One of the biggest Heavy Metal bands in the world, Iron Maiden is thrilled to announce the release of their new double live album, Nights Of The Dead, Legacy Of The Beast: Live In Mexico City, set for release on Friday, November 20, 2020 via BMG Music.
One of the greatest Heavy Metal bands of all time, Iron Maiden still has no trouble selling out venues across the globe. On a nightly basis Iron Maiden is likely playing to packed soccer stadiums full of passionate fans, and many times the attendance is not too far from 100,000 people. For any band in this genre to still be able to do that well into the 21st Century is amazing. And why not? With one of the most different sounds in Metal, Iron Maiden has a niche sound that leaves fans addicted and clambering for more.
Even in the last 10 years, Iron Maiden has remained a highly active band with the release of 2010’s The Final Frontier and 2015’s The Book of Souls, and even when they are not releasing albums, Iron Maiden is pretty much always touring the world. In addition to their immense catalog of studio albums, Iron Maiden may come close to holding the record for the most live albums released by a Heavy Metal band, and there have been some great ones! After all, no Iron Maiden fan can go without one of the best live albums ever, 1985’s Live After Death. This was the album that showed Metal fans what a powerhouse Iron Maiden is live. After that, live releases like 1988’s Maiden England ’88 and 2002’s Rock in Rio proved to be strong live albums, as well.
Fast forward to the now, Iron Maiden’s Nights Of The Dead, Legacy Of The Beast: Live In Mexico City is yet another double live album. This live release was recorded during three sold-out arena shows in September 2019 during the Legacy Of The Beast World Tour. Chock full of Heavy Metal, this double live release offers Iron Maiden lovers nothing but a ton of hit tracks with a good mix of deep cuts. Kicking off the excitement, the playing of “ChurchHill’s Speech” over the monitors has become a staple at Iron Maiden concerts as it is here. Then, the roaring crowd gets louder as Iron Maiden kicks into a performance of “Aces High” which embodies all of the energy that defines an Iron Maiden concert with audience sing-along included.
On these nights, the band sounds amazing and Vocalist Bruce Dickinson is in prime form as he shouts “Scream for me Mexico!” during “Where Eagles Dare.” Sounding like an incredible experience, you can hear fans singing along to tracks like the infectious “The Trooper,” “The Wicker Man,” and one of the most engaging songs between Iron Maiden and their audience, “2 Minutes To Midnight.”
After all these years, it is hard to believe there was a time when Dickinson was not in Iron Maiden. This was the case though in the late 1990s. That being said, it is great to see that Iron Maiden went back into the era of Vocalist Blaze Bayley and included performances of “The Clansman” and “Sign Of The Cross” on this tour. Nothing shocking, but Dickinson does a hell of a job singing his behind-off on both songs. Returning to the setlist, “Flight Of Icarus” is powerful alongside longtime Iron Maiden concert staple “Fear Of The Dark.” Towards the end, performances of “The Number Of The Beast,” “The Evil That Men Do,” “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” and “Run To The Hills” 100% prove why Iron Maiden is so damn good!
Without a doubt, Nights Of The Dead, Legacy Of The Beast: Live In Mexico City has to be the best live album Iron Maiden has released in years. As stated earlier, Dickinson’s ability to give his all with every breath is nothing short of amazing. Then, the creeping bass of Steve Harris comes alive alongside the triple-guitar attack of Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Janick Gers, and it is all held together by the one and only Nicko McBrain on drums. One live album fans will want to hear, Cryptic Rock gives Nights Of The Dead, Legacy Of The Beast: Live In Mexico City 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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What can i say man???, I had the oportunity to assist to one of this concerts here in mexico with my nephew who never assisted to a maiden concert before and he was happy as hell singing, jumping and of course screaming for bruce with those “Scream for me Mexico!!!!”, and i was shocked to see my favourite band to perform like never before, full power!!!, the venue isnt the perfect one but what the hell, is maiden!!!, it sounds great everywhere of course, I admit that i was almost crying when i saw the announcement for the “Nights Of The Dead Live In Mexico”, it means that my voice is on that awesome album, it never happened before… an entire live album from Iron Maiden in Mexico. Im very happy remembering that concert as im listening the album right now.
I had the opportunity to meet and share a wonderful and very funny dinner with Bruce here in Mexico in April 2019 when he came for a conference and i was invited to not only the conference but also to that dinner with him the night before the conference. It was very small as only 8 people we were invited to. He was so nice to us, talking like we were friends, making jokes, telling us about everything we asked, a complete mind blowing experience for me as he is one of my heroes of all time. When i asked him if could have a pic with him (i was the first to ask lol) he immediatelly said “of course”, so in the end i had his book and my book of souls deluxe signed… and of course my pic with him.
He is a fantastic human being as he has accomplished everything in his life, defeated a serious disease like cancer and after that he can talk to you as a close friend and smile honestly.
Iron Maiden is my favourite band of all time, ive seen them alot of times live here in Mexico, since i was 12… now im 40, i had the oportunity to meet bruce… and now a live album in Mexico… i think that if i die tomorrow… i could rest in peace! lol.
Wow that is incredible Jonathan! Thanks so much for reading. Rock on