Somewhere Back in Time - The Best of: 1980 - 1989 is a best of release by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, containing a selection of songs originally recorded for their first eight albums (including Live After Death).
Background
The album was released in conjunction with the band's Somewhere Back In Time World Tour to allow new fans to listen to a selection of the band's material that was played on the tour. The cover artwork by Derek Riggs features the Pharaoh Eddie monument from Powerslave and Cyborg Eddie from Somewhere in Time.
A number of tracks were taken from the band's 1985 live album, Live After Death, because the band preferred to use recordings which featured current Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson rather than Paul Di'Anno, who sang on their first two studio releases.
Reception
Reviews for the compilation were generally positive, with Kerrang! commenting that "metal collections don't come much more solid than this." Classic Rock deemed it "a relentless, 70-minute crowd pleaser marathon," containing "timeless anthems that still make the adrenalin surge and the sinews stiffen after all these years." Metal Hammer praised it for being "a reminder of why Iron Maiden became the most important band on the planet back in the 1980s - and why, once again, they've reclaimed that crown."
AllMusic, however, were more critical of the release, deeming the album "merely adequate" and decrying the band's decision to avoid using the original versions of songs featuring Paul Di'Anno on lead vocals.
Track listing All songs written by Steve Harris, except where noted.
Personnel Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes. Iron Maiden Bruce Dickinson - lead vocals Steve Harris - bass guitar, keyboards on 10 & 12 Dave Murray - guitars Adrian Smith - guitars, keyboards on 10 & 12 Nicko McBrain - drums on tracks 2 - 5, 9 - 13 & 15 Clive Burr - drums on tracks 6 - 8 & 14 Production Martin Birch – producer, mixing Derek Riggs – cover illustration Ross Halfin – photography Peacock – art direction, design Rod Smallwood – management Andy Taylor – management
Charts Chart (2008)Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 81Scotland (Official Charts Company) 14
Chart (2009) Peakposition
Chart (2010) Peakposition
Chart (2025) Peakposition Greek Albums (IFPI) 54
Certifications
References