The Rock in Rio version, with Bruce, is AMAZING

This is a 100% Perfect Maiden song, whether it was sung by Blaze or by Bruce. An Iron Maiden song is an intellectual exercise. It is not just about catchy/badass riffs and crazy solos, it is also about lyrics that mean something and about deep subject matters. It is like reading a pretty amusing book.

The thing is that this song came to be a legend because of the Rock in Rio version, thanks to Bruce's amazing performance and the presence of Adrian Smith. This song with 3 guitars sounds amazing, you should check it out.

Blaze Bayley just gave an interview talking about his years in Maiden... he's been very happy lately about his career now - he's recording and touring on his own terms, and he's doing well playing clubs & small venues, thanks to his legacy in Iron Maiden and his dedication to heavy metal music. He says he's on good terms w/ Steve Harris & Bruce Dickinson, and he's also thankful that the band is playing songs from his records live in concert. He talked about being signed by Rick Rubin in the band Wolfsbane, and the disappointment of being marginalized by 90's grunge rock (Wolfsbane was more of a balls-out party rock band)... but they got to do huge shows opening for Iron Maiden... Then, when Bruce Dickinson left the band in 1993 and Wolfsbane was not happening, Blaze dropped Maiden a tape... he did 2 auditions and got the job in 1994. Steve Harris said that Maiden had to write a new album from scratch... and that became 'The X Factor'... but their label EMI was getting out of the CD business and they were not interested in promoting the 'new' Iron Maiden in 1995. Blaze admitted that his contributions were not the best, but he learned a lot about songwriting from Harris. It was apparent that the 90's were hostile to Iron Maiden and Blaze did his best... he was just happy to be in such a major band that he didn't raise any issues w/ the songs... He recalled Harris writing 'The Clansman' on an acoustic bass in the studio and was amazed how it came out... he was personally proud of his song 'Como estais amigos'. On the 'Virtual XI' tour, Blaze noticed the band members were very down about playing small venues (he didn't mind, since those were what he played in Wolfsbane) ... but he was astonished that Dio, a band that he was a huge fan of, was opening these small gigs for Iron Maiden... that was how difficult the 90's were on 80's heavy metal... He admitted his vocal issues on that tour that led to cancelled gigs. In 1999, Blaze had hoped that a 3rd Iron Maiden album would bring back the fans, but was unaware how bad the band's business situation had become... He recalled that they did treat him respectfully - he was called into a band meeting and told that he was out of the band... He asked if Bruce Dickinson was coming back, and after a pause, they told him 'yes'... He wasn't bitter, and thanked the band for the opportunity.

The Rock in Rio version with Bruce is one of the best Maiden performances EVER. You've gotta listen to the whole Rock in Rio concert after you listen to Brave New World (the next album)

You will absolutely love Sign of the Cross and The Clansman after watching Rock in Rio. Please do the full show. Preferably with video. :)

Two worlds collide is killer!

Blaze just can't emphasise the raw power of these lyrics... Bruce with Adrian, takes this song off the charts....

Rock in Rio. You know you need to do it. In your own time of course.

Hi Hurm1t, I’m not British but I think it’s worth remembering Maiden as an English band has delivered such a powerful song about their historically bitter rivals the Scots in such a triumphant way...quite incredible really. Up the Irons! 🤘🏼

React to the Rock in Rio version back to back with this

If you're going to react to Rock In Rio 2001 as a concert, make sure it's after Brave New World album and not before. Many peeps are going to want you to check out the Bruce version of this song on Rio 2001, I recommend you wait till you do the concert instead of reacting to it after this album imo.

The feel and vibe of this song live, especially when you're there, is FANTASTIC! So fun.

When two world collide next!

When the “freedom” part is going, Dave Murray is using his guitar to emulate bagpipes.

One of the best songs they do live. Nuff said. Rock in rio hurm, rock in rio. Oh ye

Rock in Rio version with Bruce is a must watch

Right off the bat, the beginning of the song reminded me 'Infinite Dreams' from Seventh Son of A Seventh Son.

I love how the guitar s capture the sound of bagpipes especially during the solo. The bands live rendition of this song during Rock in Rio with Bruce and Adrian back is SO fucking powerful its AWESOME !! A MUST watch.( including the whole damn gig! )

After you finish this album and before you start the next one, you could react to "Sign of the Cross" and "The Clansman", both live with Bruce Dickinson. That would be interesting.

He should react first to Brave New world, and then the entire Rock in Rio 🤘

Rock in Rio live is a must

This song has a message that resonates with many. Living next to Russia, I do not take my freedom for granted. Have you really lived, if you have not sung FREEDOM with Bruce at the top of your lungs.

Brave heart meets Iron Maiden

I agree 100% with the last few comments, check out this song Live in Rock in Rio 2001. Bruce and Adrian have returned. The intro is EVEN better. Enjoy and Up the Irons!!

Rock in rio 2001.......fuck yeahhhhhhhhhh......with Bruce and Adrian......

I strongly recommend live versions with Bruc on vocals. Bruce carries it on higher levels and it s fun to watch fan participation

Bruce takes this song to a whole new level. You should really check out the Rock in Rio version.

Fun fact: Timbaland sampled the opening riff from this on Brandy's song 'I tried'.

Wait until you hear Bruce singing it, 'kin 'ell what a performance.

No quiero sonar pesado, pero muchos comentan solo de la versión de bruce en el festival de rock in rio, pero nunca de como es la versión con blaze Para mi blaze bailey es estupendo en como la interpreta y su voz de por si es genial

I will agree with most of the comments so far that the life version by Bruce in rock in Rio Is a must listen to in addition also during the same concert please listen to the sign of the cross which is such a great song

Wait until you see Bruce doing this song outstanding

Beauty of opinion man! All that matters is you've found Maiden in the first place 😂! On a serious note, this, along with Futureal, Sign of the Cross, and Lord of the Flies, are all songs that you're gonna appreciate more hearing them live with Bruce and Adrian back in the band. There's more punch to the songs, more energy with it being live, and the vocals are better. Regarding those who have said to listen to live versions right after the Blaze era stuff, I disagree. I honestly recommend listening to Brave New World, then the entirety of Rock in Rio cause you will hear all the BNW songs live, fresh from the album, and then pick up the 2 Blaze songs from that are part of that set list as well. Similarly to Death on the Road. Listen to that after Dance of Death album etc. Whatever you choose to do I'll be watching those videos my guy! Just as long as you definitely watch the live stuff!

Please check out the Rock in Rio version with Bruce. This is good. That is insane.

I am glad you are checking out blaze’s solo stuff

This IS the version i like more i eard this when came out about 1998 i was 18, i like Blaze phase also

Rock in Rio 2001 or Rock in Rio 2019 blaze was ok on this song but Bruce and the 3 guitar attack on this song takes it to another level same thing can be said about The Sign Of The Cross with Bruce on it but I am glad you are going to check out blaze’s solo stuff that in itself is outstanding I hope you check out Rock in Rio 2001 Live After you do Brave New World 250000 people were there to witness that concert the dvd is brilliant 🤩 of the show my favourite song is after the Clansmen When To World Collide

Clansman wasn’t my top song on this album until Bruce sung it. There are also some Maiden songs that are good on the album but live are another level.

This is the best song on this album. However the live version on Rock In Rio, with Bruce on vocals and Adrian on backing vocals is infinitely better. As for Blaze's solo stuff I would recommend "The Man Who Would Die" and "Promise And Terror". And to hear Blaze live "The Night Would not Die" is worth a listen.

Everyone is saying you should check out Rock in Rio with Bruce but I'd leave that to after you do Brave New World. You don't want to "spoil" the BNW songs in that way. As for the song, could it be the case of high and low expectations? It seems you expected a lot and was kinda let down but yet expected the worst Maiden song in The Angel and somehow though it was good despite more than half of the song repeating the same line. Lighting Strikes Twice being better than The Clansman would be an extremely rare opinion.

Now with that, can you believe what's going on live at the spot? kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rddip5CWzti-iWw.html Come on boy let's see what Bruce makes of it now that Blaze was that great. 😁

Get used to this song structure... A lot of later Iron Maiden songs have these prolonged intros.

That version of the sign of the cross it’s just too amazing

this IS the best version of all Time ,blaze IS the legend ,with less lower vocal range had to Take on Bruce Dickinson higher range songs , but blaze as a nicer voice ,you can tell by this song. give blaze a song hé Can sing and dont worry hes gona put his soul into it ,thats why i love blaze, the edge of Darkness IS great song

listen to the rock in rio version of this song with Bruce.

Great song from the great Maiden album 🤘🏼🤘🏼

I actually prefer this original studio version with Blaze than the Rock in Rio performance with Bruce....Blaze suits this song better in my opinion.

Not even in a different universe could lightning strike twice be better than this song.

You haven't heard it live with Bruce,that's way it's not your favorite 😁

Thank you for following Maiden, the best of the best. This theme with Blaze is very very good, a 10. The Rock in Rio 2001 live version is great a 12 points or more.

Hooks in you is MUUUUUCH better than Angel 😀 Of course this is my opinion.

Glad to see you enjoy this underrated album so far, I like this album personally better than No Prayer for the Dying and Fear of the Dark, to name two dickinson era albums

Great song, you have that face on, clearly you like it to.👍🤘🤘🤘

Ps I’m with u. Lightning Strikes twice is the better song. So glad u wann check out Blazes solo stuff. Suits him better. SILICON Messiah and Tenth Dimension are outstanding albums.

Please don't waste any time and watch rock in rio version with Bruce, sounds like a different song, amazing, and all the maiden fans will love it sooner rather than later

The sound of this song/guitars is beginning to show similarities with the more atmospheric brave new world album.

Jan first solo Dave second solo

This was just alright. Hurm has a lower bar than me especially when going back and listening to old school Maiden. This doesn't compare. The solo saves this, but reminds me of a Frank Marino solo that is better than this. Blaze is also the weak link for me. We'll see what Hurm thinks of Rock in Rio songs that are from this album and last album and see if they live up to the glowing reviews that some people have given here.

I just can't get into any song on this album. Gun to head I'd say educated fool.

Take a break from Virtual XI and react to this song Rock in Rio version with Bruce (with vídeo). PLEASEEEEEEEEE!!!

Hurm, after this album, PLEASE chceck all possible songs with Bruce to compare!

It's a decent enough song and I agree not the best on the album. Live with Bruce and Adrian is way better. This song especially benefits from a 3rd guitar and the stronger voice of Bruce.

Omg not a fan isn't BRUCE HE KILLS THIS SONG

Not bad but highly overrated! It wants to be epic but doesn’t quite make it for me. Steve sounds like somebody hit his right hand with a hammer before recording it. The guitar leads are forgettable. This song doesn’t hold a candle to Death of the Celts! 4 more to go and the Maiden voyage leaves Limbo!! The rest of this album sucks for me but I do have something positive to say about the next 3 songs. The last song on the album is complete garbage in my opinion. I think Hooks in You would have fit in perfectly on these Blaze albums! Lol! Along with weekend warrior, bring your daughter, and a few others.

I will never in my life understand the hype on this song. . I feel it's the same garbage as all the stuff from the previous album and, really, thru 70% of everything iron maiden has made after 7th son. They keep essentially making the same song over and over and over. They can't stop making songs like this. Whrn Adrian Smith left the band, everything sounded like they were trying to make medieval music with electric guitars. I feel like I want to dress in a court jester's outfit and skip around in a circle with this song playing. I have heard different variations of what essentially is this same song from iron maiden since the mid nineties for what feels like 100 times.

Stop with Bruce (...)

Yeah i agree Hooks in You is fucking garbage 😂. Weekend Warrior and Hooks in You are the top two worst Maiden songs.

The over-hyped song of the album. This song screams where Maiden went from classic metal to prog metal. Too long, over bloated and boring.