The remarkable and virtually unsurpassed early history of Iron Maiden is summed up quite fittingly by the fact that in the first four years of their existence, the UK legends went from the Cart & Horse pub in Stratford, England to headlining four nights at Long Beach Arena in Los Angeles, CA - through four albums and three massive world tours. NO airplay in the meantime. Metallica can't even touch those numbers. Frontman Bruce Dickinson describes the ride quite fitting: "We went 'Oh shit!' for four years." Without a doubt, this Part 1 in a series of forthcoming DVDs, becomes the most riveting for all of us rivetheads - or in this case Eddie-heads - offering five hours of classic Maiden storytelling and tunes to boot. And you (like yours truly) has doled out plenty of cash to the Sanctuary clan over time, but add this to the list of must-haves, no matter what level of fan you are. The centerpiece of the double DVD, simply dubbed The Early Days, is a fresh 90 minute documentary, and from the get-go, a feeling is established that Maiden's roots stem from a bunch of blokes simply running with a hobby. They couldn't give a toss about pay (the first 'official' Maiden gig earned the band 5 pounds - although they were in the negative as the dry ice used cost 15 pounds!) and they certainly didn't envision the future. That's until bassist Steve Harris picked up the ball and ran with it. Nearly every living band member, roadie, management/label person, from virtually each incarnation of early Maiden pieces together the puzzle that makes up this storied tale. Most you won't recognize, unless you've memorized the band's web-like family tree, but the warmth of the interviews oozes as all the chats are conducted in a pub atmosphere, with everybody mingling and carousing around like the ultimate family reunion. We get the full goods on the famous Soundhouse Tapes (5,000 copies pressed - a surprisingly high number for a NWOBHM 7 incher), which eventually got the ear of EMI who proceeded to choose Maiden over Def Leppard for a three album deal. A half hour in, we are introduced to the man behind the iron curtain, Rod Smallwood, manager and true fighter of the cause. We briefly meet famous artist Derek Riggs in some rather shoddy footage, who describes the germination of Eddie, which appeased vocalist Paul Di'Anno at the time with its punk-metal look. Maiden's first taste of fame came in March 1980 with their Top Of The Pops appearance, performing mega-hit 'Running Free' (full vids of 'Women In Uniform' and 'Sanctuary' from the program are included). The revolving door is well explained as early axeman Dennis Stratton gets the boot and we encounter guitarist Adrian Smith, complete with rare Urchin footage. Then Di'Anno leaves due to his dismay with touring the world over. Some truly heart-on-the-table footage here. When former Samson screamer "Bruce Bruce" (Dickinson) was hired in 1982, the level of professionalism went up a notch and producer legend Martin Birch is cornered saying that The Number Of The Beast had many similarities with another of his knob-twiddling giants, Deep Purple's Machine Head. About the devil-worshipping gossip around Beast, Harris says a firm but polite, 'No, we aren't devil-worshippers.' With Clive Burr out, we meet the wacko Nicko McBrain (ex-Trust) with all his frantic energy and drum fills that make up Piece Of Mind (which was originally going to be titled Food For Thought). There are literally hundreds of trivia tidbits to whet the appetite here. This double DVD set is also filled with rare concert footage from a packed Ruskin Arms in 1980 (vintage), Live At The Rainbow (35 minutes of superior sound and vision from December 1980 with Di'Anno on vocals), The Beast Over Hammersmith (the show which was recorded in February 1982, just prior to The Number Of The Beast hitting the streets in the UK), a TV recording of Live At Rock & Pop Festival (from Dortmund, Germany in 1983) and Live At Donington. A second documentary called Colourbox from Granada TV (1981 - 25 minutes) is another extra on the second DVD, plus a discography, a list of the tour dates and an extensive photo gallery. And as The Early Days documentary ends abruptly, it's an ingenious marketing ploy by Sanctuary. Even though most fans know what happens next, you're on the edge of your seat waiting for the tale to continue. There are more draughts in the pub to be drawn before this tale ends.