IRON MAIDEN - REVIEW
Ok, if your not interested in this dont read it! If you are only interested in a few tracks I'll link each one so you can easily sort out what you want from the rest of my gibber. Firstly, I have to say this album is an excellent record but it is a grower. Its a quick grower but there are less of the fast paced all-out rockers, and alot of epics. There isnt actually a song under four minutes and whilst albums like Brave New World (another long album without a song under 4 mins) had some faster, shorter tracks to balence the lengthy ones, this is less like that. Secondly, its a very thoughtful and thought-provoking record I find. The lyrics are always thoughtful and generally complex with IM but neverthless, this album possibly moreso. Anyway, I digress...
1. Different World: Opening track on the new album, and the shortest track on there (yet still clocking in at an impressive 4 mins), this track is a straight forward, no-nonsense, Iron Maiden rocker - one of few throughout the album. It has quite a pace and is suitably catchy - probably the set opener on the tour. This is an interesting track - Bruce is very versatile, thoughtful, and soft in places then traditionally long and ringing in others. There is a nice little lead guitar riff, preceeding a killer solo (ok... what exactly were you expecting...?) and the song even opens with a strange noise courtesy of Nicko McBrain! (something like "AI-EE!"). 8/10
2. These Colours Don't Run: A tibute to those who fight in wars (apparently), however, the title is obviously very significant for the Maiden camp as it is, word for word, the defiant statement yelled by Bruce on the infamous Ozzfest tour. A beautiful little muted opening lead, builds gradually in true Maiden style, starting with one guitar and layering other instruments over the top. This isnt actually a bad pace, an interesting time-change for the chorus makes it slightly odd at first, but this song is huge and anthemic. Its almost guarranteed to become a Maiden live staple (akin to Fear of the Dark) - one which the crowd will learn and scream to, boldly and defiantly after the aforementioned incident. 8/10
3. Brighter Than A Thousand Suns: This is a much more lengthy Miden number, slightly slower and, given the album's themes, I think you can probably guess this song is pretty much about the atom bomb, though I havent been able to work out the specifics. The song has a suitably grim, dark sound to match the subject matter - a really heavy chugging riff, almost reminicent of Black Sab. Bruce's vocals are suitably dispairing and aching yet accusing at the same time. There is also a little contrasting quiet interlude before the screaming chorus and clean solo work begins and what follows is a typical IM time change. This is epic, not quite the scale of Pashendale but getting there. Unfortunately it is a little boring in comparison to some of the other numbers. 6/10
4. The Pilgrim: Maiden have tried a number of different little tricks to make this album fresh and exciting and the opening of this song is one example. A drum intro is rarely heard on a Maiden song (certainly not one like this). The guitars are very reminiscent of Dance of Death throughout this track, clean melodies layed over dirty/fuzzy chords. A nice song, fast paced but not still not what I term a traditional rocker as it features abit of a guitar interlude... well several really. Good song though, strong drums - should've been on the Kingdom of heaven soundtrack :P. 7/10
5. The Longest Day: Once again a good build-up from minimalist to full-on metal, this time from Steve Harris' marching baseline. Another good anthemic song and one of my personal favs. Again, its one that could become a classic. Long ringing chords and vocals, easy to sing along to, could easily become a regular at concerts and could perhaps be another single even? I think there is a video for it so... who knows... 7/10.
6. Out of the Shadows: More classic Maiden! The guitars in this actually remind me of Children of the Damned which is never a bad thing. :) The vocals are similarly softer, though once again the build-up work is excellent and the chorus is typical "air-raid siren Brucie, still akin to Children of the Damned. The solo is pretty cool - the feel of this song is very much older Maiden, like I said Number of the Beast and Fear of the Dark style. However, unlike earlier maiden, a pretty acoustic interlude within the middle section (just preceeding the second solo) is included which I think really makes the song. It clearly shows the advantages of having 3 guitarists. 8/10.
7. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg: Beautiful opening, thought-provoking and melodic. The vocals are eerie and reflective adding bags of atmosphere to the song. Also, theres a nice contrast created between the clear ringing guitars and the heavier, fuzzier one playing the background melody. The amp is turned right down but you can clearly hear the distortion and its obvious the song wont stay quiet for long. When it does kick in (and it literally does sound like that) its another heavy chugging riff. Despite the song's length its easy to see why it was chosen as a single. Its catchy and it rocks! 9/10.
8. For the Greater Good of God: This is an interesting one, clocking in at an massive 9mins 24. If I said Breeg was melodic, this... this is beond that... absolutely stunningly pretty intro, it almost "charms" the listener. Bruces vocals are again questioning, softly beautiful. Haunting, moody, atmospheric could all be used to describe this track. All this before, in typical Harris-epic fashion, completely blowing you away with a fast, monster of a riff, the power chords being hammered out of the guitars as with leads. The best way to describe the solos is thoughtful, not really that similar to ANY maiden have ever done somehow... Its a sad-toned retrospective, another thoughtful look at the subject of war and religion and related concerns. This song really (scuse the pun) struck a chord with me - not just in respect of what has been happening in the wider world recently, but also the events closer to home. "It was never meant for us, To feel the pain again, Tell me Why... Tell me Why..." 10/10.
9. Lord of Light: ANOTHER softly sofly opening. But this time its short-lived and from then on its thick heavy distortion all the way! The guitars are easily some of the heaviest that have ever been on a Maiden track - I'd say its almost verging on Bruce's latter solo work... And yet again they surprise us with a calmer picked interlude. Bruces singing is still at his soft, thoughtful best, though not as haunting this time. The solos are, as always, kick-ass though these are again, massively different from most of the clean, ringing solos of much of the back-catalogue. 9/10.
10. The Legacy: Now this is a departure! Journey Man doesnt come close to a change of style in comparison to this. Throughout its length the album has been singnificantly longer and more proggy than previous maiden, (ooo!
totally49 will be pleased! :P) but this is a step even further. The opening is once again muted and quiet, the acoustic guitars used really doing the job required of them and giving such an atmosphere. More haunting than "Greater Good...", more eerie than "Breeg..." its Iron Maiden at their most atmospheric - conveying a medieval feel of minstrals within a castle. This build-up lasts for 3 minutes of the 9, and is followed up by a thunderous repeating riff which mimics those gentle acoustic ones. The chorus almost spoils the song when it comes in however, sounding awkward. Nevertheless, after a signiture time change and a selection of leads and solos, all of which are invigorating and fresh to the ear, the song redeems itself. 7-8/10.
All in all, its a great album. The only points which hit average are that chorus and Brighter than A Thousand Suns. In my opinon its a classice and if it doesnt get awarded massively in the many and varied rock mag awards ceremonies this year... Grrrr....
ALBUM: 9/10 it really is in competition with BNW on consistancy. Fantastic record. Looking forward to seeing them, live - thanks or reading! :)
1. Different World: Opening track on the new album, and the shortest track on there (yet still clocking in at an impressive 4 mins), this track is a straight forward, no-nonsense, Iron Maiden rocker - one of few throughout the album. It has quite a pace and is suitably catchy - probably the set opener on the tour. This is an interesting track - Bruce is very versatile, thoughtful, and soft in places then traditionally long and ringing in others. There is a nice little lead guitar riff, preceeding a killer solo (ok... what exactly were you expecting...?) and the song even opens with a strange noise courtesy of Nicko McBrain! (something like "AI-EE!"). 8/10
2. These Colours Don't Run: A tibute to those who fight in wars (apparently), however, the title is obviously very significant for the Maiden camp as it is, word for word, the defiant statement yelled by Bruce on the infamous Ozzfest tour. A beautiful little muted opening lead, builds gradually in true Maiden style, starting with one guitar and layering other instruments over the top. This isnt actually a bad pace, an interesting time-change for the chorus makes it slightly odd at first, but this song is huge and anthemic. Its almost guarranteed to become a Maiden live staple (akin to Fear of the Dark) - one which the crowd will learn and scream to, boldly and defiantly after the aforementioned incident. 8/10
3. Brighter Than A Thousand Suns: This is a much more lengthy Miden number, slightly slower and, given the album's themes, I think you can probably guess this song is pretty much about the atom bomb, though I havent been able to work out the specifics. The song has a suitably grim, dark sound to match the subject matter - a really heavy chugging riff, almost reminicent of Black Sab. Bruce's vocals are suitably dispairing and aching yet accusing at the same time. There is also a little contrasting quiet interlude before the screaming chorus and clean solo work begins and what follows is a typical IM time change. This is epic, not quite the scale of Pashendale but getting there. Unfortunately it is a little boring in comparison to some of the other numbers. 6/10
4. The Pilgrim: Maiden have tried a number of different little tricks to make this album fresh and exciting and the opening of this song is one example. A drum intro is rarely heard on a Maiden song (certainly not one like this). The guitars are very reminiscent of Dance of Death throughout this track, clean melodies layed over dirty/fuzzy chords. A nice song, fast paced but not still not what I term a traditional rocker as it features abit of a guitar interlude... well several really. Good song though, strong drums - should've been on the Kingdom of heaven soundtrack :P. 7/10
5. The Longest Day: Once again a good build-up from minimalist to full-on metal, this time from Steve Harris' marching baseline. Another good anthemic song and one of my personal favs. Again, its one that could become a classic. Long ringing chords and vocals, easy to sing along to, could easily become a regular at concerts and could perhaps be another single even? I think there is a video for it so... who knows... 7/10.
6. Out of the Shadows: More classic Maiden! The guitars in this actually remind me of Children of the Damned which is never a bad thing. :) The vocals are similarly softer, though once again the build-up work is excellent and the chorus is typical "air-raid siren Brucie, still akin to Children of the Damned. The solo is pretty cool - the feel of this song is very much older Maiden, like I said Number of the Beast and Fear of the Dark style. However, unlike earlier maiden, a pretty acoustic interlude within the middle section (just preceeding the second solo) is included which I think really makes the song. It clearly shows the advantages of having 3 guitarists. 8/10.
7. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg: Beautiful opening, thought-provoking and melodic. The vocals are eerie and reflective adding bags of atmosphere to the song. Also, theres a nice contrast created between the clear ringing guitars and the heavier, fuzzier one playing the background melody. The amp is turned right down but you can clearly hear the distortion and its obvious the song wont stay quiet for long. When it does kick in (and it literally does sound like that) its another heavy chugging riff. Despite the song's length its easy to see why it was chosen as a single. Its catchy and it rocks! 9/10.
8. For the Greater Good of God: This is an interesting one, clocking in at an massive 9mins 24. If I said Breeg was melodic, this... this is beond that... absolutely stunningly pretty intro, it almost "charms" the listener. Bruces vocals are again questioning, softly beautiful. Haunting, moody, atmospheric could all be used to describe this track. All this before, in typical Harris-epic fashion, completely blowing you away with a fast, monster of a riff, the power chords being hammered out of the guitars as with leads. The best way to describe the solos is thoughtful, not really that similar to ANY maiden have ever done somehow... Its a sad-toned retrospective, another thoughtful look at the subject of war and religion and related concerns. This song really (scuse the pun) struck a chord with me - not just in respect of what has been happening in the wider world recently, but also the events closer to home. "It was never meant for us, To feel the pain again, Tell me Why... Tell me Why..." 10/10.
9. Lord of Light: ANOTHER softly sofly opening. But this time its short-lived and from then on its thick heavy distortion all the way! The guitars are easily some of the heaviest that have ever been on a Maiden track - I'd say its almost verging on Bruce's latter solo work... And yet again they surprise us with a calmer picked interlude. Bruces singing is still at his soft, thoughtful best, though not as haunting this time. The solos are, as always, kick-ass though these are again, massively different from most of the clean, ringing solos of much of the back-catalogue. 9/10.
10. The Legacy: Now this is a departure! Journey Man doesnt come close to a change of style in comparison to this. Throughout its length the album has been singnificantly longer and more proggy than previous maiden, (ooo!
totally49 will be pleased! :P) but this is a step even further. The opening is once again muted and quiet, the acoustic guitars used really doing the job required of them and giving such an atmosphere. More haunting than "Greater Good...", more eerie than "Breeg..." its Iron Maiden at their most atmospheric - conveying a medieval feel of minstrals within a castle. This build-up lasts for 3 minutes of the 9, and is followed up by a thunderous repeating riff which mimics those gentle acoustic ones. The chorus almost spoils the song when it comes in however, sounding awkward. Nevertheless, after a signiture time change and a selection of leads and solos, all of which are invigorating and fresh to the ear, the song redeems itself. 7-8/10.
All in all, its a great album. The only points which hit average are that chorus and Brighter than A Thousand Suns. In my opinon its a classice and if it doesnt get awarded massively in the many and varied rock mag awards ceremonies this year... Grrrr....
ALBUM: 9/10 it really is in competition with BNW on consistancy. Fantastic record. Looking forward to seeing them, live - thanks or reading! :)