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CD: Iron Maiden - Dance Of Death	Released:
Reviewed By: Walter West (Walter West)	Rating: (4.5/5)

The new album from Heavy Metal Legends, Iron Maiden, has taken a turn for the best. The second album with the guitar trio definitely shows signs of the band "gelling" mores-so than on the first effort together, Brave new World.

The first songs, and coincidentally first two singles, are the shorter more commercially viable songs. Both songs are still quite good but are understandably the only songs suitable for radio release. Wildest Dreams is exactly what most should have come to expect from Adrian Smith. At first listen it did not do much for me, but the extremely melodic chorus finally snagged me. Rainmaker is a nice short melodic number that most maiden fans should appreciate.

After those we get into the meat of the album. No More Lies, while having a very repetitive chorus, still falls right in with the progressive, melodic direction Maiden has taken. It is also the only song that reminds me of their previous effort, Brave New World. Montsegur, Dance of Death, and Paschendale are some of the best tunes Maiden has ever churned out. Filled with triple guitar melodies and rythms, they make complete use of the three guitarist. The only downside to the album is the closer, Journeyman. This is an all acoustic song which would have seem better fitted on a b-side for a single. Luckily it is at the end and does not ruin the pacing of the album.

The bottom line is this is another classic Iron Maiden album. Maiden fans should buy this. If you don't know who Iron Maiden is you wouldn't even be reading this.

Band Website: http://www.ironmaiden.com/