Iron Maiden
A Matter Of Life And Death

THE REVIEW

Iron Maiden: reviewing the work of a band with this name is more than a challenge, especially considering that it's my first experience of this kind. I've read several reviews of this album already present on debaser, and while "de gustibus non disputandum est," a bit of objectivity, or at least a pinch of clarity, is necessary, especially if a product like this review is intended to be read to get an idea of what is being discussed.

But enough of the chatter; we left off in 2003, if I'm not wrong, with 'Dance of Death,' an album that divided the audience, judged slightly mediocre in composition compared to past masterpieces; an album that I personally liked quite a bit just as this new 'AMOLAD' did. Honestly, all the sound and works post-reunion with Bruce have driven me crazy, especially for the groovy imprint and the clean, squared sound the band has acquired. The evolution is noticeable anyway, and new paths have opened for the Maiden of the 2000s, who now demonstrate more than ever since they reformed this lineup that they can remain fresh and innovative even at their 14th work.

It's an album that I could describe as difficult compared to the two previous ones, rich in experimentation and pathos, with a sound that vaguely brings me back to the "Somewhere in Time" and "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" periods. An album that, unlike DOD for example, doesn't capture you on the first listen, isn't entirely immediate, but is discovered after several listens. Track by track, I think I will better explain what I mean.

1- Different world: For those who loved and love Maiden of Dance, a gem destined to make a killing under the stage. A piece that couldn't be more Maiden, I would have said if I had stopped at the penultimate album. Immediate riffs and refrains, simple structure. A comparison? Wildest Dreams. Rating 7

2- These colors don’t run: Already by the second track, everything starts to change, an intro before the explosion, a refrain to shout at the top of your lungs, solo, melody, and chorus. A nice piece. Rating 8

3- Brighter than a thousand suns: Strange track, alternating odd-time (7/4) verse with canonical 4/4 chorus and bridge. Epic, complex, well-structured but difficult on first listens, it's a piece that's appreciated slowly, then perhaps rediscovered as one of the best of the entire work. It may seem a little un-Maiden for those stuck on past works, but it's truly appreciated by prepared and attentive ears. Rating 8 1/2

4- The pilgrim: Another rather old-school track, linear structure and melodies that bring the listener back to a crossroad between Revelation/Powerslave. Nice piece but compared to the complexity of the album, it seems a bit sparse. More will please the unyielding old-school Iron fans. Rating 7

5- The longest day: Defined by many as the masterpiece of the album. Epic piece as well, opened by a rhythmic intro by Steve; for the verse, very The Clansman. Very evocative instrumental digression and liquid guitar melodies that do not disappoint. Excellent drum arrangement in my opinion. Rating 8

6- Out of the shadows: Gorgeous ballad; nothing heavy metal here, smooth solutions for 5:36 of track that do not disappoint. To clarify, a sort of Wasting Love softened in the vocal parts and well managed in the instrumental section. Rating 8

7- The reincarnation of benjamin breeg: Piece full of atmosphere, the first single of the album. Alone didn't excite me much, but inserted in the album's context, the gem blooms into what turns out to be a true black rose. The Maiden work on a static structure led by a Nicko who, in his simplicity, arranges and amazes. Spine-chilling lyrics (or at least that's the effect it has on me). 7 minutes of track that doesn't hold many surprises but is appreciated for its spot-on vocal lines and an instrumental part that drags and remains indelible in memory. Rating 8+

8-For the greater good of god: Masterpiece of the album, fantastic lyrics, almost moving at times. Also opened by an intro, very epic, complex but easy to understand. The longest track of the album (9.24) moves to an instrumental part that is perhaps the most significant and varied of the entire work. Perhaps at times reminiscent of The Sign of the Cross for the atmosphere it creates at certain points, even if the melodies alternate, the sensations change rapidly. A valid piece, full of sounds and a "new" sound. I think this is the one that best represents the new Maiden. Rating 8/9

9- Lord of light: Well-composed and arranged piece but did not hit me like the others, despite having all the elements to do so: Singable refrains and intricate structures at certain points. A piece that fits the album, but perhaps captures less compared to the rest of the work. Rating: 7-

10- The legacy: Are these the Maiden? Eheh yes, even if it wouldn't seem, an intro with acoustic guitars with a medieval flavor that seems to come out of the brief narrative tracks of "Nightfall in Middle Earth by the Guardian." A really complex piece, with a really atypical sound, where not always the various parts are as cohesive as they should be. Maybe some listening would do me good to understand it more. Rating: N

Here we are at the end, perhaps I have been very verbose, but I wanted to leave an in-depth work to better allow understanding and forming an idea. Obviously, I liked the album, but this is simply because here I found everything I needed: liquid and melodic guitars, refrains you can't get out of your head... these are the Maiden, there are those who accuse them of maintaining the same sound and way of arranging (and in this album, quite the opposite emerges), those who said "predictable..." (and even here, in AMOLAD, the accusations can easily be dismantled). An album to buy and listen to calmly to appreciate it, not much to do about it, and one shouldn't call someone a poser or an idiot for deciding to buy the album and praise it, I don't care much whether it's metal, whether it's a rock of riffs and gallops or whether you can headbang all the time; an album is beautiful beyond that, and this is an album that sounds terribly good, it may not be one of the masterpieces, it won't equal the past, but it's still something that gives me goosebumps every time I put the disc in the player.

Listen and make up your opinion, it's not 'Dance of Death' even if it continues and develops certain cues. Listen, listen, listen and open your mind. Up the irons. Dariogreat