Review Summary: No surprises here. Iron Maiden's fifteenth album is a classy declaration of longevity and skill that only the almighty Irons themselves can pull off.
Poor Iron Maiden. They just can't release a new album without it being compared to Powerslave or Seventh Son. Of course, most who have been following their career to the point where they have heard everything bearing the Irons' namesake would realize that Maiden have changed their style with every album, whilst still sounding like Maiden. They've showed over the years that they're more than just "the band that does Run to the Hills", and so naturally, when Janick Gers replaced Adrian Smith in 1990, everyone got all up in arms and began slamming pretty much everything they did. Bruce's departure from the band did nothing to help matters either, and though their popularity has indeed resurged since Bruce and H rejoined (and Jan stayed), everyone likes to compare albums.
So it seems only natural that The Final Frontier would go down this path. The songs are longer and more progressive. Bruce's voice has matured to a more tenor vocal range and operatic vocal style. The riffs are more 70s progressive rockish. The drum licks are noticeably more complex. So how dare that Maiden grow into a more mature style, right?
Wrong. This album is a complete masterpiece, and if anything, equally as good as their previous album, A Matter of Life and Death.
There's a lot to admire on this disc. For one, it has a wide range of sounds to chill to. Remember when you'd lie on your bed, smoke a fatty with The Wall turned up to full blast? While I've never done any drugs to speak of, I can safely say this album will bring back memories of those times. "Isle of Avalon" is best listened to while you are laying down and your eyes closed... the sing has an eerie, dreamlike feel throughout with several time signature changes and eastern sounding riffs that will sweep you off your feet. "Satellite 15... the Final Frontier" will give you the impression that you've been pulled to an underground jazz club with its tribal drums, creepy guitar effects, vocals that sound like Bruce is floating in space and the overall jazz fusion feel that provides a good lead into the following track- a catchy, 80sish Maiden number with a catchy chorus and three blistering solos.
Then you have tracks like the short, punchy, and anthemic "The Alchemist", a Gers-penned tune with lyrics about historic mathematician John Dee. "My dreams of empire for my frozen queen will come to pass/Know me, the magus, I am Dr. dee, and this is my house/I am the master of the tides/I shame the mirror in my sight/what random music covers spheres across the years?" The chorus is insanely catchy and the solos are just beautiful. "Coming Home" is a ballad that's cheesy as hell, but the emotional impact is still there. If any other band did it, it'd be rubbish. But Bruce's powerful vocal delivery about how good it feels to finally come home from far off places is just... it gets you. Despite said corniness, the song still manages to bring a tear to your eye. "The Man Who Would Be King" is a dreary and depressing ode to a man who has lost mental balance after killing a man in self defense. The music is just epic and emotional, and the lyrics are thought provoking as ever. "In reflecting the decisions that were made/Of all the tales that will haunt until his grave/No one has the right to take another life/But in his mind he had no choice over it." The highlight is the upbeat instrumental section with a blazing solo from Davey- pretty much why he is my favourite guitarist of all time.
The two best tracks are without a doubt "When the Wild Wind Blows" and "The Talisman". The former is an 11 minute epic that reminds you of Maiden's classic epics that you'd listen to all day. Plenty of style changes, gripping and unsettling lyrics, and Bruce's voice is just unbelievably amazing on it. The middle of the song reminds one of "The End" by The Beatles, where everyone gets a chance to solo, and the slightly Celtic sounding riff that sounds a bit like the intro to "No More Lies". The latter is on the same level as Hallowed- yes you heard me right. Beginning with a soft sea shanty about leaving a less fortunate land for a better future, the song kicks into high gear heavy metal and some stunning vocal deliveries from Bruce prove the man is nowhere near done yet. Galloping bass, guitar riffs that display true musicianship and Nicko's galloping drums only complement the amazing voice work from Bruce, and the lyrics that tell of a ship lost in a hurricane create an intense and horrifying film in your head, and how the story goes on, you hope this boat of misfits survives.
Maiden really haven't done anything radical in terms of sound changes throughout their career. And why should they? They've gotten this far without receiving any mainstream help. They are in their middle age and they just want to have fun and sing about coming home from far off places. Why shouldn't they? I mean, they sell out arenas and stadiums all over the world. They have fans as young as six years old. You go to a concert and see people ages 8 to 80. Obviously Maiden still have lots left in their tank, which is far from empty. Aerosmith or Judas Priest couldn't release an album this consistent if they wanted to. And it shows how relevant they've managed to stay through the years. This is Maiden showing to us that they still matter, and that they can rock if they want to. It's full of class and skill only Maiden could show.
Absolutely recommended!
