Product Description

The History of Iron Maiden: Part 1 – The Early Days is a 2 disc set that charts the band’s meteoric rise from gigging in East End pubs to filling arenas around the world. Disc one includes 2 hours of rare live footage: "Live at the Rainbow"; "Beast Over Hammersmith"; "Live at Dortmund". Disc two is a feature length documentary entitled "The Early Days" which features interviews and a history of the band.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24295 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-11-01
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Perhaps one of the reasons that Iron Maiden have had such a long and successful career (25 years and counting) is because they know how to take care of their fans. The Early Days--the first in a series of planned DVD archives of the band's history--is ample proof of this. This two-disc set is packed with Maiden goodies, charting their early rise at the forefront of the movement that became known as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Disc One has not one but three live concerts: "Live at the Rainbow", originally released on VHS back in 1980 and featuring their original vocalist Paul Di'Anno; 1982's "Beast Over Hammersmith", with Bruce Dickinson fronting the band; and 1983's "Live at Dortmund", which features the band at the top of the bill and the top of their form, headlining a massive metal festival in Germany. All feature such classic Iron Maiden tracks as "Killers", "Number of the Beast" and "Run to the Hills".

Disc Two complements these live sets with a mix of archival material (including home video footage of one of their first gigs, back in 1979 at East London's Ruskin Arms) and exclusive new material. The centrepiece is a 90-minute documentary where band members past and present give candid and entertaining interviews, charting the birth and subsequent rise of these metal titans. Non-fans will probably find much of the material here a bit silly (the spandex and leather look hasn't aged well), but this DVD isn't for them anyway. But people who love Iron Maiden will find evidence here that the band loves them, too. --Robert Burrow

Synopsis
Featuring concert footage from the Rainbow, the Hammersmith and Donnington.

Customer Reviews

Totally Comprehensive.. almost!
When I first heard of this release i thought "oh no not another package of archive material", but i'm pleased to say I was completely wrong.
For the newish fans, the live stuff is a real treat. Bruce's vocals on Beast over Hammersmith have never been beaten in my opinion, and the Rainbow gig for anyone who's particularly into Paul Di'anno. My one complaint is that Iron Maiden (the song) from the Dortmund gig is missing, in which you can witness a frantic massacre of big Eddie in a rare scene of guitar trashing from the boys.

The real treasures are found on the second disc, with 90mins of interviews with almost every member of iron maiden from the time (a lot more than you may think!), some great little stories about the band's rise to fame, very Spinal Tap in places! Also some old footage from the band in its earliest days, and although this is very poor quality its still a piece of history!

Amazing purchase, can't wait for the next in the series..!

Absolutely essential for any Maiden fan
Here we have a brilliant and thoroughly put together collection that any person who calls themselves a real Maiden fan will just have to own. Much has been published, broadcast and talked about with the band and here we have something which is new and fresh and doesn't just give us more throwbacks that we have been bombarded with over the years.

There is lots of very interesting live stuff on the discs but it is with the documentaries that we get the reals goods that all Maiden fans so deserve. The documentary on NWOBHM is interesting and captivating and the new documentary with the members of the band from the early years as well as friends and tour members is an absolutely must see alone. At the price charged for this you are realy getting a treat because as a double disc collection it could have easily been harshly over-priced like other Maiden items but this is unique.

Sure Maiden fans will love this the most and it will inevitably only really appeal to big fans but for a new band starting up wanting to know the reality of getting started this will prove very educational. Buy it now!

Incredible
This DVD has EVERYTHING you want if you are a Maiden fan and people unknown to Iron Maiden alike. Not only do you get an interesting "Rockumentary" that is 90 minutes long and shows how they begun and up along to their hit album "number of the Beast", but you also get 3 breathtaking, powerful concerts for your enjoyment.

the first concert allows you to almost "introduce" yourself to Paul Dianno, their deep, powerful singer and gives you an experience for what a gig with him is like.

The second gig introduces you to "Bruce Dickinson", their 2nd singer and gives you yet another fantastic and totally new experience that will blow you away.

And the final concert has Maidens permanent drummer, "Nicko McBraine" and yet again, provides a new experience for you to enjoy.

Besides the mind-blowing gigs and the documentary, you get videos from Maiden early songs, including their Top of the Pops appearences. you also get a funny TV interview and lots of other extras. A brilliant investment for any fan of Heavy Metal.