Exactly 40 years to the day of its original release, Iron Maiden has announced a new, limited collector’s vinyl edition of their iconic 1985 live album, Live After Death. The deluxe package celebrates what is widely regarded as one of the greatest live albums in heavy metal history and includes a new booklet with fresh interviews from the band.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, October 14, marking the 40th anniversary of the album’s initial release. In a new essay included with the reissue, founder and bassist Steve Harris reflected on the relentless work ethic that defined that era for the band.
“We were touring our ar*es off. It was literally just, ‘record, tour, record, tour’ — we didn’t stop,” Harris explained. “Rod [Smallwood, manager] was cracking the old whip, and that was the right thing to do… You think you’re invincible — ‘Yeah, we’ll take that on, no problem.’ That’s the way to crack it. It’s the only way for a band like us because we had no radio play whatsoever back then.”
The new 2LP collector’s edition will be pressed on colored vinyl (one blue, one yellow) and will feature the 2015 audio remaster. The package is designed for dedicated fans, including several exclusive replicas from the era: a 24-page “World Slavery Tour” program and a tour pass. It also includes a new 12-page booklet containing an exclusive essay where band members and original artist Derek Riggs reflect on the legendary album.
Originally released on October 14, 1985, Live After Death captured Iron Maiden at the peak of their powers during the monumental “World Slavery Tour,” a grueling 187-show trek that cemented their reputation as one of the greatest live bands on the planet. The album was primarily recorded over four nights at the Long Beach Arena in California in March 1985.
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