This should be good hopefully. As I went to the Donington show it'll be good to have a [partial] record of a Maiden show I attended.

What I don't get, though, is why they've put out live albums for almost all their album tours apart from the AMOLAD one, where they were playing 1) a very strong set of tunes (I love AMOLAD) and 2) they were at an absolute peak in terms of live performance. I have a bootleg from one of the Stockholm shows in 2006 and it's great, radio broadcast so excellent quality. Weird that they just seemed to ignore that tour when it came to documenting it. It's not like they didn't have the material either - on Flight 666 there is a brief moment when you have Harris and Shirley listening to something in a studio which is very clearly a live version of For The Greater Good Of God. I did hear that they intended to release Download 2007 as a DVD but didn't for some reason.

I'm also pretty sure that they definitely shot a DVD at Download in 2013 (a brilliant show), now that would be awesome, the 7th Son revisit tour was something special, saw three excellent shows on that (O2 and Sonisphere being the others).

Until they get around to doing stuff off 'Somewhere in Time' that isn't 'Wasted Years' or 'Heaven Can Wait' I really can't be bothered with yet another Maiden live release.

^Shirley confirms what many of us have long suspected: that he was chosen for the role of producer due to being on 'neutral ground'.

He openly admits to not being a fan of the band when he started working with them.

He's not involved with this live album, interestingly.

Another UK tour next year.
London date clashes with the first day of Bloodstock. Which means every man and his fucking dog are going to try and get Brum tickets.

No Dublin show (yet). Fuck going to Belfast.

I'm fully expecting them to add at least one more date (most likely a second London show) the day after they sell out that one.
Like they seem to do every single time.
It's like a band going off stage before a "surprise" encore now. Utterly pointless as everyone knows it's going to happen, but they carry on doing it anyway.

I'm guessing it's another 'hits' tour, judging by the name (Legacy Of The Beast) and poster.

I read a story today confirming that will be the cycle from now on- a hits/history tour followed by a new material tour. Seen one of each now, and to be completely honest, The Book of Souls show was better than the 2009 one, whatever it was called.

Somewhere Back In Time, I think.

Maiden's modus operandi since about 2005 on has been old stuff tour/new album tour cycle, roughly.

I think they can't be too far off retirement, personally. I don't think Harris wants to have their live prowess dip too much as they get older.

No sign of that happening yet. I first saw them in 1990 and they were far superior 27 years later.

I agree, that's why I reckon they will stop before any noticeable decline happens. However, I thought Priest would have retired by now yet they're still going, although I think that's down to Faulkner giving them an extra shot of energy when he joined.

It kind of depends on the band though, does it not? In Priest's case, as long as Halford's pipes hold up, they would probably be fine to keep going. They aren't exactly the most active group on stage, not to say they don't 'put on a show'. Tipton and Hill (especially) are almost nailed to the spot, and although Halford is somewhat theatrical, I'd be stretched to call him energetic. Dickinson and Harris on the other hand are kind of known for running around stage like madmen.

The toughest part I think is how drummers hold up, being such a physically demanding role in this type of music. It's easy for the Stones to still be putting on shows because Watts, a rock solid drummer no doubt, certainly isn't as physically demanding as what both Priest and Maiden put forth. Credit is certainly due to McBain for his consistency over the years in the live arena playing such long sets. You only need to look to some other contemporaries to see how much the deterioration on the drum stool can affect the band's performance level as a live act.

The new live album is very good. I like the way it's mixed, guitars front and centre. Generally a good selection of performances too.

Dickinson claims that he will release a new solo album in 2018. He is currently working with Roy Z. Does that mean a new Maiden album is further down the line then? Could Book of Souls possibly be their last album?

Not that I'm overly concerned or anything, I thought Book of Souls was average.


Chinese: The next Priest will probably be their last I'd say. You are correct that Halford has never been as energetic live as Dickinson, but he has barely moved at all in the last 15 years due to back/joint problems I believe. Plus he has become increasingly reliant on a teleprompter which places further restrictions on stage movement.

I would like to see a new solo album from him. I personally doubt that there will be another Maiden album, I was surprised that The Book Of Souls came out actually.

Agree. The breaks are getting longer between albums. They aren't getting any younger.


Chinese: Halford also has to deal with back problems and memory issues, which restrict his stage movement. He can still sing, but he isn't that interesting to watch anymore.

All of these bands are winding down. Can't see them lasting much longer.

Am I the only one who prefers the self titled to the rest?