Iron Maiden--Dance Of Death
Columbia 2003
The influence and importance of Iron Maiden and their music goes without saying. Time has proven them to be the best and most consistently great of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal bands. All that said, who would've ever imagined Iron Maiden would be creating the best music of their lives, with their all-time greatest lineup, a little under thirty years after forming? Considering how legendary this band has been for so long, it seems impossible. However, the proof is in the pudding and this new album, Dance Of Death, delivers in ways that are beyond comprehension.
For starters, who knew Iron Maiden needed three guitarists all along? On this album, the expanded version of the previously considered to be "classic lineup" really gels. Dave Murray's patented barrage of hammer-ons is driving as ever, Janick Gers' axemanship lends a soulfulness to the proceedings just as it has since his debut on the unfairly/ignorantly maligned No Prayer For The Dying album, and Adrian Smith's free-spirited melodicism is the pendulum is all swings on. The results are jaw dropping. Of course, the rhythm section of drummer Nicko McBrain and bassist/leader Steve Harris are rock-solid as always. Plus, that Bruce Dickinson guy can still really sing and hasn't lost even half a step over time. The key difference between this album and Maiden's last (the first with this expanded roster), Brave New World, is a much more complimentary production. Gone is the too dry production style that plagued the band starting with the Blaze Bayley-era--now replaced with a wetter, more orchestarted sound which compliments perfectly Maiden's always epic material.
Speaking of the material, these songs are astonishing. Brave New World was flawless from a songwriting standpoint but Dance Of Death has somehow managed to improve upon perfection. This is at once the most progressive Iron Maiden has ever been, as well as their most epic output since Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. The most progressive of the bunch is the Smith/Harris composition "Paschendale." Strucurally, this track is very unorthodox, flowing like it was seperated into chapters--somehow, without seeming disjointed. There is also a tasteful use of synth on this cut, making an already great song a classic. Both "Montsegur" and "Dance Of Death" serve as further proof that Janick Gers was just as crucial a pickup to Iron Maiden when they got him as Bruce Dickenson was, all those years ago. These two cuts, co-penned by Gers, show just how versatile the guys is. "Montsegur" is a mixture of brutal and grand--the pounding verse riff giving way to an epic explosion in the chorus. However, "Dance Of Death" really plays to Janick's tasteful style, with forms used which echo those utilized in some European folk music. All this said, if one track here were to capture the essence of the whole album it would have to be the Murray/Harris collaboration "Age Of Innocence." This song incorporates every element used over the course of the album into a single cut--from the epic intro, to the plowing verse, through to the strangely melodic chorus. It should also be noted that, besides the typical Iron Maiden lyrical subject matter (war, corruption, standing up for your rights, etc.), Dance Of Death has "healing" as one of its central themes. It makes for an even more emotional and moving listen than you could possibly imagine.
To say Dance Of Death is a landmark release is to understate things greatly. Many bands have weathered unheaval and rough times only to later bounce back--but not like Iron Maiden has here. Dance Of Death marks the start of a new golden age for this band. Beyond just "metal album of the year," Iron Maiden look to have delivered 2003's ultimate must-have.
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