(Rated this album with 10 out of 10) Reviewed by
seejordan
from Surrey, B.C., Canada
Some of the older so-called "classics" may be missing, but those tracks are not that great anyway. The newer stuff is better and therefore included on this true best of. Now to comment on Iron Maiden. I prefer my metal a bit more refined and melodic that of the later Rainbow and MSG stuff, but I must give them some credit. They do have some pretty good songs and certainly some great guitar playing. I didn't realize how good some of their stuff became in the last ten years. The later stuff is better than the early stuff. Better songwriting and production all around. Some of Iron Maiden's work is useless and unprofitable mention of Satanism, like the song "Number of the Beast", in particular. However, the song "Holy Smoke" is certainly a valid philosophical commentary on phony Pentecostal "name it-and-claim it" preachers who are teaching a false gospel for money. The band is clear on this and even gives some reverence to the Lord Jesus, as well. Not to mention the song has some clever lyrics and you have to appreciate the statement: "Holy smoke!! Plenty of bad preachers for the Devil to stoke"! Anyone who didn't think this track should have made the best of collection is wrong, in my opinion.
