The highest peak of Iron Maiden's career was probably between 1984-1989. 'Powerslave', 'Somewhere in Time' and 'Seventh Son of the Seventh Son' (1984, 1986 and 1988 respectively) are the best records from the band (with 'Number of the Beast' from 1982) and those tours were huge.

The next ten years Iron Maiden suffered from the loss of Ardian Smith (a great guitarist and song writer, you can't deny that) and Bruce Dickinson, the voice of Maiden and metal, of course. But now it is all fixed again, because messrs Dickinson and Smith are back. Blaze Bailey had to walk away, but Janick Gers remains so the band is now six-piece (plus Eddie of course). 'Brave New World' came out surprisingly quickly, I personally, was a bit skeptical when Iron Maiden was on 'Ed Hunter' -tour and after the gig in Helsinki November 1999 they told that they'll be back in a year. But so they came to Ruisrock-festival in June 2000! And what a great show was that (and a fukken mudbath)!

Well, what about the album, then? I have listened to it for over three months and I must say it's H-U-G-E!!! And I continue listening to it, almost on daily basis. The songs:

- 'Wicker Man': Best rocker on this album. Absolutely great drive throughout the song! Check out the 'Wicker Man' -single review elsewhere, there's more about the song.

- 'Ghost of the Navigator': An eerie and atmospheric song, like a shortened 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner'. Very much a bass-driven song. One of the best choruses on the album. Sad guitars. Bruce at his best! Some balls... And a mosh part too, heh!

- 'Brave New World': Beginning slow, but accelerating in the middle, so good variety between beauty and blast, so to speak. Huxley-inspired lyrics. Great triple guitars here! One of the best choruses on the album too.

- 'Blood Brothers': A balladish, or rather, slow song. Great use of orchestration, especially where metal melts together with orchestral bits for a slower part, sounding somewhat Irish with guitars joining the sad melody. One of the best guitar solos on 'Brave...'.

- 'The Mercenary': Another rocker, which begins heavy way. Chorus is a bit too long, but absolutely marvellous guitars rule that part (remember: 3 guitars)! However, the song is too long and repeating in general.

- 'Dream of Mirrors': I felt this was the worst track on offer at first, but it crawls under a skin and I am hooked... 9½-minute track full of atmosphere. I heard this song once in a "disco" in Tampere... I really did!!! 9½ minutes of Maiden in a "disco"... DJ payed it wholly!

- 'The Fallen Angel': Next rocker, please! Darker stuff, but still an instant hit. Harking back to the days of yore.

- 'The Nomad': An epic Maiden-song. Sadly not as good as 'The Clansman' from 'Virtual XI' (1998) or 'Alexander the Great' from 'Somewhere in Time'. Eastern tale and melodies. Chorus is good and orchestral part is great! Fucking atmospheric indeed.

- 'Out of the Silent Planet': Faster song. Not at all usual Maiden-stuff... Little brother of the title track. Marvellous tune. Mr. Dickinson's vocals are on two different layers. Wicked chorus! This is the next single (read moe about the song on that single review).

- 'The Thin Line between Love & Hate': This closes the album nice way. Rockier attitude again, but what's the best here is that slower and calmer part at the end! And again a bloody great chorus...

Phew, that's it for the songs then. So how's the band? Nothing short of great! Bruce Dickinson sounds at least as good as on his last solo album 'The Chemical Wedding' (1998). This might be his best for Maiden, if you don't miss those very high notes he used to hit in the 1980's, that is. He's the master of his craft! But lyrics are not the best from the band, at least some of the songs' texts are quite simple. All three guitarist do well, and some nice tricks can be heard. They have their individual playing and especially soloing styles. There's a lot of guitar here... And bass, too! Mr. Harris, as you already know, handles his instruments extremely well, so this time too. But what I really am happy for is playing of drummer Nicko McBrain! He performs so much better than on the previous recording 'Virtual XI'. Rhythm of the beast is back! "I fuckin' missed it"... He he.

I think 'Brave New World' is in my top 5 greatest Iron Maiden albums. It is atmospheric, clever, varying, full of vitality, full of great compositions and above all: A fucking great metal album! Cover artwork is absolutely fantastic after some not that hot covers, and kind of reflects the situation of the band: back on the tracks again.

Rating: 9½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
11/04/2002 11:15