04/03/02

TRIBUTE TO THE BEAST / VARIOUS

There have been quite a few tributes to Iron Maiden over the years, some good some not so good and this latest from the Nuclear Blast label has some top notch bands on it and all of them are good, some are excellent and a couple of them are indispensable.

The covers mainly fall into 2 categories, straight covers and re interpretations, of the latter the Cradle Of Filth cover of "Hallowed Be Thy Name" is a total classic, I know this has been available before but not every one has the limited CD with this track on it and now you get the chance to get it and trust me it’s fantastic. Children Of Boom’s Death Metal cover of "Aces High" and so do Burdon Of Grief who cover "Prowler".

Six Feet Under cover "Wrathchild", taken from the graveyard classics CD and Sinergy cover "The Number Of The Beast" and despite having a female singer she does a fine job of the vocals. Opeth cover "Remember Tomorrow" and do a fine job of it as well as fine performances by Grave Digger, Dark Tranquility, Darkane and Steel Prophet. This CD is not exactly indispensable but it is a very consistent affair and a lot better that some of the ones that have gone before it.

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 76 mins + 16 Tracks