We at Foundry Music have filled you in about this DVD series that was coming in the news page on the site. Some Maiden fans still argue to this day that when DiAnno left Maiden that the band got better and some just were hard-core Paul fans. I honestly leaned more to the Dickinson era. Still some great stuff on the early Maiden records. Don't get me wrong. I really thought then and still do now that Number of the Beast was killer. A definite turning point for someone like myself. 1982 was over twenty years ago and some of us then craved harder metal.
If you are thinking that this DVD is a great big video collection? Come to grips kid. It is far from that. What? You say. Just go pick up 12 Wasted Years for the videos. This DVD takes the classic Maiden record Number of the Beast and examines it. From the producer of then Martin Birch, The drummer Clive Burr and Rod Smallwood. Down to the band itself. Dave, H, Steve and Bruce are all in tow. You'll see little other cameos from some other high profile bands and magazines helping to tell the story of the record. You also find that Steve doesn't drink tea. Also known photographer Ross Halfin had many words to say about that time and this band. Some that may own the Cherry Lanes book Running Free will get to piece a few things together with this DVD. They explore the NWOBHM tag, The story of all the tracks from the record and much more.
You do get pieces of the videos and many live shots, stills and on location shots. I did like the way they stood up the album artwork and placed it in strategic places. Adrian also has a little segment where he plays "Number of the Beast" all by his lonesome and another track. Another highlight was f Martin Birch. There he was punching in and out the instruments here and there. In the end he said he wanted to stay and re-mix the album again. HA!
The special features as if some of what I said wasn't enough? Previews of the upcoming Rock In Rio DVD. With Maiden playing "Hallowed Be Thy Name". By the way, that live DVD will be state of the art. So this is just a taster. Beyond the VH1 show Behind the Music.
Just remember this. Number of the Beast is what made this band go WorldWide!
