Best of the Beast
Compilation album by
Iron Maiden
Released23 September 1996
Recorded1978–1996
GenreHeavy metal
Length77:53 (single disc CD)[1]
149:40 (2-disc CD)
189:17 (4-disc LP)
LabelEMI
Producer
Iron Maiden compilations chronology
Best of the Beast
(1996) 		Ed Hunter
(1999)
Singles from Best of the Beast
  1. "Virus"
    Released: 2 September 1996
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal7/10[3]

Best of the Beast was Iron Maiden's first "best of" album,[4] released in 1996 in three formats: a 34 track (four disc) vinyl, a 27 track (two disc) CD, a 16 track (single disc) CD and MiniDisc. The vinyl edition is, to date, the band's longest record release, running for over three hours.

Background

The track listing differs slightly between the various editions of the compilation album, but consists mainly of the band's singles and most well-known songs from their 1980–1995 albums. Also included are a new single, entitled "Virus",[4] as well as previously unreleased live versions of "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" and "Revelations" (the latter exclusive to the vinyl edition). Both "Virus" and "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" had promotional music videos created, the latter of which was filmed during The X Factour with new lead vocalist Blaze Bayley replacing Bruce Dickinson, who sang the original studio recording.

The two-CD edition contains two songs from the band's 1979 demo tape/EP The Soundhouse Tapes ("Iron Maiden" and "Strange World," of which the latter was previously unreleased).[4] The 4-disc vinyl pressing, meanwhile, contains the entire Soundhouse Tapes EP on its final side, again with the addition of "Strange World" from the same sessions. The vinyl edition has become quite rare and has increased in value steadily over the years in music stores and on online auction sites. The standard edition's value has not changed much although the Japanese pressings continue to rise in value.

Best of the Beast has long since been out of print and has been "replaced" by Edward the Great in most countries as a greatest hits package for the band.[5]

The cover art was designed by Derek Riggs, known for having created most of Iron Maiden's early album covers. It is an amalgamation of his most famous works with the band, featuring Eddies from the Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere in Time and No Prayer for the Dying eras, as well as those from "The Trooper", Live After Death and a redesign of the Killers album cover.[6]

Track listing

Standard edition CD and MD

No.TitleWriter(s)Original AlbumLength
1."The Number of the Beast"Steve Harris1982 ~ The Number of the Beast4:49
2."Can I Play With Madness"Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson, Harris1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son3:31
3."Fear of the Dark" (Live in Helsinki, Finland 1992)Harris1993 ~ A Real Live One (1992 ~ Fear of the Dark)7:21
4."Run to the Hills"Harris1982 ~ The Number of the Beast3:50
5."Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter"Dickinson1990 ~ No Prayer for the Dying4:44
6."The Evil That Men Do"Smith, Dickinson, Harris1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son4:35
7."Aces High"Harris1984 ~ Powerslave4:31
8."Be Quick or Be Dead"Dickinson, Janick Gers1992 ~ Fear of the Dark3:21
9."2 Minutes to Midnight"Smith, Dickinson1984 ~ Powerslave6:04
10."Man on the Edge"Blaze Bayley, Gers1995 ~ The X Factor4:18
11."Virus"Harris, Gers, Dave Murray, BayleyNew recording6:30
12."Running Free" (Live in Long Beach, United States 1985)Harris, Paul Di'Anno1985 ~ Live After Death (1980 ~ Iron Maiden)3:25
13."Wasted Years"Smith1986 ~ Somewhere in Time5:06
14."The Clairvoyant"Harris1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son4:27
15."The Trooper"Harris1983 ~ Piece of Mind4:11
16."Hallowed Be Thy Name"Harris1982 ~ The Number of the Beast7:10
Total length:77:53

Limited edition CD

Disc One
No.TitleWriter(s)Original AlbumLength
1."Virus"Harris, Gers, Murray, BayleyNew recording6:30
2."Sign of the Cross"Harris1995 ~ The X Factor11:17
3."Man on the Edge"Bayley, Gers1995 ~ The X Factor4:18
4."Afraid to Shoot Strangers" (Live in Gothenburg, Sweden 1995)HarrisPreviously unreleased (1992 ~ Fear of the Dark)6:48
5."Be Quick or Be Dead"Dickinson, Gers1992 ~ Fear of the Dark3:21
6."Fear of the Dark" (Live at Helsinki, Finland 1992)Harris1993 ~ A Real Live One7:21
7."Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter"Dickinson1990 ~ No Prayer for the Dying4:44
8."Holy Smoke"Harris, Dickinson1990 ~ No Prayer for the Dying3:49
9."The Clairvoyant"Harris1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son4:27
10."Can I Play With Madness"Smith, Dickinson, Harris1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son3:31
11."The Evil That Men Do"Smith, Dickinson, Harris1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son4:35
12."Heaven Can Wait"Harris1986 ~ Somewhere in Time7:24
13."Wasted Years"Smith1986 ~ Somewhere in Time5:06
Disc Two
No.TitleWriter(s)Original AlbumLength
1."Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (Live in Long Beach, USA 1985)Harris1985 ~ Live After Death (1984 ~ Powerslave)13:10
2."Running Free" (Live in Long Beach, USA 1985; single edit)Harris, Di'Anno1985 ~ Live After Death (1980 ~ Iron Maiden)3:25
3."2 Minutes to Midnight"Smith, Dickinson1984 ~ Powerslave6:04
4."Aces High"Harris1984 ~ Powerslave4:31
5."Where Eagles Dare"Harris1983 ~ Piece of Mind6:10
6."The Trooper"Harris1983 ~ Piece of Mind4:11
7."The Number of the Beast"Harris1982 ~ The Number of the Beast4:49
8."Run to the Hills"Harris1982 ~ The Number of the Beast3:50
9."Hallowed Be Thy Name"Harris1982 ~ The Number of the Beast7:10
10."Wrathchild"Harris1981 ~ Killers2:54
11."Phantom of the Opera"Harris1980 ~ Iron Maiden7:20
12."Sanctuary"Harris, Murray, Di'Anno1980 ~ Iron Maiden3:13
13."Strange World" (Unreleased recording for The Soundhouse Tapes)HarrisPreviously unreleased (1980 ~ Iron Maiden)5:45
14."Iron Maiden"Harris1979 ~ The Soundhouse Tapes (1980 ~ Iron Maiden)3:57
Total length:149:40

Limited edition vinyl

[7]

Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)Original AlbumLength
1."Virus"Harris, Gers, Murray, BayleyNew recording6:30
2."Sign of the Cross"Harris1995 ~ The X Factor11:17
3."Afraid to Shoot Strangers" (Live in Gothenburg, Sweden 1995)HarrisPreviously unreleased (1992 ~ Fear of the Dark)6:40
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Original AlbumLength
4."Man on the Edge"Bayley, Gers1995 ~ The X Factor4:18
5."Be Quick or Be Dead"Dickinson, Gers1992 ~ Fear of the Dark3:21
6."Fear of the Dark" (Live in Helsinki, Finland 1992)Harris1993 ~ A Real Live One (1992 ~ Fear of the Dark)7:21
7."Holy Smoke"Harris, Dickinson1990 ~ No Prayer for the Dying3:49
8."Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter"Dickinson1990 ~ No Prayer for the Dying4:44
Side C
No.TitleWriter(s)Original AlbumLength
1."Seventh Son of a Seventh Son"Harris1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son9:54
2."Can I Play With Madness"Dickinson, Harris, Smith1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son3:31
3."The Evil That Men Do"Smith, Dickinson, Harris1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son4:35
4."The Clairvoyant"Harris1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son4:27
Side D
No.TitleWriter(s)Original AlbumLength
5."Heaven Can Wait"Harris1986 ~ Somewhere in Time7:24
6."Wasted Years"Smith1986 ~ Somewhere in Time5:06
7."2 Minutes to Midnight"Smith, Dickinson1984 ~ Powerslave6:04
8."Running Free" (Live in Long Beach, USA 1985; single edit)Harris, Di'Anno1985 ~ Live After Death (1980 ~ Iron Maiden)3:25
Side E
No.TitleWriter(s)Original AlbumLength
1."Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (Live in Long Beach, USA 1985)Harris1985 ~ Live After Death (1984 ~ Powerslave)13:10
2."Aces High"Harris1984 ~ Powerslave4:31
3."Where Eagles Dare"Harris1983 ~ Piece of Mind6:10
4."The Trooper"Harris1983 ~ Piece of Mind4:11
Side F
No.TitleWriter(s)Original AlbumLength
5."The Number of the Beast"Harris1982 ~ The Number of the Beast4:49
6."Revelations" (Live in Westfalenhallen, Germany 1983)DickinsonPreviously unreleased (1983 ~ Piece of Mind)6:11
7."The Prisoner"Smith, Harris1982 ~ The Number of the Beast6:00
8."Run to the Hills"Harris1982 ~ The Number of the Beast3:50
9."Hallowed Be Thy Name"Harris1982 ~ The Number of the Beast7:10
Side G
No.TitleWriter(s)Original AlbumLength
1."Wrathchild"Harris1981 ~ Killers2:54
2."Killers"Di'Anno, Harris1981 ~ Killers5:01
3."Remember Tomorrow"Di'Anno, Harris1980 ~ Iron Maiden5:27
4."Phantom of the Opera"Harris1980 ~ Iron Maiden7:20
5."Sanctuary"Iron Maiden1980 ~ Iron Maiden3:13
Side H
No.TitleWriter(s)Original AlbumLength
6."Prowler"Harris1979 ~ The Soundhouse Tapes (1980 ~ Iron Maiden)4:17
7."Invasion"Harris1979 ~ The Soundhouse Tapes (1980 ~ Women in Uniform)2:55
8."Strange World" (Unreleased recording for The Soundhouse Tapes)HarrisPreviously unreleased (1980 ~ Iron Maiden)5:45
9."Iron Maiden"Harris1979 ~ The Soundhouse Tapes (1980 ~ Iron Maiden)3:57
Total length:189:17

Charts

Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[8] 58
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[9] 41
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[10] 28
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[11] 39
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[12] 25
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[13] 8
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[14] 42
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[15] 21
Italian Albums (FIMI)[16] 22
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[17] 26
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[18] 37
Official Charts Company[19] 19
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[20] 11
UK Albums (OCC)[21] 16

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[22] Platinum 60,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[23] Gold 100,000*
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[24] Gold 22,261[24]
Sweden (GLF)[25] Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[26] Gold 100,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Best of the Beast (Media notes). Iron Maiden. EMI. 23 September 1996.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ Prato, Greg. Iron Maiden-Best of the Beast at AllMusic. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  3. ^ Popoff, Martin (1 August 2007). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 213. ISBN 978-1-894959-62-9.
  4. ^ a b c Wall, Mick (2004). Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography (3rd ed.). Sanctuary Publishing. p. 316. ISBN 1-86074-542-3.
  5. ^ Wall, Mick (2004). Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography (3rd ed.). Sanctuary Publishing. p. 365. ISBN 1-86074-542-3.
  6. ^ "Best of the Beast". Derek Riggs. Archived from the original on 17 May 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  7. ^ "Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  8. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 138.
  9. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Ultratop.be – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Ultratop.be – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Iron Maiden: Best of the Beast" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  15. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 1996. 42. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  16. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  17. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  18. ^ "Charts.nz – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  19. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  20. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  21. ^ "Iron Maiden | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  22. ^ "Argentinian album certifications – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast". Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  23. ^ "Brazilian album certifications – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  24. ^ a b "Iron Maiden" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  25. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2001" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  26. ^ "British album certifications – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
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