BRAVE NEW WORLD

This was my introduction to the modern Iron Maiden sound where they began to become a prog metal band. This album hearkens back to 1987's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son and I think it is their best effort since then. Bruce Dickinson came back for this album and now they also had 3 guitarists, quite a unique set up. The interplay between the three is great, and it never becomes to muddy and confusing. The album kicks off with "The Wicker Man", a memorable rocking song with the uplifting chorus "your time will come". The great thing about this album is how Iron Maiden combines high energy metal with complex non-linear song structures, and also makes it memorable and catchy. Maiden is also well known for coming up with some of the best guitar riffs ever, and they don't disappoint on this album. Songs like Brave New World, Blood Brothers, Dream of Mirrors, The Nomad, and the oft-overlooked The Thin Line Between Love and Hate are all perfect examples of the aforementioned traits of Maiden. I highly recommend this album to any metal fan, and the more adventurous prog fans who don't mind heavy music.