Iron Maiden - Brave New World

Well here it is, one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Maiden like Dio have seen old members returning to the fold. So its out with Blaze Bayley and in with Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith making a three pronged guitar attack. It is safe to say that Maiden have not released a truly great album since 88's 'Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son' and while this is not quite the classic we were all hoping for, it does make up quite a bit of lost ground.
I thought 'The X Factor' was excellent in a few places, unfortunately that momentum was not carried into 'Virtual XI' with 'When 2 Worlds Collide' and 'The Clansman' being the only decent tracks there. The last two Bruce era albums 'No Prayer For The Dying' and 'Fear Of The Dark' especially were weak and lacked enthusiasm over anything else; luckily 'Brave New World' is not lacking in enthusiasm although misses something occasionally. Also it's nice to see another decent Maiden cover which is the best since 'Seventh Son...'. Luckily out are the plodding unimaginative overlong exploits from 'Virtual XI' to be replaced by a style of writing that could off been from the 'Powerslave' period - a very good thing, although a few tracks do suffer from being rather bloated. Another plus is the production, Kevin Shirley has produced a great sounding album with Nicko's drums being quite awesome with the bass drum pounding you in the chest every time its hit. So lets dive in and see what each track has to offer.

1. THE WICKER MAN (4.35)
Well this is one track I suspect you have all heard by now. I must admit to not really liking it as it says nothing to me. After many hearings it still leaves me cold with its obvious chord changes and weak chorus. Oh well onto......

2. GHOST OF THE NAVIGATOR (6.50)
Ah this is better, starting out with clean mellow guitar chords that were used to good effect on 'The X Factor' the track quickly springs into life with an absolutely superb riff. This is classic Maiden with a slight gallop in the bass line. Bruce sounds absolutely divine on the verses recalling his great vocal performances on tracks such as 'Powerslave', in fact this track lyrically charters similar territory to the track 'Rime Of The Ancient Mariner' from 'Powerslave' what with its story of being on a great epic sea-faring journey. The solo is by Janick Gers and is darn good, overall this track is the best thing Maiden have done in years.

3. BRAVE NEW WORLD (6.18)
This track based on the book 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley has been deftly assembled, beginning gently and ascending into a defiant if a little repetitive chorus, however confidence does come rippling through the band's sound. A track that takes a few spins to get into but ultimately rewards.

4. BLOOD BROTHERS (7.14)
Another successful track which is beautifully arranged by Harris and sees Maiden picking up where they left off with 'The Clansman'. There is a definite Jethro Tull style quirkiness permeating the tune's rich soothing melodic power, some nice orchestration enhances the sound further. The lyrics are about Steve's relationship with his departed father 'Just for a second a glimpse of my father I see, and in a movement he beckons to me, and in a moment all the memories are all that remain, and all the wounds are reopening again', the track is a bit of a mini epic with nice guitar harmony and interaction between all involved.

5. THE MERCENARY (4.42)
A good solid rocker all about Mercenary's obviously. A fairly conventional tuneful Maiden rocker that is comparable to 'Die With Your Boots On', ultimately it does suffer a little from following the poignancy of 'Blood Brothers'. Some good lyrics prevail through the track 'Pay to kill, die to lose. Hunted, hunter which are you. Diablo come again to make trophies out of you' and 'Human heart, human mind. Intellect intertwined, focus sharp in the night, watch the jungle burning bright'.

6. DREAM OF MIRRORS (9.21)
Another of the best tracks on offer. Penned by Janick Gers and Steve Harris the track starts off with a flourish [similar to 'Phantom Of The Opera'] before dropping down a gear. Bruce again excels telling the story of a man who is afraid to sleep, lamenting the possibility that he is losing his mind. As an exercise in self restraint its stunning but the chorus comes into its own with the superb lyrics 'I only dream in black and white, I only dream 'cause I'm alive, I only dream in black and white to save me from myself'. What a concept! Do I dream in black and white? Do you? The majority of the track purrs before the slightly inevitable gallop kicks in to drive the song past the nine minute mark.

7. THE FALLEN ANGEL (4.00)
Starting out with a passage similar to one in the instrumental section of 'Rime Of The Ancient Mariner' before kicking into a groove that is pretty close to MSG's 'Assault Attack', however, despite the 'close' similarities this is still one bolstering confidence laden track. The pre chorus has a part that is a return to the glory early days and here Adrian Smith's contribution is fully realized and although the track is pretty straightforward it is brimming with attitude. There's even some good solo trade-offs between Smith, Murray and Gers that is pretty effective in getting the message across.

8. THE NOMAD (9.06)
Another in-depth epic that starts out with perhaps the most intensive riffing to be found on a Maiden album yet. The three pronged guitar attack comes into its own here with different guitar parts creating a big and surprisingly uncluttered sound. The lyrics tell the tale of the Bedouin, a nomadic arabian tribe of the desert. Quite straightforward lyrics about the nomads telling you how mysterious and strange they were - basically an 'Alexander The Great' type lyrical approach. The track musically is another throw back to the 'Powerslave' period with exotic solos and Egyptian vibes. Some more stunning solo work that is the best stuff Murray / Gers and Smith have done in years - again showing a hunger and enthusiasm for the material.

9. OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET (8.26)
Nothing like the Kings X track and album of the same name. The track lyrically is a fairly straightforward romp through sci-fi territory [more Blaze Bayley's area bizarrely] based on the sci-fi classic 'The Forbidden Planet', basically about a bunch of aliens who have destroyed their planet and now have left that silent planet and are coming to get us - ooo scary!! Not the strongest track on the album with Bruce sounding none too bothered to be honest. There's some good instrumental sections but nothing stunning here.

10. THE THIN LINE BETWEEN LOVE & HATE (8.26)
Another little uninspired track to end the album off. The harmony vocals on the verse and the actual chorus are a little cluttered. The lyrics are about Karma and what goes around comes around and you reap what you sow etc. Strangely its another anti-climatic track that is rescued slightly by a compelling ending, generally a lackluster way to end the album though.

Well their you go, for the most part 'Brave New World' is a return to form which while not quite the classic the press have been saying it is, is still a good album that will ensure Maiden keep on going for a few more years yet. Curiously its the longer epic tracks that come off best with 'Ghost Of The Navigator', 'Blood Brothers', 'Dream of Mirrors' and 'The Nomad' all likely to become Maiden classics, while the tracks intended as singles 'The Wicker Man' and 'The Mercenary' sound a little contrived and too familiar. No this is not the radically different album Maiden said it was to be, but it is different enough to get them noticed by the younger rock fans of today. As stated earlier in the review I am quite surprised that the three guitar attack does sound as uncluttered as it does, something that worried me when it was announced that Adrian was rejoining, so full marks either to Gers /Murray and Smith or Kevin Shirley for giving good separation in the mix. Bruce sounds revitalized most of the time and clearly its been his and Smith's input that has been missing over previous Maiden releases. Not only that but their reintroduction seems to have fired up Dave Murray who gets 3 song writing credits! Janick Gers seems more at ease here as well, basically a good album that while taking a few listens to release its potential does eventually reward.

"UP THE IRONS"

RATING
8.2
Review by Andy Craven
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