Best of the Beast

Product Information

Contrary to the decidedly uncommercial disposition of heavy metal in its pre-halcyon days, Iron Maiden were quite radio-friendly, scoring hits in their native country and presaging post-"Black Album" Metallica's crossover appeal and huge live following.

The band have released 41 albums, including 17 studio albums, 13 live albums, four EPs and seven compilations. Fans can argue till the cows come home about which tracks should or shouldn't have been included, yet to try and alert people to Iron Maidens music by way of a simple CD that only has a max 80 mins play time requires the compiler to make track selections that may or may not please a die hard maiden fan, this album was undoubtedly aimed at newcomers or casual fans at the time of release.It is generally accepted that most printed-tee-wearing non-metalhead subordinate people are best served by a greatest-hits album since it can sustain their very limited attention, therefore by targeting audiences new and old with a collection works varying according to different tastes, sales are maximised, and with all editions of "Best of the Beast" weighted towards the iconic Bruce Dickinson hard-rocking era - symphonic live renditions and highlights from Blaze Blayley and Paul Di'Anno's respective periods at the helm notwithstanding - as well as some tasteful remastering and cogent sequencing applied throughout, the compilers have succeeded where many have failed, covering all the bases and pretty much pleasing everyone in the process, including Iron Maiden's own very finicky fanbase! It's safe to say that every track on this collection is a winner but the difference between the two makes them both worthy of a pick up. If your going to turn it up to 11 get some ear phones, it wasn't sociable listened to loud music back then and nothings changed. Maybe you would be able to grab stuff from cars with your teeth afterwards with having lost the use of your hands to a flashing scimitar ? The song takes up so much room that could have been given to Flight of Icarus or more tracks from the first two albums.

It obviously features a lot of great music but I can't see it appealing to those seeking just the hits. I'm probably talking a load of rubbish but they didn't sound dissimilar to a superb band by the name of Rainbow. The biggest strong point this album has is the fact this was released before Iron Maiden released those frequently panned remasters. The track listing differs slightly between the various editions of the compilation album, but consists mainly of the band's singles and most well-known songs from their 1980–1995 albums. A 2CD box set of of the The Best of the Beast was released as a limited edition of the 1996 compilation album.Inarguably, the simultaneous release of three variations of the same album was an entirely inspired yet predictable move, indicative of the band's newfound depth of awareness regarding modern music consumption and the pre-millennial expansion of metal. Condition - This item is in Excellent condition or better (unless it says otherwise in the above description). It starts off with the wonderful Virus and continues to go back in time from X-Factor all the way back to the Soundhouse Tapes. Finally, in 1996, long after the band's imperial phase had ended, a round-up of all their best-known songs was released. Consequently, hidden gems such as "Total Eclipse", the B-side to "Run To The Hills", went largely unrecognized.

Best of the Beast" was issued across three formats: the 4-disc vinyl edition, 27-track double-disc package or the truncated single-disc version aimed at the less hardcore headbanger. The first will get a lot of hate but that is the inclusion of the overly long Rime of the Ancient Mariner.Over the years, we have had multiple best of collections from the English heavy metal legends, Iron Maiden. The 103 third parties who use cookies on this service do so for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalized ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products.