The first thing to say about this two disc compilation released ahead of the band's UK tour in July/August: it covers the two decades when the band's star started to wane and their subsequent resurgence in the Millennium.

Whereas 'Somewhere In Time' was a collection of the band's prime-time, the latest reflects how the band adapted to their changing environment: the songs got longer and a bit more proggy.

The first album of the 90s was 'No Prayer For The Dying' which now lacked Adrian Smith who had left the band but included for the first time Janick Gers. Included here is the band's only chart-topping single 'Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter', 'Tailgunner' and 'Holy Smoke'.

The following album 'Fear Of the Dark' (1992) is represented by a live version of the title track, 'Be Quick Or Be Dead' and 'Afraid To Shoot Strangers' but by this time Dickinson was juggling a solo career and finally left the band in 1993.

It would be 1995 before the band reconstituted for 'The X Factor' with Blaze Bayley providing a harder, darker edge to the vocals, represented here by live Dickinson-versions of the epic 11-minute 'Sign Of The Cross' and 'Man On The Edge' and from 1998's 'Virtual XI', 'The Clansman'.

The revolving door wedged open for the return of Dickinson (and Smith) for 2000's 'Brave New World'. Maiden now had three guitarists and, by all accounts, a return to form. The single 'The Wicker Man' and title track are featured here along with 'Blood Brothers'.

It was during this period, promoting the 'comeback' album that Maiden recorded the classic 'Rock In Rio' CD/DVD set in front of half a million Brazilians.

By 2003 Maiden had released the acclaimed 'Dance Of Death' with 'Paschendale' and 'No More Lies' reflecting the continuing themes of war and religion and providing a direct link to the 'A Matter Of Life And Death' released three years later. The title track and 'Rainmaker' are also featured here.

Their fourteenth studio album offered up the singles 'Different World' and 'The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg' and was met with wide critical acclaim. The band also seemed to eschew their heavy metal modus operandi for a more progressive approach as evidenced in 'These Colours Don't Run' and 'For The Greater Good Of God'.

The Maiden story is brought up to date with 'The Final Frontier', the band's biggest selling album in their thirty five year history and the single 'El Dorado', 'Coming Home' and 'When The Wild Wind Blows' are included here.

As a package this set cherry picks the highlights of a two decade period where Maiden have consolidated their earlier success and also demonstrate that the band was not content to rest on former glories. Although the trade mark riffing and harmony guitars are all present and correct there is a greater adventure in both the arrangements and the lyrics. And of course, the band continued to be a major live draw during this period.

For fans catching up an excellent purchase, although collectors will be disappointed that there's nothing here to whet their appetite save perhaps for the usual vinyl editions.

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Review by David Randall