A Matter Of Life And Death - Iron Maiden

Still going strong by their fourteenth album, the modern Iron Maiden sound (developed since the return of singer Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith in 1999) has reached its peak by this point, whether fans like it or not. Despite some claims, this isn't up there with the band's classic period that spanned the 1980s and burnt out as soon as the nineties kicked in, but to its credit it doesn't attempt to return to that sound, pushing forward with a distinctive, heavy-going and more consistent sound than the band has displayed for nigh on twenty years. Many of the songs here are overlong or repetitive, but the album is arranged so well that it really ...  Read the complete review

On first listening I was very wary of this new CD. A hardcore Maiden fan for over 20 years, I had seen them go through many changes in the type of music they'd released. With the returning to the fold of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith 6 years ago. Brave New World was a triumphant return. Dance Of Death was a further reach of that branch. While being of the same avenue but stretching the sound and quality in a more mature and rich direction. A Matter Of Life And Death, on first listening gave me a few concerns. I could hear no trademark Maidenisms. After a complete listening, I wasn't that impressed. More concerned to be honest. The first few tracks were ...  Read the complete review