The Final Frontier product details page

I have listend to Iron Maiden since the first album in 1980. Save for a few bad tracks in the 90's I have always enjoyed the progressive nature of the band's albums. The Final Frontier continues the progression but this time Maiden took bold leaps, jumping well outside the expectations Maiden's true fans. There is no living in the past here folks. Maiden shows maturity and expertise both in lyrics and musical writing. Contrary to what critics have already written, true Iron Maiden fan's don't f eel like they have to "sit through" long epic songs. In fact the length of songs is what hooked most of us. And here the guys deliver in bucket-loads. Like a previous reviewer wrote these tracks are not boring or repetitive. You must listen to this albulm four or five good times (no distractions) to begin to get the depth and import of what many of these songs are trying to communicate. Listen closely and you will see that the album title is not a hint that the band may be retiring but once again it revolves around the theme of nearly all Maiden albums, death. The final frontier is yet to be discovered by all yet living because it is what awaits on the other side of death. To me the opening tract is both forboding and irressitable. For me the mono sound of it evokes the feeling of being all alone, adrift, forsaken. This goes right in to the title song Final Frontier about the conclusive thoughts of an astronaut realizing he will never return. Bruce came up with a song about the feelings, sensations and observations, coming home after touring extensively in the song Coming Home. Clearly one of the most memerable on the list. My faves are 1. Satellite 15...The Final Frontier, 2. El Dorado, 3. Mother Of Mercy, 4. Coming Home, 7. Starblind, 10. When The Wild Wind Blows - so far. I will probably love all the songs once I take time to listen to them more closely.

• reply for Maiden Monster's review
• helpful? yes for Maiden Monster's review (0) no for Maiden Monster's review (0)
• report for Maiden Monster's review

Guitar Guitar Guitarsplendidly crafted masterpieces many of the songs are in the 9:00-11:00 min range BUT they don't feel like it, not at all repetitivehas touches of Somehwere back in Time & Seventh Son... and the feel of A Mateer of Life.... & Brave New Worldno HUGE chorus' on this recordthe only drawback was the 'weird' inro on track 1 that lasts until the 4:00 minute mark (the mono sound was distracting)

• reply for Anthony J. Michalek III's review
• helpful? yes for Anthony J. Michalek III's review (0) no for Anthony J. Michalek III's review (0)
• report for Anthony J. Michalek III's review

Since the reunion in 1999 Iron Maiden have re-emerged and have put out some of their greatest work since their "Golden Age" (1982-1988). Brave New World, Dance Of Death, and A Matter Of Life And Death all took Maiden into new territory and showed that they still had the finesse to create some PURE EPIC METAL! The Final Frontier continues this progression and takes the band into an even deeper dimension. From beginning to end The Final Frontier delivers on all fronts as it displays a s uperb precision and uniqueness within every single track. The album has some of the greatest Maiden EPICS ever written! Isle of Avalon, Starblind, The Talisman, The Man Who Would Be King, and the absolutely astounding When The Wild Wind Blows could all serve as closing tracks on any Maiden record! The album is brilliantly crafted both lyrically and instrumentally, and the atmosphere sucks you into the unknown universes and galaxies of outer-space, as well as through the annals of antiquity itself. Once you reach the end you will be starstruck and mesmerized so much so, that you won't be able to resist another listen or two, maybe three, perhaps four... Or maybe you'll find a reason to listen to it religiously for days on end! This review alone does not do the album a single bit of justice! You must listen for yourself to understand and appreciate how much spirit, creativity, and ingenuity went into crafting this incredibly satisfying record! Up The Irons!!!

• reply for WastedYears86's review
• helpful? yes for WastedYears86's review (0) no for WastedYears86's review (0)
• report for WastedYears86's review