Few bands have embraced home video quite like Iron Maiden, whom have released dozens of documentaries, video collections & concert performances over the course of their 25 year career. There is so much Maiden available on VHS and DVD that yet-another compilation would seem redundant, and to the casual fan, The History of Iron Maiden probably is. But this 2-disc set isn't intended for the casual fan. It's aimed squarely at the die-hard headbangers who have likely followed Maiden throughout their career, the ones who never get bored watching them perform "Run to the Hills" for the umpteenth time (which turns up 3 times here), who covet every bit of existing live footage they can get their hands on, and who think they know every thing there is to know about the group. For them, the idea of having too much Maiden is as ridiculous as saying there's such a thing as too much sex. I've always liked Maiden (a few of their CDs grace my collection), but was never a fanatical fan. Even so, viewing this disc increased my appreciation for their contributions to the evolution of 80s heavy metal. So maybe this is the disc that truly matters, and the others are all redundant.

Ominously subtitled Part 1: The Early Days , the focus of this release is of Maiden's humble beginnings through the release of their fourth album, Piece of Mind . Disc 1 contains three performances from the early 80s. All have been previously released as VHS titles or aired on TV, but "Beast Over Hammersmith" & "Live in Dortmund" both contain newly restored footage of Maiden performing their best-known tunes at the time. The former is a particular pleasure to see after all these years, as it features former vocalist Paul DiAnno (who may not possess the vocal range or personality of Bruce Dickenson, but is an engaging stage presence in his own right). While the performances on Disc 1 are fun (albeit dated), Disc 2 is the real gem in this collection. The brand new 90 minute documentary is worth the price of admission all by itself, featuring interviews and anecdotes by damn-near everyone who'd ever done a stint with the band, even those who came and went back when Maiden was still a struggling bar band. Almost without exception, they fondly recollect their time in the group, even if some of their departures were obviously less-than-amicable. It's also interesting to see how some of these guys have aged, particularly those who more-or-less fell into metal obscurity - DiAnno is barely recognizable, looking more like a chunky 50-year-old Fred Durst than the lean, leather-clad headbanger of his youth (two words, buddy...Bow-Flex...I can make that comment without guilt, as I could use some reps on a Bow-Flex myself). The wealth of information & anecdotes, from inter-band conflicts to song histories to album cover art, should please and surprise even the most know-it-all Maiden fan. This disc also includes a 20 minute episode of the British TV series, "20 th Century Box," which features Maiden just as they were making a name for themselves. Five early music videos offer some nostalgic fun, but with 20/20 hindsight, I think even the most die-hard fan would have to admit most of Maiden's videos were pretty cheesy even in the 80s, and time has rendered them unintentionally funnier than originally intended. Other features include looks at Steve Harris' tour diary, album cover art, photo galleries, pictures of tour books, newspaper ads & backstage passes.

The Early Days is about as comprehensive a document about the early career of a heavy metal band as you're likely to find, and invaluable for Iron Maiden fans. Maybe even the cautiously curious, who might wonder how a band managed to become such an influential force in 80s metal despite virtually no radio support, could garner new found appreciation for what Maiden has been able to accomplish. At any rate, this 2-disc set is a winner, and I personally can't wait for Part 2 .