Iron Maiden---Dance of Death (2003)

89/110 . . . 81% (B-)

If you judge this album solely by its cover, you might think it's quite possible the worst album ever made, in the digital-art era. Thankfully, this album is a good album saved from mediocrity by three towering tracks ("Paschendale", "Dance of Death" and "Journeyman"). This is a disappointing follow-up to 2000's Brave New world but it's still good in its own right. If only there was less filler! That which is not half-assed on this album is truly awesome. Therefore, it is definitely worth a listen although it will drive old-school Maiden fans who never got past Powerslave up the wall. Even though this album cover really sucks, I don't think this was a cheesy 1980s-style "evil/demonic" put on to sell more heavy metal albums (which Maiden pioneered with the classic Number of the Beast album, of course!) The whole dance-of-death concept is well developed on this album, and though much of the album's themes are dark, they are delivered in a surprisingly (and sometimes inappropriate) upbeat, semi-insane fashion. after all, who wants middle aged guys to jump on the lastest silly death metal trends? Let maiden be Maiden, already!

The whole idea of the Dance of Death is more widely known as Danse Macabre (not the book by Stephen King, mind you).

"Wildest Dreams"--- 9/10 Solid opener, with a somewhat embarrassing CGI video that was are not beyond anyone's wildest dreams, outdated the moment it was released in 2003. "I'm going to exorcise the demons of my past . . . " and so on. Good motivating message, good song!

"Rainmaker"--------8/10 Nothing exceptional, but good all the same.

"No more Lies"-----8/10 Good catchy song. Damn lies . . .

"Montsegur"----7/10 This is about the famous French fortress. It isn't that great. Dickinson sounds way too upbeat singing about medieval religious torture and bloodshed.

"Dance of Death"---10/10 This song probably isn't popular with old-school maiden fans because of the distinctly medieval/Celtic-sounding theme. Nevertheless, it's one of the greatest Iron Maiden songs ever written. If you don't believe me, listen to it through headphones. Nicko McBrain's drumming is relentlessly catchy and there's also an awesome guitar solo. Probably the best Iron Maiden song co-written by Janick Gers.

"Gates of Tomorrow"---5/10 Yikes. What happened here, and what's with the AC/DC ripoff guitar chords? This should have been a B-side, not an album addition.

"New Frontier"---6/10 I know I'm being nice here, probably because it's the first Iron maiden song co-written by drummer Nicko McBrain, and Nicko is an awesome person even if he is a born-again Christian.

"Paschendale"---10/10 A sublime epic about the First World war Battle of Passchendaele. This must have created a spark, because on the next album A matter of life and Death there's a ton of war-themed songs.

"Face in the Sand"----8/10 Why do I like this song so much? I shouldn't because on the surface it isn't especially good. But I like it anyway. It grew on me, even though it kind of rips off "The Nomad" from the previous album.

"Age of Innocence"----8/10 an OK, otherwise unmemorable song (fairly pedestrian lyrics about the usual less-than-ideal conditions of everyday life) strengthened by a cool guitar solo and and some awesome drumming.

"Journeyman"----10/10 an acoustic ballad, nowhere as cheesy as you might expect (don't worry, it's not a crappy power ballad like "Wasting Love"). If there was any justice in this world, this would be one of the most popular Maiden songs ever made. What an unexpected delight! This song sends chills up my spine, and the "I know what I want . . . " chorus has been engraved in my brain. Wow, what a great song!