The greatest heavy metal band on the planet return with another sledge hammering classic. The most hair raising, goose bump inflicting & lyrically magnetising magnum opus you’ll hear this year, IRON MAIDEN – England’s finest metal export – have not only reset the standard in their niche, they’ve gone beyond the call of duty. While the likes of METALLICA fell from grace with such efforts as the pitiful ‘St Anger’ and QUEENSRYCHE could only gain moderate applause with their recent concept sequel to the classic ‘Operation Mindcrime’, Maiden have unleashed a melodically flooded, epic metal album that aligns progressive, heavy and shaded moments effortlessly.

Again working with producer Kevin ‘Caveman’ Shirley (and again with ‘live in the studio’ recording technique) , it significantly improves on last opus ‘Dance Of Death‘ (2002) and, alongside 2000’s ‘Brave New World‘, flies the Maiden flag for best studio effort since 88’s ‘Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son‘. In tribute to this modern day classic, Baconmusic brings you a special track by track review…

DIFFERENT WORLD (Smith/Harris) 4.17

Much in the vein of last album opener ‘Wildest Dreams’, only with twice the impact. An upbeat rocker offering flashes of THIN LIZZY, a very sing-able chorus and a soaring Adrian Smith solo, it also kicks off with a crazy snippet from drummer Nicko McBrain. The boys are back in town…

THESE COLOURS DON’T RUN (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) 6.52

A sly reference to last years Ozzfest spat with the Osbournes, this go to war anthem is as gripping a track musically as Bruce’s onstage ranting itself. Written by the classic 80’s songwriting partnership of Harris, Smith and Dickinson, it features memorable vocal hooks and a gorgeous, triple layered guitar intro. The only track to feature and sing along of ‘Oh’s’, the lead break from Dave Murray, meanwhile, is arguably the best solo on the disc. The keyboard fill and a lumpy solo from Smith are the songs only weak points, but they fail to tarnish a genuine future single candidate.

BRIGHTER THAN A THOUSAND SUNS (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) 8.44

The same tag team deliver again, this time with a scorching, epic rock number containing the first of several untraditional (yet ultra-hot) Maiden choruses. Adrian Smith delivers the killer riff (one of heaviest Maiden riffs around) and also the finest solo from the triple pronged guitar attack. Off kilter drums offer a real metallic twist, while Bruce Dickinson offers a colossal vocal performance, none better remembered than via the apocalyptic lyrics of ‘Out of the darkness, ride again a thousand suns.’ In true Wicker Man fashion, guitars are a-blazing throughout – crashing riffs and trademark harmonies round off a stunning show, although Janick Gers live solo sounds sloppier than Ambrosia custard. A real favourite…

THE PILGRIM (Gers/Harris) 5.07

This pounding rocker really sinks its teeth into you in style – the chorus and after chorus, a Maiden signature these days – is infectiously catchy. Very reminiscent of RAINBOW’s Stargazer, Asiatic meets Egyptian riffery is the moment that sticks in your head, as is the ‘Changing water into wine’ lyric, completing a unusual Iron’s chorus. Just like a Fry’s Turkish delight, full of Eastern promise – cultured solo from Gers, too.

THE LONGEST DAY (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) 7.48

The crowning glory of the ‘A Matter Of Life And Death’ album, the follow up war epic to Paschendale (from last album ‘Dance Of Death’) contains offers the sort of raw, emotive lyrics that are thought provoking, tragic and tear jerking. “All summers long, the drills to build the machine / to turn men from flesh and blood to steel / from paper soldiers, to bodies on the beach, from summer sands, to Armageddon’s reach / Overlord, your master not your god, the enemy coast, drawing grey with scud / these wretched souls, puking shaking fear, to take a bullet for those who sent them here”

Destined to thrill with endless shades of drama throughout, Bruce Dickinson’s soaring range and the mesmerising-ly melodic bridge/chorus section (the best on record bar none) are only a taste of things to come, as glorious harmonies and grandiose guitar work polish the job off emphatically. Solos are exceptionally crafted, too, although the standout line would have to be Dickinson’s demonic screams on the ‘blood and sand, we will prevail ‘ line – soul shuddering stuff.

OUT OF THE SHADOWS (Harris/Dickinson) 5.36

Former arch enemies Harris & Dickinson only occasionally wrote songs with each other during Maiden’s peak years, so ‘Out Of The Shadows’ is a highly welcome offering. The albums’ slow rock moment oozes with Children Of The Damned-esque feeling, as smooth verses share stages with an uplifting, feelgood chorus. Pleasant, bluesy solo adds ambient effect, although the time change section is slightly weak.

THE REINCARNATION OF BENJAMIN BREEG 7.21

Who is this Breeg fella you may ask? Trawling for hours on google aside, and this first single – despite not been eligible for the UK charts at over 7 minutes long – didn’t stop the musical institution that is Maiden from hitting the album charts where it hurt with a number four slot – how metal is that?

Starting off with clean, laidback melodies before a pile driving Dave Murray riff kicks in, there’s some exquisite vocal melodies, a catchy chorus and a smoothly does it solo that’d put John Smith Smoothflow to shame, although there’s a few questionable vocal notes and predictable Maiden traits, such as the harmonies and the finish as you start philosophy, which really isn’t needed. Not one of the strongest tracks on the album, but by its own merits, it still a strong album number, and the grooviest song on ‘A Matter Of Life And Death’.

FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF GOD (Harris) 9.24

The only track written exclusively by Steve Harris, if ‘The Longest Day’ is the glory of the new album, then this 9 minute stomper offers the power, grabbing the red bull by the horns and taking you on an awkward journey that’ll leave you asking what life is all about, along with the inevitable why’s where religion is concerned. As with many of the album’s tracks, guitar patterns and keyboards recall the dark, dense and depressing feel of 95’s X Factor. The track opens peacefully with superb bass and guitar interplay, followed by a deliciously soft passage before unleashing a surging riff, borrowed from ‘Out Of The Silent Planet’. Full of luscious orchestration, the chorus itself is a cross collision of Led Zep’s ‘Kashmir’ and Maiden’s own ‘Dance Of Death’, with a pumping, monotone Steve Harris bassline and a powerhouse Bruce Dickinson performance adding that all important attention to detail to make this track the heavyweight it is. Triple solos are sure to keep all the air guitarists busy, too.

LORD OF LIGHT (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) 7.23

Written about satan (‘Lucifer was just an angel lead astray’) ‘Lord Of Light’ is the fourth and final offering from messrs Smith, Harris and Dickinson – a crucial partnership in the creative success of this album. The enchanting, mystical intro gives way to a storming verse vocal from Bruce Dickinson (the inspiration coming from Bruce’s vocal take on ‘Lord Of The Flies’, performed lower in key yet higher in vocal range – you can hear it on 2005’s ‘Death On The Road’). The chorus contrasts verses magnificently, maintaining a granite feel yet at a slower tempo – different, yet effective.

THE LEGACY (Gers/Harris) 9.20

Nearly ten minutes long, ‘The Legacy’ makes its presence felt with a big acoustic intro that sounds like a twisted medieval nursery rhyme. Another song that separates itself from the same old Maiden tag, verses are unlike the band has ever done before, after of which a massive chorus launches you into metal cyberspace, with Dickinson’s vocals reaching the heavens. Bursts into life half way through with a ferocious riff echoing that of BLACK SABBATHs ‘Black Sabbath’, and Janick Gers shines with his rip roaring guitar-work – a star studied effort.

Conclusion

While upholding the traditional Maiden values (magic melodies, deft progressions, orgasmic guitarwork, epic centrepieces etc) there’s a whole plethora of fresh ideas on here, moving away from the normal Maiden songwriting routine. Not just on the single, but also on heavyweight choruses from ‘The Pilgrim’, ‘Lord Of Light’, ‘Brighter Than A Thousand Suns’ and ‘The Legacy’, while ‘Out Of The Shadows’ shows off the bands more approachable side very nicely indeed.

Vocally, Bruce ‘Air Raid Siren’ Dickinson - used to flying high in more ways than one these days (he’s also a pilot) powers out some colossal notes with his demented choirboy-esque lungs of steel, although somewhat like a receding hairline, Bruce is starting to sound thinner as the years go by (the single for instance). Nevertheless, it’s a minor blip on an amazing set, clustered with classic melodies. Use of the three guitars is highly effective, although there’s a more straight ahead feel to this album, with very few cardinal sins in the way of repetition. Solos are the normal high standard, although while there are some stunning cuts present, Maiden’s lead guitars do lack the originality of solos from previous discs.

The cover artwork is also one of the best in years, depicting a tank bound Eddie leading a set of war torn, skeletal troops through the bloody war field to a backdrop of exploding bombs, minefields and debris. The only let down here is the fact that the main Eddie doesn’t take the centre stage as on previous Maiden covers, yet that never stopped ‘Powerslave’ from been one of the all time great Maiden artworks, did it?

Maiden hold the sort of fanatical appeal amongst hardcore fans that’s normally only associated with lager louts running free in the playboy mansion – and ‘A Matter Of Life And Death’ offers the ultimate climax. Forget Oats, Top That!

Rating : 5.0/5.0

Andy Law

Release Date : 28th August 2006

Visit : www.ironmaiden.com

THE FACTS :

Recorded at: Sarm West Studios, London

Produced by: Kevin Shirley

Co-Produced: Steve Harris

Mixed and Engineered by: Kevin Shirley

Track numbers: 10

Duration: 72mins 04secs

CD – Single CD or Limited Edition double with hour long rockumentry

Single release: The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Bregg

The band: Bruce Dickinson (vocals), Steve Harris (bass guitar), Dave Murray (Lead & Rhythm Guitars), Adrian Smith (Lead & Rhythm Guitars),

Janick Gers (Lead & Rhythm Guitars), Nicko McBrain (Drums & Percussion)