Album: Brave New World
Band: Iron Maiden
Release Date: 2000
Producer: Kevin Shirley
The Band Members -
Steve Harris - Bass
Bruce Dickinson - Vocals
Nicko McBrain - Drums
Dave Murray - Guitar
Adrian Smith - Guitar
Janick Gers - Guitar
This album marks a very significant point in the lives of most metal fans and most of all of all Iron Maiden fans. With Brave New World, we see the return of Bruce Dickinson to the band, who undoubtedly is, in my opinion, the best vocalist ever to sing for the band and one of the all time greats. One of the best things about most Iron Maiden songs, according to me is that you don’t get lost in the heavy guitar effects (which isn’t a bad thing at all, but is done so often that it loses its charm at times). Instead, you get to appreciate the vocals and the lyrics while marvelling how someone can play a guitar like that.
Steve Harris is in a superb form (which by the way, he has never lost in the band’s history). Nicko McBrain plays like one would expect him to, being in the best metal band of our times. Bruce Dickinson is brilliant as well. The guitarists, Adrian, Janick and Dave play typical Maiden riffs. What more can a person want?
BNW allows a person to escape into fantasy lands (if you have enough will power to escape the blissful land of guitar riffs) in Brave New World, Ghost of the Navigator and The Nomad.
Many metal bands can be seen today. In fact, many ’’brilliant’’ metal bands exist today. They try their best to reach the heights reached by Iron Maiden, but such is the genius of these Brits that none have yet succeeded. One of the best things about this band is that unlike some other one time great bands (yeah, you guessed it, Metallica!!) they didn’t change their style. In fact, before the return of Bruce, most people were almost about to write off IM, but this new album shows that the band can still be considered to be at the top of the mountain of musical talent and genius.
The Songs -
1. The Wicker Man
One of the best songs of the album. About 4 and a half minutes long, this is shorter than the average song of the album but much better than the average one. The solos are typically Maiden stuff. In fact this song kind of reminded me of Aces High, the first IM song I liked.
Ratings - 5/5
2. Ghost Of The Navigator
Another one of the better songs of the album (in fact, almost all songs of the album are very good). I like the intro - subtle, leading to some very good piece of songwriting.
Ratings - 5/5
3. Brave New World
Probably my favourite song of the album. Bruce is amazing! The chorus as such wouldn’t be anything great (it consists only of the title words) if Bruce wasn’t the person singing it. The solo which follows the second chorus is a great piece of guitar work.
Ratings - 5/5
4. Blood Brothers
Most people consider this as the worst track of the album. I disagree. My only problem with the song is that I would have liked it a bit better if it were 4-5 minutes instead of 7.
Ratings - 4/5
5. The Mercenary
Its an OK sort of song. The guitars is again typically Maiden.
Ratings - 4/5
6. Dream Of Mirrors
The longest song of the album, at over 9 minutes. But one of the best as well.
Ratings - 5/5
7. The Fallen Angel
Its another decent song but my least favourite of the album.
Ratings - 3.5/5
8. Nomad
Again, one of the top songs of the album. I particularly like the melodic guitar playing. Nobody but the guitar trio of Adrian, Dave and Janick would have been able to play together without things ending up in a chaos (come on, three guitarists? How easy can things be?).
Ratings - 5/5
9. Out Of The Silent Planet
This has to go down as one of the best planned songs ever written, never a shade too heavy or soft.
Ratings - 5/5
10. The Thin Line Between Love And Hate
This is a good song as such but probably not one I would have preferred to end the album with. Maybe Blood Brothers or even Ghost of The Navigator would have been a better choice at this position. But heck, who cares about the positions?
Iron Maiden has (for some time now) been my favourite band and though I haven’t been able to listen the albums in chronological order, I suppose you can put this album in my top 4 IM list.