Iron Maiden - A Matter of Life and Death - CD Amazon.co.uk A Matter of Life and Death is Iron Maiden's fourteenth studio album, in a career that has spanned three decades. And yet, after all this time, Iron Maiden continue to improve, whilst most of their peers flounder. Simply put, A Matter of Life and Death is more than just a great Iron Maiden album; it's a great metal album. It revisits a theme that's familiar territory for the band, and rather boldly, devotes an entire album to it. A Matter of Life and Death is a concept album about war, and the closest thing to a prog album that the London-based metallers have yet created. And, at their age and at this point in their career, it's a step that just makes sense, adding a level of seriousness and dignity to a band that could have easily disappeared into Spinal Tap-style silliness. Instead, the six members of Iron Maiden sound rejuvenated, playing better than ever on tracks like "These Colours Don't Run", which starts out like an army recruiting anthem before revealing it's true nature as an anti-war song, and the nine-minute plus epics "For the Greater Good of God" and "The Legacy". Iron Maiden have enjoyed a creative rennaissance in recent years, but it's hard to imagine how they'll improve upon A Matter of Life and Death. --Ted Kord Review Any fan of Iron Maiden who's witnessed their evolution has learned to ignore the 'hilarious' quips about screaming banshees and the men who look like yetis. Instead you focus on the structure of the songs, the meaning in the lyrics and the tight instrumentation that always provide enjoyment and satisfaction. So, is A Matter Of Life And Death as good as classics Powerslave and Dance Of Death? Yes; the quality bar is raised once more. Maiden again prove their uncanny ability to write great lyrics wrapped around guitar orchestration that rock fans crave. "For The Greater Good Of God" and "The Longest Day" are outstanding with the partnership of guitar, bass and drum (and now even keys) flowing and developing throughout. "Lord Of Light" is one of those epic tracks destined to be listened to again and again - each time giving something new. A Matter Of Life And Death is the sound of a band who have been together for thirty one years, mostly spent on the road. The album manages to preserve the raw element of a live performance because, as with their other albums, the band recorded A Matter... together in the same studio as live. Every song provides evidence that the band feed off each other and share a common energy. In this world of hopeless auto-tuned mediocrity here is a British band that consistently crafts fantastic music that surprises reviewers and fans alike. Some may dislike the controversial lyrics, but isn't that what rock music is supposed to be all about? --Andy Maclarty This link will take you off Amazon in a new window