Iron Maiden From Here to Eternity: The Best of 1990 – 2010
by John Kindred
Staff Writer
Hot on the heels of Iron Maiden’s 15th studio album, Final Frontier, EMI has dropped a two-disc greatest hits package, which covers the band from 1990 to 2010. From Fear to Eternity: The Best Of 1990-2010 begins where Somewhere Back in Time (greatest hits release covering the years 1980-1989) left off, picking up 10 years after their self-titled debut album was released.
Pioneers of NWOBHM during the ‘80s and beyond, Iron Maiden have managed to maintain relevancy as they continue to tour the world, releasing studio albums. Their symbolic mascot “Ed” imagery is burned into the minds of the cultural landscape the world over. Appearing on T-shirts, poster or album covers, “Ed” puts a visual stamp on the music branding the band’s legacy.
From Fear to Eternity: The Best Of 1990-2010 features music from:
• No Prayer for the Dying (1990)
• Fear of the Dark (1992)
• The X Factor (1995)
• Virtual XI (1998)
• Brave New World (2000)
• Dance of Death (2003)
• A Matter of Life and Death (2006)
• The Final Frontier (2010)
Featured songs include “Fear of the Dark,” “The Wicker Man,” “Blood Brothers” and “Dance of Death.” A couple songs from Final Frontier make an appearance: “El Dorado” and “When the Wild Wind Blows.” To deal with changes in vocalist, the band opted to include live tracks recorded with Bruce Dickinson; “Sign of the Cross,” “Fear of the Dark” and “The Clansman,” instead of the original album cuts that featured Blaze Bayley. The double release allows for the inclusion of the singles “Holy Smoke,” “Be Quick or Be Dead,” “Afraid To Shoot Strangers” and “For The Greater Good Of God.”
From Fear to Eternity: The Best Of 1990-2010 is comprehensive look at the band over the course of the last 20 years. Covering eight albums, the compilation features 25 songs. The evolution of Iron Maiden shows growth through change. As the lineup changed over the years, Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith, both, left the band and returned. Janick Gers became a full-time member and provides the band with a triple axe attack.
If your Maiden collection isn’t complete, From Fear to Eternity: The Best Of 1990-2010, certainly will bring you up to date on the band’s more recent recordings. It’s also a unique way to introduce new listeners to the band. Although the best of Maiden was birthed in the ‘80s, the band’s legacy cannot be diminished or dismissed as the have continued releasing music and touring through the years.
Genre: Heavy Metal / Power Metal
Band:
Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals
Dave Murray – guitar
Janick Gers – guitar
Adrian Smith – guitar, backing vocals (except on “Holy Smoke”, “Tailgunner”, “Be Quick or Be Dead”, “Afraid to Shoot Strangers”, and “Bring Your Daughter… to the Slaughter”)
Steve Harris – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Nicko McBrain – drums
Michael Kenney – keyboards on “Sign of the Cross”, “Afraid to Shoot Strangers”, “Fear of the Dark” and “The Clansman”
CD 1:
1. “The Wicker Man” (from Brave New World)
2. “Holy Smoke” (from No Prayer for the Dying)
3. “El Dorado” (from The Final Frontier)
4. “Paschendale” (from Dance of Death)
5. “Different World” (from A Matter of Life and Death)
6. “Man on the Edge (live)” (B-side of “The Wicker Man” single; originally from The X Factor)
7. “The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg” (from A Matter of Life and Death)
8. “Blood Brothers” (from Brave New World)
9. “Rainmaker” (from Dance of Death)
10. “Sign of the Cross (live)” (from Rock in Rio; originally from The X Factor)
11. “Brave New World” (from Brave New World)
12. “Fear of the Dark (live)” (from Rock in Rio; originally from Fear of the Dark)
CD 2:
1.”Be Quick or Be Dead” (from Fear of the Dark)
2. “Tailgunner” (from No Prayer for the Dying)
3. “No More Lies” (from Dance of Death)
4. “Coming Home” (from The Final Frontier)
5. “The Clansman (live)” (from Rock in Rio; originally from Virtual XI)
6. “For the Greater Good of God” (from A Matter of Life and Death)
7. “These Colours Don’t Run” (from A Matter of Life and Death)
8. “Bring Your Daughter… to the Slaughter” (from No Prayer for the Dying)
9. “Afraid to Shoot Strangers” (from Fear of the Dark)
10. “Dance of Death” (from Dance of Death)
11. “When the Wild Wind Blows” (from The Final Frontier)
Hardrock Haven rating: n/a