Matter Of Life And Death, A - Iron Maiden > Reviews > a matter of life or death

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	a great metal album showing maiden still have it
Disadvantages:	no song really stands out above the rest as a master piece

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Compared to the last couple of maiden albums this album is completly different. It has a lot harder vibe and is more like their older albums. For me there isn't any particular song that stands out from the rest and its not as good as some of their other albums, but still it is a brilliant metal album and go's back to their earlier sound. Bruce's vocals are still top notch and keep getting better and you can feel the energy the guys put into making it.

Iron Maiden is a 6 piece metal band from the UK. Forming on christmas day in 1975 released their first album which was self titled in 1980 after many up's and downs and many differnet band memebers. Since then they have conquered the world of rock and metal with multiple studio albums, live albums and greatests hits. The legendary frontman, Bruce Dickinson joined the band in 1981 after the orginal frontman Paul Di'Anno was fired, propelling the band to new hieghts. By the mid 80's they were the biggest metal band around and 30 years on from there original beginings they are still producing brilliant music and enthrauling fans across the world. Iron maiden have headlined nearly all the major metal festivals in the world and have sold more than 100,000,000 albums worldwide.

There music is generally fasted passed rock mixing 2 guitars and since 2000 3 guitars into interchanging rythms solos and sounds. The drums are fast paced and the base is heavy. The vocals tend to be extremly powerful, something that really stands out on this album. Often they like to start of with a more acoustic sound and build a song up. A good exam on this album would be The Legacy. A 9 minute track starting acousticly building up throughout to a breath taking solo.

Musicaly it doesn't dissappoint. The tracks have the classic madien feel and roll into each other with ease. The solo's once again are top notch and keep the fast pase feel to the album. Even the slower tracks still manage to find a hard rock edge. For an example of what British metal is, a matter of life an death would be a good. It makes a change from the alternative music wich wont be rememeber that is around today and shows that maiden are still the top dog in the indiustry.

Lyrically this album is fantastic and it is well worth reading the lyrics without the music as well as singing along.

Overall its not the best maiden album but it is a brilliant metal album and it is worth buying. You will listen to it a lot and the more you listen to it the more you will enjoy it.