Pekka
Review originally posted 1507 days ago as part of the novella that is my Eddie's Archive review.
Beast Over Hammersmith is a real treasure to any friend of the early Maiden. This full length concert recording was captured very early on the Beast on the Road tour in March 1982, in fact less than a week before the release of The Number of the Beast. So all the people in attendance that evening heard classics like Hallowed Be Thy Name and the Beast title track for the first time ever, only the Run to the Hills single with b-side Total Eclipse being released before. A lot of minds were blown that night, and we're lucky to hear it in retrospect. Imagine a band on the brink of breakthrough, just recorded the album of a lifetime, a future classic, kicking off the tour that will take them to stars. This album is the soundtrack of that scenario. The band is young, hungry and they damn well know what kind of an album they've just recorded. Everyone including the soon-to-depart Clive Burr gives their 110%, and what's especially great is that Bruce's voice, which is a problem on many of their 80s live recordings is in top shape with only less than a month of touring behind them. The entire new album except Invaders and Gangland is performed together with selections from the first two albums. Murders in the Rue Morgue and Killers especially are given a great treating. This is a wonderful piece of Maiden history and very much recommended to every serious fan.