Di'anno: Iron Maiden's Lost Singer Blu-ray Review

Iron Maiden, the heavy metal band named after a torture device, was formed in the mid-1970s, and has an interesting history, with a lot of personnel changes in the early years. Paul Di'anno joined the band in 1978, and was the lead singer of Iron Maiden for the band's first two albums. If you're my age, you remember those albums well, and it might have been the artwork that drew you to those records. The first album featured an undead character, a sort of punk zombie staring right out at you. And that character, though going through many changes since then, has been a staple of the band's albums and live performances. But the artwork wouldn't have been enough to hold people's attention long. Clearly the music held great appeal. And Paul Di'anno (whose real name was Paul Andrews) was the voice of the band at that time, the voice that folks connected to. But before the band's third album, 1982's The Number Of The Beast, Paul had left the band, replaced by Bruce Dickinson. And then what?

Di'anno: Iron Maiden's Lost Singer is a documentary film that picks up Paul Di'anno's story long after his departure from Iron Maiden, at a time when he is struggling with health troubles and financial woes, and literally trying to get back on his feet. That is his goal, to get out of the wheelchair and be able to walk again. The movie opens with footage from a few of those reaction videos that some people find appealing these days, folks listening to early Iron Maiden music, but fortunately there is only a little of that. There is also some footage of fans talking about the band's early albums, and one says, of Paul, "I have no idea what he's doing now, or what he's done since." And, sadly, he speaks for many of us. But it is that footage that leads us to Paul Di'anno, who enters in his wheelchair and talks about his bad knee and how he's unable to walk at all. We see him meeting with an orthopedic surgeon, who tries to get him to straighten his legs, something Paul cannot do. Paul is candid and endearing, saying he refuses to spend his life in a wheelchair. But he is not getting the care he needs in his home in the U.K.

The film really takes us on two journeys simultaneously. There is the journey through Paul Di'anno's music, of his time with Iron Maiden, how he joined the band, and what he has done musically since then, and what he hopes to do. And there is the medical journey, his journey into ill health and his long road back to a better state. The two journeys are, of course, intertwined. And it is the fans that help him along both. Paul Di'anno is an interesting character. He is so likeable despite also being unpleasant and antagonistic at times. Part of it is his sense of humor, which is on display early in the film during a Q&A at a pub. And part of it is seeing just how rough the road is for him. We can't help but feel for the guy, and connect to his spirit. By the way, you do not have to be an Iron Maiden fan to appreciate this documentary. But for Iron Maiden fans, there is some great footage of the band playing in 1980, with a punk energy, as well as footage of Paul performing with The Iron Maidens, an all-girl tribute band. And the film contains interviews with several members of the band, including Doug Sampson (drummer 1978-1979), Bob Sawyer (guitarist 1977), Terry Wapram (guitarist 1977-1978), Dennis Stratton (guitarist 1979-1980), and Blaze Bayley (singer 1994-1999). About touring, Bob Sawyer says, "It was like being on a school trip, only ten years later and with worse behavior." There are also interviews with members of Iron Maiden's crew, as well as with other musicians including James Hetfield (of Metallica), Gary Holt (of Exodus and Slayer), and David Ellefson (of Megadeth).

The film cuts between the music footage and the medical footage. Because Paul was not getting the care he needed in his own country, fans urged him to travel to Croatia. And this documentary travels with him. "I'm fucking scared," he tells an EMT at the beginning of this trip. And we believe him. There are interviews with some of the medical professionals who help him, including nurses who begin to see some improvement in his condition. We see it too, some strength returning to his left leg. "I'm taking care of me for the first time ever," Paul says, eager to return to the stage. He is someone who clearly lived for the moment now having to think about the future, and having to work to make it happen. Some of the most uplifting footage in the film is of the first show he is able to do, after seven years, where he seriously rocks and sounds great. Other folks remark on how he sounds better than ever. And after that, he is invited to an Iron Maiden show, leading to the first time he'd seen Steve Harris in forty years. Perhaps the most moving moment of the film is when he learns that Iron Maiden is going to help with his medical bills. Paul says how he had been feeling alone. "Then I found out I'm fucking nowhere near alone. I've got the Beast army. Never felt so much love in all my life."

The film does include information about Paul's departure from Iron Maiden. And, yes, for Maiden fans, Paul does briefly discuss the decapitated head cover for that rare edition of Maiden Japan. There is also information on his post-Maiden bands, including Battlezone and Killers. All of that is interesting, no question, but what is most striking is the personal struggle with his health. One other thing I should mention is that the documentary crew is allowed into the operating room to film a procedure on his leg, and some of that footage is rather difficult to watch. But don't let that scare you from seeing the film.

Special Features

The Blu-ray contains two deleted scenes. The first is about the group Warhorse, which Paul worked with in Croatia, and includes interviews with Paul and the other two main musicians. This scene is approximately two and a half minutes. The second scene takes us inside the home and office of Stjepan Juras, the fan who helped Paul throughout his medical process. He shows the T-shirts and signed Warhorse CDs that were being sold to raise money to fund Paul's treatment. The bonus material also includes a photo gallery slideshow and the documentary's trailer.

Di'anno: Iron Maiden's Lost Singer is scheduled to be released on Blu-ray on June 9, 2026 through Cleopatra Entertainment.