BRAVE NEW WORLD

After the controversial "X Factor" in 1995 and "Virtual XI" in 1998 with Blaze Bayley replacing the irreplaceable Bruce Dickinson on vocals and Janick Gers replacing Adrian Smith since 1990's "No Prayer for the Dying", a troubled Iron Maiden shuffle again and summon their two prodigal sons to face the beginning of the new millennium, resulting in "Brave New World" (2000), their twelfth album. Inspired by the eponymous dystopian novel by British writer Aldous Huxley, "Brave New World" revitalised the English band's career, also bolstered by the incorporation of producer Kevin Shirley, who, from his place, would be in charge of reorienting the band's sonic proposals.

On the one hand, songs of immediate impact such as the direct "The Wicker Man" with powerful guitar riffs and Nick McBrain's unrelenting drumming, very appropriate to be chanted live, the fast and rhythmic "The Mercenary", or the galloping and snake-like "The Fallen Angel", overflow with an infectious energy reminiscent of the early days of the band led by Steve Harris.

And on the other hand, the developments of generous length and more elaborate and progressive structures so identifiable from albums like "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" from 1988, take on particular relevance from the majestic "Ghost of Navigator" and Harris's piercing bass setting the cadence, continues with the restrained fury of "Brave New World" and the duel of the three guitarists, sustained again by Harris' porfiado bass, with the epic and orchestrated "Blood Brothers", another great song ideal to interact with the live audience, with the arabesque riffs of the enigmatic "The Nomad" and its atmospheric middle section, and finally with the introspective and dark epic of "The Thin Line Between Love & Hate".

The futuristic, purplish vision of the city of London cloaked by the image of a cloudy Eddie, beyond being the excellent cover of "Brave New World", symbolises the band's renewed look forward and reconciliation with their grateful and multitudinous fan base.

4 stars

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