From spearheading the front runners of NWOBHM with what seemingly was the world in the palm of your hands to destitute Jailbird rags to riches and back again, a hellish fairytale that is brutal and brilliant in equal measures, but the one thing he never lost was that powerhouse vocal.

Written, directed, and edited by Wes Orshoski, whose previous ventures into rock n roll movie-making are well worth investigating. His biopics on Lemmy and The Damned are superb pieces of cinema, and now you can add this Di’Anno to the list.

So before Bruce ‘Tory Boy’ Dickinson Maiden had the rough and ready punk rocker on the mic Paul Di’Anno and I’m sure preching to the converted he led the first two Maiden records and splits opinion as to their finest hour his or post Paul sure, they hit paydirt when he’d gone that isn’t in question but when he left so did a certain attitude which is delivered here along with some great footage and insightful opinion from people who were there.

His post Maiden career was checkered to say the least and whilst they touched upon the parp of his namesake pilot suited band they didn’t really delve to deeply into Battlezone but the movie is more about the later years and his fight with his health and lifestyle choices and it pulls no punches giving the reality of his situation but it also told of his demons and how they got the better of him without glossing over it. Paul had some pretty decent humans around him who were there to help in his darkest hour and go to extraordinary lengths to help him literally get back on his feet again.

Some of the footage is raw as fuck, and operating theatre footage might put some of you off your tea no question about it.

There is some lovely footage of his reunion with Steve Harris, who made a lovely gesture with regard to Paul’s mounting health costs, and some of the talking heads helping praise on his vocal skills as well as the man behind the mic, are grade A from Metallica members to Gene Simmons and one of his replacements in Maiden, Blaze Bailey whos a lovely bloke himself who toured with Paul and spoke fondly of that time. But ultimately, it all ends abruptly with Paul’s passing and the moment the day after, when maiden holds a moment’s silence where you could hear a pin drop, which is captured on film and puts a dramatic full stop on this captivating film. If you’re a fan of Maiden its a no-brainer, if you’re a fan of Metal and its roots, then it’s a no-brainer. If you’re a docufilm fan, then it’s a no-brainer if your after a life lesson, then this is a must-see. Rest in peace, Mr Di’Anno, your legacy is captured and documented and along with those albums shall be cemented in history for all to hear one hell of a voice and one hell of a life, warts n all. Watch this film.

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