provides panoramic global tour with Flight 666
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden: Flight 666, The Film (DVD)
Sony Music Video (studio)
Universal Mucic Group (distributor)
Official website: www.ironmaiden.com
By Thom Copher
(Iron Maiden is: Bruce Dickinson {vocals}, Steve Harris {bass}, Dave Murray {guitar}, Adrian
Smith {guitar}, Janick Gers {guitar} and Nicko McBrain {drums})
Truths which can be said about Iron Maiden: (1) the band has never relied on trends or
formula-driven styles to reach the pinnacle of Heavy-Metal godliness; (2) obstacles have
always been a challenge rather than a hindrance – the band has never taken “no” for an
answer; (3) things have never been done in moderation.
These elements come together on the new DVD release, Iron Maiden: Flight 666, The Film,
which documents the first leg of the band’s “Somewhere Back in Time” world tour in
February thru March, 2008. The film provides a panoramic view of Maiden doing what it
does best – conquering the world with what is arguably the most globally accepted hard rock
during a trek which has been cited as the most ambitious tour in rock and roll history.
Flight 666 goes way beyond the usual “concert-film” presentation. Film makers Sam Dunn,
Iron Maiden: Flight 666, The Film (DVD)
Sony Music Video (studio)
Universal Mucic Group (distributor)
Official website: www.ironmaiden.com
By Thom Copher
(Iron Maiden is: Bruce Dickinson {vocals}, Steve Harris {bass}, Dave Murray {guitar}, Adrian
Smith {guitar}, Janick Gers {guitar} and Nicko McBrain {drums})
Truths which can be said about Iron Maiden: (1) the band has never relied on trends or
formula-driven styles to reach the pinnacle of Heavy-Metal godliness; (2) obstacles have
always been a challenge rather than a hindrance – the band has never taken “no” for an
answer; (3) things have never been done in moderation.
These elements come together on the new DVD release, Iron Maiden: Flight 666, The Film,
which documents the first leg of the band’s “Somewhere Back in Time” world tour in
February thru March, 2008. The film provides a panoramic view of Maiden doing what it
does best – conquering the world with what is arguably the most globally accepted hard rock
during a trek which has been cited as the most ambitious tour in rock and roll history.
Flight 666 goes way beyond the usual “concert-film” presentation. Film makers Sam Dunn,
Scot McFadyen and their celebrated Banger Films team (which has to its credit Metal: A Headbanger’s Story and Global Metal) take us not
only onstage, but backstage, into the 21 cities and even inside the cockpit of the band’s customized, self-contained Boeing 757 (being that it
is rigged to transport the band, its crew and all of the stage gear) – appropriately dubbed “Ed Force One.”
only onstage, but backstage, into the 21 cities and even inside the cockpit of the band’s customized, self-contained Boeing 757 (being that it
is rigged to transport the band, its crew and all of the stage gear) – appropriately dubbed “Ed Force One.”
Vocalist Bruce Dickinson, a commercial pilot during his off-Maiden time,
was at the "Ed Force One" helm during this historic trek.
was at the "Ed Force One" helm during this historic trek.
The film begins with the arrival of the musicians, the road crew and the equipment
at England's Stansted Airport. It’s all hands on deck in preparation for the tour’s
maiden (insert pun here) departure – the only thing that’s not in place is flight
clearance. The unanswered question: Can Ed Force One handle all of the cargo and
passengers? Singer Bruce Dickinson is visibly antsy, and for good reason: he (a
licensed pilot who flies for the British charter airline Astraeus) will be at the
controls for this historic journey. Eventually, the thumbs-up is given; as the bird
rises you can feel your senses tingle with anticipation that you’re about to see rock
and roll like you’ve never seen it before.
From an aesthetic perspective, Flight 666 is absolutely breathtaking. You get the
sense that you are actually seeing the world as a tourist with the added bonus of
toting along an awesome live band instead of an iPod for some killer tuneage.
Unquestionably, one of the highlights features the band journeying into the depths of
at England's Stansted Airport. It’s all hands on deck in preparation for the tour’s
maiden (insert pun here) departure – the only thing that’s not in place is flight
clearance. The unanswered question: Can Ed Force One handle all of the cargo and
passengers? Singer Bruce Dickinson is visibly antsy, and for good reason: he (a
licensed pilot who flies for the British charter airline Astraeus) will be at the
controls for this historic journey. Eventually, the thumbs-up is given; as the bird
rises you can feel your senses tingle with anticipation that you’re about to see rock
and roll like you’ve never seen it before.
From an aesthetic perspective, Flight 666 is absolutely breathtaking. You get the
sense that you are actually seeing the world as a tourist with the added bonus of
toting along an awesome live band instead of an iPod for some killer tuneage.
Unquestionably, one of the highlights features the band journeying into the depths of
the Teotihuacan Pyramids outside of Mexico City... a kinda Heavy Metal meets Indiana Jones vibe.
Too, aside from the obvious musical angle, Flight 666 is a one-of-a-kind for cross-cultural
examination. As Dunn and McFadyen follow the band from city to city, elements which comprise
the unique mores and customs of each tour stop is featured. It’s interesting to compare the
differences between a “whoop-it-up” Australian gathering with the near-religious congregation
in Mumbai, India or the sporting-event zeal at the South American shows.
The common thread throughout Flight 666 is obvious: the celebration of one of the most loved,
consistent, influential... in a nutshell, best Heavy Metal bands of all time. For nearly thirty
years, Iron Maiden has gone from pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene to
dominating heavy arena-rock during metal's golden age to, today, being one of the genre's
ambassadors.
examination. As Dunn and McFadyen follow the band from city to city, elements which comprise
the unique mores and customs of each tour stop is featured. It’s interesting to compare the
differences between a “whoop-it-up” Australian gathering with the near-religious congregation
in Mumbai, India or the sporting-event zeal at the South American shows.
The common thread throughout Flight 666 is obvious: the celebration of one of the most loved,
consistent, influential... in a nutshell, best Heavy Metal bands of all time. For nearly thirty
years, Iron Maiden has gone from pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene to
dominating heavy arena-rock during metal's golden age to, today, being one of the genre's
ambassadors.
As beautiful as Flight 666 is in presenting Iron Maiden on the world's stage, the film
also touches on factors which have made the band a three-decades-and-counting
success. The largest of these factors is the brotherhood which exists within the inner
circle itself. There are, of course, the shenanigans which are in the soul of anyone
who's ever played in a rock band. But there's also the glaring admiration among the
musicians and across its crew and management - it is an organization which has enjoyed
success and weathered the ups and downs as only a family can.
also touches on factors which have made the band a three-decades-and-counting
success. The largest of these factors is the brotherhood which exists within the inner
circle itself. There are, of course, the shenanigans which are in the soul of anyone
who's ever played in a rock band. But there's also the glaring admiration among the
musicians and across its crew and management - it is an organization which has enjoyed
success and weathered the ups and downs as only a family can.
Included here, too, is the non-theatrical bonus
DVD which presents the tour's entire 16-song
setlist with each song filmed at a different
venue. Here, we get to witness a seasoned
outfit who, rather than grinding out the faves
DVD which presents the tour's entire 16-song
setlist with each song filmed at a different
venue. Here, we get to witness a seasoned
outfit who, rather than grinding out the faves
by-the-numbers, is at the top of its game. There are, of course, the hits like “Run to the Hills,”
“The Trooper,” “The Number of the Beast” and “Wasted Years” along with live essentials “Fear of the
Dark” and “Hallowed be Thy Name” (among others) – and they are all spot on with embellishments which
keep the songs fresh and vibrant. The boys in the band, despite their years, attack and deliver their
art as if their existence depended on it... which is moreover a statement of respect which they have
both for themselves and their fans.
To say that Flight 666 is a tour documentary done in grandiose Iron Maiden fashion is a bold statement
which, though accurate, is an insufficient understatement. There is no concise description that does
this project justice - 23 shows spanning 21 cities, 13 countries, 45 days, over 50,000 miles and nearly
half a million satisfied concertgoers... suffice it to say, Maiden has once again delivered the goods.
Cheers, lads... here's to thirty years leading into forty with no signs of slowing down! UP THE IRONS!!!
“The Trooper,” “The Number of the Beast” and “Wasted Years” along with live essentials “Fear of the
Dark” and “Hallowed be Thy Name” (among others) – and they are all spot on with embellishments which
keep the songs fresh and vibrant. The boys in the band, despite their years, attack and deliver their
art as if their existence depended on it... which is moreover a statement of respect which they have
both for themselves and their fans.
To say that Flight 666 is a tour documentary done in grandiose Iron Maiden fashion is a bold statement
which, though accurate, is an insufficient understatement. There is no concise description that does
this project justice - 23 shows spanning 21 cities, 13 countries, 45 days, over 50,000 miles and nearly
half a million satisfied concertgoers... suffice it to say, Maiden has once again delivered the goods.
Cheers, lads... here's to thirty years leading into forty with no signs of slowing down! UP THE IRONS!!!
(For a complete breakdown of the tour's schedule and venues, as well as the complete setlist, visit the band's official website at
www.ironmaiden.com.)
www.ironmaiden.com.)