Iron Maiden - 12 Wasted Years (VHS)

All Music Guide

Iron Maiden had several home video releases to their credit by 1987 (1983's Video Pieces, 1985's Live After Death, etc.), but the 90-minute 12 Wasted Years was their first video release to examine the history of the band - complete with interviews with members past and present, promo videos, and live clips. Some interesting scenes/interviews include founding member/bassist Steve Harris showing the listener one of the bars Maiden played early on, original vocalist Paul Di'Anno discussing why he split from the band when they were on the verge of global domination, and his replacement, Bruce Dickinson, discussing why he was apprehensive about joining at first (he feared they'd want a Di'Anno-clone). Also featured are the promo clips for the rarely seen "Women In Uniform," as well as the then-current single, "Stranger In A Strange Land." Other songs featured are "Charlotte the Harlot," "Running Free," "Children of the Damned," "Total Eclipse," "Iron Maiden," "22, Acacia Avenue," and "The Trooper." For reasons unknown, 12 Wasted Years was available in Europe a year or two before it was released domestically. A highly recommended documentary, currently out-of-print.

- Greg Prato, All Music Guide