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THE REVIEW
Reading "IRON MAIDEN" you might say: same old album, same band, same sound, and same cover.
But NO! This time Harris and co. have defied expectations and surprised everyone a bit.
The Maidens deliver an album different from the usual. Or rather, they release an album that reconnects more with their old work, but with a new progressive sound!
Listening to the record, we notice the style is still branded Maiden, but with various hints reminiscent of easy hard rock. The first two songs trace back to the old heavy style, while the third track goes back to that epic-fantasy style, enclosed in albums (not so appreciated by old fans) where Dickinson was replaced by Blaze Bayley.
The following tracks, however, have a rhythm that blends between "Piece Of Mind" and "Brave New World" with a sound reminiscent of Jethro Tull. The vibrant progressiveness of Jethro Tull is replaced by a galloping Celtic prog!
On my first listen of "Dance Of Death", I had the impression that most of the songs resembled "ballads" of medieval style, from the times when jesters told legends and fantastic tales through this narrative form.
Iron Maiden narrate what revolves around the dance of death, as if they were doing so in the times of Ossianism. In fact, Bruce Dickinson's usual great performance makes the music, which the rest of the group performs (was this predictable?) in a masterful way, epic! Some parts of the album, in fact, come very close to the style of "The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner".
The arpeggios and softer pieces are very close to songs like "The Clansman" or "Blood Brothers".
The most interesting tracks are "Wildest Dream", which was the only track from this album that the "Iron Maidens" performed during the entire summer tour, "Montsegur", very similar in riffs to "The Fallen Angel", the title-track, and "New Frontier", which marked the debut of the energetic Nicko McBrain as a lyrics composer.
The cover is different from the usual Maiden style. Besides "Eddie", dressed as the angel of death, in the infernal figures (do they seem out of the Divine Comedy?) the 3D effect, created by computer, is very noticeable. The group's name is "popped up", as it has been since "Virtual XI".
I don't want to deceive you!! By listening to this work, you won't find any earth-shattering musical upheavals, but a pleasant, curious, and catchy evolution in the timeless music of the greatest Heavy-metal band ever... THE IRON MAIDEN!!
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Summary by Bot
Iron Maiden's Dance of Death surprises fans by blending their classic heavy metal sound with new progressive and Celtic prog elements. The album revisits old styles while introducing medieval ballad-like storytelling. Bruce Dickinson delivers an epic vocal performance, supported by masterful musicianship. Notable tracks such as "Wildest Dream" and "New Frontier" highlight the band's energetic creativity. The unique album art enhances the overall experience.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Iron Maiden
British heavy metal band formed in 1975, led by bassist and principal songwriter Steve Harris. Famous for epic studio albums, theatrical live shows featuring vocalist Bruce Dickinson, and the mascot Eddie.180 Reviews
Other reviews
By Josh
Dance of Death could easily be defined as 'boring but with class,' a work created by old glories who now create music with the same emotional drive with which an employee punches a time clock.
The first and so far only fully acoustic track by the group reveals an unprecedented and surprising component of the group's sound tapestry.
By AR (Anonima Recensori)
THE ABSOLUTE SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A huge disappointment, don’t buy it.
By Brizz89
The repetitiveness of the songs is increasingly overwhelming and it has become automatic to wonder why they continue to churn out such similar songs even after more than 20 years of career.
A mediocre album that I do not recommend purchasing except to attempt to trace a nonexistent evolution of a band that has withered over the years.
By vezzo
Montegur: in my opinion the most beautiful track of the album, very heavy in the riffs but endowed with splendid effects given by the overlap of multiple guitar parts.
The aforementioned songs absolutely make the purchase of the album worthwhile which for me, after 'A Matter Of Life And Death', is, along with 'Brave New World', the most beautiful album by Iron.
By emdero
Dance of Death, the second to last album by Iron Maiden is really an immense piece of crap!
It opens with 'Wildest Dreams,' a song clearly in a pop rock style that copies the splendid 'Load' by Metallica and in which Dickinson expresses the worst (the only) side of his crappy voice!
