Brave New World (2015

I’m writing this review having had a break from Maiden since Fear of the Dark, I saw flight 666 and I realised they are still great so decided to catch up on their more recent albums and started at Brave New World, as it’s where the classic line-up were reunited. I’m not one of those Maiden fans who gives every album a 5 star rating regardless as that’s just not helpful to people who genuinely want to know if the album is any good. Right – onto the review. Brave new world opens with Wicker Man, a fast-paced, kick-ass rock song with a really catchy guitar riff. Some Maiden songs are slow burners but Wicker Man is instantly likeable. It’s a great start to an album. Next comes Ghost of the Navigator. Oh my word! One of my fave three songs on the album. The intro is superb, a slow build-up that gathers pace until it breaks into a killer buzzsaw guitar riff. Ghost has several parts to it, all of which I like and it’s very much in the classic mould of the great storytelling Maiden songs, the story is great and musically it’s superb. Song 3 is Brave New World. Slow intro which unsurprisingly turns into another quality rock track. I love the music of Brave New World but it wasn’t my favourite song on first few listens, mainly because Bruce sings ‘a Brave New World’ what seems like a thousand times. It’s grown on me though and it’s still a great song. Blood Brothers (song 4) is probably the slowest song on the album, a catchy melodic song that has a chorus that you’ll find yourself singing along to ‘We’re blood brothers’– I bet this is a great live song as it’s a perfect singalong song. The Mercenary (song 5) is a shorter song, straight into a fast rock song and again another killer chorus ‘show them no fear, show them no pain’, a kind of standard Maiden track this one which I mean as a compliment, perfectly decent song. Dream of Mirrors (song 6) is over 9 minutes long but is still not long enough, it’s that good! On first listening this was my favourite song, and it still is. It’s just bloody awesome. Really emotive song, a slower song for a lot of it, Bruce’s singing is perfect as the song builds and builds. Another in a long line of the great ‘storytelling’ Maiden songs, the types of Maiden songs I love. When the guitars kick in it’s perfect and the chorus ‘I only dream in black and white’ is just so goddam catchy, it really gets under your skin this song and shows why Maiden are not just another metal band, they are superb musicians – dream of mirrors isn’t just a great Maiden song or a great metal song, it’s just a great song full stop. It’s some 6 minutes in before dream of mirrors speeds up to a more standard Maiden pace and when the chorus is sung at this faster pace it’s even better! The Fallen Angel (song 7) is the shortest track at just 4 minutes long. Heavy intro which leads to yet another catchy as hell chorus ‘could it be it’s the end of our world’ with a fabulous riff, one of the heavier songs on the album and really good song. The Nomad (song 8) – the only song I’m not that crazy about. It’s another 9 minute song but I just don’t like the weird circus-like guitar riff in this song. That said the intro features a few seconds of harmonies which come later as well – I love bits of this song but not the song as a whole. The next two songs are about the best end to an album you can get. Out of the Silent Planet (song 9) is a brilliant song. A melodic intro which gives us something rare for Maiden – harmonies, and boy does that make this song. A great story, the harmonies on Silent Planet are just plain special, this is Maiden showing off, showing how good they are. Silent Planet is pure class, brilliant vocals, catchy as hell guitar riff, and just for good measure a little bit of funk in the instrumental in the middle of the song. If you don’t like Silent Planet then there really is no hope for you. Thin Line Between Love and Hate finishes the album. Another epic at over 8 minutes long. I love Bruce’s vocals on this song, it’s understated but better for it, show’s that he doesn’t have to hit the high notes to sound great. It’s quite a funky guitar on this song which is right up my street, also love the drums on this song. Thin Line is heavy but slow and funky. The song is great but at the end it slows right down unexpectantly and becomes incredibly poignant and to be honest, quite beautiful, not something you normally say about Maiden but there you are. It’s an amazing end to an amazing album, and it leaves you wanting more. In case you haven’t guessed, I highly recommend Brave New World, it’s right up there with Maiden’s very best albums. Enjoy.

'F*** I missed it' the drummer chirps at the end of this fine record. Just listened to this a second time and Im impressed - Sits comfortably with their best albums - has a classy feel with each song strongly crafted and some really memorable tracks too.So yes 'F*** I missed it' was the perfect way to end the album because I was thinking exactly the same thing.......Nomad is astounding unto itself but every track is memorable and adventurous and hardrock tastic!Anyway MAIDEN TOP ALBUMS EVER that you should check out if you are a newbie.....1 The Number of The Beast (THE ALBUM)2 The Book Of Souls (almost THE ALBUM - but BEAST has the history)3 Piece Of Mind (a REVELATION - contains my new fave tracks ever)4 Seventh Son of the Seventh Son (one of the strongest full of classics)5 Somewhere in Time (full of catchy choruses - some of the best lyrics of all the albums)6 Fear Of The Dark (The last of the iconic records from their first peak years - now is their new peak era of course.....)7 Powerslave (love it but love the above more!)9 Iron Maiden (whilst outside the top few - some all time brilliant tracks and I like the production on this record despite its rep as poorly mixed - I think it really works and it takes you back - Strange World is a fave- it all is!!)8 Brave New World (my newest addition to the top 10 - its really good and has just moved up my chart - but just look up further from here...its a pretty steep climb for any album to get in there.......love out of the silent planet..the talisman....the wicker man is a great opener..but the Nomad is one of their best ever....)10 A Matter Of Life And Death - Very strong return to form this one - Just listen to These Colours Dont Run.....great tracks mostly from start to finish.......Id say this Brave New World and of course BofSouls are the albums which truely rock from the last 16 years.......Anyway - a brilliant band - there is no denying these guys along with Black Sabbath are the initiators of true Heavy Metal....great great stuff!!!!!!Pop Quiz - which album was more important Beast or Paranoid???!!!