Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Iron Maiden
Label: Sanctuary Records
Release date: 2002
Iron Maiden have been setting the standard for quality DVDs since day one, and plenty of bands could learn a thing or two from them. The Iron Maidens don’t do half-measures, and that’s exactly the case with this release.
Rock in Rio is made up of two discs. The first one contains the concert from the Rock in Rio festival, recorded on January 19, 2001, while the second one holds the special extras.
VIDEO:
The video quality is flat-out breathtaking. The picture is crystal clear, and the colors are gorgeous, deep and vivid. A real treat for the eyes. Harris did the edit himself, from footage shot with 18 cameras, which added up to more than 60 hours of material. The color shading is really beautiful, and the transitions from light to dark tones are excellent. The only downside is the cuts being too fast, since the camera keeps jumping from one member to another. At first it doesn’t even bother you, or you don’t even notice it, because the concert itself completely sweeps you away, but after a while it does get annoying.
AUDIO:
You can choose between Dolby Digital Surround 5.1 and DTS Surround. The production was handled by Kevin Shirley (the producer of Maiden’s records from Brave New World onward), who did a more than excellent job. The sound is exceptionally clean and defined. Every detail is audible, and all three guitars are very well separated, so you can pick out the details of any one of them. The drums sound great, and as usual Harris’s bass isn’t too far up front. Bruce’s vocals are of course pushed to the front and are exceptionally clean and clearly audible. One more warning: the volume is LOUD(!!!), so watch out for your speaker systems.
SETLIST, STAGE SHOW, CROWD:
The setlist holds no big surprises, with songs from Brave New World mixed in with the older classics. From the opening bars of Wicker Man all the way to the end with Run to the Hills, the band doesn’t let you catch your breath. Their energy after more than twenty years is simply incredible. You couldn’t ask for more than the fantastic crowd response you get at a Maiden show. The crowd’s roar blends perfectly with the sound of the band, and you really feel like you were there at the concert yourself. It’s absolutely unreal how a crowd of 250,000 heads meshes with the six geniuses on stage.
The stage show is of course spectacular, as is the custom with the Maidens. Let me just mention, for example, the 2-meter-tall Eddie and the cage with two little girls during the song Iron Maiden.
SPECIAL EXTRAS:
These are on the second disc. First, we’re surprised by an excellent 45-minute documentary, Candid Interviews, which offers interesting interviews and even more interesting glimpses of how the guys spend their days off. All I can say is that Iron Maiden are among the most “down-to-earth” stars in show business today.
A Day in the Life shows us the band’s life on tour in 10 minutes.
Ross Halfin Photo Diary contains 50 exclusive photos personally picked and commented on by official Iron Maiden photographer Ross Halfin.
And just for you, I’m revealing the Easter eggs, in case you haven’t found them yet:
1. On the extras disc, go to band members and pick a member. On the screen with the “days off” section, move around a bit until an evil smiley lights up. You’ll find short videos of the members (not every member has one).
2. Go to “photo diary”, press left and enter for a video with Kevin Shirley.
3. Go to “the band” and pick Bruce Dickinson, press up and enter.
What can I say in closing? Nothing other than that this concert DVD belongs in every metal collection! UP THE IRONS!
Lineup
Bruce Dickinson: vocals
Dave Murray: lead and rhythm guitar
Adrian Smith: lead and rhythm guitar
Janick Gers: lead and rhythm guitar
Steve Harris: bass
Nicko McBrian: drums
(Michael Kenney: live keyboards)
Production
Kevin Shirley and Steve Harris
Tracklist
DVD 1
1. Intro (Arthur’s Farewell)
2. The Wicker Man
3. Ghost of the Navigator
4. Brave New World
5. Wrathchild
6. 2 Minutes to Midnight
7. Blood Brothers
8. Sign of the Cross
9. The Mercenary
10. The Trooper
11. Dream of Mirrors
12. The Clansman
13. The Evil That Men Do
14. Fear of the Dark
15. Iron Maiden
16. The Number of the Beast
17. Hallowed Be Thy Name
18. Sanctuary
19. Run to the Hills
Runtime: 125 minutes
DVD 2:
1. Candid Interviews
2. A Day in the Life
3. Ross Halfin Photo Diary
Runtime: 60 minutes
