Heavy Maytal- Iron Maiden's "A Matter of Life and Death"

I now remember why I liked this album so much when it came out. Aggressive and rapid riffs but still allowing for melody. Bruce's vocal lines flow better than what we heard on 'Dance of Death". The more progressive vibes to "These Colours Don't Run" groove impressively. It has one of the album's strongest choruses to deliver a huge epic sound. Nicko's drumming is even more dialed in to give the songs the needed punch. The middle section holds the tension to set up the guitar solos. 

Bruce's voice sounds pretty youthful against the odd time, almost Tool-like pulse of "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns". Some pretty mean crunchy riffs on this do not sound dated and lack the nostalgia grab their peers tend to go for. It makes sense, as at this point, they had been playing festivals and seemed to have paid attention to where music was going. I am surprised that this album did not sell better outside of their fan base. In 2006, we were entering a phase where people began to stop buying music. They do lock into their classic gallop, but it is not looking back at the 80s for approval. 

"The Pilgrim" has more of a classic Maiden feel. The chorus is not quite as catchy as the previous songs. The verses to "The Longest Day' are darker where they have the huge anthemic chorus they are known for, which they swell into, shifting the mood. "Out of the Shadows" is a moody power ballad of sorts, and more melodic works really well; Bruce shines here. 'The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg" is another powerful performance from Beuce, it's a deliberate and dynamic rocker that is more effective than pouring on the speed and guitar harmonies. 

By this time in their career, it is clear they have developed a new formula that takes a power-ballad-like dynamic to open a song, before transitioning into what you more typically expect from this band. This can be heard in action on "For the Greater Good of God". Though this means being expanded in epic prog metal for this song. "Lord of Light' starts off with a darker tension, before exploding into the gallop at the minute-and-a-half mark. The last song, "The Legacy," goes from being a folkish ballad to one of the most epic post-"Fear of the Dark" moments the band has summoned, and Bruce flexes his pipes as he gets up there. This album still holds up and is the most underrated in their catalog I will give it a 10.

 

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