Iron Maiden's big breakthrough came with the arrival of the air raid sirene:Bruce Dickinson late 81. The band recorded some amazing albums with instant classics but still Maiden in its prime with punk voiced Paul Dianno still has the warmest place in my heart. The first two Maiden albums are classics, every song is a gem and they re-invented heavy metal and were the freshest sound in years in the heavy metal world. Bursting onto the scene with songs as Killers, Phantom Of The Opera, Sanctuary, Wratchild and Remember Tomorrow Maiden was th hottest thing in the early 80's.

And how hot they were becomes clear when this FM Broadcast from the US tour from 81 tears your speakers apart. When the announcer tells the crowd Maiden comes on stage the crowd goes nuts. The crowd screams its lungs out and goes bezerk on the first notes of Sanctuary as the Ides Of March intro fades away. Maiden is in top form, Diano's voice, despite the substance abuse is in top form and there's no sign the band would split with him a few moths later. Maiden never sounded more hungry and inspired. Clive Burr hits the skins in a way McBrain only can dream of and Murray and Smith rip out solos like it's the last day of their lifes.

Both first album are well represented in the setlist with an occasional single or B-side only song popped in for the die hards!

Maiden fans who do not already own this CD as a silver release should shelve out the bucks they have already saved for this fall's new Maiden DVD release as this is what Maiden's all about!