A Matter Of Life And Death

this is an amazing CD every song awsome it shiped fast worth every cent i love this CD and if your a maiden fan you have to buy this it not the same as the 80's stuff but diferent dosent make it any less awsome

The nineties were a disastrous time for Iron Maiden. Then came the awesome Brave New World but I was still sceptical and I thought that maybe their reunion inspiration will fade. Indeed, Dance of Death showed some signs of fatigue although it contains some of Maiden's finest songs (Pashendale, No More Lies, Dance of Death, Face in the Sand) besides some of their worst (Wildest Dreams). But I never imagined that their third post-reunion effort will be such a masterpiece! This is the most epic album of the group, the songwriting is brilliant ( I wish some of the new groups learn from that). Bruce Dickinson is one of the last great voices in metal. His singing is impeccable throughout the album. The rest of the band is also in top shape, the sound of the album is perfect.

Some fans critisize the length of the songs, but I think that metal is not meant to be a fast food music. For me Different World (4 minutes, the only short song on the album) is the weakest. It's an OK opener, but it's poppy refrain doesn't fit with the dark and heavy mood of the rest of the album. All the rest of the tracks deserve 10 stars, but probably Brighter than a Thousand Suns, The Longest Day , For the Greater Good of God, These Colours Don't Run, The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg and the Legacy stand slightly higher above the rest with their intensity. This album ranks among the best albums of the group (for me they are at least six, I count the bad ones which are three) and it will become a classic in the history of Iron Maiden and heavy metal. And after six great reunion years, Maiden are rejuvenated and definitely back to stay.

Majestic is the best word I can think of to describe A Matter of Life and Death, the 14th studio album by Iron Maiden (and 3rd of the "reunion era). That, and classic. This truly is classic Maiden: Most songs running between 7 and 9 minutes long, recorded virtually live off the floor, raw and epic. I truly believe that this represents the absolute peak of Maiden's creativity. While not a concept album like Seventh Song, it does indeed follow themes: war, religion, storytelling.

Anybody who thought Dance of Death sounded tired had better get ready to be blown away by a revitalized band. Maybe doing that "Early Years" tour got Maiden hungry to write something new and epic. Who knows what happened? Either way, this is the best album of the reunion era, and a shining moment in the Maiden canon. While "Different World" starts the show in a fast and furious way, similar to "Wildest Dreams" from Dance of Death, this is no re-tread. This time, melody is at the forefront.

The triple guitars have never sounded better, the songwriting has never been stronger, and Bruce is still wailing the whole way through. I can't pick a favourite song, every one is excellent, but here are some highlights:

"Wildest Dreams", a killer fast opener.
"These Colours Don't Run", a war epic, the three guitars meshing into one ferocious whole.
"The Longest Day", another war epic, with mournful melodic chorus.
"Bejamin Breeg", riffiness emphasized.
"For The Greater Good of God", which is perhaps the most epic of all the epics, absolutely stunning, every second of it is dramatic.

The sound of this album is the perfect mix of heavy and raw with just enough polish. The sound straight from the mix was so hot, they didn't even have to master this album, so they left it unmastered. Seriously. Even the cover art is a vast improvement over Dance of Death. Eddie leading his troops of death into some unknown battle.

Try to pick up the version that came with the insightful documentary DVD. Also, be sure to pick up the singles. B-sides included:
Hot live 2006 versions of "Hallowed", "The Trooper", "Run To The Hills", "Iron Maiden", "Different World" and even "Benjamin Breeg". There was also a studio version of their cover of "Hocus Pocus" by Focus!