Iron Maiden: Flight 666

One of the last movies I snagged from Netflix before I put my account on hold to save money was Iron Maiden: Flight 666, and I think it changed my life. Since I first laid ears on Maiden in high school (first song heard: "Revelations"), I've only become increasingly possessed by their music as the years have unfolded. Not to mention that I will forever rue the day I chose to not see Maiden in Concord, CA in May 2008 so I could buy tickets to Judas Priest & Motorhead!!!

The unadulterated passion dripping from every note (and the sheer heights they reach with their musical virtuosity) boggles my mind each time I listen to any of their songs, from "The Prisoner", to "Infinite Dreams", to "The Clairvoyant", to "Transylvania", to "Where Eagles Dare", to "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" to "Powerslave" and on and on and on--and their music has more universal meaning to people than almost anyone to come before them besides like, Bob Dylan. Each song is so vastly conceived and executed that it seems wrong not to go absolutely batshit crazy when any of their songs come on, whether you're stone-cold sober or sipping on midnight soda.

I don't want to give any precious detail away (EXCEPT THAT SINGER BRUCE DICKINSON IS THE PILOT OF THEIR JUMBO JET ED FORCE ONE!), but let me just say this: seeing these six regular dudes from working-class England rip, shred and plunder every night on stage--when they're all well into their 50s--and the way the tens of thousands of hopelessly rabid fans from all across the globe (who are often reduced to tears after their shows are over, grown men and all) who come each night to experience them nearly brought tears to my little eyes. It's too much. Long Live Maiden.