This Limited version features vinyl replica packaging.

This is an Enhanced CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. The Enhanced portion includes music videos for "Stranger In A Strange Land" and "Wasted Years."

Iron Maiden: Bruce Dickinson (vocals); Dave Murray, Adrian Smith (guitar, synthesizer); Steve Harris (synthesizer, bass); Nicko McBrain (drums).

Principally recorded at Compass Point Studios, Nassau, The Bahamas and Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, The Netherlands.

Digitally remastered by Simon Heyworth (Chop 'Em Out).

This is an Enhanced CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. The Enhanced portion includes music videos for "Stranger In A Strange Land" and "Wasted Years."

Iron Maiden: Bruce Dickinson (vocals); Dave Murray, Adrian Smith (guitar, synthesizer); Steve Harris (synthesizer, bass); Nicko McBrain (drums).

Principally recorded at Compass Point Studios, Nassau, The Bahamas and Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, The Netherlands.

Digitally remastered by Simon Heyworth (Chop 'Em Out).

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Personnel: Bruce Dickinson (vocals); Adrian Smith (guitar); Dave Murray (guitar synthesizer); Steve Harris (bass synthesizer); Nicko McBrain (drums).

Recording information: Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas; Wisseloord Studio, Hilversum, The Netherlands.

Photographer: Ross Halfin.

Iron Maiden's 1986 SOMEWHERE IN TIME contains more than a few highlights, such as the ferocious album opener, "Caught Somewhere in Time," as well as softer singles "Wasted Years" and "Stranger in a Strange Land." And as with the band's preceding studio release, POWERSLAVE, another masterful composition closes the album, in this case the sprawling "Alexander the Great." Departing from the familiar sounds of stellar earlier releases like THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST and PIECE OF MIND, this album explores new musical territory with the addition of synthesizers, while maintaining its trademarks--galloping bass, heavy guitar riffs, and operatic vocals. Though there were some doubts initially, the addition of synthesizers didn't alienate the band's headbanging following. In fact, the change, along with this album's commercial success, was a clear indication of the band's musical progress.

With such superb albums as Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind, and Powerslave, Iron Maiden had forged a completely original heavy metal sound. Feeling that they'd taken it as far it could go, the band decided to broaden their sound with the use of synthesizers for their sixth studio album, 1986's Somewhere in Time. While many other metal bands used synths in the '80s to appeal to the pop audience, Maiden wisely did not overindulge. Instead, they used them to create textures, and were rewarded with one of their most commercially successful releases. And although Maiden's next album, 1988's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, would perfect this new approach, Somewhere contains many a highlight. Both the "do it now" rocker "Wasted Years" and the more melodic "Stranger in a Strange Land" were successful singles/videos, while other prominent tracks included the album-closing epic, "Alexander the Great," the frenzied opener, "Caught Somewhere in Time," and the singalong concert fave, "Heaven Can Wait." Although not quite as substantial as its predecessors (filler crops up here and there), Somewhere in Time succeeded in broadening Maiden's sound without alienating their longtime metal fans. [On all of Iron Maiden's 1998 reissues on Raw Power a multimedia section is featured on the CD, which includes videos, band biographies, tour date history, and photo galleries.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine