310. Iron Maiden / The Big Heat [Bootleg]. 1981. 5/5

This bootleg is an album that the band really should have released as an album. Hindsight is a wonderful thing I guess. Instead, they released the live EP Maiden Japan, which had four songs from the following evening’s performance. While that was great, this album, with the full gig, is just tremendous. A+ soundboard quality, and all the great songs from the first two albums, with Paul Di’anno in full flight all night. On this album you can understand how good the band was, even in this early incarnation. In particular, Dave Murray’s guitaring and Steve Harris’ bass lines are just awesome.

The best songs on the album are the ones that just aren’t heard live anymore. “Purgatory” is just magnificent, a bit faster than on the album, and Di’anno and Murray are just superb on this track. “Innocent Exile”, “Genghis Khan”, “Strange World” and “Drifter” are other specials, while the performance of “Twilight Zone” is one of the big rarities in recorded Maiden history.

Again – this should have been released. An important piece of Maiden history. I guess most fans, like myself, already have a copy. Those that don’t must immediately look around and find a copy. C’mon, it also has “Murders In The Rue Morgue” and “Phantom Of The Opera”! What else do you want?!

Rating: Possibly the best bootleg Iron Maiden album ever. 5/5.