Customer Reviews
Great Album
Paschendale is another great one. This album could be bought for the title track alone, but the others are good too. They're stylistically similar to the old Maiden songs based on classical literary works, but entirely original.
The only thing bad about this album is the cover art. It is truly terrible. If you can't tell from Amazon's pictures, its mostly a computer generated image which appears to have been rendered the day after such a feat was possible. Luckily, that doesn't affect the album at all.
Classic Maiden
These guys are no hacks, once again they prove to be talented musicians and songwriters who ply their trade with skill and taste. This is vintage Maiden at their ferocious best - could this be their best album since Seventh Son??? Effortless and flowing melodies, aggressive staccato power riffs, tight harmonic guitar interplay, fiery yet intelligent solos, key changes, rapid-fire passages, epic story-telling and a progressive attitude make this album a joy to listen to. I absolutely love the minor-major key switches on Montsegur and Gates Of Tomorrow. There are several anthems to add to the Maiden canon but I won't list them all here, and there isn't any filler - all songs are excellent. The keyboards are a nice touch and are tastefully used in some places to create a rich symphonic sound. Finally, the cover artwork is quite impressive and is certainly the best one to date - the inner cover and the CD label image fit the concept nicely. Maiden fans or classic/progressive metal fans - don't hesitate to get this great album. Metallica-style metal fans might not enjoy it as much.
Good follow-up
Three years later, Maiden released their 13th record, which was also their ninth with Dickinson, and their first album to feature the songwriting help of drummer Nicko McBrain. On 2000's comeback album, "Brave New World," Bruce Dickinson reunited with Iron Maiden for their first studio album together since 1992. "Dance Of Death" continues in the same vein as "Brave New World," because its songs are very long, progressive, and have an "epic" feel. These songs are, on average, over six minutes long, and several of them, including the title track, clock in at well over seven minutes. But, even though the songs never seem to drag on for too long, the album as a whole is overly long and drawn out. The only other thing holding this album back from being a masterpiece is that it has no classic songs.
With that out of the way, there is still a lot to enjoy on "Dance of Death. " The three guitarists--Dave Murray, Janick Gers, and Adrian Smith-are all in fine form, as especially showcased when they solo (which they do on almost every song), and Bruce's voice is, of course, also in great shape. Whether crooning, digging deep, singing soulfully, or even going falsetto (which he does in "Montsigur"), Bruce's vocals are impeccable.
The first two songs, "Wildest Dreams" and "Rainmaker," are highlighted by rather long, mazey, winding guitar solos (plus "Wildest Dreams" also has a catchy sing along). "No More Lies" starts out slowly, like a ballad, but it eventually gains speed (with the help of punching riffs and four tasty, back-to-back solos). Other highlights are the wailing, almost careening guitars on "Gates of Tomorrow," and the ambient closer, "Journeyman," which backs clean, acoustic strumming with creatively-placed violins.
It is a no-brainer that "Dance of Death" is yet another great album from these British metal legends, even if it isn't perfect. Recommended to all fans.
. You can see a complete list of all Iron Maiden discography, or go back to the Iron Maiden tabs
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