RECENZJA: A Matter Of Life And Death - MetalFrontiers

[MaYeR]

Artist: Iron Maiden
Title: A Matter Of Life And Death
Label: EMI
Release Date: August 28, 2006
Rating: 19/20

It’s early in the morning… I don’t even know how many hours I’m stuck in this dark room listening to the new album of Iron Maiden ”A Matter Of Life And Death”… The cd still plays, the melodies are still in the air and my journey continues… “Hey This is Iron Maiden dude” keep saying to myself. “This is totally Iron Maiden…”. The fan of the band awakes in me… Feeling like a teenager again… Remembering the day I was blessed to listen for the first time the Maidens… I relive the same feeling, with the lucky 13th album of Maiden.

“A Matter Of Life And Death” is an unexpected dynamite. A ticket to happiness for the metal fans. A ticket to start a trip to the magic world of the Maidens… And that trip start with

Different World (Dur: 4.17)
- The opening track of the album is the “Matter of life and death”’s version of “The Wicker-Man” or “Wildest dreams”. A classic Maiden-ish song, written by Steve Harrisand Adrian Smith , with catchy riffs and great chorus, prepares the listener for the explosive continue.

These Colours Don't Run(Dur:6.52)
- Smith, Harris and Dickinson are involved in the composition of this song, so greatness is guaranteed. Starting slow, transforming later in an epic journey… Bruce at his best, killing riffs, lyrics about the life of a soldier in the war… The chorus is monumental and I can’t wait listen to it live. I have the feeling it’s gonna be an unbelievable experience. Still singing (oh, oh, oh …)

Brighter Than a Thousand Suns(Dur: 8.44)
- The same trio signatures the third song of “A Matter of Life and Death”. The intro of the bass creates a dark atmosphere, the sound of the guitars make the song even darker, progressive parts are scattered and Bruce Dickinson makes a remarkable performance. The lyrics are talking about the development of the H-bomb and listening Brighter Than a Thousand Suns is like a nuclear attack.

The Pilgrim(Dur:5.07)
-Here is a big surprise from Iron Maiden. The Pilgrim has oriental parts that reminds “Powerslave” or “Alexander the Great” and gives to the song, the needed mystery atmosphere. Bruce is …screaming, the guitar trio is on fire, Steve is in a great shape and Nicko hits his drums like it’s the end of the world… Is it?...

The Longest Day (Dur:7.48)
- It’s about the D-day and Iron Maiden manages to transmit to the listener the picture… Bruce says that “The Longest Day” is the something like a musical version of “Saving Private Ryan”. Epic tunes, war atmosphere, Maiden signature. Soon a classic.

Out Of the Shadows( Dur: 5.36)
-Maybe the most wick part of the album, but still good enough to be in “ A Matter Of Life And Death”. A metal ballad, that Maiden have used us, with an atmosphere from the “Fear of the Dark” era”.

The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg(Dur:7.21)
It’s the first single of “ A Matter of life and death”. Most of the Maiden fans have heard the song and have an opinion. “Reincarnation” is already in top of the charts in many countries and the…origin of Benjamin Breeg is the favourite name in the Maiden fans community( by the way Breeg appears to be a paranormal investigator, disappeared mysteriously in 1978). It has a great Maiden atmosphere and it’s one of these songs that are mended for a live concert.

For The Greater Good of God(Dur: 9.24)
It’s the author favourite! Steve Harris composed this legendary song and he must be proud of what he’ve achieved! The intro of Steve’s bass creates the right atmosphere. And then, there was…war! It could be compared with “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”. Unbelievable riffs, Bruce is marching in to war with his vocals, amazing chorus and incredible atmosphere. It is for the Greater Good…

Lord Of Light(Dur: 7.23)
- Heaven or Hell? Who is the Lord of Light? It’s been a long time since Maiden composed such a song. “Trooper” meets “The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner” with the sound of ‘00s. Again the chorus is great, the guitars are ready to explode and me lost in the world of Maiden… Let it never end…

The Legacy(Dur: 9.20)
All good things must end... ...but not quite yet. The Legacy is a modern anthem, maybe the best song Iron Maiden wrote the last decade. This epic hymn starts with acoustic guitars(!!!), later the keyboards are in the..game and the mystery begins. An amazing refrain, folk and progressive elements. Over 9 minutes of killer maiden riffs and maybe the best performance of Bruce Dickinson since his return to the band. It’s like a sequel of “Paschendale, in a better version. The best ending for an incredible album.

Iron Maiden are back after 3 years of absence and their long-awaited “ A Matter of life and death” is the best way to continue their legacy… Listening over and over again the album I’m sure that it’s the best work of the band since “Fear of the dark”. As a fan I am excited. As a journalist I’m something more then satisfied. The missing link between 80’s and 00’s has been created and it’s called “A Matter of life and death”.

Nick T.