1996 compilation album by Iron Maiden
Best of the Beast |
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![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/98/Best_of_the_Beast.png/220px-Best_of_the_Beast.png) |
Compilation album by Iron Maiden |
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Released | 23 September 1996 |
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Recorded | 1978–1996 |
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Genre | Heavy metal |
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Length | 77:53 (single disc CD)[1] 149:40 (2-disc CD) 189:17 (4-disc LP) |
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Label | EMI |
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Producer | - Martin Birch
- Nigel Green
- Steve Harris
- Iron Maiden
- Will Malone
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Iron Maiden compilations chronology |
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| Best of the Beast (1996) | Ed Hunter (1999) | |
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Singles from Best of the Beast |
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- "Virus"
Released: 2 September 1996 |
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Professional ratingsReview scores |
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Source | Rating |
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AllMusic | ![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Star_full.svg/11px-Star_full.svg.png) ![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Star_full.svg/11px-Star_full.svg.png) ![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Star_full.svg/11px-Star_full.svg.png) ![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Star_full.svg/11px-Star_full.svg.png) [2] |
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 7/10[3] |
Best of the Beast was Iron Maiden's first "best of" album,[4] released in 1996 in three formats: a 34 track (four disc) vinyl, a 27 track (two disc) CD, a 16 track (single disc) CD and MiniDisc. The vinyl edition is, to date, the band's longest record release, running for over three hours.
Background
The track listing differs slightly between the various editions of the compilation album, but consists mainly of the band's singles and most well-known songs from their 1980–1995 albums. Also included are a new single, entitled "Virus",[4] as well as previously unreleased live versions of "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" and "Revelations" (the latter exclusive to the vinyl edition). Both "Virus" and "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" had promotional music videos created, the latter of which was filmed during The X Factour with new lead vocalist Blaze Bayley replacing Bruce Dickinson, who sang the original studio recording.
The two-CD edition contains two songs from the band's 1979 demo tape/EP The Soundhouse Tapes ("Iron Maiden" and "Strange World," of which the latter was previously unreleased).[4] The 4-disc vinyl pressing, meanwhile, contains the entire Soundhouse Tapes EP on its final side, again with the addition of "Strange World" from the same sessions. The vinyl edition has become quite rare and has increased in value steadily over the years in music stores and on online auction sites. The standard edition's value has not changed much although the Japanese pressings continue to rise in value.
Best of the Beast has long since been out of print and has been "replaced" by Edward the Great in most countries as a greatest hits package for the band.[5]
The cover art was designed by Derek Riggs, known for having created most of Iron Maiden's early album covers. It is an amalgamation of his most famous works with the band, featuring Eddies from the Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere in Time and No Prayer for the Dying eras, as well as those from "The Trooper", Live After Death and a redesign of the Killers album cover.[6]
Track listing
Standard edition CD and MD
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original Album | Length |
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1. | "The Number of the Beast" | Steve Harris | 1982 ~ The Number of the Beast | 4:49 |
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2. | "Can I Play With Madness" | Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson, Harris | 1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son | 3:31 |
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3. | "Fear of the Dark" (Live in Helsinki, Finland 1992) | Harris | 1993 ~ A Real Live One (1992 ~ Fear of the Dark) | 7:21 |
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4. | "Run to the Hills" | Harris | 1982 ~ The Number of the Beast | 3:50 |
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5. | "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter" | Dickinson | 1990 ~ No Prayer for the Dying | 4:44 |
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6. | "The Evil That Men Do" | Smith, Dickinson, Harris | 1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son | 4:35 |
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7. | "Aces High" | Harris | 1984 ~ Powerslave | 4:31 |
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8. | "Be Quick or Be Dead" | Dickinson, Janick Gers | 1992 ~ Fear of the Dark | 3:21 |
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9. | "2 Minutes to Midnight" | Smith, Dickinson | 1984 ~ Powerslave | 6:04 |
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10. | "Man on the Edge" | Blaze Bayley, Gers | 1995 ~ The X Factor | 4:18 |
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11. | "Virus" | Harris, Gers, Dave Murray, Bayley | New recording | 6:30 |
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12. | "Running Free" (Live in Long Beach, United States 1985) | Harris, Paul Di'Anno | 1985 ~ Live After Death (1980 ~ Iron Maiden) | 3:25 |
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13. | "Wasted Years" | Smith | 1986 ~ Somewhere in Time | 5:06 |
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14. | "The Clairvoyant" | Harris | 1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son | 4:27 |
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15. | "The Trooper" | Harris | 1983 ~ Piece of Mind | 4:11 |
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16. | "Hallowed Be Thy Name" | Harris | 1982 ~ The Number of the Beast | 7:10 |
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Total length: | 77:53 |
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Limited edition CD
Disc OneNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Original Album | Length |
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1. | "Virus" | Harris, Gers, Murray, Bayley | New recording | 6:30 |
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2. | "Sign of the Cross" | Harris | 1995 ~ The X Factor | 11:17 |
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3. | "Man on the Edge" | Bayley, Gers | 1995 ~ The X Factor | 4:18 |
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4. | "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" (Live in Gothenburg, Sweden 1995) | Harris | Previously unreleased (1992 ~ Fear of the Dark) | 6:48 |
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5. | "Be Quick or Be Dead" | Dickinson, Gers | 1992 ~ Fear of the Dark | 3:21 |
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6. | "Fear of the Dark" (Live at Helsinki, Finland 1992) | Harris | 1993 ~ A Real Live One | 7:21 |
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7. | "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter" | Dickinson | 1990 ~ No Prayer for the Dying | 4:44 |
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8. | "Holy Smoke" | Harris, Dickinson | 1990 ~ No Prayer for the Dying | 3:49 |
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9. | "The Clairvoyant" | Harris | 1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son | 4:27 |
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10. | "Can I Play With Madness" | Smith, Dickinson, Harris | 1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son | 3:31 |
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11. | "The Evil That Men Do" | Smith, Dickinson, Harris | 1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son | 4:35 |
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12. | "Heaven Can Wait" | Harris | 1986 ~ Somewhere in Time | 7:24 |
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13. | "Wasted Years" | Smith | 1986 ~ Somewhere in Time | 5:06 |
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Disc TwoNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Original Album | Length |
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1. | "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (Live in Long Beach, USA 1985) | Harris | 1985 ~ Live After Death (1984 ~ Powerslave) | 13:10 |
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2. | "Running Free" (Live in Long Beach, USA 1985; single edit) | Harris, Di'Anno | 1985 ~ Live After Death (1980 ~ Iron Maiden) | 3:25 |
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3. | "2 Minutes to Midnight" | Smith, Dickinson | 1984 ~ Powerslave | 6:04 |
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4. | "Aces High" | Harris | 1984 ~ Powerslave | 4:31 |
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5. | "Where Eagles Dare" | Harris | 1983 ~ Piece of Mind | 6:10 |
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6. | "The Trooper" | Harris | 1983 ~ Piece of Mind | 4:11 |
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7. | "The Number of the Beast" | Harris | 1982 ~ The Number of the Beast | 4:49 |
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8. | "Run to the Hills" | Harris | 1982 ~ The Number of the Beast | 3:50 |
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9. | "Hallowed Be Thy Name" | Harris | 1982 ~ The Number of the Beast | 7:10 |
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10. | "Wrathchild" | Harris | 1981 ~ Killers | 2:54 |
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11. | "Phantom of the Opera" | Harris | 1980 ~ Iron Maiden | 7:20 |
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12. | "Sanctuary" | Harris, Murray, Di'Anno | 1980 ~ Iron Maiden | 3:13 |
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13. | "Strange World" (Unreleased recording for The Soundhouse Tapes) | Harris | Previously unreleased (1980 ~ Iron Maiden) | 5:45 |
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14. | "Iron Maiden" | Harris | 1979 ~ The Soundhouse Tapes (1980 ~ Iron Maiden) | 3:57 |
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Total length: | 149:40 |
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Limited edition vinyl
[7]
Side ANo. | Title | Writer(s) | Original Album | Length |
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1. | "Virus" | Harris, Gers, Murray, Bayley | New recording | 6:30 |
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2. | "Sign of the Cross" | Harris | 1995 ~ The X Factor | 11:17 |
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3. | "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" (Live in Gothenburg, Sweden 1995) | Harris | Previously unreleased (1992 ~ Fear of the Dark) | 6:40 |
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Side BNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Original Album | Length |
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4. | "Man on the Edge" | Bayley, Gers | 1995 ~ The X Factor | 4:18 |
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5. | "Be Quick or Be Dead" | Dickinson, Gers | 1992 ~ Fear of the Dark | 3:21 |
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6. | "Fear of the Dark" (Live in Helsinki, Finland 1992) | Harris | 1993 ~ A Real Live One (1992 ~ Fear of the Dark) | 7:21 |
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7. | "Holy Smoke" | Harris, Dickinson | 1990 ~ No Prayer for the Dying | 3:49 |
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8. | "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter" | Dickinson | 1990 ~ No Prayer for the Dying | 4:44 |
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Side CNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Original Album | Length |
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1. | "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" | Harris | 1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son | 9:54 |
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2. | "Can I Play With Madness" | Dickinson, Harris, Smith | 1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son | 3:31 |
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3. | "The Evil That Men Do" | Smith, Dickinson, Harris | 1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son | 4:35 |
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4. | "The Clairvoyant" | Harris | 1988 ~ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son | 4:27 |
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Side DNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Original Album | Length |
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5. | "Heaven Can Wait" | Harris | 1986 ~ Somewhere in Time | 7:24 |
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6. | "Wasted Years" | Smith | 1986 ~ Somewhere in Time | 5:06 |
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7. | "2 Minutes to Midnight" | Smith, Dickinson | 1984 ~ Powerslave | 6:04 |
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8. | "Running Free" (Live in Long Beach, USA 1985; single edit) | Harris, Di'Anno | 1985 ~ Live After Death (1980 ~ Iron Maiden) | 3:25 |
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Side ENo. | Title | Writer(s) | Original Album | Length |
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1. | "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (Live in Long Beach, USA 1985) | Harris | 1985 ~ Live After Death (1984 ~ Powerslave) | 13:10 |
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2. | "Aces High" | Harris | 1984 ~ Powerslave | 4:31 |
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3. | "Where Eagles Dare" | Harris | 1983 ~ Piece of Mind | 6:10 |
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4. | "The Trooper" | Harris | 1983 ~ Piece of Mind | 4:11 |
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Side FNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Original Album | Length |
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5. | "The Number of the Beast" | Harris | 1982 ~ The Number of the Beast | 4:49 |
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6. | "Revelations" (Live in Westfalenhallen, Germany 1983) | Dickinson | Previously unreleased (1983 ~ Piece of Mind) | 6:11 |
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7. | "The Prisoner" | Smith, Harris | 1982 ~ The Number of the Beast | 6:00 |
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8. | "Run to the Hills" | Harris | 1982 ~ The Number of the Beast | 3:50 |
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9. | "Hallowed Be Thy Name" | Harris | 1982 ~ The Number of the Beast | 7:10 |
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Side GNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Original Album | Length |
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1. | "Wrathchild" | Harris | 1981 ~ Killers | 2:54 |
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2. | "Killers" | Di'Anno, Harris | 1981 ~ Killers | 5:01 |
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3. | "Remember Tomorrow" | Di'Anno, Harris | 1980 ~ Iron Maiden | 5:27 |
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4. | "Phantom of the Opera" | Harris | 1980 ~ Iron Maiden | 7:20 |
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5. | "Sanctuary" | Iron Maiden | 1980 ~ Iron Maiden | 3:13 |
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Side HNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Original Album | Length |
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6. | "Prowler" | Harris | 1979 ~ The Soundhouse Tapes (1980 ~ Iron Maiden) | 4:17 |
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7. | "Invasion" | Harris | 1979 ~ The Soundhouse Tapes (1980 ~ Women in Uniform) | 2:55 |
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8. | "Strange World" (Unreleased recording for The Soundhouse Tapes) | Harris | Previously unreleased (1980 ~ Iron Maiden) | 5:45 |
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9. | "Iron Maiden" | Harris | 1979 ~ The Soundhouse Tapes (1980 ~ Iron Maiden) | 3:57 |
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Total length: | 189:17 |
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Charts
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
Argentina (CAPIF)[22] | Platinum | 60,000^ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[23] | Gold | 100,000* |
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[24] | Gold | 22,261[24] |
Sweden (GLF)[25] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[26] | Gold | 100,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ Best of the Beast (Media notes). Iron Maiden. EMI. 23 September 1996.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Prato, Greg. Iron Maiden-Best of the Beast at AllMusic. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ Popoff, Martin (1 August 2007). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 213. ISBN 978-1-894959-62-9.
- ^ a b c Wall, Mick (2004). Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography (3rd ed.). Sanctuary Publishing. p. 316. ISBN 1-86074-542-3.
- ^ Wall, Mick (2004). Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography (3rd ed.). Sanctuary Publishing. p. 365. ISBN 1-86074-542-3.
- ^ "Best of the Beast". Derek Riggs. Archived from the original on 17 May 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ^ "Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 138.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ "Iron Maiden: Best of the Beast" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 1996. 42. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ "Iron Maiden | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ "Argentinian album certifications – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast". Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ "Brazilian album certifications – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ a b "Iron Maiden" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2001" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ "British album certifications – Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
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