After an immensely successful 2012 world tour, in celebration of their 1988 album “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son,” Iron Maiden released a DVD that captures them at the pinnacle of the bands late 80’s era. The footage was filmed at the Birmingham N.E.C. arena in the UK over a two night performance in 1988.
Longtime Iron Maiden video director Andy Matthews went through and remastered this gem. He has a great sense of the band and it shows here. There is a marked focus on energetic front man Bruce Dickinson as he runs amuck throughout the 18-track performance and even finds time to play with a hand puppet before “Infinite Dreams.” The only line-up change since 1988, was the addition of Janick Gers on rhythm guitar. Bassist Steve Harris hasn’t aged one bit as he shows why then and now still continues to be the driving force behind one of the most iconic rock bands of all time. His unrentlenting bass riffs have defined the bands sound over decades of metal masterpieces. However, when the camera turns to Dickinson jumping on drummer Nicko McBrain’s drumkit at various intervals it reflects the bands comical side. Chants of “Iron Maiden” ring clear and Dickinson’s disdain of Rick Astley is made known just before going into the crowd pleaser “Wasted Years.” It was odd not to hear the prophetic “Scream for me!” from Dickinson until “Hallowed Be Thy Name.”
“Eddie” the most famous mascot in all of rock and roll, makes his appearance during the final track “Iron Maiden” before the encore. Dickinson and McBrain have some more fun with the hand puppet then the band finishes the set with 3 more songs including “Running Free,” a classic from the Paul Di’Anno era.
This was previously released in 1989 on VHS but has remained unavailable on any other format since that time. It’s really filmed from a fans point of view. With Matthews polishing expertise, the disc has all the updates you would expect it to have. Disc 2 contains 5 promo videos and “The History of Iron Maiden 3” and “12 Wasted Years.” The making of the studio album “Somewhere in Time” at Compass Point Studios features Adrian Smith talking about how Tom Jones got one of the first listens to it. They discuss how the massive inflatable stage props had issues on the subsequent tour. Bruce talks about how he was excited to play the legendary Budokan Arena and coming to find out it was only a gym! “Very disappointing,” he remarked! The guys also talk about the “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” album and tour. Harris remarks they feel it’s one of their stronger albums and still feel that way. Part 4 will be coming as they leave off at 1989.
12 Wasted Years has some rare footage from the Ruskin Arms pub, via London’s Marquee club. This included former members Paul Di’ Anno and the late drummer Clive Burr. 12 Wasted Years also includes the track “Running Free” from the British show “Tops of the Pops.” This segment also shows a young Adrain Smith and his band called “Urchin” at the Brecknock Pub taken in 1977. This footage also shows how Dickinson came into the band and some footage of one of his first shows with the band at the Hammersmith Odeon on March 20, 1982. There was also a clip from the show “Tiswas” thrown in.
12 Wasted Years also includes various interviews with promoters, managers, journalists plus current and former band members. Lots of Maiden rarities that make the entire package worthwhile is just one part of it, but is a definite bonus for fans. One of the rarities includes the band showing up at a wedding while in Poland (they were looking for a place to just go and hang) and subsequently getting up to play. Yes, some of the footage made it on here. Another one is where the band didn’t want to play to a pre-recorded track of “Wasted Years” on P.I.T. which was a German TV show back in 1986. So Dickinson took Harris’ bass and Harris took the mic. Then, all the other band members joined in switching up instruments including McBrain. I wish more bands would do that today as it shows how stupid it is when musicians are not playing their own instruments in a live setting.
Overall, it’s a great package for their fans. Few bands do it as good as Maiden does and its evident by this release!
