| Product: |
Dance Of Death - Iron Maiden |
| Date: |
10/09/03 (289 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Sounds great, Classic Maiden Stuff, All great songs
Disadvantages: Not one
When this album came out on Monday of this week it was sitting on my doormat, as I had pre-ordered it from CD-WOW for only £8.99 (actually it was £8.49 as I had a 50p voucher!) :oP
So far ( it is now Wednesday) I have listened to it 3 times, soon to be 4 as I write this review.
I thought what better way of doing my first Album review. A brand new album, by one of my favourite bands. Let me tell you a bit about them first, as I am sure there must be a few people that haven't heard of them!
Iron Maiden had their debut single released in 1980, yes they have been around for that long!
But then it was a slightly different line up, with Paul Di'anno on vocals, Clive Burr on Drums, Dennis Stratton on guitar, and the only two remaining members Steve Harris on Bass and Dave Murray on guitar. They were louder, faster and more punk then, but still good.
Over the years Dennis was replaced with Adrian Smith, then Paul by Bruce Dickenson, then Clive by Nicko McBrian. And we had the line up that would last the longest. And the unmistakable Iron Maiden sound was born. After several brilliant albums, horror of horrors Bruce left and was replaced by Blaze Bailey, then Adrian vanished, to be replaced by Janick Gers.
Without Bruce singing it just didn't sound right to me anymore and I kind of gave up on them for a little while.
Then Bruce came back and Blaze vanished.... Hurray! And so did Adrian, but Janick stayed, meaning there were now 3 guitarist. How twiddly could they get :o)
They play heavy metal in their own unique way, no other band come close to their sound, though a few have tried. And they write all their own songs too. The whole band, not just one or two, they all have a go at writing.
Oh yes, how could I forget, they have a mascot called Eddie, A tall zombie like long haired thing at the start, that has featured on every album sleeve and stage set they have ever done, slowly p
rogressing from sleeve to sleeve into his new guise of Death. On this new cover he just doesn't look the same. It was Derek Riggs's Eddie and covers that looked the best. It doesn't even mention who the new cover artist is anywhere that I can see, but it better than the cover of Edward the Great, their last Album. :o)
Their CD's always come with lyrics and a list of thanks to various people.
If you want to know anymore about them, their official web site is ironmaiden.com.
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Right, the kids are at school, the house is quiet, for the first time in 6 ½ weeks, and I am ready to type. So on it goes, and I will type as I listen, only way I can think of doing this review, and also another excuse for me to listen to it again!
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The album opens with Maidens newest single, Wildest Dreams. A fast track, but typically Maiden, pounding drums, twiddly guitar work and Bruce's unmistakable vocals that seem sound as fresh as when I first heard them in the early 80's. Rather useless piece of info for you, the video for the song is the first that hasn't actually had the band in. It is all computer generated. There, told you it was useless :oP
This leads almost straight into Rainmaker (3.48), rather apt for the day I am writing this as it is pouring down outside, should I blame Bruce and the lads? No! This is about stopping the rain.. So maybe I should play it again! The song has a long musical break, between the choruses. Another song that could be off any of their earlier albums, not that is bad thing, just shows that Maiden haven't lost their original style.
The slower, epic type start for No More Lies (7.21), almost reminiscent to Alexander the Great, from Somewhere in Time. Maiden to do the story songs so well. The pace picks up when the chorus starts, but it is still what I would call one of their slower
songs. In fact the music that is sort of theme through the song is very much like Alexander the Great. Saying this I am not moaning, far from it. It is one of my favourite tracks on the album. But I have always been a sucker for the longer tracks, and this isn't even the longest track yet!
Montsegur (5.50) opens fast. Bruce is belting out the lyrics with gusto. A real bouncy track. The music break is so bouncy I almost stopped typing to have a headbang while typing this :oP
Having three guitarists as well as bass hasn't stopped Maiden making the same sound as they used to 20 years ago. If anything it is even more twiddly than ever. Great stuff :o)
The title track, Dance of Death (8.36) has another slow intro, like No More Lies, not that it sounds the same, just it is slow. Then Bruce wants to tell us a story to chill the bones... This could be likened to Rime of the Ancient Mariner of Powerslave. It is certainly long enough! The pace picks up slower than No More Lies, but when it gets to full speed it is certainly great. I am having trouble choosing just one favourite from this album as they all seem brilliant. Not a duff track so far. After the speed picks up, it slows back right down to the same tempo as the start, so Bruce can finish telling his tale.
Gates of Tomorrow (5.12) starts with guitars , then drums , then more guitars and then it explodes into life. But when the vocals start it isn't Bruce alone. Makes it sound a bit odd, but I am sure I will get used to it. I am just not used to backing vocals I suppose! This doesn't last too long, and soon Bruce is belting it out by himself again. It is an extremely fast song, not Thrash metal type fast, but Iron Maiden fast. I can't compare them to other bands, because basically other bands don't sound like Iron Maiden, well apart from Papa Roach, for a short spell.
New Frontier (5.04) just starts. No lead up, no intro, it just goes full speed into the
song. I would be amazed if this wasn't a single at some point! It is very hard to describe these songs with out making them all sound the same. They aren't! Each one is different. You just have to take my word for it, or go and get yourself the album :oP
Excuse me while I bounce about to this track 'til it finishes :oD
Another long song is Paschendale (8.27), Maiden give you your moneys worth when they make albums. This is a slow starter, just like any other story type Maiden song. But it quickly gets to the more frantic main theme, with what even seems like an orchestra in the background, but I am sure that is my imagination. As much as I like listening to this I can't think how to get it down on paper (or PC) so I will go and make a cup of coffee :oP
It was my imagination, just looked at the booklet, must be the 3 guitars doing their stuff!
Face in The Sand (6.38) starts with a lovely gentle solo riff, which gets louder and faster as more guitars and the drums join in. By the time Bruce starts it is at full speed. This one has probably the most catchy lyrics off the album. Sorry I can't tell you which guitarist does which twiddly bit, as they take it in turns to play lead. Apart from Steve as he is on bass :oP
This has a great solo in it, very twiddly and Maiden. I know I sound repetitive, but Maiden do have a very distinct sound. And this is it :oP
Almost at the end of the album now, don't give up! Another slow start for Age of Innocence (6.10), sounds wonderful with the cymbals swooshing away in the background. Then it all starts up. I can't see (or rather hear) a thing wrong with this album. I have liked every track so far, but then this is Maiden :oP
This could almost be a Bond theme song, with the bass line in the background. Now that would be good. Maiden do Bond... Cool :o)
Just at the end, it totally changes tempo back to how it started, I almost thought the next song
had started and had to check the number on the CD player to make sure it wasn't!
OK here is the last one, Journeyman (7.06). Another slow soft start, very melodic and peaceful for Maiden. But seeing as this is a long song, you just know it is going to pick up. In fact it doesn't really, this is a swaying song. I hope it doesn't mean the lighters will be held up when they do this live! Maiden don't do love ballads, this is as close as they will get. And it isn't anything to do with love! I am sure I can hear strings in the background, I will have to check the booklet again......
No sign of anything string related, besides the guitars that is! So they must be doing some fancy stuff.
You can take your hands off your ears now, the CD has finished :oP
Overall I think this is a great album, by a great band.
People that like Iron Maiden's old stuff will love it, and people that have just discovered the band and love this, will love their older stuff too. What is known as a win / win situation :o)
Happy listening
Sarah :o)
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sayaad - 11/02/04 A most excellent review for a most excellent musical group. Congratulations on the crown! |
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