Matter Of Life And Death, A - Iron Maiden > Reviews

Advantages: genius / kicks ass / topical lyrics / Eddie :-)
Disadvantages: You have to listen to the whole thing a few times to really love it!

...of them! At 72 minutes, A Matter of Life and Death is the band's longest album to date and its average song length (7:12 per track) also makes it the longest Iron Maiden album by song average. The album is their most progressive approach taken since Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, with lengthy instrumental sections and numerous time changes. Its beautifully written and played all the way through, the whole album is really one journey which talks ... Read review

Advantages: Good Solos, rifts and instrumental play, Well thought lyrics
Disadvantages: Takes a while to get in to

Naturally as a maiden fan, when i heard there was a new album coming out i was counting down the days until it was released. When i first listened to it what struck me most was the different vibe they gave out from the songs. Most of their previous music was reasonably light hearted compared to this and so with any change of style in a band this got some getting used to. But, once i listened to the album a couple more times i really started to enjoy ... Read review

Advantages: Consistency of the songs, production, lyrics
Disadvantages: None

...of the songs on A Matter Of Life And Death start off with slow long intros, with clean moody guitar riffs, then lead into powerful distorted melodies, except for the opening track Different World and The Pilgrim which start off like classic Maiden tracks. The blend of new and old makes a perfect album, the long tracks require a few listens before you can appreciate them, but once you do they become timeless songs you can listen to again and again. ... Read review

Advantages: One of their best albums to date
Disadvantages: Takes a few listens to really get into it

Being a HUGE Maiden fan i had been excitedly awaiting the release of this album. Once i received it i realy didn't like at first. After a few weeks i thought i'd listen to it again and the more i listened the more i grew to love it. It's now a firm favourite of mine and seeing them perform the whole album live made me love it even more. I personally think the album is unlike anything they've done before with a lot of new styles and sounds on the album. ... Read review

Advantages: Some of the best bands material in years, great vocals and guitar
Disadvantages: Still doesnt out do their 80s albums

...but its taken till A Matter of Life and Death to return to awesomeness. Every Track is great on this album theres some really strong vocals by bruce and some great guitar riffs. It doesnt really sound too much like classic maiden but its as close as they got in 20 years. I'd recommend picking this up for the great tracks like Lord of Light, Brighter Than a Thousand Suns and different world etc.. Anyone though who is new to iron maiden should definitely ... Read review