Continuing through the Maiden studio catalog with the Fourteenth album and third reunion era album, “A Matter of Life and Death”. The album cover with the look of war and the six Eddie’s makes you think this could be a concept album and while the lyrics are mostly about war and religion it’s not a full concept but more of a theme. This seems to have the most Smith/Harris/Dickinson songwriting credits in one combination or another of any Maiden album so far. Gers and Murray get two credits each but for the most part it seems Adrian and Bruce had a big part along with Steve as usual. Heavy, complex, thematic, progressive. There’s a lot going on with this album. Nicko’s drumming is a stand out for me along with Bruce’s vocals. The album has always been for me like what the X Factor might have sounded like if Bruce and Adrian were involved. Better songs, melodies and vocals but still very dark and powerful but also some of the more complex style of the Seventh Son album but with a less over produced and more live feel.
“Different World” is great opening track with a nice Thin Lizzy inspired melody and is better than “Wildest Dreams” from the previous album and is one of the shorter songs on the album around five minutes. Catchy and melodic and a memorable melody. Lyrically it could be about tolerance for different beliefs such as religious beliefs.
“These Colors Don’t Run” is a great song and I just love the lyrics. About standing for your flag or country or could be anything you believe in really but it’s definitely inspired by the events of Ozzfest from the year before when Sharon convinced a bunch of young moronic bands to throw eggs at Bruce and the band during their set.
“Brighter than a Thousand Suns” is inspired by the Manhattan project and the quote after testing of the first atomic bomb that it was Brighter than a Thousand Suns. Progressive and melodic and Bruce’s voice just goes higher and higher. Incredible song.
“The Pilgrim” is inspired by the pilgrims sailing to a new world that would become America for new freedoms specifically religious freedoms. Musically it’s a shorter song for the album at five minutes but has a good groove and is mostly upbeat from beginning to end. A really good song and a nice change of pace among the longer more epic tracks.
“The Longest Day” starts slow and ominous as Bruce almost is whispering and goes to snarl as the song builds and builds and eventually erupts into power and chaos with the air raid siren hitting every high note like not many of his generation still can. Lyrically depicting the events of D Day in 1944 as many young men storm the beaches of Normandy as chaos and gunfire ensues.
“Out of the Shadows” has more of Bruce solo album vibe and might have fit on Accident of Birth or Balls to Picasso but the arrangement and production would be different. An almost ballad and very melodic it’s another change of pace of from songs full of war and religion. Lyrically about the journey from birth through adulthood and our mortality as human beings.
“The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg” was the first single and written by Dave Murray and is a fictional story about “a man about whom not much is known”. An entire backstory was created online about this character of when he was born and his entire life and career and I don’t think we still don’t know who he was or wasn’t inspired by or if the band was just f’n with us. Either way it’s a great song. Building slowly in the first two minutes to a great chorus and Murray’s solo. It was odd choice for a lead single at seven minutes but it has a very memorable melody and chorus.
“The Greater Good of God”
Is very similar to the Blaze era in my opinion and would have fit on X Factor easily but of course the arrangement and vocal would be much different. Opening with a slow bass melody from Steve and going into a soft voice from Bruce that goes into a faster pace vocal and Nicko’s drums and the chorus of “Please tell me now what life is, Please tell me now what love is, Well, tell me now what war is, Again, tell me what life is”. The question of fighting for religion and tearing the world apart in the name of our God. The best line of “Religion has a lot to answer for” still rings true today. Over nine minutes long and full amazing music moments and excellent lyrics.
“Lord of Light” questions everything we are taught in Sunday school asking the question of was it Lucifer who is the downfall of man or is it man itself who causes their own end. Slow intro built to quicker pace around the two minute mark. Good chorus and solos.
“The Legacy” closes the album and has Janick Gers written all over it. This was his baby and it’s heavy, progressive, and is close to nine minutes. Questioning what legacy we leave for future generations following the theme of war, religion, and politicians the song has that slow almost acoustic opening going into a little heavier riff and back to a slower style and finally into a heavier style musically and finally drums at the three minute mark. My only criticism is the chorus doesn’t quite hit the mark as well as the verses do.
This album has aged very well and I like even more now than I did upon release. It seemed like a chore to get through it the first handful of plays back in 2006 but once it hit me I thought it was great.
Iron Maiden – A Matter of Life and Death (2006)
