Search - Paul Di'anno :: Live Beast

This is the live album I imagined Iron Maiden putting out on

R. Gorham | 11/29/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"THE BAND: Paul Di'Anno (vocals)... and most recently (year 2000 and after) - Cliff Evans (guitar), Graham Bath (guitar), Brad Weiseman (bass), Steve Hopgood (drums & percussion)... and during the 90's - John Gallagher (bass), Ray Ditone (guitar), Nick Burr (guitar), Gavin Cooper (bass).



THE DISC: (2001) 10 tracks clocking in at approximately 42 minutes. Included with the disc is a 6-page booklet containing song titles/credits/times (no song lyrics); a 2-page intro to Di'Anno written by Steve Goldby; various demonic pictures of skulls, flames, vicious dogs; and thank you's. Noted in the booklet -recorded live at various locations worldwide (no specific cities or countries mentioned). The songs on this release are all old Iron Maiden tunes - 6 from Iron Maiden's self titled debut, 3 songs from their "Killers" album, and 1 unreleased Maiden tune ("Woman In Uniform"). Label - Spitfire Records.



COMMENTS: It'd been so long since I thought about Paul Di'Anno. Decades have passed since the glory days of Iron Maiden's first 2 albums with the rocking punk singer Di'Anno at the helm. For whatever reason, his later albums with Battlezone simply alluded me. Let me first say that I've been an Iron Maiden fan from the start. As far as live albums go, Maiden has many - and I've always felt that as good as Bruce Dickinson is - Bruce singing Di'Anno's old tunes simply do not do the songs proper justice. This "Live Beast" album is the concert album I imagined Maiden might have put out back in 1981 on their "Killers" tour. It's that good. Granted, there's no quick-fingered Steve Harris on bass or Dave Murray shredding the axe... but, the players on this disc are solid. The song choices are strong - the highlights for me being "Killers", "Murders In The Rue Morgue", "Running Free" and the slower "Remember Tomorrow". Di'Anno's voice sounds surprisingly good (considering his age and damage done to his vocal chords back in the 80's)... he lets out an occasional growl which somehow fits nicely into the song. This disc is full of old school NWOBHM attitude. I stumbled on this particular disc at one of the local music stores... buried deep in the bargain rack and tagged at the cost of about a dozen donut holes. A memorable day it was... this "Live Beast" was a great find (4+ stars).

"

Dianno is one of a kind

E. Ellerbee | Georgia, USA | 05/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Dude, what is up with all the animosity from Michael Gibson in his review? WTF have you done that's so great? Were you the original vocalist for one of the best bands of all time? Can you outsing Paul Dianno? If you can, I can still outsing you but,I try not do bash people since I know I haven't done crap with my abilities yet. Lighten up dude. Paul is doing his thing and God bless him. ...and why in God's name did you include Robert Plant with Dio, Halford, Dickinson and Tate? Talk about zero range. (yeah, I know I said I don't like to dis people but, he has like a 3 note range now.)"