Iron Maiden has reached No. 1 on the Official Rock & Metal Albums chart for the first time with their live album, *Live After Death*, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the band released a special vinyl reissue in October, helping the album climb back onto several charts across the UK.
Originally debuting at No. 31 on the rock chart over 20 years ago, *Live After Death* spent just 16 weeks on the UK’s bestselling rock and metal albums list. This year, it made a comeback, reaching the top spot for the first time in more than five years. The album also entered the Official Vinyl Albums chart at No. 5 and returned to the Official Albums chart at No. 81. It hadn’t been on the competitive albums list in the UK since early 1986, far from its peak at No. 2 in the fall of 1985.
The reissue includes two 140-gram vinyl records in blue and yellow, featuring audio remastering from 2015. Fans will also receive a replica 24-page World Slavery Tour program, a replica tour pass, and a 12-page booklet with a new essay. The booklet includes interviews with band members Steve Harris, Nicko McBrain, Rod Smallwood, and illustrator Derek Riggs.
Harris reflected on their busy schedule during that time, saying, “We were touring our arses off. It was literally just, ‘record, tour, record, tour’ — we didn’t stop.” Most of the album was recorded over four nights at the Long Beach Arena in Los Angeles in March 1985.
Iron Maiden has released 17 studio albums and sold over 100 million records worldwide. They will continue their Run For Your Lives World Tour in Europe through 2026, including a performance at Knebworth Park on July 11, 2026.
