Iron Maiden - Somewhere Back In Time - The Best Of: 1980-1989 (2008)

Iron Maiden is one of the best metal bands of all time, and the '80s were their heydey. In conjunction with their latest tour, Somewhere Back In Time is a collection of Maiden's greatest songs of the '80s. Iron Maiden is one of the best metal bands of all time, and the '80s were their heydey. In conjunction with their latest tour, Somewhere Back In Time is a collection of Maiden's greatest songs of the '80s. There have already been a ton of Iron Maiden compilation and live CDs over the years, but it's nice to have just the '80s stuff in one package. Serious Iron Maiden fans already have all of these songs, but if you're new to the band or want all their '80s hits on one CD, you'll definitely want to pick up Somewhere Back In Time…

Not many bands could get away with releasing what amounts to a fourth 'best of' compilation without being roundly decried as money-grabbing bastards, but then Iron Maiden have made a habit of bending the rules to fit their own illustrious forward march. In fact it's a testament to this band's enduring appeal that the official justification for Somewhere Back In Time sounds so reasonable. This may not be the most essential of collections for those who have lived and breathed these songs for two decades or more, but as an introduction to the British metal titans' all-conquering 80s catalogue for wide-eyed newcomers who have signed up to the pro-Maiden cause over the last few years it takes some beating. When the means of delivery is taken into account - these 15 tracks will be available to download for free in a high-quality audio format; the only drawback is that the files will expire after three plays - it's clear that the Maiden camp are simply moving with the times and acknowledging the changing requirements of their fan base, while doing little to damage their reputation for looking after the faithful in the process. Largely a selection from their current setlist, this is a relentless, 10-minute crowd pleaser marathon, taking in most of the hits from Maiden's first decade, plus a smattering of worthy album tracks. Timeless anthems that still make the adrenalin surege and the sinews stiffen after all these years; everything from the blistering Live After Death version of Aces High, through to perennial show-stopper Hallowed Be Thy Name continues to exude that indefinable 'it' that has long enabled Maiden to stand apart from peers and pretenders alike. And if you're still not convinced that there's any need for this compilation to exist, try imagining yourself as an acne-plagued 12 year old discovering Maiden for the first time, cranking up The Trooper, The Number Of The Beast or Poweslave and gaining free entry into the life-affirming, magical world of Iron f*cking Maiden. There's no going back.

Tracklist:

01. Churchill's Speech
02. Aces High [live]
03. 2 Minutes To Midnight
04. The Trooper
05. Wasted Years
06. Children Of The Damned
07. The Number Of The Beast
08. Run To The Hills
09. Phantom Of The Opera [live]
10. The Evil That Men Do
11. Wrathchild [live]
12. Can I Play With Madness
13. Powerslave
14. Hallowed Be Thy Name
15. Iron Maiden [live]

all tracks Produced & Mixed by Martin Birch
Recording information: 1982 - 1988.

• Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals
• Steve Harris – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
• Dave Murray – guitars
• Adrian Smith – guitars, backing vocals
• Nicko McBrain – drums, percussion
- Clive Burr - drums on tracks 6, 7, 8, 14
- Michael Kenney - keyboards on tracks 10 and 12

Special Thanks to frafra64

Release Date: May 12, 2008
Catalog No.: 214 7072 1
Label: EMI Records Ltd.