After seven or so years away, Bruce Dickinson re-joined Iron Maiden to release this, their 12th studio album. Also back in the Iron Maiden fold was guitarist Adrian Smith. They haven't really looked back since, and their popularity seems to have soared. But what of this 2000 recording? I guess it is a case of carrying where they left off.

The Wicker Man kicks things off, and what a arse kicker of a riff we begin proceedings with. This song truly rocks along, thundering drums, loud guitars and a killer chorus. It has got everything you would expect an Iron Maiden song to have and it reached number 9 in the UK single chart. The Ghost of the Navigator is next up, a twisting and turning song full of passion and energy. The title track Brave New World is next up: a quiet intro that builds up into classic maiden with an anthem-like chorus.

Another quiet introduces the fourth track, Blood Brothers. I saw them play this one live this year (2011). Once again, things build up to good, solid metal. The Mercenary is a fast-paced rocker from start to finish. The Dream of Mirrors is next up: a ticking and tocking time bomb of a song... an exquisite number, one of my favourites from this album:

I only dream in black and white,
I only dream cos I'm alive
I only dream in black and white,
To save me from myself...

The Fallen Angel is reminiscent of earlier Maiden, but with a chunkier bass. It seems a bit of a filler of a song with an air of disarray. The Nomad is next, an epic 9 minuter of a song that twists and turns with lot of good instrumentals and guitar playing. Out of the Silent Planet is next, an almost Irish Jig of an intro, followed by a gentle vocal that builds up. Things get quite fast and rock. Last song of this album is the slow and almost doom-filled The Thin Line Between Love and Hate.

Full Tack Listing:

1. "The Wicker Man" Bruce Dickinson, Adrian Smith, Steve Harris 4:35
2. "Ghost of the Navigator" Dickinson, Janick Gers, Harris 6:50
3. "Brave New World" Dickinson, Dave Murray, Harris 6:18
4. "Blood Brothers" Harris 7:14
5. "The Mercenary" Gers, Harris 4:42
6. "Dream of Mirrors" Gers, Harris9:21
7. "The Fallen Angel" Smith, Harris 4:00
8. "The Nomad" Murray, Harris 9:06
9. "Out of the Silent Planet" Dickinson, Gers, Harris 6:25
10. "The Thin Line Between Love & Hate" Murray, Harris 8:26


The Band:

Bruce Dickinson - lead vocals
Dave Murray - guitar
Adrian Smith - guitar, background vocals
Janick Gers - guitar
Steve Harris - bass, background vocals, keyboards
Nicko McBrain - drums

Iron Maiden without Mr Dickinson, in my view anyway, are not a true Iron Maiden. This album is not a classic and I doubt they could every produce something that sticks with you such as the likes of Hallowed By Thy Name or Phantom Of the Opera again. But nevertheless, they still rock, they still deliver the goods and when they release an album there is always an air of expectations. So for this 2000 album I say. Welcome Back Bruce, you were missed...