Iron Maiden is back on top, where rock royalty belongs. The gods of heavy metal are back, and that's a great reason to celebrate!
by Nando Machado
It was worth waiting 5 years for a new Iron Maiden . The longest album, the band's longest hiatus, their first double album, 92 minutes of pure Heavy Metal.
The royalty is back in full force, with the band's three main songwriters penning new songs. Bruce Dickinson's recovery is impressive; he seems to rejuvenate with each album. Once again, the band has hired South African Kevin Shirley, better known as The Caveman (Rush, Black Crowes, Journey, Black Country Communion, Joe Bonamassa, Aerosmith, and the latest Iron Maiden albums), one of the great producers in metal today.
The album is fantastic in many aspects, mainly due to the return of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith's songwriting, the guitar solos, the heaviness, the beautiful riffs, the melodies, and the return of the greatest frontman in Heavy Metal history. It's great to hear this great vocalist in top form and this band releasing yet another excellent album. Make good use of your hard-earned money; on September 4th, go to a record store and buy the CD, buy the vinyl, download it on iTunes, listen on Spotify, Deezer, or Rdio—I promise you won't regret it.
Let's take Iron Maiden's Heavy Metal straight to the top, where Rock royalty belongs. The gods of Heavy Metal are back, and that's a great reason to celebrate!
Now all that's left is to eagerly await 2016 when the band will undoubtedly come to Brazil, filling stadiums once again and thrilling fans of all generations.
How great it is to hear this great vocalist in top form and this band releasing yet another excellent album!
Disc 1
1. If Eternity Should Fail – Excellent song by Bruce Dickinson, in the vein of Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son , excellent chorus. It starts the film, The Book Of Souls gives the impression of being a cinematic, dramatic Heavy Metal movie. The song begins practically with Bruce's voice, showing that he doesn't need a band, but then when the band comes in… Yes, it's not just any band, it's Iron Maiden, right in your face – Score 8.5
2. Speed Of Light – What an intro, what a riff, what a beautiful first single. Iron Maiden Rock'n Roll – Heavy, hard-hitting, reminiscent of the band's sound on "No Prayer For The Dying". Speed Of Light is the album's first single, a great way to show who's who in Rock. A chorus worthy of a seasoned artist – 7.5/10
3. The Great Unknown – Bruce singing sensationally, what a different groove, what a guitar arrangement, what a different dynamic. Nicko McBrain shows why he's been the driving force of Iron Maiden since "Piece Of Mind," 32 years without stopping. The foundation of the solo is mind-blowing, the solos too, among the best on the album – Score 7.0
4. The Red And The Black – Introduction with Steve Harris chords that repeat at the end of the song, reminiscent of a flamenco, Spanish melody. The song's foundation is reminiscent of Rime Of The Ancient Mariner , quite heavy, with the guitar accompanying the vocal melody, creating a very interesting effect. Once again, a great performance by Bruce Dickinson. Chorus made for stadium shows – Score 8.0
5. When The River Runs Deep – Finally, the groove we love so much from Maiden, the fastest on the album so far. Bruce, wow, what form, what a voice this guy has, he never disappoints. Adrian Smith returning to composing shows the importance of this brilliant guitarist with extremely good taste. Score 8.0
6. The Book Of Souls – The song begins and ends with fingerpicking, a beautiful melody, and then the characteristic Maiden heaviness kicks in. Excuse me for sounding so repetitive, but holy crap, Bruce Dickinson is killing it again. In my opinion, those keyboards are totally unnecessary, but they create a different effect. A song in the vein of Powerslave in terms of melody. The middle section could be from "Piece Of Mind" or even "Powerslave" itself – Score 7.0
Disc 2
1. Death Or Glory – Disc 2 starts off well, very well, with a heavy feel, a fantastic riff in the vein of The Duellist . Once again, the Smith/Dickinson partnership works very well. The heaviest track so far, strong chorus and a collection of riffs – Score 8.0
2. Shadows Of The Valley – Harris and Gers composing together, interesting result, beautiful guitar sound, great riffs and once again a very cool, exciting chorus. In the end, another part made to enchant stadiums around the world. Score 6.5
3. Tears Of A Clown – Adrian Smith composing with Steve Harris, I confess I already liked it before even hearing it. A song based on the tragic suicide of Robin Williams. Beautiful lyrics, an emotional and sincere melody, and Bruce once again putting unbelievable feeling into his interpretation. Nicko McBrain is impeccable as always, a drummer who plays for the band, for the music, never overshadowing the music, but always standing out for his skill and dynamics that give each song a different pulse. Impressive how some musicians develop a unique skill, and Nicko McBrain demonstrates here why he has been in the band of the demanding Steve Harris for 32 years. Score 8.0
4. The Man Of Sorrows – Dave Murray composing with Steve Harris? This album is amazing, and the song starts with the characteristic sound of Murray's Fender Stratocaster. It seems like it's going to be the album's ballad, along the lines of Coming Home" from "The Final Frontier," but it takes a different turn and surprises with its beautiful melody combined with interesting dissonances. Score 6.0
5. Empire Of The Clouds – The song begins with Bruce Dickinson playing piano; it's the longest song of Iron Maiden's entire career, 18 minutes. Violins? I have the feeling that a movie is about to begin, a great epic, and at the same time a movie is playing in my head, a movie of 32 years of listening to this fantastic band, which doesn't age. So many stories, so many moments, so many shows, so many friendships, this history we have in common, this sense of community that is only common to those who like this style of music. Thank you Iron Maiden, you are part of my personal and professional history. So different and so similar at the same time, not so fast, not so heavy, just different and at the same time so, so, so IRON MAIDEN. For me, the best song on the album, which grows little by little and becomes more interesting with each passing minute, with each listen. Bruce Dickinson, you are AWESOME! Rating 8.5
