Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Iron Maiden
Title
Dance of Death
Type
LP/EP
Company
Sony Music
YOR
2003
Style
Power
9/19/2003 - Review by: Frank Hill
Iron Maiden - Dance of Death - 2003 - Reviewed by Nailer

Track Listing
1. 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
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: IRON MAIDEN
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
A Matter Of Life And Death
2006
Sanctuary Records
Frank Hill9/29/2006
4
A Matter Of Life And Death
2006
Sanctuary Records
Eric Compton9/30/2006
5
Dance of Death
2003
Sony Music
Frank Hill9/19/2003
-
Part 1: The Early Days
2004
Columbia Legacy
Ken Pierce4/1/2005
-
Rock In Rio
2002
Sony Music
Frank Hill4/30/2003
-
The Essential Iron Maiden
2005
Sony Music
Ken Pierce6/25/2005
-
The Final Frontier
2010
Sony Legacy
Chris Kincaid8/16/2010
4.5

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: IRON MAIDEN
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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