Iron Maiden's Reviews

Best Of The Beast

The best Maiden hits package currently available

In 1996, Iron Maiden released Best Of the Beast, its first hits compilation. It was available in both single and double-disc versions. Many of the band's fans were turned off with the arrival of new vocalist Blaze Bayley, so they must have thought a compilation of their classics would be a good way to win the fans back. Read on for track-by-track summaries. The songs on the compilation are arranged in reverse chronological order, but for convenience, I've put them in true chronological order (songs with an asterisk (*) are ONLY on the two-disc version.) Read on.

Iron Maiden (Demo)*- Ultra-rare version from the Soundhouse tapes. Doesn't quite touch the original, but it's still an excellent track.

Strange World (Demo)*- Another Soundhouse demo, but this one isn't too far off from the original.

Phantom Of The Opera*- One of the two "big masterpieces" from the Paul Di'Anno era.

Sanctuary*- Along with Running Free, the most overrated song from the Di'Anno era. It's not bad, though.

Wrathchild*- The other masterpiece from the Di'Anno era.

Hallowed Be Thy Name- A classic. This was an excellent track. Do I need to say anything else?

Run To The Hills- One of the band's most popular songs. That opening riff is just unbeatable.

The Number Of the Beast- Though it was controversial in the States at its time of release, this one has become a fan favorite.

The Trooper- An all-out rocker in which Smith and Murray play better guitars than they ever have and/or probably ever will.

Where Eagles Dare*- A highly underrated track from the Piece Of Mind album, I'm pleased to see this here.

Aces High- By far Maiden's best aerial combat song, this one tells the story of the Battle Of Britain.

Two Minutes To Midnight - By far the band's finest song not written by bassist Steve Harris.

Running Free (Live)- Mediocre song, mediocre performance. Bruce Dickinson just can't do the Paul Di'Anno songs very good (sorry, Bruce, but it's the truth.)

Rime Of The Ancient Mariner (Live)*- The thirteen-minute-plus epic, in all its uncut live glory. EXCELLENT track.

Wasted Years- One of the finest tracks from the band's progressive years. Besides, A. Paul Melin would probably kill me if I spoke badly about it.

Heaven Can Wait*- Another excellent progressive era tune, seeing this here pleases me.

The Evil That Men Do- A tad overrated, but still an excellent tune worthy of a place here.

Can I Play With Madness- By far the band's most overrated song ever, but it's still an excellent one, worthy of a place here.

The Clairvoyant- Can anyone say "awesome song?" They don't get much better than this.

Holy Smoke*- WTF!? Holy Smoke on a BEST of Iron Maiden? Whoever compiled this set must have been experimenting with mind-numbing drugs!

Bring Your Daughter... To The Slaughter- Not a very good song, but it deserves to be here since it was the band's first number one hit in their native England.

Be Quick Or Be Dead- An all-out rock assault that's tough to beat by any standard.

Fear Of The Dark (Live)- Excellent track, excellent live performance.

Afraid To Shoot Strangers (Live)*- Blaze Bayley does the vocals on one of Dickinson's songs, and fares surprisingly well.

Man On The Edge- I'm not a big Blaze fan, but this is an EXCELLENT song, and I'm glad to see it made the cut.

Sign Of The Cross*- Good tune, but way too long. They could've filled the space with TWO tracks that were both better!

Virus- A new Blaze song. It's basically a generic rocker.

I was shocked to see how many tracks were omitted from this compilation. These include, but are not limited to masterpieces like Flight Of Icarus, Stranger In A Strange Land, Infinite Dreams, and Tailgunner. Plus, it doesn't have any post-1996 material, and the band has had some excellent tracks since then. However, I remain confident, this is a better hits compilation than Ed Hunter or Edward The Great. If you must get a hits album, get this one. I recommend getting all the albums rather than this compilation (starting with Number Of The Beast.) However, if you're budget-minded, stick with this.

Buy this album on Amazon at $16.98