Welcome to hifi. And yes, even the producers get the mix wrong, and some even do it (the crackling and compression) on purpose.
One of the best (or worst, really) examples in recent memory was Metallica - Death Magnetic. The first CD release was so bad, even metal heads where up in arms and a remaster was soon released.
EDIT: Holy crap that Iron Maiden stuff IS bad.... (not the music, I'm an old fan, time I gave them a catch up - but the clipping is ... surely a producer wouldnt have missed this.)
Any chance you can get the CD and give it a spin?
One of the best (or worst, really) examples in recent memory was Metallica - Death Magnetic. The first CD release was so bad, even metal heads where up in arms and a remaster was soon released.
EDIT: Holy crap that Iron Maiden stuff IS bad.... (not the music, I'm an old fan, time I gave them a catch up - but the clipping is ... surely a producer wouldnt have missed this.)
Any chance you can get the CD and give it a spin?