Death on the Road

Iron Maiden | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 4, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B000AC7OWK
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,283 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An unnecessary, but still fun live album, January 18, 2006

By 

A. Stutheit "Teyad" (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death on the Road (Audio CD)

Believe it or not, before this was released, this legendary British heavy metal band already had seven live albums and at least three greatest hits compilations under their belts. So was it really necessary to release another live album? Do we really need another version of "Run To The Hills" or "Hallowed Be Thy Name?" Anybody who isn't a diehard Iron Maiden fan would say nah. One could even make the case that Maiden's last two compilation discs ("Death on the Road" and the ironically titled "The Essential Iron Maiden") were "sell-outs," or desperate attempts to rake in more money.

But, fortunately, six of the songs on here are from Maiden's 2003 album, "Dance of Death" (since this was recorded on the "Dance of Death" Tour), so, therefore, the live versions of these songs hadn't been heard before.

And "Death on the Road" is still a great live album. Frontman Bruce Dickinson's vocals are top-notch and the rest of the band are in fine form, as well. Bruce really has a wonderful voice, and, as he shows here, his vocal chords are very elastic. Songs like "Wildest Dreams," "Rainmaker," and "Brave New World" are very exciting because Bruce's almost soulful vocals triumph over running rhythms which consist of fast guitars and energetic drum beats. Elsewhere on the first disc, "Wraithchild," "Dance of Death," and "Paschendale" feature great, wild solos, and "The Trooper" and "Lord of the Flies" put catchy "Oooh-oh-oh" sing-alongs on top of walls of wailing guitars.

Later, Bruce digs deep for a lung-stretching vocal performance on the ultra-catchy and famous tune "Hallowed Be Thy Name." Other highlights on the second disc include the slowly solemn "Journeyman" (which is complete with hand claps and crowd singing), and the soaring, perfectly executed, last two songs ("The Number of the Beast," and "Run to the Hills"). Even though we've already heard these songs plenty of times on other discs, no Iron Maiden concert is complete without them.

It's a great performance, but is it worth buying? Well, if you're a casual Iron Maiden fan, you probably don't need any of their live albums; you could probably be suited just fine with "Number of the Beast" and/or "Powerslave." But diehards should pick this up. If nothing else, just buy it and throw it on the pile so you can say you have a complete Iron Maiden collection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not great., December 27, 2005

By 

Jason "jrd" (Junction City, KS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death on the Road (Audio CD)

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.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Who the heck is that on the cover???, November 18, 2005

By 

Luis A. Sanchez (Brownstown, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death on the Road (Audio CD)

I know it's Eddie on the cover but the artist interpretation of the iconic Eddie is weak at best. Sorry, but this has got my vote for one of the worst Maiden album covers ever. Eddie just doesn't look like Eddie!!!

The music inside is decent enough. This is by no means a must have album by Maiden. The songs sound good enough but personally I wasn't too crazy about Dance of Death so hearing these live versions does nothing for me. They have much better live albums to choose from and if live albums aren't your sort of thing then the recent Essential Iron Maiden should fit the bill.

Overall, I would say this is for completist only.