Paul Di'Anno The Book of The Beast Album Review
Former Iron Maiden vocalist and frontman Paul Di’Anno released a new album, ‘The Book of The Beast’, via Conquest Music on 27 September 2024.
The vinyl double album (available in Blood Red, Virgin White and Cold Steel coloured vinyl) and 2-disc CD/DVD include five previously unreleased tracks, along with a carefully curated collection of songs that distils many of the best moments from Di’Anno’s fascinating and formidable career. The CD/DVD also includes rare live, promotional, and acoustic video footage.
So what does it sound like?
Songs from albums going back to Paul’s Battlezone, Killers and Solo days have been re-mastered by producer Dave Eringa to give them a more up to date and polished production. This is instantly noticeable on the opening track The Beast Arises and continues throughout the album. What struck me was the strength, range and versatility of Paul’s vocal delivery. Growling through songs like Mad Man in the Attic and Feel My Pain, but then delivering a soft acoustic intro to Living Dead.
The album features a cover of Marc Bolan’s The Children of the Revolution which Paul moves successfully from a glam classic into the metal arena.
I’ve mentioned Paul’s vocal range and this is again highlighted on the acoustic track Dream Keeper.
Possibly the most interesting tracks on this album is the unexpected reworking of two Iron Maiden classics, but with a dark twist. Both Remember Tomorrow and Wrathchild have been treated to a facelift.
On the CD version Paul duets alongside Tony Martin (Black Sabbath) on Remember Tomorrow and with ZP Theart (Dragonforce) on Wrathchild. On the vinyl versions of these two Maiden songs Paul showcases a new young female artist named Lidya Balaban who fronts the Newcastle based band known as Crowley. She has an unmistakable and incredibly powerful voice which has brought a whole new dimension to these recordings and really must be heard.
The album closes with The Beast is Back, this is from a cassette demo tape which was unearthed from a writing session with Paul and guitarist Cliff Evans from back in 2003 when they were working on songs for a new Killers album. Unfortunately, the album never materialised but this one recording has survived.
The album provides a really enjoyable run through Paul’s career and I would highly recommend.
The CD album release comes with a bonus DVD which includes –
Live
Hamburg, Germany 1984, (Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Beast Arises, Protector, Sanctuary)
Firenze, Italy 1995 (Three Words)
Wembley, London 2001 (Acoustic performance - Wrathchild, Remember Tomorrow, Dream Keeper, Strange World)
Promo Videos
Wrathchild (1991)
Children of The Revolution (1993)
Die By The Gun (1995)
Photo Credit: Marco Benjamin Alvarado
