Quite Possibly Their Finest Release Since Piece Of Mind
This has been brewing ever since 2000's Brave New World introduced us to the new, six-strong Iron Maiden line-up: a build-up to something stunning. And now... they've done it. More progressive than ever, heavier than at any time previously, the Irons have achieved in 2006 exactly what they did in 1982. They've taken a leap of faith with their third record that eclipses what's gone before. But hang on a minute. How can A Matter Of Life & Death be described as the British rock veterans' third album ? Allow us to explain...Back 24 years ago, we watched and listened in awe as The Number Of The Beast -the successor to Iron Maiden and Killers- propelled Maiden out of a cul-de-sac towards global acclaim. Now stand by for another incredible epiphany. Because A Matter Of Life & Death is the third studio release from the Dickinson/Harris/Murray/Smith/Gers/McBrain line-up (after Brave New World and Dance Of Death), and it's not only Maiden's best since the 80s but quite possibly their finest release since 1983's Piece Of Mind.
As soon as the opening salvo of Different World and These Colours Don't Run step up to the plate it's obvious that the band are pushing themselves harder and further than ever before. The latter, which despite its title hasn't anything to do with Ozzfest eggins, is typical of the overall style of the album, with constant musical shifts that burn up the riffs at one end, while offering more supple, sublime introspection at the other.
These progressive scans work brilliantly climaxing on the overpowering For The Greater Good Of God, which is almost orchestral in its weight and breadth.
Eslewhere, the guitars are almost detuned on Brighter Than A Thousand Suns. The beginning of the first single, The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg, might be reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac's Man Of The World, but soon enough the air-raid siren starts howling and the biting guitars kick in. The Legacy merges shadowy bursts of concussive rhythms with the thrum of folk delicacy - almost Phantom Of The Opera revisited.
Throughout, the parameters are pushed right to the extreme, yet there's a desire to let matters take their course. At no point are the songs expanded beyond their natural capacity.
Here's an all-time great band more than living up to their reputation. A Matter Of Life & Death is possibly the album of the year - and when was the last time this could be said of Iron Maiden?
9/10
Malcolm Dome
(thanks to Saturn on the Screamforme.com forums for the scan. Thanks myself for the transcript :-) )
4 Comments
very interesting point of view ...I think powerslave is bigger, but yes AMOLAD reaches that level !! an album of the golden era____no5
this is killing me one more day!!!
The album is pretty good, but Powerslave can not be beaten. Won't be beaten...
Agreed, this however good AMOLAD is, neither it or anything the band will ever make again will beat Powerslave