BUt why does it sounds 22 times ? Do You know that ? ....because it s a fact that after you die you are 21grams easier and they sound 22 times to mark that way you passage beyond 🤟🤟
The guy is am Olympic standard fencer, with his own tank, a pilot's licence for a 757, brews his own (Trooper) beer, is an awesome vocalist, a humanitarian...damn; he's frickin unbelievable!!
@@stevehughes6627 I'd almost forgot to mention that Bruce Dickinson is an Olympic level fencer And apart from having a pilot's license, I didn't know about everything else
Steve Harris, the founder of Maiden, have once said that this is the best song they ever did and he will never do a tour performance where they don't play it.
@@cctvmanbob I think that was when there was a lawsuit from accusing Harris of plagiarizing some of the lyrics (2017ish?). The suit has since been settled and the song added back into their live sets.
I was about to say the same thing 😂. We can go through about 40 minutes of just playing Maiden songs at band practice, without actually ever playing them before.
@@g8le nope, but Iron Maiden songs are not particularly scientific. It works, for more than 40 years now, and I love every single E minor, C D progression of it
Bruce Dickinson is 62 yrs old and still commands the stage like a master.. Saw them a few yrs ago and they were awesome. I love your videos. Seeing a classically trained musician appreciate a band like Iron Maiden means a lot. This band was a huge influence on me!! Please keep em coming
@@rutessian It's better, I saw them a few years before you and Bruce was struggling but he seems to be doing better now. Not sure if they lowered the songs a little. I think he also did some stuff with a vocal coach.
I don't think you can go with wrong with anything on _Seventh Son of a Seventh Son_ -- especially 'Only the Good Die Young'. 'Aces High (w/ Churchill's speech)', 'Heaven Can Wait', or 'For the Greater Good of God' are all great choices, too.
At 10:48 minute, when Doug says “ I can’t imagine the euphoria” yes that’s exactly what it’s like at a maiden show. After a show it takes me 2-3 hours to wind down and then many days/weeks of just being elated. Music is therapy 🖤🤘👍
Haha. Was thinking the same. The one thing I don't think you can get from live videos is how freaking loud the crowd is. I've been to a couple of shows where, even close to the stage, it's hard to hear the band over the crowd singing. It's indescribable and an experience that everyone should have....as long as you're not taking my ticket.
@@zlungbutterz3307 So true! 2022 Maiden tour just started and Eddie is samurai on this tour. Got my tix for Sept.👍. The crowd is will be epic this year after being on break. Up The Irons!
I used this song in a comparative paper about Hamlet on my 12th grade final report in English class. The topic I had chosen was existentialism so I needed to compare something with Hamlet. I was by no means a good student, but Maiden was such a huge part of my life in 1990 that I wrote an A+ paper, the grade was 20% of my final grade, and I passed because of it.
When I was in college, I took a course in classical music. I wrote a paper comparing the works of Tchaikovsky and Beethoven to this song and heavy metal music in general. The professor gave me a D. It's good to know that 40 years later, I was right.
Doug! You gotta give Rainbow's "Stargazer" a shot! I'm telling yah! By the way, I'd say as far as the lyrics and the pace of the song, I think it fits...his heart is beating, his anticipation is building and thusly, the song becomes faster and more intense. He's confronting his own death as the song speeds up, whereas earlier in the song, he was contemplating it, brooding upon it. His thoughts are racing, his heart his racing, everything is going a million miles an hour in his world.
Yes, I recommended that one a while back. One of my all times faves. Also Gates of Babylon from Rainbow. Ronnie James Dio is my all time favorite vocalist
Ngl, the Hammersmith 1982 version of this song is approximately a hundred times better and often considered one of the best metal performances of all time. You should absolutely check that out, but it's no big deal if it's not a reaction, though it would have been a stronger first exposure. You should react to Children of the Damned or 22 Acacia Avenue from that Hammersmith 1982 show. Beast Over Hammersmith is absolutely legendary, not just for Iron Maiden fans, but for metal fans as a whole. Other shows are just really good, if that makes sense. That show was Bruce with his full range, thick fog, and a total theatrical experience.
The World Slavery Tour had an unfortunate effect on Bruce's performance. He was playing catch up after 1983 and wasn't able to control a lot of the notes as well as in 1982. Some of the late '80s performances make one feel for his vocal cords. The '90s material was stylistically a great trade on raw vocal delivery, but the range is what really connects with most Iron Maiden fans. By 2001, he learned how to manage comfortable technique, but you can tell his placement has been much lower and his high notes became shrill. That power and control back in 1982 really are something to behold. I'd say the best tour visually happened to be the World Slavery Tour, ironically enough, although The Book of Souls World Tour had fantastic set pieces and great costumes.
@@chrismeadows4216 Agree that this particular version is not the best, I love the album version. Kinda disagree about Bruce's voice after 1983. I saw Iron Maiden at Monsters of Rock in 1988, full Seventh Son, absolutely amazing and each song was studio production quality. Went home on the train and could hear Maiden playing in my head. Also saw them twice in 1992, once at a small gig and again at Monsters of Rock, just as brilliant!
@@marick791 Pretty much any audio from those tours will determine that was the experience talking and not the actual quality. Bruce's vocal challenges are heavily documented, and 1992 was also one of the years he didn't enjoy being in the band. If it were on par with 1988, that would be unheard of. He was ducking notes or letting go of them regularly in that period. In 1988, he was spotty on the high notes, sometimes squeezing them off to reach his vocal break because he couldn't hit them with chest. He had been reckless, honestly. That necessitated limiting his high notes on No Prayer for the Dying and Fear of the Dark so he could sing everything on them. Bruce adapted well, but didn't quite find his footing again until he rejoined Maiden.
@@chrismeadows4216 Very true. Early on in the World Piece Tour (1983) he sounded pretty much like his Beast On The Road tour self, if you check out bootlegs from Ipswich & Hammersmith from that tour, and you'll hear it for yourself. They opened with Where Eagles Dare back then and right before the first verse, he'd do this INSANE falsetto scream ala Rob Halford. I've never really heard him do that since then. The World Slavery Tour destroyed his voice more or less, everything that came after that just wasn't the same (in that timespan). Not saying that he didn't deliver blistering performances after, but his ability to sing cleanly in his higher range dropped significantly.
@@powerslave7876 the song itself is not so bad, but the lyrics are awful. They place humans and dinosaurs in the same timeframe, which is historically and scientifically inaccurate.
On a whim one day I searched for a Maiden coffee mug. Ended up finding tickets to this show. Called my dad at work - which simply wasn't done - and asked him if he wanted to go. He did. We flew to Toronto from western Canada. This was my favorite song and it was their closer. It was incredible. During their goodbyes they announced a western Canada leg of the tour. We laughed, and went again. Then the dvd came out and the version of Hallowed was from the show we were at. That was a very cool day.
The plane was leased. It was later replaced by a jumbo jet. Bruce is a qualified commercial airline pilot and has licences to fly in multiple regions. When not singing he was flying commercial flights both cargo and passenger. He part owns an aircraft servicing and pilot training company.
Alexander The Great is a good one - also one of my favourites from the early days is 22 Acacia Avenue (aka Charlotte the Harlot). Run to the Hills, Flight of Icarus, The Trooper oh lord - where do I stop???
Iron Maiden are absolute legends and Bruce is one of the greatest frontmen to ever walk the earth. He literally has every crowd in the palm of his hands, it's amazing to see live. :)
And other Maiden songs, Brave New World, Revelations, Infinite Dreams, When The Wild Wind Blows, Where Eagles Dare, Phantom of The Opera, Paschendale, No More Lies, Sign Of The Cross
Yer, Phantom of The Opera, cracking opening riff , and by far the best track on the 1st album . Don't know why it's not played more often. Anyone got some Lucozade?
@@alvaropita3487 Sign of the Cross from Rock in Rio. I still can't figure out the time signature(s) in the interlude. The fact that they can, live, without a mistake, is incredible. I'd love to see Doug's reaction to those changes.
You mentioned the feeling of being in the crowd,, it’s all around you,, can’t describe it.. it starts as you are walking into the venue.. in the parking lot. It is truly amazing..
If you think Bruce commands the stage with his vocals, you really have to take a listen to the album version. The vocal performance from the younger Bruce in the intro section is one of the most amazing things about this song, and IMHO you haven't truly heard the song until you hear that "running low...owww" the way he used to do it.
May I recommend "Orion" by Metallica? It's an instrumental, apparently composed in a manner of classical pieces. That could be a really interesting musical piece to react to. And also, it is indeed beautiful.
Imagine if he'd never had throat cancer!!! The damage to his beautiful voice left him as still one of the very best. And yes, that was Bruce flying their private jet. He beat cancer, pilots a plane, and fronts one of the greatest bands of all time!
"Empire of the Clouds" is so overlooked, even by fans, because 1) they haven't (and probably won't) played it live, and 2) it's from a new album and a lot of fans snub the new material, which is a shame. I love the classics, also, don't get me wrong, but that song just tells so much of a (true) story.
The new songs are equally as good as the classics, in my book. Living in the past seems to be common with a lot of rock & metal fans (heavy metal stereotypes). Thats their loss. (Ps, I am a rock & metal fan, not a stereotype haha).
when he says “strange illusion” in this particular version it just gives me absolute chills because he doesn’t try to add length to the note, but he adds a mood that really says how much he’s developed as a vocalist
It’s a shame you didn’t check out the earlier live performance from 1982 at Hammersmith. They were young, the song was new and Bruce’s vocals were immense.
yes,i'll second that.drummer at that time was Clive Burr,who could play drums better than their current drummer.i was at Hammersmith,the album of those concerts was called 'The beast over Hammersmith',from the '82 world tour 'beast on the road'
In my experience watching Maiden in concert they have always ended their shows with this song. Its my favorite song and I believe its the final track listing on that album, and when taken in context with the concepts of conflict, death, evil, and despair embedded on this album finds a resolution with the approach of a hangman. This song captures the essence of knowing the day of one's death and its descending countdown to zed. This song makes the listener feel anxious, scared, and reeling from memories that would overcome one's senses and emotions. Ironically, a song about one's own mortality has achieved a level of immortality because this song will never die in the hearts of true Maiden fans. And, I am one of them.
By 8:11 I realized this is one of the best reactions I have ever seen. You gave me insight into this song that goes far beyond just the track. The philosophical nuances that musicians don't know they go through as they create a song like this. The emotions that emanate from what you hear and are inspired to create as an individual and then as a band. Steve Harris wrote this, but those bits and pieces that the band contributes add all that nuance of emotion. And having someone that knows music react to it as you have, you get to understanding it better. It becomes a whole new experience. Thank you!
Ive been a maiden fan for decades, since nearly their beginning, this song consistently stands the test of time. To this day my top Maiden song of all time and there catalogue has so many excellent selections. Up the Irons!
Doug,,yes the chord progression is a simple Em, C & D, but just as AC/DC it always comes down to the sum of all parts. The 82 version that others have mentioned here is truly the best live one I've seen. The other thing is you mentioned the speed that the lyrics went by...maybe that's the point..the prisoner, approaching his day, caught in that narrow space as time is racing towards the end. If this wasn't their best performance I'd say it is a performance that others could only dream of having. Great video.
There you go! Phantom of the Opera (1980), Hallowed be Thy Name (1982), Revelations (1983), Ancient Mariner (1984), Alexander the Great (1986), Infinite Dreams (1988), Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988), Fear of the Dark (1992), Sign of The Cross (1995), Clansman (1998), Dream of Mirrors (2000), Nomad (2000), Dance of Death (2003), Paschendale (2003) , Lord of Light (2006), The Legacy (2006), The Talisman (2010), When the Wild Wind Blows (2010), The Red and the Black (2015), Empire of the Clouds (2015).
@@leftundersun The old ones blow this out the water, both in terms of Bruce's performance AND the mixing The gallop after the second stanza sounds so muddy here
So for me, I came to Iron Maiden later in life...; 'Wasted Years' was what got me hooked; I think it's the divorced man's anthem; the chorus says, '....don't waste your time always searching for those Wasted Years.'
FYI: Bruce's stage attire has been a subject of controversy since the 80's...kind of a running gag with the band. Please check out the album version from back in '82 with only two guitars and Clive Burr on drums instead of Nicko McBrain.
Doug, thanks for this, Maiden and Rush have been with me since I was kid, now 53 my love for their music has not changed and I appreciate you views and lets face it appreciation for what they have done with your honest feed back.
I'm sure it's stated many times below, the version you wanted to review for max entertainment was '82 at Hammersmith. I was fortunate enough to see this setlist and song a few months after that and was really blown away. This was a sound, stage presence and energy that I hadn't ever seen before, and keep in mind that this was the warm-up band to Judas Priest that night. The warm-up band. I'll never forget the sound of the crowd buzzing when the set was over and the lights went up. That was and still is the magic of Maiden. Paschendale live in Dortmund on the Death on the Road DVD is probably a good one to consider reviewing. The Talisman live in Chile from the En Vivo DVD is their all time best performance in my opinion and favorite Maiden tune.
I love the transition at the "half way point". I've always thought that one of the things that put's Maiden above all other bands is the transition to completely different rhythms within a song. I love Dave's soaring guitar solo in Powerslave. Many here have mentioned Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Phantom of the Opera, both great examples.
In 1984, my band did this song at our 12th grade talent show. I remember I had to get all the parts down, all guitars and bass, and teach everyone their parts. We had this down seriously tight....perfect actually. When we ended, a bunch of people rushed the stage, picked me up over their heads, and carried me around in the audience. We won first place. It was amazing. I still have the trophy. I knew we were going to win. Everyone else was playing simple stuff, like Paranoid from Sabbath. The complexity of this song was above and beyond. And the harmonies are very pleasing to the ear. We started playing together in 5th grade, so by 12th, we were as tight as you could be. I still play everyday.
I throw in Blind Guardian - "And then there was silence" a song that was called "impossible to play live" but they did it anyway. The song is about Kassandra in the Trojan Wars
In his biography, Bruce says Steve doesn't care how hard it is to sing the words, he doesn't see them as words that will (barely) be pronounced, it's up to Bruce to handle it.
When I see live shows where they are playing faster than the studio version (which I learned) hearing Bruce trying to fit very verbose, chunky lyrics into two thirds the time they normally use... I feel like Steve is just generally punishing Bruce for stealing the last hobnob or something.
I've seen Maiden live several times and you're absolutely right. Being in the thick of the crowd while something like this is on is an indescribable experience. I will never get tired of it.
I've seen almost 200 different artists or bands. But Iron Maiden is still one of the best live acts in the world. I've only seen them 3 times but the concert I saw on the 2008/09 Somewhere Back in Time World Tour is probably the best conert I've ever been to.
@@Miwna if I remember correctly, that your was when they played Rime of the Ancient Mariner? In which case, yes it's one of the most memorable shows I've been to. Maiden are my favourite band and I will never tire of seeing them.
@@Matakoshi That is correct. The tour is also featured in the documentary Flight 666 which is where the clip used in this video is from. And I totally agree, never will I tire of watching this band perform.
I think songs such as The Legacy, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son and To Tame a Land aren’t they’re biggest hits per se but are very interesting musically. Personally I’d be super curious to hear about Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. Thanks
Wow, my favourite band and I’ve been listening to this song regularly since I was a kid, yet some of your comments put parts of it in new perspectives! As for recommendations, I’d say ”Sign of the Cross” is a very sophisticated prog epic of theirs. My personal favourite. Preferably the live version from the ”Rock in Rio” concert in 2001.
I've been in the crowd for 8 Maiden shows going back to 84, Rush 11 times, Sabbath with Dio 4, Triumph 6 times, those are among the best shows I have seen in the 130 or so I have gone to over the years.
One thing I noticed in the album version especially was the tempo changes. They were subtle, but it starts out slow and builds into a faster and more frantic, anxious rhythm; mimicking the condemned man's heart rate as his final moment approaches. Finally the tempo slows right at the end as he falls through the gallows and the sentence is carried out.
Doug, Since you liked Empire of the Clouds the best, I would think you'd like When The Wild Wind Blows from The Final Frontier. It is a longer song which tells a good story too (as many Maiden songs do, and the Final Frontier has many stories).
To be fair after about the third song at a Maiden show the band and audience are drenched. There's enough energy in the crowd to light up a small city.
Bruce took a few years sabbatical from Iron Maiden to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot and have a commercial license. He flew as copilot for a comercial airline company ahead of purchasing the Maiden Airlines plane, and Bruce always take the command of Maiden Airlines when they leave on tour.
@@erikrandan7294 don't forget that he also competed in fencing where he was ranked quite high in Europe as well. Not sure when he had his battle with Cancer or when the took his PhD in Music.
Yes, absolutely agree! Such a great song and story, but imo... the first hearing should be studio version, it really provides a dramatic immersion and you get all of the amazing nuance in the lyrics.
Outstanding stuff! I have been an Iron Maiden fan since I was 12 years old (upon the release of 1984's Powerslave). They are fantastic. You could do Run to the Hills, Flight of Icarus, Powerslave or maybe a live version of Wrathchild (the original Wrathchild is done by Iron Maiden's first vocalist Paul Di'Anno)
My first Iron Maiden concert was this tour when they stopped in Vancouver. The day after my 18th birthday and you were right on when you said it was euphoric. I was on the floor in the chaos. When they were finishing this song I was crowd surfing toward them while the fire went off. Absolutely the greatest live band ever.
I’ll keep recommending Iron Maiden’s ”Starblind”, ”The Talisman” and ”The Legacy”. More proggy, great storytelling, great music! *yes it’s the same songs as before, I won’t give up!
This is, to me, one of their all time greatest songs. I have to agree with the others in these comments that earlier performances from the 80's or the original album recording would have been even better. This is still a good performance but early 80's bruce was just incredible.....That said, it's pretty impressive that Bruce can still sing this all these years later.
I never got enthralled into the heavy metal genre. This is more or less music from my childhood. My taste buds mellowed out a bit with age. However, Iron Maiden remains one of my top 5 bands of all time. I've even grown more appreciation for them as I got older, having seen them live a few times in recent years. There's such an element of class to them, as well as the fan base. It's one of those bands that will have 3 generations of fans in attendance, and everything is kept in check to great music, and theatrics for a few hours.
Must be tough for a composer to realize that most of their songs will have "the same progressions", but the way they create some of the riffs and link them together is amazing, not to mention lyrics are usually very interesting and literally tell great tales.
you are spot on about it being awesome seeing the guys perform this live. Especially, as you can see from the crowd shots, most of us know all the words to this one, so it really hits even more once you know them. couple of things I see in this song are that the solos always seem to make them smile, so I bet it's a ton of fun to play. Also that Bruce can hold that note forever. Even at the end of the show.
Fun fact: The bell tolls 22 times in the intro, which is how many times a bell would ring before an execution, which is what is occuring in the song
And is, by coincedence the house number on Acacia Ave....... the place where we all go....
@@dirkschumacher3015 wonder how charlotte looks like
Fun? Fact
@@vedicmetalhead1029 A bit like aunt Polly from peaky blinders
BUt why does it sounds 22 times ? Do You know that ? ....because it s a fact that after you die you are 21grams easier and they sound 22 times to mark that way you passage beyond 🤟🤟
"Was that Bruce in the pilot's seat?"
It most certainly is
Ed Force One Boeing 757,leased from Iceland Air iirc.
damn right... man owns a sherman tank
Oh yes
The guy is am Olympic standard fencer, with his own tank, a pilot's licence for a 757, brews his own (Trooper) beer, is an awesome vocalist, a humanitarian...damn; he's frickin unbelievable!!
@@stevehughes6627 I'd almost forgot to mention that Bruce Dickinson is an Olympic level fencer
And apart from having a pilot's license, I didn't know about everything else
Bruce. No drugs or drink, an airline pilot and one of the most powerful voices ever. Truly an inspiration.
Ofcourse he drinks, but not that often and not that much nowadays!
He is also a world ranked fencer super nice guy
PhD in history also
Also a fish farmer.
A true Polymath
Steve Harris, the founder of Maiden, have once said that this is the best song they ever did and he will never do a tour performance where they don't play it.
I went to one of many Mainden performances , however it was not done ! Think this was about 4 years ago...
@@cctvmanbob I think that was when there was a lawsuit from accusing Harris of plagiarizing some of the lyrics (2017ish?). The suit has since been settled and the song added back into their live sets.
@@kevinmcaleer8071 Good to hear ! My favourite ..
Nicko said that if they ever stop doing it live, that’d be when it was time for him to leave the band.
I saw them in DC in 2017 and they didn't play this. I was pissed. But I got like 8 book of souls songs.....
"Sounds like E minor to me... yeah, and then a C and a D" You nailed about EVERY Iron Maiden song :-)
I was about to say the same thing 😂. We can go through about 40 minutes of just playing Maiden songs at band practice, without actually ever playing them before.
Yeah but what's wrong with that? it works for the music they make.
No one here said that there was something wrong with it.
@@g8le nope, but Iron Maiden songs are not particularly scientific. It works, for more than 40 years now, and I love every single E minor, C D progression of it
They better not...
Bruce Dickinson is 62 yrs old and still commands the stage like a master.. Saw them a few yrs ago and they were awesome. I love your videos. Seeing a classically trained musician appreciate a band like Iron Maiden means a lot. This band was a huge influence on me!! Please keep em coming
And after undergoing chemo for pharyngeal cancer no less.
their new song is sick too
Too bad he can't sing anymore. In 2016 his voice was barely audible for half the show
@@rutessian It's better, I saw them a few years before you and Bruce was struggling but he seems to be doing better now. Not sure if they lowered the songs a little. I think he also did some stuff with a vocal coach.
Iron Maiden 'Powerslave' 'Aces High' 'Dance of Death' 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son' 'The Number of the Beast'
Wasted Years, The Evil That Man Do, The Trooper, Run To The Hills, Flight Of Icarus, 2 Minutes To Midnight, etc... it's hard to pick one, all good!
Dance of death is super underrated seventh is always a fav
Any of these would be awesome. Can't go wrong with Powerslave.
Basically most of Maiden's library would be good. :D
I don't think you can go with wrong with anything on _Seventh Son of a Seventh Son_ -- especially 'Only the Good Die Young'.
'Aces High (w/ Churchill's speech)', 'Heaven Can Wait', or 'For the Greater Good of God' are all great choices, too.
Paschendale by iron maiden has such a strong meaning both in the song and lyrics. Worth checking out
Agree
Agree
Paschendale would be a good one for him. Probably Revelations as well.
Agree
I love Paschendale, it would be great1
At 10:48 minute, when Doug says “ I can’t imagine the euphoria” yes that’s exactly what it’s like at a maiden show. After a show it takes me 2-3 hours to wind down and then many days/weeks of just being elated. Music is therapy 🖤🤘👍
I concur
It happens to all of us.. Cant be explained with words. Soon again. UP THE IRONS.
Haha. Was thinking the same. The one thing I don't think you can get from live videos is how freaking loud the crowd is. I've been to a couple of shows where, even close to the stage, it's hard to hear the band over the crowd singing. It's indescribable and an experience that everyone should have....as long as you're not taking my ticket.
@@zlungbutterz3307 So true! 2022 Maiden tour just started and Eddie is samurai on this tour. Got my tix for Sept.👍. The crowd is will be epic this year after being on break. Up The Irons!
I probably would sit down and cry. 😰😥😢😭😫😩😿
I used this song in a comparative paper about Hamlet on my 12th grade final report in English class. The topic I had chosen was existentialism so I needed to compare something with Hamlet. I was by no means a good student, but Maiden was such a huge part of my life in 1990 that I wrote an A+ paper, the grade was 20% of my final grade, and I passed because of it.
When I was in college, I took a course in classical music. I wrote a paper comparing the works of Tchaikovsky and Beethoven to this song and heavy metal music in general. The professor gave me a D. It's good to know that 40 years later, I was right.
Sweet!!
I used Aces High to structure a part of a story set in WW2, I was 13 yrs old and was awarded an A
Doug! You gotta give Rainbow's "Stargazer" a shot! I'm telling yah! By the way, I'd say as far as the lyrics and the pace of the song, I think it fits...his heart is beating, his anticipation is building and thusly, the song becomes faster and more intense. He's confronting his own death as the song speeds up, whereas earlier in the song, he was contemplating it, brooding upon it. His thoughts are racing, his heart his racing, everything is going a million miles an hour in his world.
Yes, I recommended that one a while back. One of my all times faves. Also Gates of Babylon from Rainbow. Ronnie James Dio is my all time favorite vocalist
THIS!
the ultimate, stargazer needs to be played full volume
What he said
I second kforcer, Doug!! 'Stargazer' is one of the definitive, classic songs by both Rainbow AND the late, great Ronnie James Dio!!!!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Ngl, the Hammersmith 1982 version of this song is approximately a hundred times better and often considered one of the best metal performances of all time. You should absolutely check that out, but it's no big deal if it's not a reaction, though it would have been a stronger first exposure. You should react to Children of the Damned or 22 Acacia Avenue from that Hammersmith 1982 show. Beast Over Hammersmith is absolutely legendary, not just for Iron Maiden fans, but for metal fans as a whole. Other shows are just really good, if that makes sense. That show was Bruce with his full range, thick fog, and a total theatrical experience.
The World Slavery Tour had an unfortunate effect on Bruce's performance. He was playing catch up after 1983 and wasn't able to control a lot of the notes as well as in 1982. Some of the late '80s performances make one feel for his vocal cords. The '90s material was stylistically a great trade on raw vocal delivery, but the range is what really connects with most Iron Maiden fans. By 2001, he learned how to manage comfortable technique, but you can tell his placement has been much lower and his high notes became shrill. That power and control back in 1982 really are something to behold. I'd say the best tour visually happened to be the World Slavery Tour, ironically enough, although The Book of Souls World Tour had fantastic set pieces and great costumes.
@@chrismeadows4216 Agree that this particular version is not the best, I love the album version. Kinda disagree about Bruce's voice after 1983. I saw Iron Maiden at Monsters of Rock in 1988, full Seventh Son, absolutely amazing and each song was studio production quality. Went home on the train and could hear Maiden playing in my head. Also saw them twice in 1992, once at a small gig and again at Monsters of Rock, just as brilliant!
@@marick791 Pretty much any audio from those tours will determine that was the experience talking and not the actual quality. Bruce's vocal challenges are heavily documented, and 1992 was also one of the years he didn't enjoy being in the band. If it were on par with 1988, that would be unheard of. He was ducking notes or letting go of them regularly in that period. In 1988, he was spotty on the high notes, sometimes squeezing them off to reach his vocal break because he couldn't hit them with chest. He had been reckless, honestly. That necessitated limiting his high notes on No Prayer for the Dying and Fear of the Dark so he could sing everything on them. Bruce adapted well, but didn't quite find his footing again until he rejoined Maiden.
Rock in Rio was peak of Maiden live performance. Best version of Hallowed Be Thy Name and any other song that they played at that show
@@chrismeadows4216 Very true. Early on in the World Piece Tour (1983) he sounded pretty much like his Beast On The Road tour self, if you check out bootlegs from Ipswich & Hammersmith from that tour, and you'll hear it for yourself. They opened with Where Eagles Dare back then and right before the first verse, he'd do this INSANE falsetto scream ala Rob Halford. I've never really heard him do that since then. The World Slavery Tour destroyed his voice more or less, everything that came after that just wasn't the same (in that timespan). Not saying that he didn't deliver blistering performances after, but his ability to sing cleanly in his higher range dropped significantly.
Been a Maiden fan for decades, one thing you won't find in Maiden songs is frivolous, meaningless lyrics. Up the Irons.
All bow down to the King of the Bare Feet - The Great Nicko
Well, except for Quest for Fire, but we forgive them for that. Every band has that one song.
And perhaps dance of death the I danced and I pranced part. Otherwise there is nothing frivolous.
Up the Irons!!
@@gw2955 whats wrong about that song?
@@powerslave7876 the song itself is not so bad, but the lyrics are awful. They place humans and dinosaurs in the same timeframe, which is historically and scientifically inaccurate.
On a whim one day I searched for a Maiden coffee mug. Ended up finding tickets to this show. Called my dad at work - which simply wasn't done - and asked him if he wanted to go. He did. We flew to Toronto from western Canada. This was my favorite song and it was their closer. It was incredible. During their goodbyes they announced a western Canada leg of the tour. We laughed, and went again. Then the dvd came out and the version of Hallowed was from the show we were at. That was a very cool day.
One of the most overlooked maidens is "To Tame a Land." It is also a bass driven song which is very rare.
And "Alexander the Great", their best song ever!!!
To tame a land is a True gem
@@alvarex3x Agreed!
Most of their's are
Muad'dib be praised! ♥️
Yes that is Bruce piloting the plane, he actually is a licensed commercial pilot and flies commercial passenger jets when he is not touring
The plane was leased. It was later replaced by a jumbo jet. Bruce is a qualified commercial airline pilot and has licences to fly in multiple regions. When not singing he was flying commercial flights both cargo and passenger. He part owns an aircraft servicing and pilot training company.
I was working at an Airport for almost 20 years until I was laid off a couple months ago and they even have Bruce in Training videos
Alexander The Great is a good one - also one of my favourites from the early days is 22 Acacia Avenue (aka Charlotte the Harlot). Run to the Hills, Flight of Icarus, The Trooper oh lord - where do I stop???
I think you meant to say Charlotte the Harlot Part 2
Charlotte the Harlot is a different song.
This song harnesses the very essence of what heavy metal is. Pain, truth, acceptance and finally being set free.
Iron Maiden are absolute legends and Bruce is one of the greatest frontmen to ever walk the earth. He literally has every crowd in the palm of his hands, it's amazing to see live. :)
And other Maiden songs, Brave New World, Revelations, Infinite Dreams, When The Wild Wind Blows, Where Eagles Dare, Phantom of The Opera, Paschendale, No More Lies, Sign Of The Cross
Yer, Phantom of The Opera, cracking opening riff , and by far the best track on the 1st album . Don't know why it's not played more often.
Anyone got some Lucozade?
@@hughcdavies Yeah, I think 'Infinite Dreams', 'Paschendale' and 'Sign of the Cross' would be great.
@@alvaropita3487 Sign of the Cross from Rock in Rio. I still can't figure out the time signature(s) in the interlude. The fact that they can, live, without a mistake, is incredible. I'd love to see Doug's reaction to those changes.
you forgot the best of all: caught somewhere in time 😄😄
Bruce is a licensed pilot and flies that big friggin jet.
He also flies the new tour plane a Boeing 747-400. He also owns an airline maintainance facility in Wales.
He does it all.
Flight 666 was their first plane
Their current one is
Edforce One
Was also an international fencer. Could have gone with team GB to the olympics. Went on tour with Maiden instead 🤘🏽
@@georgesutton700 exactly. Right choice imo.😂
Still incredible! Hallowed Be Thy Name is my favorite Maiden song. Dickinson is the greatest metal singer of all time. Halford is right there as well.
I put Dickinson and RJD at the top, then Halford
You mentioned the feeling of being in the crowd,, it’s all around you,, can’t describe it.. it starts as you are walking into the venue.. in the parking lot. It is truly amazing..
If you think Bruce commands the stage with his vocals, you really have to take a listen to the album version. The vocal performance from the younger Bruce in the intro section is one of the most amazing things about this song, and IMHO you haven't truly heard the song until you hear that "running low...owww" the way he used to do it.
I saw them on the world slavery tour, Powerslave, through the Seventh Son tour.
Also just knowing that Bruce is a survivor of throat/mouth cancer makes his singing all the more amazing
You should check live version from "Beast over Hammersmith" (1982). Out of this world.
I think the album version is fractionally slower.
@@domward8352 Much slower! All their live performances of this feel rushed.
May I recommend "Orion" by Metallica? It's an instrumental, apparently composed in a manner of classical pieces. That could be a really interesting musical piece to react to. And also, it is indeed beautiful.
Would definitely want to see that. Or rather... hear it.
My band and I always do that as a warmup and i never get tired of playing it
Imagine if he'd never had throat cancer!!! The damage to his beautiful voice left him as still one of the very best. And yes, that was Bruce flying their private jet. He beat cancer, pilots a plane, and fronts one of the greatest bands of all time!
"Empire of the Clouds" is so overlooked, even by fans, because 1) they haven't (and probably won't) played it live, and 2) it's from a new album and a lot of fans snub the new material, which is a shame.
I love the classics, also, don't get me wrong, but that song just tells so much of a (true) story.
The new songs are equally as good as the classics, in my book. Living in the past seems to be common with a lot of rock & metal fans (heavy metal stereotypes). Thats their loss. (Ps, I am a rock & metal fan, not a stereotype haha).
Amen. Most will immediately say 'its not the same anymore' and miss out on incredible music
The new album senjetsu is amazing!!!
when he says “strange illusion” in this particular version it just gives me absolute chills because he doesn’t try to add length to the note, but he adds a mood that really says how much he’s developed as a vocalist
I will be honest. I have seen maiden live about 9 times now and this song has me crying every time. Along with Poweralave and Wasted Years.❤🤘🤘🤘
Don’t forget “Where Eagles Dare” and “To Tame a Land” (AKA the story of Dune)
To tame a land is one of their most underrated songs
For the people who don't know. They wanted to use the word Dune but Frank Herbert refused to allow them
@@andyjamess
They do... What's that song where he says "The desert the planet Dune"?
@@tjswan9935 I know. They wanted to use the name Dune for the title
Killer tracks!
It’s a shame you didn’t check out the earlier live performance from 1982 at Hammersmith. They were young, the song was new and Bruce’s vocals were immense.
That was a great show
yes,i'll second that.drummer at that time was Clive Burr,who could play drums better than their current drummer.i was at Hammersmith,the album of those concerts was called 'The beast over Hammersmith',from the '82 world tour 'beast on the road'
Do The Phantom of the Opera.
Also check out Blind Guardian.
Blind Guardian will blow his mind, for sure.
yeah, I was thinking about recommending And Then There Was Silence, especially the one with the actual orchestra. That would be hella interesting
and then there was silence would be great absolutely
@@domaniac9119 hella
In my experience watching Maiden in concert they have always ended their shows with this song. Its my favorite song and I believe its the final track listing on that album, and when taken in context with the concepts of conflict, death, evil, and despair embedded on this album finds a resolution with the approach of a hangman. This song captures the essence of knowing the day of one's death and its descending countdown to zed. This song makes the listener feel anxious, scared, and reeling from memories that would overcome one's senses and emotions. Ironically, a song about one's own mortality has achieved a level of immortality because this song will never die in the hearts of true Maiden fans. And, I am one of them.
They don't call Bruce "The Air Raid Siren" for nothing!!!
"Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" - I have feeling its a song for you! You will like it!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Not sure if he's up for it, but the whole album would be cool since it's a concept album.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand he made it.
@@Lymbe06 yup!
Infinite dreams from their "seventh son of the seventh son" album
👍👍👍👍👍
"Phantom of the Opera" from Iron Maiden is a classic in every way!! ... and is right up your alley... tried Dough please! 🤟😊🍻
By 8:11 I realized this is one of the best reactions I have ever seen. You gave me insight into this song that goes far beyond just the track. The philosophical nuances that musicians don't know they go through as they create a song like this. The emotions that emanate from what you hear and are inspired to create as an individual and then as a band. Steve Harris wrote this, but those bits and pieces that the band contributes add all that nuance of emotion. And having someone that knows music react to it as you have, you get to understanding it better. It becomes a whole new experience. Thank you!
Ive been a maiden fan for decades, since nearly their beginning, this song consistently stands the test of time. To this day my top Maiden song of all time and there catalogue has so many excellent selections. Up the Irons!
Doug,,yes the chord progression is a simple Em, C & D, but just as AC/DC it always comes down to the sum of all parts. The 82 version that others have mentioned here is truly the best live one I've seen. The other thing is you mentioned the speed that the lyrics went by...maybe that's the point..the prisoner, approaching his day, caught in that narrow space as time is racing towards the end. If this wasn't their best performance I'd say it is a performance that others could only dream of having. Great video.
There you go! Phantom of the Opera (1980), Hallowed be Thy Name (1982), Revelations (1983), Ancient Mariner (1984), Alexander the Great (1986), Infinite Dreams (1988), Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988), Fear of the Dark (1992), Sign of The Cross (1995), Clansman (1998), Dream of Mirrors (2000), Nomad (2000), Dance of Death (2003), Paschendale (2003) , Lord of Light (2006), The Legacy (2006), The Talisman (2010), When the Wild Wind Blows (2010), The Red and the Black (2015), Empire of the Clouds (2015).
I'd a few more, but this list goes miles ;)
I'd vote for Sign of the Cross, some non-Bruce maiden from a totally underrated album.
Glad someone finally mentioned “Nomad”! Best running tune ever. Just when I think I’m about to peter out, “Nomad” comes on and kicks me in the butt!!!
5:17 "NOT A PRISONER! I'M A FREE MAN! AND MY BLOOD IS MY OWN NOW"
The studio version is a thousand times better.. gives you chills and it’s one of the best songs of all time.
aye, same comment I left, he should have listened to studio
Absolument. Lp version 💪
I don't know man. Live is a whole other experience.
The best version is their live performance in 82 at hammersmith
@@leftundersun The old ones blow this out the water, both in terms of Bruce's performance AND the mixing
The gallop after the second stanza sounds so muddy here
Iron Maiden are the consummate professionals. They’re one of a few bands from their peak era that still absolutely kill.
Ayreon - The Day That The World Breaks Down. Or Shostakovich's string quartet No. 8, that one is pretty metal too.
I second that, Arjen world must be introduced to Doug
So for me, I came to Iron Maiden later in life...; 'Wasted Years' was what got me hooked; I think it's the divorced man's anthem; the chorus says, '....don't waste your time always searching for those Wasted Years.'
The Trooper is their signature song really, but this particular song is definitely their best for me :)
They have quite a few "signature songs". Trooper for sure but they have had gigs without it. The Number of the Beast on the other hand ...
Love your analysis of this, great video. Thanks.
I get chills everytime I hear this song, absolutely love it.
Their live shows are legendary.
FYI: Bruce's stage attire has been a subject of controversy since the 80's...kind of a running gag with the band. Please check out the album version from back in '82 with only two guitars and Clive Burr on drums instead of Nicko McBrain.
Definitely my favorite version
Infinite dreams, children of the damned, revelations, where eagles dare,stranger in a strange land , the clairvoyant
Paschendale is a amazing Iron Maiden song! You Will not regret it.
Learned about this song when I was in school. Im 45 now and still getting those gosebumps deep from my heart. Greetings from Costa Rica.
Doug, thanks for this, Maiden and Rush have been with me since I was kid, now 53 my love for their music has not changed and I appreciate you views and lets face it appreciation for what they have done with your honest feed back.
On another level, the lyrics are also the five stages to acceptance, --denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
Interesting!
Can you tell me which parts correspond to your comment? It sounds like a very interesting concept and I want to know more about it.
It's the five stages of grief
Elizabeth Kubler Ross' Stages Of Grief
And...Up The Irons y'all!
I'm sure it's stated many times below, the version you wanted to review for max entertainment was '82 at Hammersmith. I was fortunate enough to see this setlist and song a few months after that and was really blown away. This was a sound, stage presence and energy that I hadn't ever seen before, and keep in mind that this was the warm-up band to Judas Priest that night. The warm-up band. I'll never forget the sound of the crowd buzzing when the set was over and the lights went up. That was and still is the magic of Maiden. Paschendale live in Dortmund on the Death on the Road DVD is probably a good one to consider reviewing. The Talisman live in Chile from the En Vivo DVD is their all time best performance in my opinion and favorite Maiden tune.
You need to listen to the 80s version, he sounds way better.
th-cam.com/video/7vP2hFFV57E/w-d-xo.html
Also here is great!
@@MikeySee563 Nice, wasn't aware of that footage. I'd just seen the clip from Long Beach in '85 which I believe is the recording on Live after Death.
The 2001 rock in rio version is the best one imo
Yeah, please do!
I love the transition at the "half way point". I've always thought that one of the things that put's Maiden above all other bands is the transition to completely different rhythms within a song. I love Dave's soaring guitar solo in Powerslave. Many here have mentioned Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Phantom of the Opera, both great examples.
In 1984, my band did this song at our 12th grade talent show. I remember I had to get all the parts down, all guitars and bass, and teach everyone their parts. We had this down seriously tight....perfect actually. When we ended, a bunch of people rushed the stage, picked me up over their heads, and carried me around in the audience. We won first place. It was amazing. I still have the trophy. I knew we were going to win. Everyone else was playing simple stuff, like Paranoid from Sabbath. The complexity of this song was above and beyond. And the harmonies are very pleasing to the ear. We started playing together in 5th grade, so by 12th, we were as tight as you could be. I still play everyday.
Bruce Dickinson "a singular front man". Truer words were seldom spoken.
I throw in Blind Guardian - "And then there was silence" a song that was called "impossible to play live" but they did it anyway. The song is about Kassandra in the Trojan Wars
When the Wild Wind Blows would be a great song to cover
I second this, when the wild wind blows is definitely one of the better songs from their most recent albums, or the Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
I have suggested this one too.. I hope he hears us all!
Oh yeah
In his biography, Bruce says Steve doesn't care how hard it is to sing the words, he doesn't see them as words that will (barely) be pronounced, it's up to Bruce to handle it.
Bruce handles it well
When I see live shows where they are playing faster than the studio version (which I learned) hearing Bruce trying to fit very verbose, chunky lyrics into two thirds the time they normally use... I feel like Steve is just generally punishing Bruce for stealing the last hobnob or something.
I've seen Maiden live several times and you're absolutely right. Being in the thick of the crowd while something like this is on is an indescribable experience. I will never get tired of it.
I've seen almost 200 different artists or bands. But Iron Maiden is still one of the best live acts in the world. I've only seen them 3 times but the concert I saw on the 2008/09 Somewhere Back in Time World Tour is probably the best conert I've ever been to.
@@Miwna if I remember correctly, that your was when they played Rime of the Ancient Mariner? In which case, yes it's one of the most memorable shows I've been to. Maiden are my favourite band and I will never tire of seeing them.
@@Matakoshi That is correct. The tour is also featured in the documentary Flight 666 which is where the clip used in this video is from. And I totally agree, never will I tire of watching this band perform.
I think songs such as The Legacy, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son and To Tame a Land aren’t they’re biggest hits per se but are very interesting musically.
Personally I’d be super curious to hear about Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.
Thanks
Wow, my favourite band and I’ve been listening to this song regularly since I was a kid, yet some of your comments put parts of it in new perspectives! As for recommendations, I’d say ”Sign of the Cross” is a very sophisticated prog epic of theirs. My personal favourite. Preferably the live version from the ”Rock in Rio” concert in 2001.
Let's see if someone will agree to this, maybe some Bruce solo career, "Navigate the Seas of the Sun"
Iron Maiden : Infinite dreams. A master piece !
👍👍👍👍❤
I've been in the crowd for 8 Maiden shows going back to 84, Rush 11 times, Sabbath with Dio 4, Triumph 6 times, those are among the best shows I have seen in the 130 or so I have gone to over the years.
One thing I noticed in the album version especially was the tempo changes. They were subtle, but it starts out slow and builds into a faster and more frantic, anxious rhythm; mimicking the condemned man's heart rate as his final moment approaches. Finally the tempo slows right at the end as he falls through the gallows and the sentence is carried out.
Doug, Since you liked Empire of the Clouds the best, I would think you'd like When The Wild Wind Blows from The Final Frontier. It is a longer song which tells a good story too (as many Maiden songs do, and the Final Frontier has many stories).
This is the most Maiden of all Iron Maiden. All those other Em C D progressions are just call backs to this one.
The song is haunting. It just blew me away. And then all the guitarists in sync. How do you beat that.
That song is an absolutely masterpiece, simple!!
Grew up listening to these guys in the 80's. Took my 12yr old son to this concert. He absolutely loved it.
"They have their own plane."
This is Iron Maiden!
Iron Maiden's "Journeyman" is something totally out of left field for them and I love that song so much.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Iron Maiden, been listening and following them since the early 80's
To be fair after about the third song at a Maiden show the band and audience are drenched. There's enough energy in the crowd to light up a small city.
Bruce took a few years sabbatical from Iron Maiden to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot and have a commercial license. He flew as copilot for a comercial airline company ahead of purchasing the Maiden Airlines plane, and Bruce always take the command of Maiden Airlines when they leave on tour.
He also released several solo albums in that time as well. Accident of Birth, Chemical Wedding, and A Tyranny of Souls were phenominal albums!
@@erikrandan7294 don't forget that he also competed in fencing where he was ranked quite high in Europe as well. Not sure when he had his battle with Cancer or when the took his PhD in Music.
This song needs to be experienced with the studio version.
Agreed.
Yes, absolutely agree! Such a great song and story, but imo... the first hearing should be studio version, it really provides a dramatic immersion and you get all of the amazing nuance in the lyrics.
Absolutely.
This song has to be first heard with the rock in Rio 2001 live version
Outstanding stuff! I have been an Iron Maiden fan since I was 12 years old (upon the release of 1984's Powerslave). They are fantastic. You could do Run to the Hills, Flight of Icarus, Powerslave or maybe a live version of Wrathchild (the original Wrathchild is done by Iron Maiden's first vocalist Paul Di'Anno)
My first Iron Maiden concert was this tour when they stopped in Vancouver. The day after my 18th birthday and you were right on when you said it was euphoric. I was on the floor in the chaos. When they were finishing this song I was crowd surfing toward them while the fire went off. Absolutely the greatest live band ever.
Hammersmith live is the best live performance of this song. Bruce's vocals are insane.
I’ll keep recommending Iron Maiden’s ”Starblind”, ”The Talisman” and ”The Legacy”. More proggy, great storytelling, great music!
*yes it’s the same songs as before, I won’t give up!
Yeah, good picks! I would also throw "Isle of Avalon", "Brighter than a Thousand Suns", "Lord of Light" in
@@talaniel Amazing songs as well! Matter and Final are two great proggy albums
This is, to me, one of their all time greatest songs. I have to agree with the others in these comments that earlier performances from the 80's or the original album recording would have been even better. This is still a good performance but early 80's bruce was just incredible.....That said, it's pretty impressive that Bruce can still sing this all these years later.
infinite dreams (live version) is a great masterpiece. Also 7th son of a7th son is another must
Awesome. Thanks. I was one who requested this. I hope you like it. 👍
You nailed the meaning of the song through the music itself, now that is a professional.
The Clansman from their Rock in Rio show!
Probably my favorite Maiden song
It's easily my favourite!
They always play faster live. The studio recording is a bit slower.
I never got enthralled into the heavy metal genre. This is more or less music from my childhood. My taste buds mellowed out a bit with age. However, Iron Maiden remains one of my top 5 bands of all time. I've even grown more appreciation for them as I got older, having seen them live a few times in recent years. There's such an element of class to them, as well as the fan base. It's one of those bands that will have 3 generations of fans in attendance, and everything is kept in check to great music, and theatrics for a few hours.
Seen them in Buenos Aires. Was amazing
my all time fav maiden song is INFINITE DREAMS it is so cool and melodic.
Go even earlier when Paul Di-Anno was lead singer. It's brilliant in a different way. Anything off their first album is outstanding.
Yeah... phantom of the opera
Tom, you're 100% spot on. Iron Maiden, Killers are must-haves and Number of The Beast and Powerslave are, also. Gotta have those four at least.
@@andrevdm6406 100%. You can go Paul or Bruce from Live After Death. Go...
Must be tough for a composer to realize that most of their songs will have "the same progressions", but the way they create some of the riffs and link them together is amazing, not to mention lyrics are usually very interesting and literally tell great tales.
you are spot on about it being awesome seeing the guys perform this live.
Especially, as you can see from the crowd shots, most of us know all the words to this one, so it really hits even more once you know them.
couple of things I see in this song are that the solos always seem to make them smile, so I bet it's a ton of fun to play. Also that Bruce can hold that note forever. Even at the end of the show.
I´ve watch Iron Maiden so many times live and they never ever disappoint.