BRAVE NEW WORLD

On occasion of the release of Iron Maiden's new album, I wish to share some thoughts on the reincarnation phase of their career, starting with the return of vocalist Bruce Dickinson on Brave New World. Rarely has a metal band aged so well (and we're talking about a band that scared countless parents in the 80s with their gore-ish mascot, which they kept, and what stood in ever-growing contrast with their musical pretensions). Maiden has always been melody-centered and "epic", but now that epicness has grown in ridiculous proportions. The general pace has slightly slowed, the details are richer and vocals more stately. Albums still have their share of shorter rockers and extended pieces, but now the epics are the center, comprising well over half the tracks (and fittingly, out of the first 4 tracks, three are great epic songs).