Iron Maiden
A Matter Of Life And Death

THE REVIEW

Incredible, engaging, exciting, epic, stratospheric.

I don't know what else to say to praise the Maiden. Guys, this album is of stunning beauty. It confirms what I've been thinking and saying for years: the Maiden are the only band that, the more the years go by, the more they produce increasingly beautiful music (unlike Metallica, Megadeth, Limp Bizkit, even if the genre they make doesn't have a damn thing to do with it) and new ideas.

The work opens with "Different world", a powerful, creative riff that hits you in the face and ears with unheard-of energy. The whole song evolves in a succession of excellent melodies, where Bruce's magical voice, Harris's now-famous and indisputable bass, and Smith's solo come together to form an explosive mixture. Thrilling piece. Rating 9.

"This colours don't run" is a ballad that conveys emotion and poignant memories, just like those described in the thoughts of a soldier, the protagonist of the lyrics. The keyboard melodies are just right: they provide a fantastic poetic frame. Rating 8.5.

"Brighter than a thousand suns": Initially, this piece picks up the sounds of the previous one until a metal gallop forcefully enters. Fantastic bass by Harris (how the hell does he go that fast with those fingers??); As always, framed appropriately by keyboards and strings that remind us once again that defining the Maiden as just a metal band is too restrictive. Rating 8.

"The pilgrim" allows us to "catch our breath a bit," and not because it's a calm piece (see the quotation marks), but because it's melodically less demanding and sophisticated than the previous ones, yet no less beautiful. What makes this track pleasant to listen to are the particular guitar melodies with an oriental flavor, including Gers's solo, and the tempo changes between verses and choruses (after all, with McBrain on drums, you can't be surprised by these things). Rating 7.5.

"The longest day": A piece with a fantastically unsettling initial melody, just like Bruce's voice, which dominates in this piece. Then a development of majesty and ferocity, almost expressing a sort of repressed anger that makes the sounds of this track captivating, gritty, yet at the same time poignant. Fantastic drum/bass guitar counter-tempos in the middle bridge; refined melodies, particularly in the solos. Simply wonderful song. Rating 9.

"Out of the shadows": a calm piece, moving in lyrics and relaxing in music. Just what you need in a respectable rock album. With a fairly simple structure, it slightly departs from what we've listened to so far but remains pleasant and noteworthy. Rating 7.

"The reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg": This is the first single released, and you can see why, musical mastery across the board. Fantastic arpeggiated intro, then suddenly the Maiden let themselves go into a powerful and deadly impactful riff, adding a sharp and precise vocal line. Introduction to the solo that brings back metal gallops of old and Murray reiterates once again (as if there was any need) his skill on the guitar. Majestic. Rating 9.5.

"For the greater good of God": Ladies and gentlemen, HATS OFF. In my life, I don't think I've ever heard anything like it. This song is simply heavenly; it brings tears to your eyes with its beauty, emotion, but grit, with instrumental passages that mix gothic with medieval sounds, all obviously in a rock frame that gives you goosebumps because it's so fitting. In my opinion, this piece represents the noblest part of the Maiden's career. I don't know whether to call it an anthem to metal music or lyrical. Here's the right adjective for this piece: INDESCRIBABLE. Rating 10 on all fronts.

"Lord of light." The intro magically merges with the end of the previous piece until an explosive guitar starts a powerful, sharp, maxed-out metallic song. Devastating bass by Harris and simply wonderful instrumental passages and solos. Aggressive. Rating 9.5.

"The legacy." This calm and committed ballad closes the work of art. Very pleasant acoustic guitars and refined and exquisite melodies for over 5 minutes, then the Maiden-like rock intervenes with vocal melodies resembling a Russian march (in some respects it reminds a lot of the sounds of "No prayer for the dying"). Conclusion with solos that bring back memories of "Powerslave" times, in a definitively more classic rock setting. Well-chosen. Rating 8.

GUYS, I'VE READ SOME REVIEWS OF THIS ALBUM THAT MADE ME SHIVER. I WILL ALWAYS RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINIONS, BUT ANYONE WHO KNOWS WHAT GOOD MUSIC IS CAN'T HELP BUT GO CRAZY FOR THIS ALBUM. THERE WERE SOME WHO SAID THIS CD SUCKS AND THAT THE MAIDEN ARE DONE; TO THESE PEOPLE, I SAY: MAYBE YOU BETTER TURN OFF THE STEREO AND WATCH MARIA DE FILIPPI. up the irons