PIECE OF MIND

I would lie to you if I told you that this Maiden album is drastically different from the previous ones. From a pure hard-rock debut, the evolution towards almost full heavy metal is now finalized.

There will also be some attempts to develop more elaborate songs as if the "Purple" shadow was still hanging above their heads. But these are not truly convincing. Neither "Where Eagles Dare", nor "Revelations".

While "Killers" was a bomb from start to finish, this album is slower paced. More AOR-oriented which is not necessary a good news. "Flight of Icarus" is one example and is only saved by a great guitar break. One of my fave is the fully hard-rocking "Die With Your Boots On". Energetic, aggressive and powerful. Traditional Maiden. Finally.

This album won't feature lots of great stuff. The band has released much better than this album. IMO, it is their weakest effort so far. These crazy beats are almost forgotten, few great guitar breaks (like in "Still Life" - well named!). I guess that Maiden maniacs are still pleased with this delivery but I can't be too laudatory about it.

Still, "Quest Of Fire" or "Sun & Steel" are more in accordance with my Maiden expectations (especially the latter which takes up again with their wildest rock music). Last numbers are stronger (a casting mistake maybe). The closing (and longest) being the best one IMO.

But it is not enough to make this album unforgettable. Just a good heavy metal one. Deserving an average rating of five out of ten on my rating scale.

Oh yes, I was about to forget. One advice for progheads maybe : stay away of this album, since you would hardly find ten seconds of whatever progressive music you could think of.

Three stars.