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Iron Maiden - Somewhere Back In Time

Somewhere Back In Time covers the first and best decade of their long reign in metal, from 1980 to 1989. It’s not their first “Greatest Hits” album, and it probably won’t be the last. But now is a good time to ask: “Why should we still listen to this?”

The short answer is that music still demands a bit of fantasy, and no one does it better. The radio only deals in breakups and make-ups and even metal has become a bit personal through the years (thanks a bunch, Korn), leaving our imaginations in serious deficit. Look no further, Iron Maiden shall entertain.

Maiden’s songs are stories, captivating tales of madness & treachery set to the majestic wails of twin lead guitars. “Hallowed Be Thy Name”, “Number of the Beast”: it’s Mother Goose for the Ozzy Osbourne generation. Find us a better song about fanatical Egyptian kings than “Powerslave” and we’ll park your new Mustang out front in a week*.

Much more evil bands (Slayer, Mayhem) have come along since the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, but no one can rock a stadium like Maiden can. The inclusion of four live gems on the album, including “Aces High”, is welcome. Singer Bruce Dickinson’s boasts of his vocal prowess are very much justified, and his siren-like yells in the live recordings translate well onto disc.
Maiden fans will want to argue about the songs that have and haven’t been included in the collection, but barring “Fear of the Dark” (which came in 1992), all the best stuff’s here. “Run To The Hills” & “The Trooper” fit snugly into an amazing roster of tracks that all have something special.

We all want adventure, but who reads books anymore? Better go Somewhere Back In Time.

- Niel Bekker

* Not really.

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