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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
A Matter of Life and Death is Iron Maiden's fourteenth studio album, in a career that has spanned three decades. And yet, after all this time, Iron Maiden continue to improve, whilst most of their peers flounder. Simply put, A Matter of Life and Death is more than just a great Iron Maiden album; it's a great metal album. It revisits a theme that's familiar territory for the band, and rather boldly, devotes an entire album to it. A Matter of Life and Death is a concept album about war, and the closest thing to a prog album that the London-based metallers have yet created. And, at their age and at this point in their career, it's a step that just makes sense, adding a level of seriousness and dignity to a band that could have easily disappeared into Spinal Tap-style silliness. Instead, the six members of Iron Maiden sound rejuvenated, playing better than ever on tracks like "These Colours Don't Run", which starts out like an army recruiting anthem before revealing it's true nature as an anti-war song, and the nine-minute plus epics "For the Greater Good of God" and "The Legacy". Iron Maiden have enjoyed a creative rennaissance in recent years, but it's hard to imagine how they'll improve upon A Matter of Life and Death. --Ted Kord
Review
Any fan of Iron Maiden who's witnessed their evolution has learned to ignore the 'hilarious' quips about screaming banshees and the men who look like yetis. Instead you focus on the structure of the songs, the meaning in the lyrics and the tight instrumentation that always provide enjoyment and satisfaction.
So, is A Matter Of Life And Death as good as classics Powerslave and Dance Of Death? Yes; the quality bar is raised once more. Maiden again prove their uncanny ability to write great lyrics wrapped around guitar orchestration that rock fans crave.
"For The Greater Good Of God" and "The Longest Day" are outstanding with the partnership of guitar, bass and drum (and now even keys) flowing and developing throughout. "Lord Of Light" is one of those epic tracks destined to be listened to again and again - each time giving something new.
A Matter Of Life And Death is the sound of a band who have been together for thirty one years, mostly spent on the road. The album manages to preserve the raw element of a live performance because, as with their other albums, the band recorded A Matter... together in the same studio as live. Every song provides evidence that the band feed off each other and share a common energy.
In this world of hopeless auto-tuned mediocrity here is a British band that consistently crafts fantastic music that surprises reviewers and fans alike. Some may dislike the controversial lyrics, but isn't that what rock music is supposed to be all about? --Andy Maclarty
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
And God it's good! Not just good, it's flippin' awesome! As a die-hard Maiden fan from Powerslave - Fear of the Dark, I lost interest after Bruce left. I tried out the Blaze material (was a Wolfsbane fan back in the day), but couldn't get into it. Brave New World and Dance of Death were excellent, but not enough to draw me back into my frenzied old state! A Matter of Life and Death is a whole different beast. I bought it last week after reading the wealth of reviews here. I had to hear the album that some claim is better than 7th Son (my favourite album). While I can't be sure of that bold statement (THAT album is, after all a legend for many of us), I will say that it is better than all of the others! (Deep breath!) Ok, so most of the others had legendary songs on them but the consistency of this album makes it a winner (every song on 7th Son was excellent too). I have listened to this album over and over more than 10 times in the past four or five days. I have also listened to individual tracks when I have had a spare minute or 8!! I can't find a poor track and love listening to the whole CD. I can't believe it, having lost interest in "long" songs years ago. The truth is, these songs just do not feel long, even at 8-9 mins I'm not bored. I am a Maiden fan again!! Well and truly!! Just wish I'd bought this before the tour coz I NEED to see them again!! Still evolving and re-inventing (as reviewed above) this has got to be the coup that no other band approaching middle-age has EVER pulled off! It makes me feel 16 again and my sons (1 and 6 years old) move to it like maniacs. It may grow on me to be their best ever, we'll see! UP THE IRONS!!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It must be said that Maiden have been on something of a creative roll since the return of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith.....deservedly so! "Brave New World" and "Dance of Death", were both outstanding albums/tours and better than anything the band had done since 1988. AMOLAD, however, significantly "under-whelmed" me for a long time. I have to say that I didn't like this album when I first bought it, I initially found it to be weak in comparison with DOD. But, after absorbing it for the best part of a year, I'm converted. I find myself listening to it more and more. This is an outstandingly strong, complex, intelligent and ambitious Maiden album. It doesn't have the technical flair and instantly standout tracks of DOD/BNW but, as a whole, it is a much more cohesive work. Of course it has the trademark Maiden sound, why wouldn't it?? Maiden have been guilty of being formulaic in the past, most notably towards the end of Bruce's first tenure, but certainly not on this album. AMOLAD has more twists, turns and pace changes that the Paris to Dakar Rally. The progressive influences are getting stronger, as is the song writing and the musicianship. And how many other 30-year old bands could do a tour and get away with playing little else but their latest album in its entirety? I'd say they were in a class of one on that, which says a lot about the strength of the material and their fans. In summary, AMOALD is latest in a trilogy of outstanding Maiden albums....just give it a few spins and you'll be hooked. Nobody else in their genre or vintage is still making albums this good! Where next?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Vinyl
I was thrilled to see that Iron Maiden offered their new album as a limited edition, vinyl picture disc. I have a number of other Maiden albums on vinyl and have always thought that their crisp sounding heavy metal lended itself very well to the vinyl format. In general, this is a great album; the best of their recent offerings (post Seventh Son) in my opinion. A bit darker perhaps then other Maiden albums - almost a continuation from Dance of Death - but then again even more progressive and in-depth. Some people might not like the "non-mastered" sound of this recording though.
The 3-star rating however is also based on a number of problems with the two copies of the vinyl edition I've had the chance to listen to. It is well known that picture discs might have somewhat higher surface noise than ordinary vinyl pressings, but both versions I've listened to have had extreme surface noise to the point of actually drowning out the music in quiet parts. Also, both version have had off-center holes, resulting in "warbled" sound and distortion.
In short, love the album, shame about the vinyl edition. Hopefully, this will only apply to a small number of albums, but buyers should be aware of these problems.
Cheers.
The 3-star rating however is also based on a number of problems with the two copies of the vinyl edition I've had the chance to listen to. It is well known that picture discs might have somewhat higher surface noise than ordinary vinyl pressings, but both versions I've listened to have had extreme surface noise to the point of actually drowning out the music in quiet parts. Also, both version have had off-center holes, resulting in "warbled" sound and distortion.
In short, love the album, shame about the vinyl edition. Hopefully, this will only apply to a small number of albums, but buyers should be aware of these problems.
Cheers.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A band that just keeps on improving.....?
As difficult as it is to believe.....but yes. They just keep getting better and bloody better! How is this possible?
Published 11 months ago by C. S. Schalck
A matter of life and death
The "A matter of life and death" album by Iron Maiden is a very good album due to the very comprehensive song writing and performing. Read more
Published 16 months ago by TG
not impressed
The songs on this album are far too long.Went to see them on this tour and they played the whole album live. Read more
Published 16 months ago by rob64
Quick Reviews!
After a come back which no-one honestly expected, Maiden had nothing left to prove; fans, critics, and band members were happy. Read more
Published 18 months ago by carlosnightman
Everything a good metal/rock album should be
I'm writing this review, not as a Maiden devotee, but as a recent convert. I managed to get to 40 years of age without owning a Maiden album, thinking they were too over the top,... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Dr. M. Cinnirella
Not bad but please get rid of Gers
Gers was the equal worst thing to happen to maiden along with loosing Smith. OK they've got Smith back and it certainly helps... Read more
Published 21 months ago by BP1
These Colours Don't Run!!!
I have to admit that this album took a while to grow on me. The songs tend the be a little repetetive, a slow, brooding opening making way for a hard rocking chorus. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Prophet of Disaster
All that matters
Once again Maiden have come up with the goods. This marks the 3rd 'new' classic since the return of Bruce. Read more
Published 22 months ago by ratmonkey
The most epic of Maiden albums
This album has everything, and although it took me a few listens at first, I can now say that this is a masterpiece. Read more
Published on 18 April 2010 by David Gahan
the Irons prevail
Maidens 14th studio album is their best in about 20 years and is their most progressive album thus far. Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2010 by Twitch
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