16/08/2010.A day we 've all been waiting for with great excitement, all the metal fans, but most of all the very loyal fans of Iron Maiden.
IDENTITY
GROUP : IRON MAIDEN
COUNTRY : ENGLAND
DATE OF BIRTH : 1975
NEW ALBUM TITLE : THE FINAL FRONTIER
SINGLE : El Dorado (free digital downloading from ironmaiden.com )
Record Label : EMI
PRODUCTION : KEVIN SHIRLEY
DURATION : 76:34
DATE HOLDER : 16/08/2010
MUSIC TYPE : HEAVY METAL
Like it or not, we have come a long way since the fairly metal eighties but the audience of this stage are loyal, they keep on getting younger and they don't give a dam about seasons, trades etc.That is how we got to the 15th studio album of the legendary Iron Maiden with the title 'Final Frontier'. It consists of the following 10 tracks:
1. Satellite 15...The Final Frontier
2. El Dorado
3. Mother of Mercy
4. Coming Home
5. The Alchemist
6. Isle of Avalon
7. Starblind
8. The Talisman
9. The Man Who Would Be King
10. When the Wild Wind Blows
Let's take things from the start:
Listening to the first song you find yourself before a rather mysterious intro, that does not by any chance remind you of the sound of the band.You call that Maiden only when you hear the voice of Bruce. It is definitely unfamiliar with the sound of Maiden and I dare to say that the intro did not win me. On the contrary, I could say I found it a bit boring (and I am only describing the 4 out of 8:41 minutes of the song). The rest of the song is something like the usual Maiden of the decade. I consider the choice of this song as the first one for the album to be unfortunate. But, let's go on.
We had the chance to listen to El Dorado quite early (June 8 2010). They decided to release as single a rather mediocre track.
Mother Of Mercy: Here's when things are starting to get interesting. The progressive worries of the band appear as obvious. Good song, great performance ( from B.Dickinson as always), nice guitars. The listening truly becomes intriguing.
And here we are at number 4: Coming Home. We do a flash back to the '80s, we take the recipe of Wasting Love (not a copyright) and there's a pretty good song.
The Alchemist is the song that in my opinion should open the album. With a duration of 4:30'' it bares the seal of the band. Fast, strong, just like we are used to. Simply perfect. Of course, it is perfect because it is simple (unlike the first one of the album). Played live, it's going to make some noise.
From this point on, all the songs (n.6-n.10) last for more than 7.30 till 11.00 minutes.
Isle of Avalon and Starblind, and to be frank the latter more than the first, they have a fully progressive feeling, great coordination, they were not at all boring, but I would prefer them with a different intro (especially the first).
And we reach Talisman. It is, along with Alchemist, one of the reasons to buy the album. Here is where they show us what has kept them around for such a long time in the biz of heavy metal, and with great success. I don't think that anyone who listens to that kind of music would not love this song.
The man who would be king is not a bad track, though it begins as a bit boring, but then on it gets better. The beginning does not to justice.
And here we are at the final spot: When the wild wind blows! Classic Iron Maiden, that is classic Steve Harris.A great song (both in longitude and in quality). It is strictly Iron Maiden.
To sum up:
- Most of the tracks are quite long (it is the biggest in duration studio album of the band)
- They all have small or bigger intro (ex. Alchemist)
- The composer of the tracks is Harris along with one member of the band (ex. the last track which is entirely his)
- Fairly good production (Kevin Shirley is quite experienced in the field, having worked with Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Journey, Rush, Slayer and others.)
- Dickinson is valuable in vocals.
- The rest of the band know exactly what they are supposed to do and do not cause any disappointment, whatsoever. Professionals.
- A progressive heavy rock-heavy metal album.
The final judgment:
The Iron Maiden do not need to prove who they are. On the other hand as long as they exist on recordings and on stage they will be judged. They will be judged severely.
I won't put next to the Final Frontier any record from the '80s-'90s. In grading the record I will consider the fact of their great past. Therefore, 6,5/10 is closer to reality. If you are one of the fans you might put 7, or 6.
IDENTITY
GROUP : IRON MAIDEN
COUNTRY : ENGLAND
DATE OF BIRTH : 1975
NEW ALBUM TITLE : THE FINAL FRONTIER
SINGLE : El Dorado (free digital downloading from ironmaiden.com )
Record Label : EMI
PRODUCTION : KEVIN SHIRLEY
DURATION : 76:34
DATE HOLDER : 16/08/2010
MUSIC TYPE : HEAVY METAL
Like it or not, we have come a long way since the fairly metal eighties but the audience of this stage are loyal, they keep on getting younger and they don't give a dam about seasons, trades etc.That is how we got to the 15th studio album of the legendary Iron Maiden with the title 'Final Frontier'. It consists of the following 10 tracks:
1. Satellite 15...The Final Frontier
2. El Dorado
3. Mother of Mercy
4. Coming Home
5. The Alchemist
6. Isle of Avalon
7. Starblind
8. The Talisman
9. The Man Who Would Be King
10. When the Wild Wind Blows
Let's take things from the start:
Listening to the first song you find yourself before a rather mysterious intro, that does not by any chance remind you of the sound of the band.You call that Maiden only when you hear the voice of Bruce. It is definitely unfamiliar with the sound of Maiden and I dare to say that the intro did not win me. On the contrary, I could say I found it a bit boring (and I am only describing the 4 out of 8:41 minutes of the song). The rest of the song is something like the usual Maiden of the decade. I consider the choice of this song as the first one for the album to be unfortunate. But, let's go on.
We had the chance to listen to El Dorado quite early (June 8 2010). They decided to release as single a rather mediocre track.
Mother Of Mercy: Here's when things are starting to get interesting. The progressive worries of the band appear as obvious. Good song, great performance ( from B.Dickinson as always), nice guitars. The listening truly becomes intriguing.
And here we are at number 4: Coming Home. We do a flash back to the '80s, we take the recipe of Wasting Love (not a copyright) and there's a pretty good song.
The Alchemist is the song that in my opinion should open the album. With a duration of 4:30'' it bares the seal of the band. Fast, strong, just like we are used to. Simply perfect. Of course, it is perfect because it is simple (unlike the first one of the album). Played live, it's going to make some noise.
From this point on, all the songs (n.6-n.10) last for more than 7.30 till 11.00 minutes.
Isle of Avalon and Starblind, and to be frank the latter more than the first, they have a fully progressive feeling, great coordination, they were not at all boring, but I would prefer them with a different intro (especially the first).And we reach Talisman. It is, along with Alchemist, one of the reasons to buy the album. Here is where they show us what has kept them around for such a long time in the biz of heavy metal, and with great success. I don't think that anyone who listens to that kind of music would not love this song.
The man who would be king is not a bad track, though it begins as a bit boring, but then on it gets better. The beginning does not to justice.
And here we are at the final spot: When the wild wind blows! Classic Iron Maiden, that is classic Steve Harris.A great song (both in longitude and in quality). It is strictly Iron Maiden.
To sum up:
- Most of the tracks are quite long (it is the biggest in duration studio album of the band)- They all have small or bigger intro (ex. Alchemist)
- The composer of the tracks is Harris along with one member of the band (ex. the last track which is entirely his)
- Fairly good production (Kevin Shirley is quite experienced in the field, having worked with Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Journey, Rush, Slayer and others.)
- Dickinson is valuable in vocals.
- The rest of the band know exactly what they are supposed to do and do not cause any disappointment, whatsoever. Professionals.
- A progressive heavy rock-heavy metal album.
The final judgment:
The Iron Maiden do not need to prove who they are. On the other hand as long as they exist on recordings and on stage they will be judged. They will be judged severely.
I won't put next to the Final Frontier any record from the '80s-'90s. In grading the record I will consider the fact of their great past. Therefore, 6,5/10 is closer to reality. If you are one of the fans you might put 7, or 6.
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