Time for one of the things I've always dreaded. A Best-Of release. These especially. Of course it's nice to get a change to hear all the old material again. But if I wanted that, I'd take the albums out and listen to the song from them instead. I have never understood the concept of Best-of releases. Other than the commercial one! I can see a point in it, if there are loads of new and never before released material. But there usually isn't. As for "Best Of The Beast", there it is somehow managed Maiden to release something for every Maiden-fan. New and old. There are 3 releases. A Single-CD, with 16 tracks, a Double-CD and a Quadruple(!)-vinyl. The Single-CD is clearly for the new Maiden-fan.
All the hits are there minus a few. But it is all the singles they have on there minus a few. ("Sign Of The Cross", "Afraid To Shoot Strangers", "Holy Smoke", "Heaven Can Wait", "Rime Of The.", "Where Eagles Dare" and 5 last tracks on CD2 are the ones that are missing.) The Double-CD and the quadruple-vinyl versions are definately for fans and collectors. The last 2 tracks on CD2 are from the infamous "The Soundhouse Tapes". There are even more tracks on the vinyl version. Including never before released material from the before mentioned "The Soundhouse Tapes". The vinyl can be difficult to get, since it's a limited edition release, but you might be lucky. No doubt that it is by far the best of the 3 releases.
But how about the music? Actually there isn't much new. "Virus" is the only new number, and the live-recording of "Afraid To Shoot Strangers" have
Blaze Bayley on vocals. Virus is an okay track, with a nice middle guitar part. But it is a little slow to start up. More power Mr. Zulu! All in all this review will end in a fairly low rating. And that is because of the lack of something extra for the fans on the cd's. More new numbers instead of old ones in a new live recording.
We have heard enough live recordings for now. In addition, it has to be said, that the booklets are quite cool, with loads of cool pictures. And all this comes from a fan, that owns all 3 releases. Go figure.
Written by
Ulrick Monday, July 15, 2002
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