker Man
Ghost Of The Navigator
Brave New World
Wrathchild
2 Minutes To Midnight
Blood Brothers*
Sign Of The Cross*
The Mercenary
The Trooper
Dream Of Mirrors*
The Clansman*
The Evil That Men Do
Fear Of The Dark*
Iron Maiden
The Number Of The Beast
Hallowed Be Thy Name*
Sanctuary
Run To The Hills

DVD 2:
1. Candid Interviews
- With Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers, Dave Murray, Nicko McBrain and Adrian Smith
(Subtitled)
2. A Day In The Life
3. Ross Halfin Photo Diary
- 50 exclusive photos from Iron Maiden's South American Tour, commentary from official photographer, Ross Hallin

Genre	Heavy Metal	Bruce Dickinson	Vocals
Tracks	19	Dave Murray	Guitar
Runningtime	175 Min.	Adrian Smith	Guitar
Label	Sanctaury	Janick Gers	Guitar
Release	10 June 2002	Steve Harris	Bass
Country	England	Nicko McBrain	Drums
		-	Keyboards
Similar artists	---

One of the biggest mistakes in my careeer as a metaller is that I listened to people that told me that Rock In Rio is "nothing special" and that is was a tired and average show. Since I at that time had exerienced a few bad albums by Maiden, I found that a reasonable statement, but since a couple of weeks ago I am in the possession of the liveshow on Dvd, and - it makes me shiver everytime I see it!

Recorded at Rock In Rio, 19th January 2001, it is a massive show infront of 250.000 people and the support could not have been better. The interaction with the audience is great, and during songs like The Clansman and Fear Of The Dark the power behind the singing of the audience is breathtaking and it really gives me goosebumps every single time. When first looking at the tracklist I thought there were a few songs that I would not find escpecially appealing, but I have to say that every song off the X-Factor and Virtual XI albums with Bruce Dickinson on vocals is simply great in this version.

The good and tight sound give them a whole new dimension, and for the first time I hear that they actually are very, very good songs. The long middlepart of Sign Of The Cross, as well as The Clansman, with a one twin guitar harmony after the other are truly killers and timeless pieces in the history of metal. This is one of the first times I really hear Maiden live in almost a decade so the surprise is big, to not say overwhelming, having the crappy sounds from the past albums in mind.

The guys are energetic and full of power on stage, the lights are good, and mr. Murray/Gers are showing themselves from their best side and they show signs of honest and pure joy. Smith is doing a good job in his usual discret manner and Bruce show what an athlete he is by constanly keeping it up by running, pepping the crowd and making pranks, and Nicko is handeling the sticks like never before. Grandmaster Harris is bending strings like never before and is looking moved and touched by the response from the crowd, and i can imagine what he might have felt like during that show, seeing how his lifeproject is being appreciated by the fans.

This is one of the best pieces of entertainment I can think of. My opinions vary regarding Maiden latest material from decent to really crappy, but it is a fact that live, when showing themselves from their best side like in this case, Iron Maiden are kings and you just have to surrender.

This is True and Honest Metal, and it hardly get better than this. I strongly recommend buying this release before many other cd's/videos/dvd's. This is timeless entertainment on the highest level. The only - and that is the only - thing I can complain about is the order of the tracks in the beginning with 3 tracks from Brave New World right after each other which make it take a few minutes more than necessary to reach the perfect tempo of the show. But we're just talking minutes here, and as soon as the perfect feeling has arrived (around song 4-5) than it's there to stay.

Hats off to you, lads - world class! Uncork that whisky, lean back in the corner of the favourite sofa, exhale and relax, and play this baby loud. (Something to check out: What is Eddie actually doing with his hand in his genital regions at 1 hr. 20 min. and 02 sec. into the concert?)

Production	Vocals	Compositions
9	7,5	9

Summary
9 chalices of 10 - Tommy