A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

Many reviews here are in favour of this album, but I'm in two minds. There is some good stuff on it - mostly alternating with the not so refined (if not unnecessary) tunes. After all, this album resembles a ride on a dipper or a see-saw. Here are some words to each track:

DIFFERENT WORLD: a straight rocker that seems to come directly from the 80's. Certainly no different world in musical terms, just a song to get the album started (2/5).

THESE COLOURS DON'T RUN: a good tune with Maiden's old dull good-for-everything drum figure during the instrumental section. (3/5)

BRIGHTER THAN A THOUSAND SUNS: the first highlight. Heavy, melodic, inventive. Dickinson's high- pitched voice in the chorus is slightly unnerving. (4/5)

THE PILGRIM: another song of Maiden's usual series (The Prisoner, The Trooper, The Mercenary, The Nomad etc.). Formulaic metal of the 80's. Not a complete mess, though. (2/5)

THE LONGEST DAY: war always figured prominently in IM's lyrics. This is about D-Day. Good song. (4/5)

OUT OF THE SHADOWS: Sounds like it was ordered: Write some more song using formula, will you please? Here we go again, with a slightly mellower tune. (2/5)

THE REINCARNATION OF BENJAMIN BREEG: a nice heavy anthem. (4/5)

FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF GOD: The dull drum routine again - but this time it works wonders! The most aggressive and best song of the album. The instrumental parts seem a bit unmotivated, but they sound good. (4.5/5)

LORD OF LIGHT: a song like Frankenstein's monster: stitched together from different parts and reanimated to a life that should not be - the result is a simulacron or in other words: muzak. (1.5/5)

THE LEGACY: I don't really know what to make of this piece - seems to me it's falling apart. Nothing to write home about in any case. (2/5)

29 points for 10 songs = 2.9 = 3 stars.

Favourite Track: For the Greater Good of God