KJ Playlist: Iron Maiden Best Live Tracks
Iron Maiden are here!
After the pandemic shafted us the Australian leg of The Legacy of the Beast tour, the British metal legends kick off their Australian Tour on Sunday, Sept 1st with their bombastic Future Past Tour. They’ll be performing tunes from their newest album Sinjutsu and 80s classic Somewhere in Time (plus a couple of classics).
No spoilers here so for this playlist I’ve pulled 19 tracks from their many live albums. There’s some of their biggest anthems and a few deeper cuts that haven’t appeared often enough!
1. ‘Intro (Churchill's Speech)’/‘Aces High’
Opener on one of metal’s all-time great live albums - Live After Death. From the Winston Churchill intro the high energy riffing it’s as good an intro to the live Maiden experience as any.
2. ‘Be Quick or Be Dead’
A rattle on the snare & it’s a high octane opener from Live at Donington. Hardly played since.
3. ‘2 Minutes to Midnight’
Classic riff, huge chorus. Hardly left the set since it debuted. From the film Flight 666, recorded live in Melbourne.
4. ‘Speed of Light’
Lead single from Book of Souls that has a massive hook. Just a cracking tune. From Book of Souls Live Chapter, recorded live in Cape Town.
5. ‘No More Lies’
Underrated gem from Dance of Death live album Death on the Road that works live with its easy to chant chorus. Sadly only appeared on two tours thus far.
6. ‘Wrathchild’
A live favourite, captured here at Hammersmith in 1982. A good track becomes great when Bruce does vocals. Worth noting how high Bruce can go in his early Maiden days.
7. ‘The Clairvoyant’
The key change separates it from other singles. Killer synths too. Arguably peak Maiden captured here on Maiden England ‘88.
8. ‘Coming Home’
En Vivo is excellent with a riotous Chilean crowd who bring ‘Coming Home’ to life. A newer song at the time, the audience delivers the chorus with gusto.
9. ‘Man on the Edge’
Blaze era song that Bruce performed when he first rejoined. Kicks butt, but it’s an older kind of Maiden song & is sadly forgotten in favour of more epic compositions.
10. ‘The Wicker Man’
What a comeback. After the Blaze years, Brave New World then Rock in Rio proved Smith & Dickinson were back to kick ass with the new rocking and rolling triple guitar attack.
11. ‘The Clansman’
Epic, one Bruce has taken on & elevated to be the legacy from the otherwise crap Virtual XI. Taken here from Nights of the Dead, Legacy of the Beast - Live in Mexico City. Scream for me: “Freeeeedom!”
12. ‘Bring Your Daughter… to the Slaughter’
Their UK #1 single hasn’t been performed live in two decades. As a result there’s only two official live versions out there, this one from A Real Live Dead One. Check out the audience participation, it needs to be brought back.
13. ‘The Number of the Beast’
Classic. Can’t be left out. On nearly every live album they’ve done, this version is from Beast Over Hammersmith.
14. ‘Fear of the Dark’
Went to another level after the Rock in Rio performance with the crowd singing the leads becoming a live staple. Hasn’t ever left the setlist since it debuted in 1992.
15. ‘Iron Maiden’
Standard set closer so Eddie can appear. Only a verse and chorus repeated from start to finish but plenty of crowd involvement. Like ‘Fear…’ it’s in every set.
16. ‘Wasted Years’
What a riff by Adrian Smith. Left out of the set for a while but is a regular again, captured here for the first time on Maiden England ‘88.
17. ‘The Trooper’
A live classic, with the wordless chorus reaching iconic status at metal festivals. Steve Harris’ galloping bass is legendary. One of the best tracks on Live After Death.
18. ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’
The best Iron Maiden song. Does it all with flair and drama. Bruce’s best vocal performance despite the gruelling schedule prior to recording Life After Death in LA.
19. ‘Prowler’
Something different to end on, a D’Anno era underrated track that hasn’t been done in 20 years.
Spotify Playlist below. Apple Music here
Suss the Fan Meet and Trooper Dive Bar events below.
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Iron Maiden – Australian & New Zealand Tour 2024
with Killswitch Engage
September 1 – RAC Arena, Perth – Aus
September 4 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide – Aus
September 6 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne – Aus
September 7 - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne – Aus
September 10 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane – Aus
September 12 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney – Aus
September 13 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney – Aus
September 16 – Spark Arena, Auckland – NZ
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ATU6P5MRLBXWtUsWXcIpd?si=62999c19d4b64e6c
