Number Of The Feast: Iron Maiden Reissues On The Way!!!
By
Frank Meyer,
Contributing Editor
Tuesday, January 29, 2002 @ 11:28 AM
| Iron Maiden's Discography Reis
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Hallowed be the name of Iron Maiden, positioned in the front ranks of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal ever since the 1980 release of their debut single "Running Free" and self-titled debut album. Faithfully led through the years by principal songwriter and bassist Steve Harris and lead guitarist Dave Murray - and escorted by the faithful mascot Eddie - the band stood the test of time in the hard rock wars of the '80s and '90s. Now, as Iron Maiden enters a third decade at the top of the pops, their wholly-owned album catalog is assured of passing down its litany of metal lore to the next generation of headbangers.
Set for release are a fresh new series of 15 limited-edition "vinyl replica" packages, in single sleeve and gatefold configurations, that pay homage to the original LP artwork of the '80s. (When the vinyl replica sleeves are sold-out, the albums will remain available in conventional jewel-box editions.) Thirteen of the 15 contain bonus tracks and multimedia content.
Also to launch during this reissue campaign is the Soundhouse Tapes Promotion. Inside every album will be an Eddie proof-of-purchase sticker. For a limited time, fans will be able to redeem 6 Eddie stickers for a special edition CD issue of The Soundhouse Tapes.
This seminal Iron Maiden discography - comprising 11 original studio albums, and four full-length live albums (two of which are doubles) has been scheduled for March 26th in-store date on Sanctuary/Metal Is. In addition, the band’s brand new live double album, Rock In Rio, is also set for release on March 26th, with the DVD of the same name following shortly after. One additional 16th title, Best Of the Beast, will be released separately from the other discs in a 2-CD brilliant box later this year.
Individually, the Iron Maiden titles are 1. Iron Maiden (1980) 2. Killers (1981) 3. The Number Of the Beast (1982) 4. Piece Of Mind (1983) 5. Powerslave (1984) 6. Live After Death (1985) 7. Somewhere In Time (1986) 8. Seventh Son Of a Seventh Son (1988) 9. No Prayer For the Dying (1990) 10. Fear Of the Dark (1992) 11. A Real Live One (1993) 12. A Real Dead One (1993) 13. Live At Donington (1993) 14. The X Factor (1995) 15. Virtual XI (1998)
All of the albums through Live At Donington contain two bonus tracks that were not included on the original albums of the '80s and '90s, plus special enhanced CD multimedia content featuring full-length videos, exclusive band biographies, photo galleries, Internet links and more. A Real Live One and A Real Dead One were originally issued as separate albums six months apart in 1993, and later conjoined as a double-CD in 1998, are now cleaved as separate releases once again. Unfortunately, The X Factor contains no bonus tracks or multimedia content.
In other Maiden news, the band have added a third and final benefit show at London's Brixton Academy in support of ex-drummer Clive Burr after selling out the tickets for the first two gigs in less than 24 hours. Maiden will be performing three special benefit gigs at London's Brixton Academy on Tuesday, March 19th, Wednesday, March 20th and Thursday, March 21st to help Burr, who suffers from multiple sclerosis. All profits from the two shows will go to the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund, and most folks involved in the shows, including all band members, their management, agency and promoters, are donating their services for nothing to maximize the fund. In addition, all merchandising profits will also be donated to the fund. Tickets for the March 19th show will go on sale on Wednesday, January 30th at 9am. These shows will be the only shows that Maiden will play anywhere in the world in 2002.
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