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Live Review
by SashaS
21-3-2002
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| Clive Burr (bottom left) and Iron Maiden |
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Live: Iron Maiden
Brixton Academy, London
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Iron Maiden perform first of the Clive Burr benefits and ‘Rock in Brixton’!
Iron Maiden’s surprise shows were as great as ever the band played but also rather sad. The band were planning a year off when they heard, during filming The Classic Album documentary on ‘The Number Of The Beast’, recently released on VHS and DVD, that their old member, drummer Clive Burr is suffering from multiple sclerosis. The current band members unanimously decided to break their 12 month sabbatical that was to lead to work on the new album, following the ‘Brave New World’ disc and worldwide tour, due for release in 2003.
The benefit gigs for the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund coincidentally take place just days before the band is to issue the live album from their storming show in Rio, simply entitled ‘Rock In Rio’*, on Monday. It all tied in nicely and we near an re-enactment of that Brazilian show, plus have an opportunity to honour Burr, who joined the band at the very end of December 1979 and played on the first three albums, ‘Iron Maiden’, ‘Killers’ and ‘Number of the Beast’; he toured extensively with the band over this groundbreaking period before leaving in early 1983.
The band’s manager Rod Smallwood best summed up the Maiden’s feelings: “Maiden has always been a family and, even after all these years, we still consider Clive to be part of that family and as such we feel we should help him in any way possible. We are sure the fans will agree and add their support to this."
The fans have and are mentally enjoying themselves, most of them wearing Maiden Tees (all proceeds from the show and merchandise go to the Fund) and digging one of the greatest metal catalogues in history. When Burr made it onto the stage, the roar could have shattered the roof! All old favourites are included, from ‘Run To The Hills’ (a new single), ‘Sanctuary’, ‘The Number Of The Beast’, ‘Running Free’, ‘’Be Quick Of Be Dead’… Man, too many to number all the loud beasts!
Having seen Iron Maiden last at Earls Court (and didn’t like it very much due to a seat in the godz), it was incredible to witness the band so close again and feel the power as soon as it left the stage and not after a delay! Guitar-works of Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Jannick Gers flying above the heavy and precise rhythms laid by bassie Steve Harris and drummer Nicko McBrain with Bruce Dickinson in the frontline of animation.
It couldn’t have been a better benefit!
* ‘Rock In Rio’ (EMI)
The UK Metal giants’ fifth live collection contains one of the most powerful performances of their career that is knocking on a quarter-century. Vital, loud, entertaining and crammed with all the songs we got to love over the years. If you are a fan you know it all, if you are not – it is doubtful that it would change your mind.
Whatever, Iron Maiden is an institution.
7/10
SashaS
21-3-2002
Iron Maiden’s live album ‘Rock In Rio’ is released 25 March 2002 on EMI
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