IRON MAIDEN, A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH CD REVIEW ON ROCK N ROLL UNIVERSE

A classic moment in “Heavy Metal” history took place in 1999 when
Iron Maiden reunited with lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith on ‘Brave New World’. One of the best things about the reunion with Dickinson & Smith was that they still employed the services of guitarist Janick Gers to create a triple guitar onslaught and went on to record another album in 2003 called ’Dance Of Death’.

Seven years later in 2006 the onslaught continues with the release of ‘A Matter Of Life & Death,’ in which Maiden sounds as if they were still as hungry as they were back in the mid 80’s. The opening track “Different World” rocks like only Maiden knows how and would fit right at home on any of the classic Iron Maiden albums that were made in the 80’s.”These Colours Don’t Run” starts off with some mellow progressive sounding guitars, then kicks in with the familiar thumping bass rhythm by Steve Harris. Harris’s bass playing and songwriting is phenomenal throughout the album as always and shows he is the major force in Iron Maiden.

There are a few 9 minute epics spaced out nicely on the album(“Brighter Than a Thousand Suns”,”For the Greater Good Of God” and the final cut on the CD “The Legacy”). All 3 epics are standout tracks with “For the Greater Good Of God” being the best of the three in which the triple guitar onslaught of Dave Murray, Adrian Smith,& Janick Gers blisters some of the best solos I’ve heard on an Iron Maiden album.

Overall,the whole album is great and the production work by producer, mixer and engineer Kevin “Caveman” Shirley & co producer/bassist/songwriter Steve Harris is phenomenal. Dickinson’s vocals throughout the album proves he has lost nothing over the last 25 years, and I also have to give a shout out to drummer Nicko Mcbrain who does a superb job on the skins especially on “The Pilgrim” which is my favorite track off the album.

I’d rate this CD right up there with ‘Number Of the Beast’ and ‘ Piece Of Mind’.