IRON MAIDEN Announces Reissue Of 1985 Live Album, Live After Death

Exactly four decades since it first blazed its way into heavy metal history, Iron Maiden's legendary live album Live After Death is being resurrected. Parlophone Records has announced a limited collector's edition 2LP color vinyl reissue of the seminal 1985 release with some extra goodies.

The new pressing, out now for pre-order, features the album's iconic gatefold artwork in all its undead glory featuring the 2015 remasters of the audio. Fans can expect a treasure trove of extras, including a faithful replica of the original 24-page World Slavery Tour program and a replica tour pass.

There's also a glossy 12-page booklet featuring the original eight-page insert alongside a brand-new essay Rime And Punishment: Celebrating 40 Years Of Live After Death. In it, Iron Maiden fan club editor Alexander Milas interviews founding bassist Steve Harris, drummer Nicko McBrain, longtime manager Rod Smallwood, and the band's iconic illustrator Derek Riggs.

Reflecting on the whirlwind era of Live After Death, Harris recalls: "We were touring our arses off. It was literally just, 'record, tour, record, tour' – we didn't stop. Rod was cracking the old whip, and that was the right thing to do. I mean, we were totally up for it, it's not like we were doing stuff that we didn't want to do. You think you're invincible – 'Yeah, we'll take that on, no problem.' That's the way to crack it. It's the only way for a band like us because we had no radio play whatsoever back then."

Regarded by many as the definitive heavy metal live album, Live After Death captured Iron Maiden at full throttle. Most of the album was recorded over four nights at Long Beach Arena, California in March 1985, with the final side pulled from their equally fiery shows at London's Hammersmith Odeon in October 1984.

Both sets were part of the band's colossal World Slavery Tour, a globe-spanning epic supporting their Powerslave LP that stretched across 331 days and included a staggering 187 shows.