Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier (Album Review)

Every Maiden release is a heavy metal milestone. Pursuing their newfound quest for progressive experimentation, the founding fathers of NWOBHM have gifted us a gem and in turn prolonged their longevity at the prime of their powers.

“Satellite 15… The Final Frontier” gets the ball rolling; a bifurcated unorthodox intro. The first half engineers gloom with heavily phased bass and monolithically diversified rhythm. ‘The final frontier’ with a catchy chorus and a classic opening riff is a leaf out of the band’s folk-lore. “El Dorado” takes the sound some notches heavier, with the mythical city; a metaphor for the global economic downfall. “Mother of mercy” is a mellower, slightly more conventional picture of battlefield contemplation. “Coming Home” is a carefully woven ballad, with guitars meticulously layered, culminating in an epic melody. “The Alchemist” is your no-nonsense head-banger, ebbing and flowing to a rampant rhythm.

“Isle of Avalon”, reminiscent of “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, promulgates the interplay between the guitarists, as the paradigm of their instrumental genius. “Starblind” kicks off as a power ballad and evolves into a 70s-esque hard rock composition, a la Thin Lizzy, en route to further musical exploration. “The Talisman” has a ‘talismanic’ riff amalgamated with an inspiring narration of a sailor’s voyage. The three pronged, highly synthesized guitar solo of “The Man Who Would Be King” coagulates the epic track. “While The Wild Wind Blows” is a fitting finale. Invigorated with positivity, the track probably soars the highest in this ensemble of towering melodies.

Up the Irons!

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Posted by khuldun on Aug 31 2010. Filed under Misc. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry