Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Iron Maiden - Dance of Death - 2003 - Reviewed by Nailer

Track Listing1. Wildest Dreams 2. Rainmaker 3. No More Lies 4. Montsegur 5. Dance Of Death 6. Gates Of Tomorrow 7. New Frontier 8. Paschendale 9. Face In The Sand 10. Age Of Innocence 11. Journeyman

The Alchemist viewed his Iron Maiden collection with a wry smile. Before him stood a weighty order of Heavy Metal classics that the gods themselves would love to steal and with each new release, he redrew the charmed circles of protection to keep them away. Tonight, he brought home the special thirteenth release to test.

"Let's see what we have for the latest", he thought as he carefully removed the latest Maiden disc "Dance of Death" from its casing. Using methods stealthily taught and secretly handed down for generations; he turned up the perpetual fire, burned away the carapace and crystallized the basest amount of Heavy Metal for examination. His extraction was an isolated hunk of matter still white hot and ready for the scales.

"This one does have a very mature glow," he said to no one but himself, "but it seems to weigh in a little lighter than usual." In his aural mind, he reflected back on the songs to try and determine the reason for lesser mass. The old man opened his thick, leather-bound tome and began to write.

"Dance of Death" is a well-crafted, comfortable work. It's strong playing flows organically and relaxed throughout with robust instrumentation and little sign of any aged weakness. Given that the guitars are powered to the level of three, its lower gravity seems to be the biggest paradox. I've come to the conclusion that the abundance of genial melody lines and an absence of the dark matter usually associated with the genre give it a lighter overall feel in comparison to the earliest Maiden works. Its mass places it around the center of the entire catalog weighing in at about the same measure as "Somewhere in Time". On an individual note, the heftiest numbers are "Montségur", "Dance of Death", "Paschendale" and "Face in the Sand".

From the corner of his vision, he noticed the gray figure peering in his sanctum's windows. Quickly, he raised his index and little finger and flashed the Malocchio at it. "Go away, you wispy, white-haired familiar. I have no time for your mischief tonight."

With that he closed the book and settled in for the evening satisfied.

--Nailer 9.19.03