Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier (Mission Edition)
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Iron MaidenEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2010-08-17
Music Label: Sony Legacy
Soundtracks:
- Satellite 15....The Final Frontier
- El Dorado
- Mother Of Mercy
- Coming Home
- The Alchemist
- Isle Of Avalon
- Starblind
- The Talisman
- The Man Who Would Be King
- When The Wild Wind Blows
Free Music Notes for The Final Frontier (Mission Edition)
Free Music Review: Looks like some people just plain CAN'T accept change...
Hit: 5 Stars
Some of the reviewers on this website sadden me. After 3 spins of the album on vinyl today, I'd really confirmed it to myself that this album is the very reason that Maiden never get old. Then I came on here and looked at the reviews, and was blown away at some of the reviewers. One mentioned that "The Alchemist" is a remake of "Public Enema #1", and stuff. Others call the songs too long, or too complex, or that it doesn't sound like Maiden. Or that it's repetitive.
To me, that's ridiculous. For starters, all the songs on here are different, they feel like a symphony. An album is a symphony and a single track is a movement. By the time we reach "When The Wild Wind Blows", I feel like I have reached the top of a huge mountain, it is that beautiful. I'll give people the benefit of the doubt seeing as this album isn't for everyone. But I do beg of you guys, PLEASE GIVE THIS ALBUM SOME TIME!!!! Just listen to it more and more, and the more you listen, more things will pop out at you. I was rather meh about "Starblind" when I first heard it, now I totally love it and call it one of Maiden's best.
Now let's cut that out and get straight to the point: This album is totally amazing. Like I said, it will take some time to grow on you, but when it does, it will be your drug of choice.
To start the album off, we have a two part, 8 minute opener. I know, that sounds odd. Two parts??? Eight minutes??? Huh??? Shouldn't we be getting a 4-5 minute opener that will be a concert opener?? OK let me do some convincing: It begins with a totally sci-fi and heavy bass riff that will blow you away. STILL not convinced yet? What about the fact that after that kick-arse bass riff, we get some tribal drums, heavy and punchy guitar riffs, and some surreal vocals??? Yeah I know, it sounds awesome, doesn't it??? Well hear it for yourself. This is THE perfect way to start an album. It is by far the best Maiden opener to date since The Wicker Man. In case I haven't told you, it's the first part and it's callled "Satellite 15". Then, the second part is a catchy tune in the tradition of old Maiden, "The Final Frontier". "I'm stranded in space, I'm lost without trace, I haven't a chance of getting away!!!" sings Bruce with his ever-so-stellar voice. The song has a catchy and singalongable chorus and some awesome guitar work including an especially great solo from Mr. Dave Murray!
Most of you have already heard "El Dorado" about 5000 times now since you downloaded it for free on June 9th, and believe me, even having listened to it with the whole album, I'm STILL not tired of it!!! It has a very cynical and satirical lyric about the recession, and as someone who almost got laid off because of the recession, I found this track to be one of Maiden's best. That said, thankfully this track isn't indicative of the rest of the album because what follows is proof of Maiden's getting better with age. "Mother of Mercy" is a BNW-meets-The Longest Day kind of track, and is lyrically reminiscent of "Afraid to Shoot Strangers". The song is absolutely beautiful, the lyrics are just stunningly powerful and devastating, and musically the song is just brilliant. The part on "I'm a soldier of waaaarrrr!!!!" has some of Maiden's best riffing. Then of course comes "Coming Home", and we all know the words "Iron Maiden" and "Ballad" don't sit well with a lot of people. But thankfully this song doesn't disappoint and is a song that kind of sounds like Solo Bruce in a way. But that's not a bad thing- this song is beautiful and painful, with some great riffs and lyrics about when you come home from far away places, you're sad to leave but at the same time just happy you're home.
Fans of old school Maiden will definitely dig the 80s-esque song "The Alchemist". Don't be fooled, fans of solo Bruce. This song has nothing to do with the Bruce solo track. It's the shortest track on the album at 4:29 long, and contains some punchy riffs and great vocals, where Bruce adheres to his rough style in some parts. After that comes Isle of Avalon, with it's eastern-tinged intro which features some wind blowing, and makes you imagine an Eastern desert with the wind blowing and sand blowing over the dunes. There is tons of suspense in the intro with Bruce's stellar vocals and Nicko's hi-hat beat and pedaling (a la Dream of Mirrors). "I can hear you, can't you hear me? I can feel you, can't you feel me?" sings Bruce as the song kicks into some full-tilt heavy metal. "Starblind" comes next, a hypnotic and beautiful, proggy track. With a great chorus ("Starblind, with sun! The stars are one!"), beautiful vocals from Bruce, and some great solos, the song really has a hypnotic, otherworldly feel.
Best of all is "The Talisman", a song that starts off chilled out and acoustic but has a somewhat disturbing suspenseful buildup, as Bruce's brooding low singing and lyrics manage to create the image of leaving on a ship. Then the metal kicks in, and is catchy as ever!!! The lyrics are about a ship in the middle of a storm, and are just fantastic. Nicko also graces us with some of his trademark pedal galloping, and the "Westward the tide..." part just makes me wanna sing along every time I hear it. I kid you not this song is on the level of Hallowed, and I hate making such bold statements like that, because Hallowed, for me, is unbeatable! "The Man Who Would be King" is just beautiful. After a soft intro, Maiden give us a great track full of surprises and a great chorus ("Destiny, no good hide away, Penance now, will be his only way..."). The best part is the Dream Theateresque turn it takes in the middle, and Dave's solo is just plain pleasure for the ear. Last but not least is a song that brings out some tears every time I hear it, "When the Wild Wind Blows". It's 11 minutes long but it goes by so quickly, it feels like only 6. Based on the film of the same name about a Nuclear fallout and very adventurous, this song manages to paint a picture of an old couple trying to survive this dreadful event. The solos are great, and as the song ends, a final gust of wind is heard, bringing a devastating and powerful end to a great album.
OK, so the review's not over yet. I'm sorry if I'm going on for way too long, but the album is so great that a short review doesn't do it justice. This album is just beautiful in every sense of the word, and definitely is an acquired taste. Like I said, this album is like a fine wine, it gets better with age. I had the pleasure of seeing Maiden for the second time this year, and with a setlist focusing mainly on new material, it was brilliant. They played El Dorado live and it especially sounds great live. Bruce also mentioned that the album must get to #1 on the US charts, so let's try to make that happen, people, as I am absolutely certain it will, seeing as at HMV today, the album was flying off the shelves!
I'm really disappointed with this so-called "Mission edition" though. I accessed the bonus content that can be found online (just put your CD in and go "[...]") and TBH there isn't much. The interviews, while intriguing, are very short and shallow. I was really expecting a lot more, as well as the game is just lame. I spent an hour on one level, it really is that lame.
So to close this LOOONG review, if you can appreciate the fact that Maiden aren't crowd pleasers any more, that they've changed in the period of time they've been around and that they won't make Powerslave or Brave New World anymore, you will enjoy this album just as much as I did. It's a fantastic album, and thankfully it isn't really the "FINAL" frontier as the title may suggest. I'll close this review with three more words:
UP THE IRONS!
The Final Frontier (Mission Edition) Poster
Iron Maiden: The Final FrontierThe new studio album from the legendary metal band!
To celebrate Iron Maiden's 15th studio release, their first in 4 years, fans can look forward to a deluxe version of The Final Frontier CD with exclusive bonus content in a special package.
Also available will be a double LP picture disc for vinyl fans!
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