Eddie's Archive
(Portrait/Columbia/Legacy)
Release Date: 11/26/2002 12:00
Months after reissuing their entire catalog, Iron Maiden continue to rummage in the closet. This time theyve scavenged up three double CDs of sessions, B-sides and live tracks alongside a family tree, booklet and hooray! a shot glass fashioned as the head of the bands mascot, Eddie. And Eddies Archive is packaged in a miniature casket, which means you wont mistake it for any other box set on your shelf. Musically, the only difference between Maiden in 1979 and now is the presence in the old lineup of willing amateur vocalist Paul DiAnno, quickly fired cheers! because of his alcoholism. Bruce Dickinson replaced him, and Maiden delivered their battle cry ad nauseam for the next 20 years. Moments of silly genius (Run to the Hills) explode like land mines, but too much filler, including a song about a member of their road crew, suggests an in-joke no one without a mullet will want to be a part of.