 |
Iron Maiden have seemingly embraced their progressive rock influences, and this album is a melting pot. Refreshing isn't normally a word I would use of any album which is comprised primarily of songs over seven minutes long, but there is just such a diversity of melody and structure to these tracks that the album is never in particular danger of becoming dull. The opening track 'Different World' (the next single release from the album) should leave nobody in any doubt that Iron Maiden can still combine melody with raw energy. Throughout this entire album the three guitars are utilised brilliantly, and this track is no exception. They don't just duplicate each other. Rather there's a multi-layered feel with something different to catch the ear at key moments. Adrian Smith uses a Gibson SG in this track, which gives his solo a real edge to it. 'These Colours Don't Run' seems to have emerged from a single line defiantly shouted by Bruce Dickinson at last year's Ozzfest fiasco, and while I'm not totally convinced by its grandiose sounding chorus the rest of it is melodically enticing. 'Brighter Than A Thousand Suns' is about the Manhattan Project which led to the development of the atomic bomb. In common with many other tracks on the album it combines delicate quiet passages with bowel shatteringly heavy moments in a combination which the band have captured perfectly this time round. All the quieter moments on this album sound much fuller and richer than at any previous time, and Bruce Dickinson's vocals are more sympathetic with the mood of the music than I've ever heard previously.'The Pilgrim' is briefer and more direct. An almost straightforward rocker with a fantastic chorus and the multilayered instrumentation again standing out. 'The Longest Day' is about the D-Day landings in 1944 and builds brilliantly. The lyrics at the beginning really help the dramatic build up. I haven't heard overt use of a guitar flanger since 1982s 'The Number of the Beast' and it's great to hear it used effectively at the beginning and end of this song. The instrumental break is frankly epic, with a spine tingling section which reminds me of the tail end of the instrumental section of 1983s 'Where Eagles Dare'. 'Out Of The Shadows' is reminiscent of 1992s 'Wasting Love' and as such I'm not enamoured with it. I thought the 1992 track was misguided. Fortunately this track is better, but if there is one weak song on this album then it's this one for me. The elusive Benjamin Breeg is next with its hard and heavy leading riff hitting the aural G-spot nicely. 'For the Greater Good of God' is another great epic. 'Lord of Light' has a beautiful intro belying the trademark Maiden gallop which follows, before it metamorphoses again. And 'The Legacy' is the most overtly progressive sounding track Maiden have ever done, showing Jethro Tull and Genesis influences among others. I have always considered Iron Maiden's 1980s albums to be their finest, but 2003s 'Dance of Death' supplied a few surprises that proved that they were far from being studio has-beens. But I wouldn't have dreamed that there was enough creative potential to create a 72 minute long album which is perilously close to being perfect. A real bolt out of the blue, with unparalleled musicianship from all concerned. Up the Irons.Read full review
IRON MAIDEN's first studio recording in about three years was their follow-up to the"Dance of Death"C.D. 2006's "A Matter Of Life and Death"(A.M.O.L.A.D.),is MAIDEN's 14th studio album. I.M. are well known for writing some long songs,but this album is mainly comprised of longer numbers.For example,the first of the two singles released for the c.d.,The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg, was technically too long in duration to be officially included in that weeks singles chart.Keeping true to their N.W.O.B.H.M. roots,the band refused to let the track be edited for single release and put it out it as a single anyway. The album starts out with "Different World",a rather upbeat,optimistic observation of how we all are sharing the same planet."Different World"4.17 was the second(and last) single to be released from A.M.O.L.A.D.and their was a video released for it. The topics covered range from:the invention of the hydrogen bomb(Brighter Than A Thousand Suns)the impact of combat in war(The Longest Day7.48,The Legacy9.20)two of the best songs offered here.Patriotism(These Colours Don't Run6.52),although typical fare for a MAIDEN album,this release rarely fails to lose your attention despite the length of the songs. When I first listened I really liked The songs,"For the Greater Good Of God" and "Breeg". Shortly before the release of the album,their was a link on MAIDEN's website to a site that was supposedly posted by a one B.Breeg's cousin,telling a strange and bizarre tale of how Breeg had went to Haiti and disappeared,never to be heard from again,but not before creating a painting that can be seen if you remove the single's sleeve from it's jewel case and turning it inside out. With ten songs on the tracklist,the c.d.clocks in at a colossal 72 minutes,which is undoubtedly the bands longest L.P. to date.They were so proud of their acheivement the second time they had been to S.A.R.M. west studios in England(the third album in a row to be produced by none other than Kevin(caveman)Shirley),that they performed the entire thing on every date of the tour,accept for their headlining performance at that years Download festival at Castle Donington motor speedway. The original release of the c.d. included a small Eddie and crossed-guns patch,a d.v.d.that was comprised of interviews,a music video for "Breeg" and recording studio footage of "A Different World".Subsequent single disc versions included a poster of the artwork for the front cover of the "Breeg" single. This is undoubtedly an EPIC MAIDEN RELEASE if their ever was one!I think I'll go listen to it again,right now!!!!!!!!!! UP THE IRONS!Read full review
After all these years Iron Maiden still stick to what makes them a great hard rock band. While many bands that get famous with a certain style of music, try to change with the current music scene, Iron Maiden continue to pump out quality hard and heavy rock and roll. A Matter Of Life And Death is a very good CD it reminds me a little of their Somewhere In Time CD, and the 3 Guitar players only make it better, A++++++ in my book! ps: The Album Cover is Awesome too!
i liked everything on this cd and dvd package. iron maiden to me is one of the best metal rock bands ever. this cd has alot of the same driving energy as the earlier days. the guitarists solos and rythyms on this cd are remarkable,and the drums and bass and vocals too. the dvd is awesome and shows alot about this great band. i like how the guitar players use the old fender strats modified with humbuckers. and the sound is fantastic.
This is one of those albums that I bought to complete my Maiden collection and was plesantly surprised....I never bought it when it 1st came out and now I wish I had. As always the drum and guitars on this are great, some of the lyrics sound cheesy here and there....but hey, it's metal. The dvd was cool and longer than 5min......more like 45min. Overall I'm very happy with thus purchase.
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
