When I was really getting into Iron Maiden, I sort of worked my way backwards and started with their newer work, most notably Brave New World (2000). The more I went backwards in their discography, the more entranced I was by their work. Honestly though, my favorite Iron Maiden albums still remain from the past decade or so when they reunited with long time front man Bruce Dickinson. Anyway, when I finally got my hands on the original self-titled Iron Maiden album circa 1980, I was so excited as I had heard so much great admiration for the album. Much to my surprise though, there was NO Bruce Dickinson, but rather Paul DiAnno? Who? Well, listening to the album, you'll completely forget about Dickinson...for the time being.

     Iron Maiden is an absolutely amazing record. It bridges the gap between the punkish era of the late 1970s to the more articulate and technical type that would be the essence of Maiden's sound for the next three decades perfectly. You can hear the influences of both genres of punk and metal working in true harmony hear and it is a delight to the ears. Paul DiAnno lacks the vocal range and dramatic prowess of Bruce Dickinson but certainly has his own unique attitude and style. There are a sect of fans out there that preferred DiAnno, and after hearing this album, I can see why. I certainly still prefer Dickinson as Maiden's signature vocalist, but I understand the sentiment for DiAnno.

     Practically every song is a classic, and the trademark flare for the gothic is richly supplied in their debut. Songs like "Phantom of the Opera" and the awesome instrumental "Transylvania" will tickle your gothy side. "Running Free" is just such a ballsy rocker, one of my favorites on the record. "Charlotte the Harlot" is similar in that vein, as it too rocks hard. This is to only name a few, as from beginning to end, every track is a winner.

     As a debut, this album is astounding. It is so much beyond that though, it stands as one of the best metal albums of the past 40 years, since the advent of Black Sabbath in 1969. Though Iron Maiden was probably overshadowed by the future success of a Bruce Dickinson led band, this debut album stands as one of their best. The sound we all know and love from the Dickinson era of Maiden is simply a very refined and technical supreme version of his raw, terrific classic.

TRACK HIGHLIGHTS:

"Running Free"

"Phantom of the Opera"

"Transylvania"

"Charlotte the Harlot"

"Prowler"

"Iron Maiden"

-Kurt L.

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     Iron Maiden, famed legendary heavy metal act, released its newest album on August 17th, 2010, The Final Frontier. I take an in depth look at this most recent Maiden release and also showcase some of the album's wacky bonus features on the alternate version of the CD entitled the Mission Edition. So after all these years, 30 plus to be exact, does Iron Maiden still bring it to the table? Find out by clicking the link below. Thank you as always for watching!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXDatUD1BQY

-Kurt L.

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     That is one of the unique gifts of Iron Maiden as a band, is that they have the ability to make every song sound like an epic. Many of the tracks on this album, like "Paschendale" for example, are expansive and rich. You are greeted and trated to an explosion of sound from these rather theatrical displays of musical power. At some intervals however, some of the songs are a little too long - as many of them clock in at seven or eight minutes in length. Though, one could argue that this album should be listened to from beginning to end to absorb the flow. It starts off with a blast of energy from its two fairly short opening songs then sweeps you away with "No More Lies" - in a classic Iron Maiden style.

     As a whole, Dance of Death is another solid Iron Maiden album. It has some highlights and some low points. A couple of tracks sound a little uninspired, but most have skilled execution and contagious energy. Is it better than Brave New World? No. That album was a near-masterpiece. Though, this one valiantly continues this 21st century Iron Maiden trend. They seem just more focused. Perhaps it is because they have reunited with the seemingly ageless Bruce Dickinson, and with him back at the helm, they have simply been rejuvenated.

     This album doesn't really do anything much differently than previous Maiden albums, but it certainly does what they do best - just simply more of it. Dance of Death is something I would recommend for sure, as it is a very enjoyable heavy metal/fantasy metal piece. It has everything a Maiden album should have and a ltitle more - thanks to the additional keyboards and strings with its influence taken from Brave New World. Essentially, it doesn't quite live up to its predecessor, but it is still a good and worthwhile listen.

TRACK HIGHLIGHTS:

"Rainmaker"

"No More Lies"

"Dance of Death"

"Paschendale"

"Age of Innocence"

"New Frontier"

-Kurt L.

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     Storming back to the scene and making a triumphant comeback, British heavy-metal act Iron Maiden aimed its sights at recapturing the scene. Billed as the first album of the "21st Century Maiden", Brave New World was an amazing comeback and marked the first time the entire band reunited since 1988's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. With the addition of third guitarist Janick Gers, the band was complete and here they made a greatly layered album with a flurry of mind-blowing guitar solos and some truly aesthestic moments.

     Iron Maiden has been recording music for over twenty years and by the time Brave New World was released, it had been exactly two decades since their debut album. If anything, I think, like a fine wine as they say, has this band gotten better with time. They only sound more professional, and tighter, and have benefited from the more modern ways of record production. The sound now is much more refined and entirely cleaner than some of Maiden's earliest works. Of course, a production can only do so much for a band as they must actually perform well on their own - which they do! I've always respected Iron Maiden's ability to not simply write great songs, but compose these metal masterpieces - they are so intricately layered. Songs like "Dream of Mirrors", and "Brave New World" are perfect examples of this. The albums best track, "Ghost of the Navigator", is another terrific example of their composition prowess.

     Another wonderful element of this album, and for Iron Maiden's career, is their ability to remain consistent. Brave New World is a defining example of this career long consistency that they are so blessed with. There is not really one dud on this entire album as they all seem to have something to offer one way or another. It really is a treat to listen to. The musicianship itself is very strong as well throughout, and the timeless pipes of Bruce Dickinson sound as strong here as they ever have before.

     I like this sort of "21st Century Maiden" because they not only made a comeback, but made one with a vengence, and with a mission to take back the metal world. They have accomplished so much and gone through a few ups and downs along the way, and it makes this newer album all the sweeter. There is a definitive brand of focus that is unmistakable here on Brave New World.

     I highly reccomend this album to any heavy metal fan, and I think any fan of rock music would really appreciate it. I'm not sure how broad an audience this particular album could reach, but I would say that Iron Maiden certainly has a lot more range than some of its contemporaries, and while this album has some heavy moments, it executes every moment with that aforementioned focus and a sense of grace. Also, it also gives you a great bang for your buck as it is a lengthy 67 minutes without ever feeling too long. Brave New World is one of their best efforts, and for this critic, it is my personal favorite in the Iron Maiden discography.

TRACK HIGHLIGHTS:

"Ghost of the Navigator"

"The Wicker Man"

"Brave New World"

"Out of the Silent Planet"

"Dream of Mirrors"

-Kurt L.

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