IRON MAIDEN - Live After Death 2LP 12" ALBUM VINYL

- German Release, World Slavery Tour 1984/85

IRON MAIDEN - Live After Death Germany Release World Slavery Tour 1984/85 2LP 12" ALBUM VINYL front cover https://vinyl-records.nl

"Iron Maiden – Live After Death" captures the raw energy and thunderous might of the band's legendary *World Slavery Tour* in 1984/85. Pressed as a German 2LP vinyl release, this album is more than a live recording — it's a historical document of heavy metal at its peak. From Bruce Dickinson’s soaring vocals to Nicko McBrain’s relentless drumming, every track is a high-voltage performance. Featuring live versions of classics like “Aces High,” “The Trooper,” and “Run to the Hills,” this double LP delivers the full Iron Maiden experience with all the fury and precision fans expect. Housed in a striking gatefold with Derek Riggs' iconic artwork and packed with custom inner sleeves, this edition is a must-have for collectors and metalheads alike.

Powerslave Unleashed: Live After Death, Iron Maiden's Triumph on Vinyl Album Description:

In the heart of the heavy metal explosion of the 1980s, Iron Maiden, the British titans of the genre, embarked on their ambitious World Slavery Tour, a global conquest that pushed their musical boundaries and solidified their status as a live force to be reckoned with. Culminating in the legendary "Live After Death" album, this double LP vinyl release, particularly the German pressing, stands as a testament to their unwavering dedication to the craft and the unbreakable bond with their devoted followers.

The World Slavery Tour, launched in support of their critically acclaimed *Powerslave* album, marked a turning point in Iron Maiden's career. With their elaborate stage productions, featuring a towering Egyptian-themed set and the menacing presence of Eddie, their iconic mascot, the band transported audiences to a realm of pure metal mayhem. The tour's monumental scale, spanning continents and pushing the limits of endurance, mirrored the epic narratives embedded within their music.

Recorded across multiple shows during the tour, "Live After Death" captures the raw energy and unbridled passion that defined Iron Maiden's live performances. From the opening roar of "Aces High" to the closing crescendo of "Iron Maiden," the album encapsulates a musical journey through their iconic catalog, showcasing their evolving sound and the undeniable chemistry between the band members.

The German pressing of "Live After Death", like its international counterparts, boasts a sonic clarity and dynamic range that faithfully reproduces the immersive experience of witnessing Iron Maiden in their element. The vinyl format, with its warm analog sound and tactile engagement, enhances the listening experience, drawing fans into the heart of the mosh pit.

"Live After Death" transcends its role as a mere live album; it serves as a historical document, capturing a band at the pinnacle of their powers. Its impact reverberated through the metal community, solidifying Iron Maiden's reputation as one of the genre's most captivating live acts and inspiring countless musicians to follow in their footsteps.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal, NWOBHM

Label & Catalognr:

EMI Records Ltd 1C 162-24 0426

Media Format:

Gatefold album cover, Double
12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1985 DE (Gema/Stemra)

Producers:
  • Martin "Live Animal" Birch - Producer
  • Martin Birch – Producer, Sound Engineer Martin Birch was the steady hand behind some of the most powerful rock and metal records of the 1970s and 1980s. As an engineer and producer, he shaped the sound of Deep Purple and Fleetwood Mac before becoming the defining sonic architect for Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Rainbow. His productions balanced clarity with raw force, turning heavy riffs into timeless statements and albums into genre benchmarks.
    Martin Birch Wiki
    • Album Cover Design & Artwork:
    • Album cover design: Derek "R.I.P." Riggs
    • Derek Riggs – Illustrator, Cover Artist Derek Riggs is the artist who gave Iron Maiden its visual soul by creating Eddie, one of the most recognizable mascots in heavy metal history. Since the band’s 1980 debut, his artwork fused sci-fi, horror, and dark fantasy into covers that were as confrontational and imaginative as the music itself. Riggs’ paintings didn’t just decorate records, they built a world that became inseparable from Maiden’s identity.
      Derek Riggs Wiki
    • Sleeve Concept: Derek Riggs and Rod Smallwood
    • Sleeve Design: Steve “Krusher” Joule
    • Sleeve Preparation: Artful Dodgers
    Photography:
    • Photography: Ross "Mr. Manners" Halfin
  • Ross Halfin – Photographer Ross Halfin is one of the defining eyes of heavy metal, capturing the genre’s raw power on film since the late 1970s. His photographs of Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Led Zeppelin freeze live intensity, sweat, and backstage reality into instantly recognizable images. More than documentation, his work helped shape how metal looks and feels, turning fleeting moments into permanent pieces of rock history.
    Ross Halfin Wiki
    • Other Credits:
    • Management: Rod “The Raiders” Smallwood for Sanctuary Music (Overseas) Ltd. and Andy “L.B.C.” Taylor for Sanctuary Music Ltd.
    • Publishing: All titles published by Zomba Music Publishers Ltd., except* published by Chadwick Nomis Ltd. Used by kind permission.

    Band Members / Musicians:

    Band Members, Musicians:
    • Bruce Dickinson
    • Bruce Dickinson – Vocals Bruce Dickinson, born August 1958, is the powerhouse vocalist who propelled Iron Maiden to legendary status. Joining the band in 1981, his operatic range, sharp phrasing, and commanding stage presence reshaped the group’s sound and ambition, defining era-classic albums like The Number of the Beast and Powerslave. Beyond Maiden, he built a parallel career as a solo artist, commercial pilot, author, and broadcaster, giving his legacy a reach that stretches well beyond heavy metal.
      Bruce Dickinson Wiki
    • Dave Murray
    • Dave Murray – Guitar

      Maiden’s calm killer: smooth leads, twin-guitar harmony for days, and that melodic bite that makes the “gallop” feel cinematic instead of chaotic.

      Dave Murray (born 23 December 1956, Edmonton, Middlesex, England) is one of the defining lead guitar voices of heavy metal, and in my book he’s the melodic “second spine” of Iron Maiden. His timeline with the band starts early: joining in 1976, getting briefly pushed out in 1977, then returning in 1978 and staying locked in ever since—making him one of the longest-serving members in the whole Maiden saga. During that 1977 gap he spent around six months with Urchin (Adrian Smith’s band), which is a fun little historical glitch in the matrix if you like your Maiden lore messy and human. Beyond the main band, his most notable “outside the mothership” credit is the all-star charity metal project Hear ’n Aid (1985), because apparently even guitar lifers sometimes leave the bunker to do side quests. Dave Murray Wiki

    • Adrian Smith
    • Adrian Smith – Guitarist, Songwriter Adrian Smith is one of those players I always associate with Iron Maiden’s classic sound and its later revival. Joining in 1980, leaving in 1990, and returning in 1999, his melodic solos and sharp songwriting helped define albums from The Number of the Beast to Brave New World and beyond.
      Adrian Smith Wikipedia
    • Steve Harris
    • Steve Harris – Bass Guitar, Songwriter

      Iron Maiden’s engine room: galloping bass lines, history-nerd lyrics, and “captain of the ship” energy baked into every riff.

      Steve Harris (born 12 March 1956, Leytonstone, England) is the rare bassist who doesn’t just hold the floor—he draws the whole blueprint. In my book, he’s the founder and primary songwriter who’s kept Iron Maiden on its rails from 1975–present, with that instantly recognizable “gallop” driving huge chunks of the catalogue. The pre-Maiden grind matters too: first band days in Influence/Gypsy’s Kiss (1973–1974, including a documented gig run in 1974), then the older, blues-leaning Smiler period (1974–1975) where his more ambitious writing basically forced the next step: forming Maiden. Outside the mothership, he’s fronted his own hard-rock outlet British Lion (2012–present), a project that grew out of connections going back to the early 1990s and finally hit the world as his solo debut in 2012.

      Steve Harris Wiki
    • Nicko McBrain
    • Nicko McBrain – Drums Nicko McBrain, born 1952, is the powerhouse drummer who has driven Iron Maiden’s thunderous engine since joining in 1982. His playing combines brute force with swing and pinpoint timing, giving albums like The Number of the Beast and Powerslave their unstoppable momentum. Before Maiden, his work with Trust and the Pat Travers Band sharpened his style, culminating in a career that redefined metal drumming.
      Nicko McBrain Wiki

    Complete Track-listing:

    Tracklisting Side One:
    1. Intro:
    2. Churchill's Speech
    3. Aces High
    4. 2 Minutes to Midnight
    5. The Trooper
    6. Revelations
    7. Flight of Icarus
    Tracklisting Side Two:
    1. Rime of the Ancient Mariner
    2. Powerslave
    3. The Number of the Beast
    Tracklisting Side Three:
    1. Hallowed by thy Name
    2. IRON MAIDEN
    3. Run to the Hills
    4. Running Free
    Tracklisting Side Four:
    1. Wrathchild
    2. 22 Acacia Avenue
    3. Children of the Damned
    4. Die with your boots on
    5. Phantom of the Opera

    IRON MAIDEN – Live After Death Germany Release Album Photo Gallery:

    Album Front Cover Photo
    Front cover of Iron Maiden's Live After Death (Germany 2LP 1985) featuring Eddie rising from a grave with lightning, flames, and tombstones around him

    The album cover art for Iron Maiden – Live After Death (Germany 2LP, 1985) is a dynamic, electrifying illustration by Derek Riggs. At the center stands Iron Maiden’s undead mascot, Eddie, depicted as a zombie-like figure emerging explosively from the grave. His skeletal face screams with fury, his tattered shirt clings to a muscular frame, and lightning bolts burst from his head and chest. Chains dangle from his wrists as glowing yellow flames surround his body, highlighting the supernatural resurrection.

    To Eddie’s left is a cracked tombstone inscribed with a quote from H.P. Lovecraft: “That is not dead which can eternal lie / Yet with strange aeons / Even death may die.” Below it reads: “Here Lies Edward T. R.I.P.”, referencing Eddie's full name. The graveyard scene is wrapped in swirling blue storm clouds and illuminated by flashes of lightning. The background includes additional tombstones shrouded in eerie blue foliage, reinforcing the album’s death-defying theme.

    This iconic cover merges horror, fantasy, and heavy metal aesthetics, reflecting the raw energy of Iron Maiden’s World Slavery Tour. It remains one of the most celebrated visual representations in metal history.

    Album Back Cover Photo
    Back cover of Iron Maiden's Live After Death Germany 2LP showing track listing, cityscape, lightning, and Grim Reaper silhouette over a moonlit cemetery

    The back cover of Iron Maiden – Live After Death (Germany 2LP, 1985) presents a haunting, cinematic graveyard scene at night. A wide cemetery stretches across the foreground, filled with tilted gravestones and overgrown grass. Many of the stones bear subtle inscriptions like “Live With Pride” or “R.I.P.” Beneath a stormy sky, forks of lightning illuminate the scene, creating a surreal blue glow.

    Beyond the cemetery, a brightly lit urban skyline rises, its buildings silhouetted against a full moon. Most striking is the massive silhouette of the Grim Reaper looming in the sky, scythe raised above the city as if to signal doom. One grave reads “Here Lies Derek Riggs R.I.P.” in tribute to the artist. In the upper left corner, the complete track listing for all four LP sides is printed in bold yellow text.

    This back cover art reinforces the album's themes of mortality and theatrical power, seamlessly blending Iron Maiden’s gothic stage imagery with a post-apocalyptic vision.

    Photo One of Inside Page Gatefold Cover
    Gatefold photo collage from Iron Maiden's Live After Death Germany 2LP showing dramatic stage scenes, band members in action, explosions, and Egyptian set design

    This electrifying gatefold photo from Iron Maiden – Live After Death (Germany 2LP, 1985) is a collage of high-intensity concert photography from the band’s World Slavery Tour. The images are arranged in blue-bordered rectangles, highlighting different moments of the band’s pyrotechnic-heavy, theatrically staged live show.

    Several photos depict Bruce Dickinson wielding the British flag and leaping across the stage. Steve Harris is captured mid-air, legs split in a dynamic jump, while Adrian Smith and Dave Murray deliver powerful riffs amid fog and golden lighting. The stage design features towering Egyptian motifs, sarcophagi, and a massive mummy figure with glowing eyes and sparking mouth, referencing the band’s “Powerslave” aesthetic.

    Explosions and dramatic lighting fill the air, emphasizing the sheer scale and intensity of Iron Maiden’s live spectacle. This gatefold serves as both a visual diary and a tribute to one of heavy metal’s most iconic tours.

    Photo Two of Inside Page Gatefold Cover
    Gatefold photo two from Iron Maiden's Live After Death Germany 2LP showing stage performance, giant mummy figure, pyro effects, and band close-ups

    This second gatefold photo collage from Iron Maiden – Live After Death (Germany 2LP, 1985) bursts with theatrical intensity. Dominating the left is the colossal Egyptian-themed stage backdrop, with the mummy version of Eddie towering over the band. Fire erupts from his head, capturing the over-the-top grandeur of the World Slavery Tour.

    A series of smaller, blue-bordered images frame individual band members in action: Nicko McBrain on drums, Adrian Smith shredding next to Eddie in full stage costume, and wide-angle shots of the full stage bathed in orange and golden light. Other shots highlight dramatic pyrotechnics, angelic lighting effects, and Bruce Dickinson mid-air in an energetic leap.

    Together, these visuals showcase the elaborate set design, pulsing lighting rigs, and explosive performance energy that defined this tour. It is a full sensory tribute to Iron Maiden’s mastery of the metal spectacle.

    First Photo of Custom Inner Sleeve
    Inner sleeve photo collage from Iron Maiden's Live After Death Germany 2LP showing candid backstage moments, live shots, and group scenes from the World Slavery Tour

    This inner sleeve photo collage from Iron Maiden – Live After Death (Germany 2LP, 1985) provides an intimate and playful look behind the scenes of the World Slavery Tour. Dozens of candid images are arranged edge to edge with bright blue borders, combining backstage snapshots, pre-show antics, and raw live performance shots.

    We see band members relaxing, joking, posing shirtless, or chatting on the phone. Several photos capture Bruce Dickinson and Steve Harris interacting with fans, preparing gear, or mid-performance. Highlights include outdoor group shots, costume changes, pyrotechnic stage scenes, and casual moments like sunglasses selfies and on-tour leisure.

    This sleeve conveys the human side of Iron Maiden — beyond the fiery stage spectacle — revealing the camaraderie, chaos, and charisma that defined the band during their mid-80s peak.

    Second Photo of Custom Inner Sleeve
    Inner sleeve photo two from Iron Maiden's Live After Death Germany 2LP showing printed lyrics, band credits, and a stage photo from the World Slavery Tour

    This second inner sleeve from Iron Maiden – Live After Death (Germany 2LP, 1985) presents a clean layout of printed lyrics, band credits, and a dramatic concert photo. The black background provides contrast to the yellow and white text, which features the full lyrics to key songs including “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” “Run to the Hills,” “22 Acacia Avenue,” and “Phantom of the Opera.”

    In the top right corner, the lineup is listed: Bruce Dickinson (vocals), Dave Murray and Adrian Smith (guitars), Steve Harris (bass), and Nicko McBrain (drums). Art and production credits are also detailed, including sleeve illustration by Derek Riggs and photography by Ross Halfin.

    Anchoring the page is a full-color photo of the band performing live beneath the elaborate Egyptian-themed stage design, with golden lighting flooding the scene. This sleeve offers both information and atmosphere, reinforcing the album’s immersive live concept.

    Third Photo of Custom Inner Sleeve
    Inner sleeve photo three from Iron Maiden's Live After Death Germany 2LP showing Bruce Dickinson and the band in concerts, candid moments, and fan scenes

    The third inner sleeve from Iron Maiden – Live After Death (Germany 2LP, 1985) explodes with personality, movement, and moments from both stage and life on the road. This collage is filled with dozens of tightly arranged color photos framed in electric blue, emphasizing the whirlwind energy of the World Slavery Tour.

    At its center, Bruce Dickinson stands triumphant with arms raised, surrounded by concert shots of the band in peak form — headbanging, leaping, and shredding under intense lighting. Interwoven are scenes of the band backstage, by a limousine, in dressing rooms, goofing around, signing autographs, and relaxing poolside.

    Also featured are fans with banners, group portraits in exotic locations, and comedic or surreal moments — such as Steve Harris on stage with blood red lighting or an oversized Eddie head in the corner. This photo montage captures the camaraderie, chaos, and theatricality that defined Iron Maiden’s global tour experience.

    Fourth Photo of Custom Inner Sleeve
    Inner sleeve photo four from Iron Maiden's Live After Death Germany 2LP with lyrics, recording info, and a concert stage photo from the World Slavery Tour

    The fourth inner sleeve of Iron Maiden – Live After Death (Germany 2LP, 1985) continues the album’s detailed packaging with a full spread of song lyrics, recording credits, and a dramatic live photo anchoring the bottom. Set on a dark background with white and yellow text, the lyrics to “Aces High,” “The Trooper,” “Flight of Icarus,” “Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” and other legendary tracks are prominently featured.

    To the far right, the section titled “Recording Information” highlights Martin “Live Animal” Birch as producer, engineer, and mixer. Below that, full credits list the mobile recording units, crew members, venues, and dates used during the World Slavery Tour in Long Beach Arena and Hammersmith Odeon.

    A block of text titled “Live Recording Thoughts by Martin Birch” offers a candid and humorous behind-the-scenes narrative of capturing Iron Maiden live. At the bottom center, a color photograph shows the band performing in full stage glory beneath their towering Egyptian set. It ties together the technical and emotional layers of this iconic live album.

    Close up of Side One record’s label
    Side One record label of Iron Maiden’s Live After Death Germany 2LP featuring track titles, Eddie’s hand rising from the grave, and yellow-blue artwork

    This close-up image shows the Side One label of Iron Maiden – Live After Death (Germany 2LP, 1985). The circular label features detailed artwork with Eddie’s decaying hand bursting through cracked soil, grasping a chain-linked grave marker amid glowing flames. The upper half of the label is bright yellow with black text, and the lower half is blue, with clouds and subtle skeletal faces adding atmospheric tension.

    The title “Iron Maiden – Live After Death” is printed at the top, followed by the complete Side One track listing: Intro: Churchill's Speech, Aces High, 2 Minutes to Midnight, The Trooper, Revelations, and Flight of Icarus. Writing credits are included after each title. The label also shows the catalog number 1C 162-24 0426 1 A, rights societies GEMA/Stemra, and pressing speed 33⅓ RPM Stereo.

    Additional text credits Martin "Live Animal" Birch as producer, engineer, and mixer. The label's vivid design and powerful imagery match the intensity and thematic elements of the album's live performances.

    Side Two Close up of record’s label
    Side Two vinyl label of Iron Maiden’s Live After Death Germany 2LP with track list including Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Powerslave, and The Number of the Beast

    This close-up of the Side Two label from Iron Maiden – Live After Death (Germany 2LP, 1985) continues the album’s striking visual identity. The label features Eddie’s skeletal hand emerging from the earth, wrapped in chains and flames, beneath a torn yellow banner displaying the tracklist. The background fades from a deep blue into black, subtly detailed with ghostly skulls and shadowy figures.

    The Side Two tracklist includes three epic performances: “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” (13:03), “Powerslave” (7:06), and “The Number of the Beast” (4:48). Composer credits appear beside each song title. The catalog number 1C 162-24 0426 1 B, GEMA/Stemra rights, and speed 33⅓ RPM are clearly printed.

    The production is once again credited to Martin “Live Animal” Birch. This vivid and bold label design reinforces Iron Maiden’s signature themes of mythology, mortality, and heavy metal theatricality.

    Close up of Side Three record’s label
    Side Three vinyl label of Iron Maiden’s Live After Death Germany 2LP showing four live tracks, Eddie’s hand artwork, and stereo 33⅓ RPM info

    This image presents the Side Three label of Iron Maiden – Live After Death (Germany 2LP, 1985). Consistent with the other sides, it features vivid artwork of Eddie’s chained skeletal hand emerging from scorched earth, with a split yellow-blue color palette. Ghostly skulls and symbols fade through the blue background, while flames and cracks burn through the base.

    The label lists four live tracks: “Hallowed Be Thy Name” (7:17), “Iron Maiden” (4:11), “Run to the Hills” (3:52), and “Running Free” (8:16). All are credited to Steve Harris, except “Running Free” which is co-credited to Paul Di’Anno. The catalog number 1C 162-24 0427 1 A, GEMA/Stemra rights, and format Stereo 33⅓ RPM are clearly shown.

    Produced, engineered, and mixed by Martin “Live Animal” Birch, this label mirrors the energy and drama of Iron Maiden’s performance, capturing both visual intensity and audio precision.

    Side Four Close up of record’s label
    Side Four vinyl label of Iron Maiden’s Live After Death Germany 2LP with final six tracks, GEMA/Stemra info, and Eddie’s graveburst artwork

    This image captures the Side Four label of Iron Maiden – Live After Death (Germany 2LP, 1985), showcasing the final six live tracks from the legendary World Slavery Tour. The vivid design matches the other LP sides — Eddie’s skeletal hand bursts through scorched graveyard ground, wrapped in chains, with fire licking the cracked soil. Blue spectral imagery and skulls drift subtly across the right side.

    The tracklist includes: “Wrathchild” (2:54), “22 Acacia Avenue” (6:04), “Children of the Damned” (4:19), “Die With Your Boots On” (4:51), and “Phantom of the Opera” (7:01). Composer credits are shown for each song. Publishing and rights information list Zomba Music Publishers Ltd. and Chadwick Nomis Ltd. for one track.

    Labeled as 1C 162-24 0427 1 B, the pressing is noted as GEMA/Stemra, Stereo 33⅓ RPM. It concludes this epic live set with a thematic and visual consistency that honors both the music and Maiden’s iconic aesthetic.

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