It is said that when you start writing a review about IRON MAIDEN you can never stop writing.... and here I am penning the latest maiden album-dance of death ... it has the same trademark heavy guitar and the powerful lyrics but I must say that this one is a lot darker than than any of the previous I.M. albums .. and you will know when you hear it..... In the following lines I will give my opinion for the 11 tracks of the album one by one.
1.WILDEST DREAMS - A very average song that I am sure you are all familiar with catchy chorus, easy to remember but nothing to go crazy about and definitely not the track to ’’open’’ such a long awaited album. The ’’easy’’ structure of the track and the chorus that I mentioned above make the song a possible commercial success
2.RAINMAKER - A far better track from ’’Wildest Dreams”. It’s a very inspired mid-tempo song that follows the classic IRON MAIDEN recipe. THE Tempo is fast and relly takes on you .
3.NO MORE LIES- Here we deal with a track that reminded a lot ’’Blood Brothers’’ (in the intro that has samples and bass). When you will listen to the vocals you will understand the majesty of Bruce Dickinson. With intense emotionally charged vocals that reach a climax in a very ecstatic atmosphere that show rage and despair. A special point must be done for the orgy of solos that puts it’s signature in the first Anthem of the album. The Leader shows us once again the way!
4.MONTSEGUR -This is a track that is fast, powerful, pretty epic I can say with the trademark sound of the Leader’s bass. This song is reminiscent of ’’Back To The Village’’ in some melodic lines. A song that shows us that IRON MAIDEN are still alive and kickin’!
5.DANCE OF DEATH -The surprise of the record. A track that is destined to become a classic. A classic IRON MAIDEN intro, an impressive orchestral invasion, rhythm changes, excellent solos make this song another diamond in IRON MAIDEN’s crown. Majestic, as the dance of death is. I ve heard the song x number of times and its impact still lives in my heart.. CLASSIC MAIDEN
6.GATES OF TOMORROW- This track came to the point when I was very excited about IRON MAIDEN’s return and I was anxious to hear more. Well, this is as far as I am concerned the worst IRON MAIDEN song (if I can say that) with Bruce on vocals. It’s a very silly song and I don’t know why they put it in the album. A mixture of bad ’’X-FACTOR’’ ideas (a totally different album that was very good). It reminds me ’’Die With Your Boots On’’ but not so good. A major disadvantage!
7.NEW FRONTIER - A typical IRON MAIDEN song that is written according to the old IRON MAIDEN recipe. This time the ’’sweet’’ was not so ’’tasty’’.
8.PASCHENDALE - A really incredible track! It deals with the sentence of death and such a topic can only be described in a majestic way. Really epic, with a very emotionally intense intro and a beautiful change of the rhythm. Bruce Dickinson once again that has a lot of abilities. A lot of rhythm changes with some of the best melodies they have written in the last few years. Awesome samples and violins. At a point there is a small calm after the musical storm and suddenly the cry of an eagle rips the sky! It reminds me a lot ’’Mother Russia”. Not one of the commercial songs but definitely it will excite a lot of people
9.FACE IN THE SAND - In this track we have an intense presence of keyboards, with an intro similar to ’’Blood Brothers’’ (once again!) and it’s structure is very strange, but at the same time interesting. We have Bruce following a beautiful melodic line in mid-tempo rhythms with a big range in his voice, while McBrain and Harris follow a crazy and fast rhythm. (A real bomber from the keys of Fa). Suddenly, Mcbrain gives the call for the axe attack. The songs ends with chorus vocals.
10.AGE OF INNOCENCE - Another strange track with an acoustic intro (once again). Pretty technical passages throughout the track and very different from the typical IRON MAIDEN sound. Very realistic lyrics with references to politicians, the chance to live and generally the respect of human rights. One of the good tracks of the album.
11.JOURNEYMAN - This is a good ballad, that shouldn’t be the last track of this album because it ruins the general view we have for the album. Acoustic guitars, Bruce almost narrating the lyrics and once again violins and keyboards
A good album generally that has been worked a lot (especially in the guitars and the vocals). A very dark album but is covered with a shroud of mystery that you must pull away to reveal either the lead or gold. The violins and the keyboards give something new, while the album keeps it’s metal identity. But I would like to close with the following thoughts. Let the myth live in our hearts and let’s hope that the next albums will in the same high levels of ’’Dance Of Death’’