Review Summary: This album is proof that Iron Maiden are moving against dying light.
If you love metal, this is a must buy.
After four years of anticipation for the Kings of Metal to put out a new one, they hit us with the best record the new decade can give.
Heavy metal Stalwarts Iron Maiden topped the charts in 37 countries with their latest effort The Final Frontier, significantly beating Eminem and Linkin Park.
Here is an elaborate track-by-track review of the album, not just for an Iron Maiden fan but even for an average music lover.
Personnel :
Steve Harris - Bass guitar
Adrian Smith - Lead guitar
Bruce Dickinson - Vocals
Janick Gers - Lead guitar
Dave Murray - Lead Guitar
Nicko McBrain - Drums
1. Satellite 15... The Final Frontier : (Smith/Harris) - 8:40
The song is a combination of 2 songs, Satellite 15 + The Final Frontier.
Iron Maiden usually play these epic "openers" before they start off live. Like in 2000, during their 'Brave New World' tour, they played 'Arthur's Farewell' which comprises of keyboards and a choir.
This music isn't played live, it's just to create this epic feel. After the music ends, Bruce Dickinson jumps 10 feet above the amplifier and Iron Maiden start playing their song.
But on this album, Maiden have made their own opener, which is Satellite 15.
With dark music and ghostly vocals, the song is about an Astronaut who is stranded in space and is calling for help.
Adrian Smith made this song on his computer and Steve Harris insisted on using it as an opener.
Drums aren't played by Nicko McBrain on Satellite 15, they are synthesizers.
After four and a half minutes of Satellite 15, a Judas Priest-ish riff kicks in with Bruce's voice as good as ever. This is The Final Frontier.
2 guitar solos by Adrian and Dave respectively.
A music video was made for this and is arguably the 'costliest metal video made' produced by award-winning production company Darkside Animation Films who've also produced 'Lost in Space', 'Gladiator' and 'Black Hawk Down'.
2. El Dorado : (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) - 6:48
El Dorado was made as a free download on the band's official website on June 8th 00:00 BST.
The song starts like a continuation to the end of the first song. It received mixed reviews by fans.
Bruce doesn't hit high notes till the chorus, which is quite reminiscent to the chorus of 'Out Of The Silent Planet' (2000).
Each of the band's guitarists play a solo on this one.
If you're a fan of Maiden's gallops then you'll love this one.
3. Mother of Mercy : (Smith/Harris) - 5:20
This song could have easily been on Maiden's previous album 'A Matter Of Life And Death' (2006), with the tone and lyrics about war.
Maiden actually dropped down to D on this song.
Chorus is indeed lung-busting, amazing how someone who is 50+ can hit notes like that.
4. Coming Home : (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) - 5:52
The song starts off with a very good twin guitar riff and then a ballad.
Almost sounds like a big brother of 'Out Of The Shadows' (2006).
After the ballad, it sounds very much like 80's Iron Maiden.
Dave Murray shows his Jazz and Deep Purple influences in his solo. While Adrian's solo is very well delivered and is probably the best solo on the album.
The chorus is very catchy and the crowd will definitely sing along to this one.
5. The Alchemist : (Gers/Harris/Dickinson) - 4:29
The shortest song on the album and personally, the weakest.
Plain riff and bad production, it's one of the worst songs Maiden have written in a long long time.
But if you liked Iron Maiden's first 2 albums, then you will like this one too.
So far all the songs were pretty straight-forward ones.
But from now on, the songs range from over 7 minutes to 11 minutes long! The "epic" ones that Iron Maiden do so well.
6. Isle Of Avalon : (Smith/Harris) - 9:06
Easily the most progressive song Iron Maiden have done in their entire career!
Starts with a fantastic dark intro with air gushing. Almost sounds like the middle section of 'Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son' (1988).
After that is a melodic verse, you can make out from a mile away that Steve Harris composed the verse.
Then a series of progressive solos, it almost sounds as if Maiden are having a casual jam, but Bruce said that is not true.
Sounds like Dream Theater + Iron Maiden + Opeth all in all!
Just brilliant stuff.
7. Starblind : (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) - 7:48
This song is a riff monster! It starts off with an intro and then it's just riffs, chorus, riffs, chorus, new riff, solo, another riff, riffs and ends with the chorus.
Has a fantastic chorus which sounds similar to 'Infinite Dreams' (1988).
Has synth sounds like their 1986 album 'Somewhere In Time'.
8. The Talisman : (Gers/Harris) - 9:03
Again, starts with an intro..but this time, with an acoustic one. It sounds very similar to the intro of 'The Legacy' (2006).
Bruce tells a story similar to the mid section of 'Rime Of The Ancient Mariner' (1984).
The song gets heavy and Bruce wails his lungs off!
The chorus is the best on the album in my opinion.
At around 6:45, the music is again one of the most progressive things Maiden have written.
This song passes the nine minute mark in no time.
9. The Man Who Would Be King : (Murray/Harris) - 8:28
This is a Murray-Masterpiece! It is also the most psychedelic song Maiden have done till date.
Starts with an extremely melodic intro, and Bruce's singing reminds me of the late Mr.Ronnie James Dio.
The music when the song gets heavy is magnificent, although I believe with a little judicious production it would've had the ability to sweep people off their feet.
At around close to 4 minutes, it gets so psychedelic...it takes you to a whole new world!
Again with a very catchy chorus and the solos in the song are fantastic.
10. When The Wild Wind Blows : (Harris) - 11:01
I can safely say Iron Maiden have saved the best for last!
This song gives you eargasms after the very first listen. It's mind-blowingly melodic! In fact, there's not even a single second when this song gets ditched by melody.
Bruce's singing is top notch - Best vocal performance on the album.
Production, editing and everything else is great too.
There are 3 verses in this song.
First, the song starts with an Irish like melody and gets heavier with the same tune.
Second, again more melody with Adrian's and Dave's solos.
Third verse sounds like classic Iron Maiden! With the E-C-D chord progressions. Also has Janick Gers' solo.
The song ends with the first verse tune.
Steve Harris is indeed the 'Spinal Cord of Iron Maiden'.
Did you know that out of the 144 songs Iron Maiden have put on record, Steve Harris has co-written/co-composed 114 of them? Also, he has SOLELY written the music AND lyrics for 56 of them!
That is the sheer greatness of this man.
Actually, this song can bring in people who haven't heard Maiden into the Maiden family! It's up there with all other Iron Maiden classics like 'Hallowed Be Thy Name', 'Fear Of The Dark' and countless others.
It truly is a treat to hear a song like this.
