Iron Maiden: Rock In Rio (2001)

Credits / Details

90%
Overall Rating

Ranked #7,212
...out of 20,725 movies

Genres: Concerts Genre: Metal Music

Connections: Band: Iron Maiden

Live concert on the back of 'Brave New World' album, showing why they're one of the greats, performing many hits from their long career, a band at its peak. --IMDb

Review by Nirrad
Added: June 2, 2008

Iron Maiden! What needs to be said about this band that hasn't already been said in the past. Iron Maiden is probably the most popular band to come out of NWBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) from the late 70's early 80's. They were one of the most poplar metal bands in the 1980's. People used to tell me "If there was a band to see in the 80's, it was Iron Maiden." The band has gone on to sell over 50 million albums worldwide and has earned quite a following. They had quite a few line-up changes, but thankfully the golden era group finally reunited in 1999, plus another solid member.

Unfortunately for Maiden, the 1990's weren't so kind to them. First 2 albums on the decade were not on par with what was released in the 80's. They were even forced to hire a new singer because Bruce Dickinson decided to quit the band to focus on his solo career. The next 2 albums were considered a flop, and didn't have the traditional sound that they once had. They opted for a darker sound to fit in with the popular music at that time. Then of course Bruce and guitarist Adrian come back, and the band began to record their new album which was a return to form. Brave New World was released May 29th 2000, and sold quite a few copies. Fans around the world rejoiced when they heard the sound of the album. But lets focus on the tour.

Rock in Rio was filmed in Rio de Janeiro in 2001 in front of a quarter of a million people, and continues to be their biggest show to date. The band really seems to be on the ball throughout the whole night. Notes aren't missed, everyone has stage charisma and seemed to be enjoying themselves. Sure, the mistakes were probably edited out later on, but everything still sounds amazing none the less. I just love the set list that they have chosen for this show. It contains old classics, forgotten 90's songs that eventually became classics due to this DVD and of course a strong line up of newer songs. While I may love the set list, it does have its faults. First, I hate the song "Sanctuary." It was from their debut album, and I find it painfully boring. Second, "Run to the Hills" and "Number of the Beast" are not the best Maiden songs. Posers always tell me that Run to the Hills is their favourite song. Yeah, you're only saying that because you've never heard of any of the other songs. Go back to your Guitar Hero or Rock Band. Over the years I have become bored of these songs, and set lists can sometimes become very predictable. But love them or hate them, they're going to be on the set list until they retire. My last problem with the set list is that there is nothing from Somewhere in Time. Somewhere in Time is probably in my top 5 of all albums, and I was pretty upset that there was nothing from it.

While it doesn't really bug me, Steve Harris edited this DVD and tends to make a lot of quick shots. The picture is constantly bouncing around during the faster songs, so much in fact that they had to put a warning to people who suffer from epilepsy.

In my opinion, South America has the best audience ever. Every DVD that was filmed in South America that I have seen always had an amazing crowd. They sing to every lyric, riff and melody. It's basically a non stop chant throughout the whole show, and not one person is standing there dead on his feet. It truly is a magical experience.

Highlights of the show would have to be "Blood Brothers", "The Clansman", "Sign of the Cross" and most importantly "Fear of the Dark." These songs alone make the DVD a must have to any Maiden fan, they are flawless throughout. "Sign of the Cross" and "The Clansman" were songs that were featured on the two least popular albums in 1995 and 1998 respectively. Fans who disbanded Iron Maiden when Bruce left missed out on these gems, but are given a second chance to hear these epic songs once more with their beloved singer. While I do like Blaze Bailey, Bruce's versions of these songs are a bit stronger than the album versions. These songs would eventually become classics because their live versions are just amazing. The strongest song of the night is definitely "Fear of the Dark." If I were part of Maiden, it would bring a tear to my eye listen to the crowd sing along to the melody perfectly as if they have been practicing for years.

This is by far the best live DVD that Maiden has released, and probably will never be matched. I have watched this countless times and plan to watch it a lot more. This is a definite buy for you Maiden fans, and even fans of Metal in general.

Line-up:
Bruce Dickinson: Vocals
Steve Harris: Bass
Nicko McBrain: Drums
Adrian Smith: Guitar
Janick Gers: Guitar
Dave Murray: Guitar

----Set List------------
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
-------End-------------

10/10.

#1: Crispy - added June 2, 2008 at 11:07am
I love this DVD. It also helps that Brave New World is my favorite Maiden album, and this concert takes plenty of tracks off it. Blood Brothers in particular is insanely good here.

#2: bluemeanie - added June 2, 2008 at 12:28pm
This poster looks oddly similar to the "Fright Night" poster. I never really got into Iron Maiden as a band, because that genre of music has never been my favorite, but I do admire their showmanship, and am using a lot of their stuff for a show I am about to do.

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