What does The First Ten Years sound like?

A powerful compilation of early heavy metal anthems infused with live energy and iconic stage presence. Rooted in heavy metal and traditional heavy metal. Start with "Running Free".

Is The First Ten Years a good place to start with Iron Maiden?

Yes, The First Ten Years is recommended as a starting point for new Iron Maiden listeners. A powerful compilation of early heavy metal anthems infused with live energy and iconic stage presence. Released on February 24, 1990, 'The First Ten Years' comes at a time when Iron Maiden had established themselves as one of the leading forces in heavy metal after multiple successful albums. This compilation spans their career from their self-titled debut in 1980 to the critically acclaimed 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son' in 1988, showcasing both studio tracks and live performances that defined their sound and fanbase during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era.

Who is The First Ten Years for?

The First Ten Years works well if you're into dynamic live performance energy, wave-like pacing with peaks and captivating storytelling through tracks.

How many songs are on The First Ten Years?

The First Ten Years has 64 tracks, running approximately 341 minutes.

The First Ten Years

Iron Maiden · 1990

341 min · 64 tracks · heavy metal

A powerful compilation of early heavy metal anthems infused with live energy and iconic stage presence.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Running Free Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Run to the Hills — This track embodies Iron Maiden's signature galloping rhythm and storytelling prowess, highlighting their ability to address historical themes through heavy metal.
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The Number of the Beast — As one of the band's most recognized songs, this track showcases their theatricality and lyrical depth, cementing their influence on the heavy metal landscape.
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Phantom of the Opera — This song features complex arrangements and showcases Bruce Dickinson's operatic vocals, illustrating the band's unique blend of melody and aggression.
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Wasted Years — A reflective anthem on life and time, this track connects deeply with fans while demonstrating Iron Maiden's melodic sensibilities amidst heavy instrumentation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

57 /100

Foothills

Higher than 6% of albums we've rated

This compilation captures Iron Maiden's early energy but lacks a cohesive narrative due to its varied sources.

What we noticed

Several tracks are interspersed with segments titled 'Listen With Nicko!', which provide commentary and insights from the band's drummer.
The tracklist includes multiple live versions of songs, emphasizing the band's stage presence and the evolution of their sound over the decade.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic live performance energy
wave-like pacing with peaks
captivating storytelling through tracks
immersive listening with commentary
nostalgic tribute to early years

Maybe skip if you

prefer polished studio recordings
want concise, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This compilation solidified Iron Maiden's reputation after their successful early albums.
Themes: British heavy metal evolution· live concert energy· historical storytelling
Career context: Released on February 24, 1990, 'The First Ten Years' comes at a time when Iron Maiden had established themselves as one of the leading forces in heavy metal after multiple successful albums. This compilation spans their career from their self-titled debut in 1980 to the critically acclaimed 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son' in 1988, showcasing both studio tracks and live performances that defined their sound and fanbase during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era.
Stylistic neighbors: Judas Priest· Helloween· Megadeth

New to Iron Maiden? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

1 Running Free Start here 3:18
2 Burning Ambition 2:41

Disc 2

1 Sanctuary 3:14
2 Drifter (live at the Marquee Club, April 3, 1980) 6:03
3 I've Got the Fire (live at the Marquee Club, April 3, 1980) 3:14
4 Listen With Nicko! Part I 9:29

Disc 3

1 Women in Uniform 3:10
2 Invasion 2:39
3 Phantom of the Opera (live at the Marquee Club, July 4, 1980) 7:12

Disc 4

1 Twilight Zone 2:35
2 Wrathchild 2:56
3 Listen With Nicko! Part II 8:02

Disc 5

1 Purgatory 3:22
2 Genghis Khan 3:09

Disc 6

1 Running Free (live) 3:09
2 Remember Tomorrow (live) 5:46
3 Killers (live) 4:51
4 Innocent Exile (live) 4:02
5 Listen With Nicko! Part III 7:42

Disc 7

1 Run to the Hills 3:55
2 Total Eclipse 4:28

Disc 8

1 The Number of the Beast 4:52
2 Remember Tomorrow (Live in Italy, 29 October 1981) 5:27
3 Listen With Nicko! Part IV 8:23

Disc 9

1 Flight of Icarus 3:54
2 I've Got the Fire 2:40

Disc 10

1 The Trooper 4:14
2 Cross-Eyed Mary 3:55
3 Listen With Nicko! Part V 9:49

Disc 11

1 2 Minutes to Midnight 6:07
2 Rainbow's Gold 4:56
3 Mission From 'Arry 6:43

Disc 12

1 Aces High 4:33
2 King of Twilight 4:53
3 The Number of the Beast (live at Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, 18 December 1983) 4:59
4 Listen With Nicko! Part VI 9:45

Disc 13

1 Running Free (live at Long Beach Arena, 14–17 March 1985) 3:28
2 Sanctuary (live at Long Beach Arena, 14–17 March 1985) 4:40
3 Murders in the Rue Morgue (live at Hammersmith Odeon, 12 October 1984) 4:32

Disc 14

1 Run to the Hills (live at Long Beach Arena, 14–17 March 1985) 4:06
2 Phantom of the Opera (live at Hammersmith Odeon, 12 October 1984) 7:28
3 Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (live at Hammersmith Odeon, 12 October 1984) 4:15
4 Listen With Nicko! Part VII 11:54

Disc 15

1 Wasted Years 5:08
2 Reach Out 3:30
3 Sheriff of Huddersfield 3:35

Disc 16

1 Stranger in a Strange Land 5:44
2 That Girl 5:04
3 Juanita 3:46
4 Listen With Nicko! Part VIII 12:20

Disc 17

1 Can I Play With Madness 3:32
2 Black Bart Blues 6:40
3 Massacre 2:53

Disc 18

1 The Evil That Men Do 4:34
2 Prowler '88 4:07
3 Charlotte the Harlot '88 4:11
4 Listen With Nicko! Part IX 10:46

Disc 19

1 The Clairvoyant (live at Monsters of Rock Festival, Donington, 20 August 1988) 4:27
2 The Prisoner (live at Monsters of Rock Festival, Donington, 20 August 1988) 6:08
3 Heaven Can Wait (live at Monsters of Rock Festival, Donington, 20 August 1988) 7:09

Disc 20

1 Infinite Dreams (live at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, 27–28 November 1988) 6:02
2 Killers (live at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, 27–28 November 1988) 5:01
3 Still Life (live at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, 27–28 November 1988) 4:38
4 Listen With Nicko! Part X 11:18