08/12/2006 21:05

Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden: 'A Matter of Life and Death' + the 1st single and video

Updated: new downloads

Iron Maiden will release their new studio album entitled 'A Matter of Life and Death', in 28th of August for the world except the USA which has been confirmed as 5th September.
The album CD will also be available as a limited edition special deluxe format which contains a bonus DVD. The DVD contains nearly an hour of documentary footage plus videos and photos all shot whilst the band were making the album. The Documentary 'The Making of A Matter of Life and Death' directed by Matthew Amos ('Early Days', 'Death on the Road' DVD Documentaries) features candid video footage shot largely by Kevin Shirley himself during the recording of the album giving a real behind the scenes look at life in the studio. The bonus DVD also features the full 7.21 minute video promo for 'The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg', and a special intimate filming of the band recording 'Different World' in the studio.
The album will also be available as a limited edition double picture disc vinyl in gatefold sleeve, and as a digital download, available through the newly launched official IM Digital Store, where you can buy single tracks, a bundle, or an album for your PC, or your mp3 player. Coming soon to www.ironmaiden.com

The band started writing songs at the end of 2005 after a short break from their hugely successful festival appearances in Europe and the USA. After Christmas the songs were completed and rehearsed when the band then got together with producer Kevin "Caveman" Shirley at Sarm West Studios in London to start work on recording the backing tracks.

Kevin Shirley has now co-produced three of the bands studio albums alongside Steve Harris, as well as two of their recent live DVD's and albums. From this the working relationship between Kevin and the band seems to get stronger and stronger. Says Kevin, "The Beast is back! I feel from the outset we all clicked on this one. We spent two months in the studio, from Go to Whoa - from Nicko's "tubs up" to final mixes and sequenced master! That's a tiny gestation period for an album. Producing Iron Maiden is like sitting in the head and driving one of those mammoth automatons from Star Wars or Saturday morning cartoons! And there's nothing that can stop it!
I feel incredibly privileged to have been around to see this album born and breathe life. There have been only a couple of occasions in my career when the ENTIRE process of recording felt so complete - and it is on display here."

As on previous projects all of the tracks were performed live and together in one room. No click tracks or computer tightening or manipulation has happened at any stage of the recording.

Says Steve Harris, "I think in many ways this has been the easiest album in terms of recording that we've ever done. The whole process of writing through to recording was very natural. I think in terms of the material we've also pushed our boundaries yet again and I think it will please our fans but also really surprise a lot of people as well. The sound we've managed to get is very powerful for a Maiden record and all of us have pushed ourselves in our own ways to create something that we're all immensely proud of and I think working as quickly as we did with Kevin really was part of that process. We simply can't wait to take this out on the road. We've played some great shows and had a lot fun recently introducing some of our older songs to a new generation of fans. However for us personally we're incredibly excited about getting out and performing these new tracks."

Says Bruce Dickinson, "This album has to be our best since working with Kevin. There is such a wide scope of musicianship on this album and in parts this album is truly epic. I thought with the likes of Paschendale from the last studio album that we could only hope to surpass that but having now heard the album back as well as sitting with a few select people and hearing their reactions as well I truly believe we have managed it. Every one of us has put everything into this record and it's really paid off. However we've had such fun making it that it's almost difficult to believe what we've managed to achieve in the time it took."

Tracklisting of 'A Matter of Life and Death':

1. Different Worlds (Smith/Harris) 4.17 [listen]
2. These Colours Don't Run (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) 6.52
3. Brighter than a Thousand Suns (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) 8.44 [listen]
4. The Pilgrim (Gers/Harris) 5.07
5. The Longest Day (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) 7.48
6. Out of the Shadows (Dickinson/Harris) 5.36
7. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (Murray/Harris) 7.21
8. For the Greater Good of God (Harris) 9.24
9. Lord of Light (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) 7.23
10. The Legacy (Gers/Harris) 9.20

Also announced is the news that 'The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg will be released as a very special single on 14th August. Watch the video here.

Says Steve Harris: "This is a very intense album in many ways and we really wanted to go with a lead track that demonstrated that in the best way, rather than going for a shorter track on the album just to please the chart rules. Benjamin Breeg is a great example of the feel of the album in it's really heavy riff and lyrically it's a very dark, atmospheric and powerful song which really epitomizes what the album is all about for us. So it made a natural choice for us."

In true Maiden style, the single will be released in two special limited edition formats, which by content will not be eligible for the UK singles chart. Manager Rod Smallwood explained: "There are various chart rules compliant to number of tracks, the maximum running time, price structure and all the rest of it. As for the new Maiden single - its simple - we’re putting out a two track CD - 'The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg' and 'Hallowed Be Thy Name (Legends Session)' and if it's too long to qualify for the charts, then so be it. We have no problem with it being non-chart eligible.

EMI will also release a special 7" picture disc with collectable sticker of the "Crossed Guns" logo. B sides to both formats are from last years amazing ‘Radio 1 legends session recorded especially for the Zane Lowe show.

Limited edition 2 track CD
1. The reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
2. Hallowed be thy Name (Radio 1 Legends Session)

Limited Edition 7" picture disc
(to include "Crossed Gun" logo sticker)
1. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
2. Run to the Hills (Radio 1 Legends Session)
3. The Trooper (Radio 1 Legends Session)



(source: the official Iron Maiden website)