I think I have all of previous tributes to the mighty Maiden. You know the deathly ones for the most part. Here is one that I have actually been waiting for with bated breathe. I think it is fair to say that this is the real valid tribute record to the British band. Some songs you may have heard on the bands records or B-Sides that pay tribute here, you know? Then others are fresh as hell to these ears! Just looking at the line-up alone makes one gasp.
It starts with Steel Prophet opening with "The Ides Of March" and then offering a slamming version of "Purgatory", AWESOME! Another great young band that I've been listening to for the last few years is Children Of Bottom offering a deathly kick-ass version of "Aces High". You haven't heard Maiden till you heard it this way fans. Don't scream blasphemy; open your mind to these bands. I was laughing upon hearing that one. The music is so on and the voice is just so damned evil and understandable. Remember Rage (from Germany) you 80's thrashers? They are offering up "The Trooper". They pretty much leave it alone and the singer does it his way. Cradle Of Filth have a track in "Hallowed Be Thy Name", some may have heard this on previous COF efforts. Those jolly guys in Grave Digger are "Running Free". HA! WOW! Nice guitar squeals are the focus on this one.
A newer band Burden Of Grief do a nice job with "Prowler", much more deathly kids! Sonata Artica does a more light version of "Die With Your Boots On". Also the Therion cover of "Children Of The Damned" and that one was released many years ago by the band. As with Iced Earth's kick ass rendition of "Transylvania". The great Opeth even show up here, I was thrown back seeing that! "Remember Tomorrow" couldn't have been done better. Sinergy is doing "Number Of The Beast" it was a bit strange with the female vocals. Good thing that this girl can sing. Pretty evil! The Disbelief death metal cover of "Stranger In A Strange Land" is just that, Strange! That song is one of the lighter sides of Maiden's history done 10 times harder. This actually jams if you listen close. They tried to keep the original structure of the songs timing intact.
I had to jump a track to get to Dark Tranquility offering up "22 Acacia Avenue" the only way they could. It is so damned heavy! More brutal Maiden comes via Six Feet Under coming to the plate and offering "Wrathchild". To the closing with one manic band Darkane covering "Powerslave". Darkane leave the song very original. The vocals actually are really kick ass. They are a band you don't know what to expect next from. You have to be a real metal head into yesterday and today's harder sounds to appreciate this release. The best tribute to the beast yet! Now I'm gonna go put on that Century Media tribute to Priest.
