Band:	Iron Maiden
Album:	Rock In Rio
Style:	Heavy metal
Release date:	March 25, 2002
A review by:	Dream Taster

Disc I
01. Intro
02. The Wicker Man
03. Ghost Of The Navigator
04. Brave New World
05. Wrathchild
06. 2 Minutes To Midnight
07. Blood Brothers
08. Sign Of The Cross
09. The Mercenary
10. The Trooper

Disc II
01. Dream Of Mirrors
02. The Clansman
03. The Evil That Men Do
04. Fear Of The Dark
05. Iron Maiden
06. Number Of The Beast
07. Hallowed Be Thy Name
08. Sanctuary
09. Run To The Hills

When the most famous Heavy metal band on Earth decides to record a double live CD for their stage entrance in the new millennium, you already ought to be interested in the product. But when it's also the first live album after the historical return of both Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith, you must be totally overexcited. That's how I felt while listening to the treasure chest that is "Rock In Rio". So obviously, Rio is a great place to record a live album or it's more likely that the audience of Rio is simply better [and larger] than anywhere else?? I won't solve that question myself but I can tell you that an album recorded in front of a Brazilian audience is usually a sign of a great album already.

First things first, I won't to remind some of you that Iron Maiden now features three talented guitar players with Dave Murray, Janick Gers and Adrian Smith. The result? Simple harmony, the purest melting pot of talent and three different layers of heaviness transcend the whole set list. Bruce wouldn't be Bruce without he's interaction with the fans along the concert ["Scream for me Brazil!"], and he even introduces the songs by a few words, as usual. Now, Bruce has been a mentor for a lot of singers throughout the years but he is still the master of the discipline. Talking about masters, Steve Harris handle it perfectly as always and with all that musicianship, I am to mention Nicko McBrain at the top of his drumming abilities.

The sound is excellent, the audience is really present, Bruce is all over the place and every instrument has a right share of the overall sound. The production duo Kevin Shirley / Steve Harris create miracles nowadays and we're not going to complain about that!

As for the songs, most of the set list is from 'Brave New World' [, which is normal because it was the "Brave New Tour" ] and the eternal tunes that are '2 Minutes To Midnight', 'Fear Of The Dark', 'The Number Of The Beast', 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' and others. To complete this concert, Iron Maiden played some pleasant surprises such as 'Wrathchild', 'The Clansman' [first time recorded with Bruce on vocals] and the song 'Sign Of The Cross' [I love it]. With Maiden, every track is history so no need to pick any highlights, it would be a waste if time. You're going to listen to the whole damn thing anyway, no track to skip on that one.

This double CD also includes two enhanced videos, one is the on stage recording of 'Brave New World' [watch out, it rules] and the other is a very cool documentary about the band during the tour [British accents included!]. Totally enjoyable stuff. Even the artwork is well done and very complete [have you ever seen a live album that includes all the lyrics? Well, now here is one!]

Iron Maiden was and is still an amazing band and therefore every record they release is a piece of history but most of all a piece of incredible music. "Rock In Rio" is another one of these and is also a testimony of the Maiden dream team. It's an undeniable proof that the band is here to stay. But even more important, when you evoke Iron Maiden on stage, you have to remember that every song is mesmerizing. And the chills that run through your spine during 'Fear Of The Dark' or 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' show you that this album is gigantic. Iron Maiden forever!