Paschendale was the third battle of Ypres and took place on the Western front between July to November 1917 (First World War) Casualties are disputed. The allies lost between 240000 and 448000 with the Germans losing between 217000 and 400000

I am just now discovering IM, at age 65. Wow-These guys were intellectually/oriented hard rocking, amazing musicians and composers. Better late than never, I always say. (And I have said that many, many times.)

For me, this song is just so epic, it isup there alongside with rime of the ancient mariner and hallowed be thy name. I find it mindboggeling that it is so underappreciated.

iron maiden 45 years of existence and still one of the greatest metal bands on the planet!

Not World War Two, but World War One. And not in France, but in Belgium.

This was a World War 1 battle...my grandfather was there and survived the battle but was gassed

You can never go wrong with some Iron Maiden. Up the Irons.

The long intro allowed for the set set-up, and for the atmosphere to be set - a masterful band for story-telling.

Adrian Smith's backing vocal melodies at 12:37 are great, haunting even. He was also the one who came up with finger tapping on guitar, he was just messing around in the studio when Steve(?) heard him and asked him to use it for this song. I would highly recommend Blood Brothers by Iron Maiden from Rock in Rio, 2001. Stunning. Keep up the great work. Up the Irons!

This wee beauty of a masterpiece not only musically, but in telling history should be played live more by the band. This is why Iron Maiden are the best at what they do. Up The Irons! 🤘🏻🖤🇬🇧

That great last phrase of the song though: ”See my spirit on the wind. Across the lines, beyond the hill. Friend and foe will meet again. Those who died at Paschendale.” ❤️🤘

The more I listen to that song (I’ve listened to it hundreds of times) the more emotional it makes me. This particular rendition is incredible. The small attention to detail...like how the guitar distorts and fades out at the end. The lyrics are powerful if you read them. They are talking about terror and meaningless slaughter....the strength of the human spirit and the desire to have something so futile have purpose. This song is a great tribute to the men that showed unimaginable courage.

This song was about half way into the set. Their intro's to the shows, especially in the early 2000's was more Epic Symphonic stuff. And you have to read the lyrics while watching this.. probably one of the saddest songs ever written.

Paschendale... one of the bloodiest battles of WW1... in four months a half a million men died or were never found in the mud and wire... the shelling was so intense and the rain so heavy the mud was often enough to drown men if they stepped in the wrong place. Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders were the main allied forces and the flower of that generation died in that living hell. When you understand this and hear some 19 year old complaining about poor WiFi reception... you just want to punch them.

This is the best song from the reunion era and the spiritual successor to The Trooper with many thematic similarities including the the death "scene" at the end.

The break was the road crew setting up the mock barbed wire. They were dressed up in WW1 uniforms as well.

I was there in Dortmund almost exactly 17 years ago (24/11/2003), incredible gig!! 😍😍🤘🤘. Great reaction Hunterz!!

One of the greatest bands in metal history one of the best concerts for me was when 16 foot Eddie comes on stage they were one of the best theatrical bands barring Pink Floyd The wall when I saw that it completely screwed my head great reaction again oh really loved your album DYZTOPIA favourite track Plastic faces.

Adrian Smith's lead break is a master class on tasteful use of a wah pedal.

I love their history based pieces.

If you want to see these guys having fun performing checkout The Red and The Black.🤘🇦🇺

I've always loved HOW THEY SEEM TO TELL A STORY THRU HIS LYRICS AND YOU CAN UNDERSTAND EVERY WORD NOT LIKE ALOT OF METAL BANDS

Adrian Smith's masterpiece.

It is always a pleasure to hear a new Iron Maiden song I heard this the other day for the first time. EPIC!!

The opening lines are a poem called Anthem For Doomed Youth, by war poet Wilfred Owen, who - along with Siegfried Sassoon - was one of the most prominent anti-war poets at the time. Owen’s work often depicts the horror of war, in contrast with the poetry glorifying war which was primarily published at the beginning of the war. Owen himself was killed in the war, tragically the day after the armistice had been called.

The Canadians were the heroes of this battle.We succeded where everyone failed 🇨🇦

Another great Maiden reaction guys. Dream of Mirrors Rock in Rio 2001 please!!!!!

Yes the drum cymbals are actually doing "...---..." Morse code for S.O.S.

THEY MAKE YOU RELIVE THIS BATTLE !!!!! Through the whole story music song AS ALMOST ALL MADIENS MUSIC GREAT STIRY TELLERS OF HISTORY

In a foreign field he lay, lonely soldier unknown grave On his dying words he prays, tell the world of Paschendale Relive all that he's been through, last communion of his soul Rust your bullets with his tears. Let me tell you 'bout his years Laying low in a blood filled trench, killing time 'til my very own death On my face I can feel the falling rain, never see my friends again In the smoke in the mud and lead, smell the fear and the feeling of dread Soon be time to go over the wall, rapid fire and the end of us all Whistles, shouts and more gun fire, lifeless bodies hang on barbed wire Battlefield nothing but a bloody tomb, be reunited with my dead friends soon Many soldiers eighteen years, drown in mud no more tears Surely a war no-one can win, killing time about to begin Home, far away, from the war, a chance to live again Home, far away, but the war, no chance to live again The bodies of ours and our foes, the sea of death it overflows In no man's land God only knows, into jaws of death we go Crucified as if on a cross, allied troops they mourn their loss German war propaganda machine, such before has never been seen Swear I heard the angels cry, pray to god no more will die So that people know the truth, tell the tale of Paschendale Cruelty has a human heart, everyman does play his part Terror of the men we kill, the human heart is hungry still I stand my ground for the very last time, gun is ready as I stand in line Nervous wait for the whistle to blow, rush of blood and over we go Blood is falling like the rain, its crimson cloak unveils again The sound of guns can't hide their shame, and so we die on Paschendale Dodging shrapnel and barbed wire, running straight at cannon fire Running blind as I hold my breath, say a prayer symphony of death As we charge the enemy lines, a burst of fire and we go down I choke a cry but no-one hears, feel the blood go down my throat Home, far away, from the war, a chance to live again Home, far away, but the war, no chance to live again See my spirit on the wind, across the lines beyond the hill Friend and foe will meet again, those who died at Paschendale

Sabaton also wrote a song about Passchendaele called 'The price of a mile'. The battle of Passchendaele was a distance of a 6 mile advance and in that battle for the Passchendaele Heights a total lose of life was over 550,000 men, it equals to approximately 88,000 men per mile or 12.5 men per foot of ground won/lost

Classic metal gods they kill it every time and always put on an amazing show

Bruce, I believed dressed as German soldier because helmet that he is wearing hasn't changed much from WWI to WWII. You have to give thanks to Steve Harris (Bassist) on this song. He is a history buff. Steve is the main writer of all Maiden's songs. That battle between Allies and German Empire is one of the bloodiest in history. Both sides had enormous count of casualties.

I am an IRON MAIDEN since 85!!! Heard it once and got hooked!

How amazing is it they can create songs this great over 30 years into their career.

Loved that concert. Was there and enjoyed every second to see Iron Maiden in my Hometown. Thx for that reaction.😁

What I love about this video, as much as the music, is the symbolism of where it was recorded! Here we have a British band playing in Germany singing a song about the horrors of WW1 (as well as wars in general) and it is being so well received. We really have to take these kinds of examples out into the wider world and show people how shit it is to fight. Just get on with each other ffs. It's not hard!

One of my absolute favourite Maiden tracks, particularly live, it's just soo good 🤘

This song is fantastic. TIme will give it what it deserves. A TON of Iron Maiden post Brave NEW world is fantastic. I wish more folks knew that

Kind of surprised at Travis's comment about Iron Maiden not being big on production... they've always been HUGE on production and stage sets! Back in the eighties, their production in the Power Slave tour was so huge (the stage was full of Egyptian-style props, including pyramids, sphinxes, statues, etc., not to mention the masks and costumes) that they had to have three separate teams criss-crossing Europe to set up the stages in advance of their concerts (it would take them like 3 days to build each stage and then take it down). Another example: the atmosphere you guys saw in a video you covered, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", with the dry ice, fireworks and Bruce Dickinson's costume. Not to mention the larger-than-life mechanical "Eddie" monster who shows up In most of their shows. Also, in their latest tour, they had a life-size replica of a plane flying over the crowd during "Aces High", plus a tremendous light show...

This was an increadible performance.

This song always touches me, just imagine how horrible it would be on that battlefield for both sides...

From Australia. What great song. Lovin your reactions

Passchendaele is In Belgium, near Ypres and was the scene of several gruesome battles during World War One, not the second world war.

More than 35 years listenning them. I saw them just once on 2011 in Curitiba, Brazil. Amazing show. Perfect.

One of my fave Maiden songs!! I remember in 2005 cranking this song non stop.....2 yrs after it's initial release in Dance of Death.

Half a million died for 5 miles of mud.

This is a song that gets written by a seasoned professional metal band.

Now I guess Sabaton-Price of a mile will be in order, considering it's about the same battle😉

I saw them in 1984-85 on the Powerslave tour. Quite possibly the best live show I've ever seen.

Luv you guys.....from Wales x

Reaction to Empire of the Clouds Talking about using the symbol as Morse code . Guitars also

one of their best live songs

Adrian does so much in this epic. It's his masterpiece.

MORE MAIDEN!

Long live the Maiden !

Wildest dreams is the opening song to the concert. Jon is correct about Nicko simulating Morse code. There is another song called Empire Of The Clouds where Nicko does the same thing. In that one he is doing SOS using Morse code

Great choise. 🤘

I remember seeing them in Chicago on this tour. This song was towards the middle as I remember and was one of the few tours where they played every song of the album (A Matter of Life and Death) with only a few others afterwards.

Iron Maiden su música a sido el soundtrack de mi vida ,siempre 🤘🎶

Another Maiden masterpiece, they do these types of songs better then anyone!

Good morning from Brazil 🇧🇷💚💛🤘

Before there was Sabaton, there was Maiden.

It's not first song Travis. It's in the middle of this concert. The og song is lengthy. Maiden are great storytellers, musically, visually and they perform it actually too. So yeah. This video was from Death On The Road Tour, performed in Dortmund, Germany 2003. Maiden is always like this, you either love them or hate them 🙂

Paschendale was a truly horrific battle with a staggering loss of life for absolutely no good reason. Thousands and tens of thousands of young British soldiers thrown against entrenched machine guns and artillery. A massive butchery for no gain at all.

Rain and mud was so bad at the battle, I've heard that some guys would get stuck, be left for 3 days, and be found in the same position almost up to their necks, begging for the end.

WOW is SO RIGHT!

Morning from Germany 😂😁

You guys are fun. Iron Maiden is the best heavy metal band Ever!

Not in France, but in the town of Passendale, Flanders, Belgium 😉

UP THE IRONS !!!!

This is the 8th song played in the set

Passchendaele is where Canada became a nation, and gave notice that you should never take the field against us in battle. Bodies of fallen soldiers from that battle are still being found.

"Rush of blood, over we go" then a deliberate quiet, then Smith's guitar is the German machine guns cutting down the British troops...... I get emotional every time.

he does a costume change and they do a set change between almost every song

Death on the road was the first of maidens live albums I heard. And it’s still my favourite.

When you talk about their guitar player is fun to watch, did you realize Iron Maiden has 1 bass player, and 3 guitar players???

Thank Steve Harris he´s the boss and decide how it should sound.

Travis this introduction was/is only for this song . This i know for sure because i am a real fan of their stuff and i have seen them i think 5 times . Yes cymbal cymbolic- simbolic Travis ! Brilliant ! Beast instrumentationZ and SoloZ . The lyrics are very heavy , more that the music itself . Very theatrical we know . Great comments by Suzi

All the concerts of IRON MAIDEN begins with the ACES HIGH!

their best new era song

Janek gers is always fun to watch but Adrian and Dave are the one that holds all together from start to finish.

I don’t think it’s the beginning of the concert, I can’t imagine them ever opening with paschendale

First, yes I love that you did this song. It is another Maiden epic masterpiece. Second, SuzieQ - The blue hair and eyes, which I always love, with the purple lips and shirt = Pure hotness. \m/

Are you kidding me? They've been doing this since the 80s

Iron Maiden base a lot of thier songs on history /Facts .. This is no different.. the world needs to remember ! .. The Battle of Passchendaele, also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, was fought during the First World War from 31 July to 10 November 1917. ... On 31 July, the British began a new offensive, attempting to break through German lines by capturing a ridge near the ruined village of Passchendaele.

That solo of Adrian Smith is so, so sickness 🎸💥💯🤘😭

Adrian Smith, all y'all and gentlethems.

Fun fact: the roadies actually dressed in WW1 uniforms to set up the stage. Seemed more fitting with the intro...

RESPECT TO ALL THOSE WHO SERVED & STILL SERVING...UPMOST RESPECT TO THOSE WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE...ON ALL SIDES 🙏🙏🙏🙏 R.I. P.

Being Canadian I have always loved this song. 16 000 Canadians died during this battle.

The beginning of this is a stage change. They set up the barbed wire and the bodies on the stage. You don’t see it very well in the video though.

Iron Maiden has 3 lead guitars plus the bass player

Adrian really outdid himself, on this epic masterpiece, about a bloody WW1, trench war battle. There is a reason why Adrian is my favorite of the 3 guitarists. Don't get me wrong. All 3 are awesome, but Adrian is just on another level for me! Up the Irons! 🤘😎🤘

Me Too Suzie!

Maiden Rulz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UP THE IRONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please react Iron Maiden - For The Greater Good of God - Rock in Rio 2019. It's totally awesome and instrumentally imposing

Enjoying your Maiden reactions, thanks. Perhaps one thing Jon left out in his description is that this song is being performed just 2 months after it was first released in 2003. They played 6 songs off the new album at this Dortmund show, each one getting a fan reaction like you see here. Name another act from the 70s or 80s that have accomplished that. There are none.

Empire of the clouds!

They did something similar with "Empire of the Clouds" using the music to represent the flight the storm and the end