The first listen was utterly disappointing. Maiden has always included epic songs on their albums, but even on recent discs like Brave New World songs like “The Mercenary,” “The Wicker Man” and “Fallen Angel” harkened back to old school Maiden. On AMOLAD, there aren’t really any songs that gallop to augment all of the slow/mid paced songs. I kept expecting the band to crash out of the speakers at some point and announce, “Here we are! Three MAIDEN guitars,” but it never happens. On this CD, Iron Maiden is content to shelve the “Run to the Hills” of old in favor of a more laid back, progressive if you will, pace. I want to emphasize that the musicianship on this CD is undoubtedly up to Maiden standards, but to me it just lacks that immediacy the NWOBHM men are known for. Part of musicianship is also lyrical ability, something Maiden always seems to work hard on; on AMOLAD, war is the main theme and the real blistering part of the album. “These Colours Don’t Run” is the highlight lyrically (and unfortunately all too appropriate at this moment). Bruce has always been the most impressive member of the band for me, and his singing today is no less astounding than it was 20 years ago.

The album lowlight is in the first track, just like on Dance of Death. “Different World” is just too generic and single-y (and sounds uncannily like “Wildest Dreams”). Also, the album’s single “The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg,” seems to build and build and then end. There was just no catharsis at the end for me. The highlights of the album for me were “The Pilgrim,” which is the closest to a gallop this album reaches, and “The Legacy,” in which Bruce’s vocals at the beginning are quite eerie, soft and like a lullaby.

In the end, your enjoyment of A Matter of Life and Death will boil down to your personal preferences: can you stand a more epic, laid back Maiden? I can, just in small doses. Only then does this album become memorable; otherwise, it all runs into one long song.

written by Kevin Penner

Playing time: 71.52