Search - Iron Maiden :: Matter of Life & Death

OMG!!!

Clayton Acklin | san franicsco | 07/15/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This could be one of their strongest albums....Powerslave has always been my pick, until this one came along....This album has all that and more....

Brutal, dark, skillfull, moody, beautifuly composed, etc....iron maiden is back.....i could list the good songs, but honestly, they are all incredible....this is an album that needs to be listened to in its entirety.....

this is a must buy for all real IRON MAIDEN fans.....



btw, go see them on their FINAL FRONTIER tour....it ruled!!

UP THE IRONS!!!"

The Reincarnation of Iron Maiden

TheGodfather | 07/19/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Iron Maiden is back, but they seem to have been "reincarnated" as they are not the powerhouse they were in the 80's. This album is an improvement to "Dance of Death" and caused a resurgence in popularity for the band, although I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. The album is still pretty average and does not really stand out much from anything else they have done in the past two decades. Anyone that compares this album to any of Maiden's 80's work either did not grow up then or needs to have their head(s) examined. There are a few bright spots like "Reincarnation..." which is the best song on the album, and "Different World", "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns", "The Longest Day", "Out of the Shadows" (good medium tempo jam), and "Lord of Light" are pretty good. The rest of the songs are ok - "These Colours Don't Run" has garnered a lot of hype, but I don't know why - the song begins with an interchangeable intro, the vocals are below average, has an interchangeable bridge, and didn't stand out to me live either. "The Pilgrim" (another "The _______" song) has its moments, but the vocals are pretty bad in spots. "For the Greater Good of God" has yet another mellow intro, good bridge, and lyrics seemingly of a man that is trying to accept God. "The Legacy" starts with yet another mellow intro, the vocals are cheesy in some spots, but has some good jams. It's no surprise that some of the weaker songs are co-written by Gers who I think just brings down the band. There are too many interchangeable mellow intros to similar heavier rhythms; Bruce's vocals sound shot and/or whiny in some songs. Some good stuff here, but many of their newer songs sound similar and not much really hooks me or breaks out. They just don't sound much at all like the band that was so amazing and creative in the 80's."