From Fear to Eternity: The Best of 1990-2010

Iron Maiden are truly metal legends, they've been rocking and selling out arenas for decades. The iconic British band is also famous among fans for the many greatest hits compilations albums that they have released over the years. Another greatest hits album, From Fear To Eternity continues where Somewhere Back In Time left in 2008, covering the years 1990-2010. Somewhere Back In Time covered the 1980's, the band's early years and From Fear To Eternity covers the latter (and still quite good) Maiden years. This compilation take its clever title from the song "From Here to Eternity" which was on Fear of the Dark, plus I also have to admit the album cover looks damn good, real good.

Here is what is on From Fear To Eternity. From the band's last albums with Bruce before the reunion, we have three songs from the 1990 album No Prayer for the Dying and three from 1992's Fear of the Dark. The Blaze Bayley years are covered, with two tracks from The X-Factor (1995) and one from Virtual XI (1998). It's interesting how the Blaze Bayley era songs were replaced by live versions sung by Bruce Dickinson, Somewhere Back In Time did the same thing (replaced the Di'Anno songs by live ones sung by Bruce). I don't mind this as I really like those versions (especially Sign of the Cross) and to be honest it was kind of expected. The three live Blaze songs are all take from the excellent Rock In Rio album (2001). The version of Fear of the Dark here is from the Rock In Rio live album as well which makes a total of four Rio live songs used. The reunion album Brave New World (2000) has 3 of its songs on From Fear To Eternity. Dance of Death (2003) and A Matter of Life and Death (2006) each have four songs. Last year's The Final Frontier has for its part, three songs on this compilation.

I think what's on here is reflective of the best songs Iron Maiden released 1990 and onward. I personally prefer the band's 1980's era and albums but even judged on what they have released since 1990 Iron Maiden have been a strong band and released some great music and stayed true to themselves. There is an evident focus on the reunion albums, probably has something to do with Maiden's current Final Frontier world tour which focuses on the album from the last decade, the 00's. I for one, feel that Iron Maiden was great in their earlier years and that today they are still a very good band who is constantly amazing live. There are certain songs that I would have chosen over others but I feel that this covers the last 20 years of the band in respectable fashion and features many of the best songs that resulted out of those 20 years.

From Fear To Eternity is an excellent overview of Iron Maiden's post 1980's and latter albums and is a good companion to Somewhere Back In Time. These 23 songs offer a great look at Maiden's latter albums and has without a doubt some great songs. While someone could argue that SBIT has better songs, FFTE is technically a better compilation as it has 23 songs against SBIT's 15 AND is a double disc set. While I don't like the fact that there are so many Iron Maiden compilations out there already, I have to say that this one is good and is a little different in that it covers Maiden's post 1980's career, and does it very well I should add. From Fear To Eternity is nothing new for an old fan, no new song and it is just another compilation but as far as they go this one does exactly what it sets out to do: initiate new fans to Maiden 1990 and upward. 4/5 stars.

Iron Maiden can do no wrong. I also think it's cool we get to listen to live versions, with Dickinson and the definitive band, of the songs originally sung by Blaze Bayley.
I'm surprised that so many so called fans complain about "best of albums." These albums are not for the people who own all the groups albums. They are for the casual listener who wants a large verity in one package. I however do own all the CD's, but I will be buying this on Vinyl so I get to have the best of these past 20 years on my turn table. And that wicked cool album cover too!

"Up The Iron's"

Another great addition to my Maiden picture album collection. Vinyl 1 side 1 has a picture of the forest in green background, side 2 is a picture of the cover. Vinyl 2 side 1 picture of the forest in red background, side 2 is a photo of the band members. Vinyl 3 side 1 pictures the band band members in a silhouette, side 2 is a live photo of the band on stage. Lyrics are also included for all the songs on the inside of cover.