Heavy Maytal- Iron Maiden's "Dance of Death"

 

The band's 13th album is the one Bruce album I have spent the least amount of time with. It opens with a high-energy song with a rather dumb repetitive chorus. It makes me think of Van Halen. Not a terrible song, but I expect more from them when Bruce is around. There is a similar energy to "Rainmaker," but all the moving parts are higher functioning. The chorus works much better. "No More Lies" feels like something from "Fear of the Dark", which is wehre they started writing these types of darker songs. The guitar playing here is very nuanced. The vocal production on this album is way better than anything from the Blaze albums. It does build up until the thunderous chorus. With three guitarists, the solo sections have grown. 

"Montsegur" is heavier and an unrated Maiden song, I have never paid attention to til now, which is why I enjoy digging back into these albums I never gave enough of a chance. The title track is the kind of epic galloping frolic that is what this band is known for. So they are doing what you want from them. "Gates of Tomorrow" feels a little happy for my musical taste buds, but it's well-executed and sounds like them. "New Frontier" is more of what I want from them, as it has more of a metallic attack. "Paschendale " is Adrian Smith writing what he thought would be the typical Maiden epic, and he did a pretty good job of it, as it has a heavier stomp. 

There is a darker, more majestic feel to "Face in the Sand" that works well. The guitar riff to 'Age of Innocence' has a heavier chug than what you typically expect from them, but it works for where they were in 2003. This is juxtaposed by a poppier melody on the chorus, yet it all seems to gel. The odd choice of their first acoustic song to close the album is awkward, but you can't resent them for trying new things. But after listening to it several times, it never really hel my attention that well or felt memorable. Overall, this album works and recaptures what we love about the band more often than not so I will give it a 9.5. 

pst187