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For a band of musicians so obviously preoccupied with death and demise, premier UK metal masters Iron Maiden have enjoyed a career longevity that they could have never prophesied. Though formed in the late 70's, Iron Maiden's glory days did not come to fruition until the arrival of Thor-like shouter Bruce Dickinson. Eddie's Archive is a 6 CD set that not only celebrates the bands tenure, but also marks the 20th anniversary of the arrival of Dickinson and the start of their classic line-up.  And in a move akin to the Misfits "coffin box" a few years back, the set is swathed appropriately in a ghoulish metallic casket.

 

The three double CD's in the box capture the ensembles unreleased initial live recordings beginning in 1979 and hark back to the (pre-Dickinson) days of original vocalist, Paul Di'Anno.  Cuts from the bands classic set at the 1980 Redding Festival are essential - especially scorching takes of " Transylvania " and "Killers."  Also, the Best Of The B' Sides discs unearth some lesser know, but just as imperative Maiden tracks as "Burning Ambition and "Cross-Eyed Mary."

 

Since the band as survived though all the extreme musical changes the past 2 decades, it is no coincidence that Maiden chose as their mascot a decomposing - yet still animate - corpse (known as "Eddie") that refuses to die.