Some metal fans would stand firm and declare that the real
Iron Maiden was when
Paul Di'Anno was at the helm -- before the group got bogged down with 15-minute epics and elaborate stage shows. Despite not having fronted
Maiden since 1981,
Di'Anno has retained a large and loyal fan base worldwide, as evidenced by the 2000 release
Live at the Whiskey. Split halfway between
Maiden classics and newer tunes,
Di'Anno's voice is still the same cigarette/alcohol-soaked bark it's always been. The
Maiden tracks still sound as punk-metal as ever (especially "Wrathchild" and "Sanctuary"), while the newer tracks have more in common with '80s-era thrash metal ("Impaler" and "A Song for You"). Also included is a rough and ragged rendition of
T. Rex's early-'70s teen anthem "Children of the Revolution," which doesn't particularly suit
Di'Anno's voice all that well. By and large, though, hardcore
Maiden fans will enjoy hearing
Di'Anno prove that he can still handle the classics. ~ Greg Prato