Iron Maiden - The Book of Souls (2015)

The big day has come. Iron Maiden the sixteenth is here. The Book of Souls is the ambitious title for it. It is the most philosophical album title, more than Brave New World, A Matter of Life and Death or so. How the album going to preserve the legacy of Iron Maiden, we shall examine one by one.

First the album cover. It is in the trend of nowadays. Eddie in a big grinning selfie. Let's give it 8/10 contribution score.

Now the first song come off is "If Eternity Should Fail". A big surprise where Bruce Dickinson started with the naration. What is this , you asked? Is Iron Maiden trying to compete with Metallica's Lulu. I say, dare you not thinking that way. This is just the few opening verses , it is quite okay also, if you listen a lot more often. The song-part is actually exactly Iron Maiden style from their current years. The familiar galloping drums and basses, the theme melody and choruses is easy to grab. 9/10

The next is "Speed of Light", already released as a single few weeks before the full album. It serves as usual album's best song to comply with fans. We got fresh song opener with the main riffs that kind of 'rock n roll', and a cowbell . Catchy tempo, three way guitar solos and unusually happy feeling for the song, make this everybody's favorite. 9/10

Then come of course the commanding bass line opener and acoustic guitar arpeggiating it. Bruce's lyric in the "Winter softly falling to the grouUUUnd....." is just perfect dictating to the rest of the song. "The Great Unknown" it is and a great third song to be heard. 8/10

Now, "The Red and the Black" is hard to grab at first. Steve's dark acoustic bass play is bringing us back to The X Factor's - Blood on the World's Hands reminiscence. The song is 13 minutes more. The first part got a huge hook into the Powerslaves era with its quick singing and galloping background. After five minutes the song switched to the second part , marked by "the red and the black ..." chorus, then the rest of the song dedicated to the guitarist to take on. Though it is can be shorter if not because of the repetition. 8/10

"When the River Runs Deep" is the only skip-able song. It is offered not much except the great Bruce Dickinson voices over some predictable structure. 6/10

Rather than that, "The Book of Souls" closed the first CD with 10 minutes arrangement. Same format, two parts, the first one is the best part because when Iron Maiden seriously matching the lyric to the music, it will also good. The second parts is the "improvisation", just to show that the companion still able to jam over 5 minutes excitement. 8/10

"Death or Glory" opened up the 2nd CD with a blaze, and this one quite straight forward, something that we always want Iron Maiden to do more often. 8/10

"Shadows of the Valley" is not bad either, the song remind us to many familiar tunes, so nothing surprising as per now. 7/10

Coming from Tears of the Dragon to "Tears of a Clown" is huge lap, but of course both are also light years away differences in context. The shortest song in the package, straight forward and nothing to complaint. As bonuses, the guitars solos see all guitarist nailed up each with different styles. 7/10

"The Man of Sorrows" is the second last song, intro summoned up the Children of the Damn vibes. But do we listen rarity here where Bruce's voice kind of struggling?  As the matter of fact, with many may questioned this, the record was done before Bruce got into his medical problem. 7/10

The finale of all, certainly "Empire of the Clouds". This is by far the most breakthrough song in Iron Maiden entire 30 years catalog. The intro is in pentatonic scale, melodious exotic theme. Bruce is playing the piano and a violin is the main leading voice. Grandeur built up so far due to this new experiment. This is the track need to be taken seriously, because rather relied on the same old music resources, Iron Maiden is now delved into new empire of music. Only some of Bruce Dickinson  solo stuffs came in something similar. As I said earlier, the singing parts is well done, we got the atmosphere. As in all other song, the orchestration covered the thin layer in the background. Of all 18 minutes, the majority spend in the musician playing meticulous arrangement. This is the chance to listen to over ten minutes instrumental that done by non progressive metal band. It's interesting to see Bruce Dickinson as the sole credit song writer of this song. So it's written by the vocalist rather the musician,  they are most probably composed on the paper rather than a product of jamming.  10/10

The Books of Souls is the natural continuation of Iron Maiden's musical journey. They no longer produce catchy song as in 2 Minutes to Midnight or Prowler. They have enough of that. In the past four albums or so (started in Brave New World), Iron Maiden begin to write song that have more pleasure in singing, rather than just listening alone. This new album is one of that kind. Songs are emotionally attached to music. With the new experiment in the last song, Iron Maiden challenge his fans to prepare for more musical swift in the future. This maybe not a smooth album for everyone, thus saying the transition always become ground of discussion. But in the end, we got eleven new Iron Maiden song to hum, not bad for millions of fans out there.

Metal Harem class: 7.9 / 10

Iron Maiden - The Book of Souls (2015)
Buy it Here - Amazon

CD1
01. If Eternity Should Fail
02. Speed of Light
03. The Great Unknown
04. The Red and the Black
05. When the River Runs Deep
06. The Book of Souls

CD2
07. Death or Glory
08. Shadows of the Valley
09. Tears of a Clown
10. The Man of Sorrows
11. Empire of the Clouds

Bruce Dickinson - vocals
Nicko McBrain - Drums
Steve Harris - bass
Dave Murray - guitars
Janick Gers - guitars
Adrian Smith - guitars

Hamerex IX - 2013

Well, every now and then we'll need a new blood, a newcomer for metal. This time, I picked Hamerex as our 'introduction of band'. They actually had been around since 2004 though, lead by guitarist Steve Blower. In 2012 a full debut album was released and today, "IX" is their second album. Now, do you believe that in the last decade, heavy metal had gone too technical. New band are crafting heavy metal music solely because they able to play technically difficult riffs and solos. This approach led metal into a risk for being 'soul-less', being just a genre of music with technical skill similar to sports. Album "IX" was not in that case. I do not mean that the Hamerex dudes can't do technical stuffs, but it is for sure this album's strength is not its shreds parts or blasting drums. The guitar playing was actually simple. The drumming, also simple. Even the changes of themes in their 'composition' are simple. In short, IX, is a simple heavy metal album.

Of course now, can you make good music if everything gone simple? Yes, they can. In a positive word, they use a natural rhythms and melodies that spontaneous flows in. And that is their strength. The first track is in fact, an instrumental.  Do not expected mind blowing solos, this is an instrumental that feel really ancient compared to nowadays standard. It is clear that the influence on the track IX Circles was Iron Maiden earlier day instrumental tracks such as Transylvania or The Ides of March, except minus Dave Murray's sweet melodies. In fact, the band did have Iron Maiden's The Wickerman as one of their repertoire, so conclusion, the influence is strong. The Life of Death is also sounds really Jurassic era, with intrigue riffs to start with. The song is just build from simple riffs, we then meet the vocal that has a characters as slightly growl, now it does sounds good and metal by the way. The song quickly give us the feel that although the beat is rather flat, they do have enough chances of chord progression that make it interesting. Again, the solos was not mean to blow your mind, it just ... raw. Inferno is also begin with easy to learn riffs. This song rather over-repeated, they have a good theme but just gone too long. The chances between intro-riff into 2nd theme and then the slow-bass-line theme has potentials. Good news is, started from Edge of Madness, the song begin to improve. This song have a good NWOBHM vocal line. The Extremist is their heaviest so far, this time a bit of punk-ish feel. Then Mortuary, which is very vintage feel with almost no hint that we are listening to 2013 year of metal. The Stranger is something excellent, which is a success in connecting the intro riffs into the song naturally.  Descent of Angels is a bit too generic, least appealing track perhaps. Now, if you eat my words that this album is simple, The Night of Samhain is their most 'progressive' track. Runs in 11 minutes now it's the time to do some tricks. Addition of strings give this song kind of hybrid between Iron Maiden and Queensrÿche, really.

Since they are only a single guitarist band, band mate bassist Andy Firth enjoy his a good time fronting his bass line in great manner for each song. Darren Kelsall drumming is only as simple as it needed. Chris Moules as singer is their best attractions, his vocal got the potentials. The sounds of this album , however, just too raw. The sounds simply "made in garage" style. Which is to be honest, got nothing to do with the quality of their music, in fact those who are sound purist will love their sounds. Hamerex  "IX" is a promising second released. Listen to this album a couple of times, the music will easily sink and memorable. Keep an eyes of them.

Metal Harem class: Top Newcomer of 2013

Hamerex IX - 2013
Buy it here at Amazon

1. IX Circles 02:20
2. The Life of Death 04:46
3. Inferno 06:29
4. Edge of Madness 05:16
5. The Extremist 03:30
6. Mortuary 03:37
7. The Stranger 05:58
8. Descent of Angels 03:36
9. The Night of Samhain 11:03
10. Still the Wall Remains 06:11

Steve Blower Guitars
Chris Moules Vocals
Andy Firth Bass
Darren Kelsall Drums

 Hamerex IX album review

Iron Maiden - Maiden England '88 2013 Edition

Iron Maiden is one of the most well documented heavy metal act in history. In this millennium era where Iron Maiden is in the other part of their career, one more release from their past era is most welcome. Maiden England is very special live captured moment. Not only that Iron Maiden was in their most high career in 1988, this is the last moment where Adrian Smith still being in the band, before being interrupted for another ten years. Maiden was released the Seventh Son album, arguably their last NWOBHM era sounds and they really finished conquered the world of heavy metal. Maiden England should be part of their official live album from the 1980s, following 1982 Hammersmith, and 1985 Live After Death.

So what is the gimmicks and importants feature in Maiden England that make it special?

Moonchild is now the rare official live recording ever. In the solos part, you can heard the missed notes in the very last part of the first round of solo. As well as Infinite Dreams, these two songs was only hidden in the Eddie's Archieve Boxset CD no.6! Still Life is also very rare song that got recorded live, taken from Piece of Mind not found elsewhere in Iron Maiden discography. Same to Seventh Son of the Seventh Son. Although Die with Your Boots On is popular Iron Maiden song, I think it is also rarely recorded, only previously heard in Live After Death CD2. In The Evil That Men Do you got to heard rare situation where Bruce Dickinson losing his stamina in the near end of the song. Something special in Heaven Can Wait, where the distortion guitar come in duet with Steve Harris solo intro there.

It's a great capture of their energy in their most high time. Sounds quality is fine with both guitarist Adrian and Dave splitting voice in left and right speaker. Harris bass sound is aggressively put front. The audience is something lack the effect, compared to newer recording in Rock in Rio and En Vivo, but it is there to uplift the atmosphere. Bruce Dickinson did not improved much his on stage speech, but he were started it well in A Real Live One session. Nine stars album as always from the Maidens.

Iron Maiden : Maiden England '88 2013 Edition
LIVE - buy it here from Amazon

CD 1
01. Moonchild [6:23]
02. The Evil That Men Do 0[4:18]
03. The Prisoner [06:00]
04. Still Life [04:32]
05. Die With Your Boots On [05:19]
06. Infinite Dreams [05:53]
07. Killers [04:57]
08. Can I Play With Madness [03:25]
09. Heaven Can Wait [07:43]
10. Wasted Years [05:06]

CD 2
01. The Clairvoyant [04:30]
02. Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son [10:09]
03. The Number Of The Beast [04:47]
04. Hallowed Be Thy Name [07:22]
05. Iron Maiden [05:12]
06. Run To The Hills [04:02]
07. Running Free [05:34]
08. Sanctuary [05:25]


    Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals
    Dave Murray – lead & rhythm guitars,
    Adrian Smith – lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals,
    Steve Harris – bass guitar, backing vocals
    Nicko McBrain – drums
    Michael Kenney – keyboards

Iron Maiden - Maiden England '88 Album review

Recent Metal Band doing Iron Maiden Cover 2010-2013

Although Iron Maiden already has 666 compilation albums, the world seem not enough with that. Cover of Iron Maiden song keep coming out, from unknown metal band seeking fame, to veteran band such as Testament and Kreator. The world keep celebrate what might be the greatest metal band on earth by doing a tribute song. Here is a fictional compilation tribute album, cover of Iron Maiden song from the last couple of year. The article in Wikipedia listed almost all notable cover album of Iron Maiden, but I found they are not updated and missed out recent addition to the list. Here is a list of metal band doing Iron Maiden cover that not included in any official tribute album, for now. And for more information on Iron Maiden tribute and cover project see this blog.

List of Recent Notable Band doing Iron Maiden cover song:

Testament – Album Dark Root of Earths (2012)
 Powerslave

Kreator – Album Phantom Antichrist (2012), also appear on special EP “The Big Teutonic 4”
The Number of the Beast

Ensiferum – Single Burning Leaves , album Unsung Heroes (2012)
 Wrathchild

Iced Earth – Album Dystopia (2011)
The Trooper

Stryper –Album Covering, special Stryper cover album (2011)
The Trooper

Rhapsody of Fire - Album From Chaos to Eternity (2011)
Flash of the Blade

Tankard – Special album called “The Big Teutonic 4”
The Prisoner

Angelus Apatrida – album Clockwork  (2010)
Be Quick Or Be Dead  [limited edition bonus]

Fatal Embrace – Album The Empires of Inhumanity (2012)
Killers (Iron Maiden cover - bonus track)

Reinxeed – album 1912 (2011)
Aces High

Trilogy - album Empieza el Juego (2012)
Flight of Icarus

Symbyosis - album On The Wings Of Phoenix (2005)
The Loneliness of Distance Runner

Clairvoyants - album Word to the Wise (2009), previously Italian Iron Maiden cover band
Hallowed be Thy Name - featuring Andre Matos vocal
Wasted Years - not issued in album but available on Youtube featuring Timo Kotipelto

Sturm Und Drang - Album Rock n Roll Children [Limited Edition] (2008)
Fear of the Dark

Metal Styx - Магический амулет (Magical Amulet) (2012)
Brave New World

After Forever - album Exordium [EP] (2003)
The Evil That Men Do

Cradle of Filth - album Lovecraft & Witch Heart Disc 2 (2002)
Hallowed By Thy Name

Eternal Tears of Sorrow - album Chaotic Beauty (2000)
Flight of Icarus

Argus - album Argus (2009) - band from USA
Phantom of the Opera

re-Vision - album Chapter IV: ...All For The Sake of Love (2009), Germany female fronted power metal band, the band also serves as Paul Di'Anno's backing band in Germany
Strange World

Meanwhile official Iron Maiden cover studio albums that didn’t make to the Wikipedia list, mostly after 2010  are:

Beast Over Greece (2012)
Metal Hammer Greece issued a full CD of Iron Maiden tribute, notable bands such as Wardrum, Spitfire and Bob Katsionis on board.

1. Spitfire - Where Eagles Dare
2. Wardrum - Be quick or be Dead
3. Nightstalker - Running Free
4. Bob Katsionis & Peter Ellis - Moonchild
5. Dream Weaver - Flight of Icarus
6. Mahakala - Hallowed be thy Name
7. Acid Death - Deja vu
8. Dark Nova - Chairvoyant
9. Convixion - Sanctuary
10. Marauder - Children of The Dammed
11. Maidenance - Alexander The Great

Thomas Zwijsen - Nylon Maiden (2013)

buy it here at Amazon , talented acoustic guitar player doing Iron Maiden cover instrumentally

1. Aces High (3:43)
2. Rainmaker (3:30)
3. The Trooper (4:21)
4. Dance Of Death (8:35)
5. Can I Play With Madness (3:33)
6. Blood Brothers (8:00)
7. The Clairvoyant (4:32)
8. Wasting Love (6:07)
9. Wasted Years (4:43)
10. The Clansman (with Blaze Bayley) (8:42)
11. The Talisman (9:01)

Maiden United - Across The Seventh Sea (2012)

buy from Amazon

1. Only the Good Die Young (5:18)
2. 2 Minutes to Midnight (6:54)
3. Prowler (4:21)
4. Flash of the Blade (4:13)
5. Children of the Damned (4:53)
6. Infinite Dreams (5:54)
7. 22 Acacia Avenue (8:59)
8. The Evil That Men Do (4:35)
9. Wasted Years (5:48)

Damian Wilson (THRESHOLD, HEADSPACE): Vocals
Ruud Jolie (WITHIN TEMPTATION): Guitar
Joey Bruers (UP THE IRONS): Bass
Marco Kuypers (CLOUDMACHINE): Piano
Mike Coolen (WITHIN TEMPTATION): Drums

Iron Maiden Tribute - The Soldier Has Returned (2011)

Country: USA - buy it here at Amazon

01. Steve Overland (of FM) - Can I Play With Madness
02. Steve Grimmett (of Grim Reaper) - 2 Minutes To Midnight
03. Paul Dianno (of Killers) - Wrathchild
04. Doogie White (of Rainbow) - Hallowed Be Thy Name
05. Paul Dianno (of Killers) - Running Free
06. Doogie White (of Rainbow) - The Evil That Men Do
07. Paul Dianno (of Killers) - Phantom Of The Opera
08. Steve Grimmett (of Grim Reaper) - Number Of The Beast
09. Paul Dianno (of Killers) - Iron Maiden
10. Steve Overland (of FM) - Run To The Hills
11. Gary Barden (of MSG) - The Trooper

Saxon Sacrifice 2013

Saxon is the band you can rely on when all you need is a catchy riff and energy. While the previous album Call to Arms deals with ’80 tunes and feel, our new release Sacrifice is slightly move on to modern end. We got guitar crunch set into more high frequency distortion than previous. But basically this is Saxon with all their Denim and Leather riff we can imagine.

Sacrifice is the first vocal song we listen. Straightforward riff that bring NWOBHM back to life on a year 2013. Speaking about the Mayan sacrifice ceremonial, it is the first cultural theme song in the album. Come next is Made in Belfast, the intro is a combination of Celtic folk instrument followed with thundering bass line. The lyric is about unfortunate ship made in Belfast, story which include the legendary Titanic. The interlude that resemble the sound of mechanical instrument of the ship and mandolin followed up seems contracting each other, all in heavymetal thunder style. We then move to the next transport theme, Warriors of the Road, well this time is a racing theme ala F-1  and it’s sounds as fast and furious it can be. The next theme is oriental tune, Guardians of the Tomb based on the terracotta warriors that guarding the tomb of Qin Shi Huang of China.  The intro with oriental scale and then the riff itself made this one the best tune in the album, my favourite so far. And finally, a standard pentatonic hard rocker tune in Stand Up and Fight. Set the mood to the rebellious Saxon classic theme a Stand up and Fight things. In Walking the Steel we got a dry distortion riff as the intro to this 9/11 tribute theme song. Night of the Wolf try to calm the situation with a rather minor feel song and an acoustic break in the middle. Wheels of Terror and Standing in the Queue completed our encyclopaedia of heavy metal riff for today. The digipack and itunes release contained several interesting re-issue track bonuses as well.

All we need is present in Sacrifice. The riffs, the scream, the rebellious bass and mechanical speed drum. As usual, fans of guitar distortion will find this album full of guitar tone inspirations. Biff Byford gives us wonderful voice that bring back the memory of early ’80 British heavy metal scene. FYI, Biff will be back in the next Avantasia album so stay tune in March 2013 also. Saxon haven’t feel the need to move on from their comfortable British heavy metal sounds, and exactly doing the same things over the decades but with pocket full of new energy. Saxon fans need only to buy this release without worry.

Metal Harem class: ********* eight stars out of ten

Saxon Sacrifice 2013
Buy the album here

1."Procession" 1:47
2."Sacrifice" 3:58
3."Made in Belfast" 4:35
4."Warriors of the Road"  3:32
5."Guardians of the Tomb" 4:49
6."Stand up and Fight" 4:03
7."Walking the Steel" 4:24
8."Night of the Wolf" 4:20
9."Wheels of Terror" 4:22
10."Standing in a Queue"  3:38

    Biff Byford - lead vocals
    Paul Quinn - guitar
    Doug Scarratt - guitar
    Nibbs Carter - bass
    Nigel Glockler - drums

Razorwyre - Another Dimension (2012)

If you looking for a band with a bite of thrash metal and NWOBHM come listen to Razorwyre. The band homeland in New Zealand , but feel like predecessor of Iron Maiden blend with Metal Church kind of metal. Interestingly, the band prior name themselves as “Gaywyre”, uh oh and the first studio EP called… eergh, “Coming Out”. The respond to the EP was good and management decide to re-baptized them with a new name, fantastic name indeed, Razorwyre.

Come to listen the first track, The Conjuror (Shaman’s Wrath). The title subconsciously connected with Megadeth, and the riff and blitzing guitar actually has bite of Mustaine. The vocal singing was pure 80s spirit. It is an opening track act perfectly in a debut album. It is total mixed between early thrash scene and Iron Maiden, especially the wooh ooh in the ending of the song. Knight of Fire is a must have heavy metal theme song. Speed metal also a good term to describe this song. The riff with Mustaine’s Kill Em All style remind us well to the golden years. Fight or Be Fucked , yeah remember the band’s history? This is the third best song in a row, now with much more British sound, even bits of Blackmore and all its pentatonic solos. Nightblade is again something Iron Maiden Number of the Beast atmosphere. Another Dimension of Hell is finally something more about themselves and original, or at least I can’t find something obvious to referred.

The middle part now interlude by instrumental The Infinite, an very 80s NWOBHM scale and sounds. Of this later tracks of all heavy and thrash song, Wind Caller is recommended, it is more “something” than a generic thrash riff song.

Razorwyre sure able to gain many fans from both side of thrash, speed metal and NWOBHM. The sound mixing are greatly engineered with sound respectively referred to early 80s frequency. The singer Z.Chylde is wonderful, very Metal Church style and he sing something almost quartet pitch out of tune, but it is required to be like that. Guitarist and founding member Chris Calavrias and James Murray shred the album well with all tricks from the oldies to modern technique. Bassist and drummer played their parts with great reference to Iron Maiden and early Metallica. The album released on September 15, 2012, grab and air guitar-ed that.

Metalharem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Razorwyre Another Dimension 2012
buy it here

1. The Conjuror (Shaman's Wrath) 3:41
2. Knights of Fire 3:23
3. Fight or Be Fucked 6:26
4. Nightblade 4:42
5. Another Dimension of Hell 5:03
6. The Infinite 1:24
7. Desert Inferno 5:22
8. The Fort 4:44
9. Speed Warrior 4:15
10. Wind Caller 3:49
11. Hangman's Noose 3:37

Chris Calavrias- Lead Guitars
James Murray- Rhythm Guitars
Nick - Drums
Diamond Tim - Bass
Z Chylde – Vocals

Album cover with great reddish color tones:

Savage - Sons of Malice 2012

Those who old enough and experienced in NWOBHM scene will remember this band, Savage. But I don't, because I was slightly too young to know the detail of the era. Good news is, this will be a new band for me and without any nostalgic moments to be distraction. Savage is NWOBHM generation, mainly known in their early 80s song Let it Loose, that said, burnt UK metal scenes with New Wave Of British Heavy Metal.  The band then hit and missed the fortunate from early 80 until today. Only the sixth studio album, Sons of Malice still sounds very British and NWOBHM nowdays.

The first song strike in with signature riff of NWOBHM, panning left and right then we enter song The Rage Between. It is now clear Savage play a heavy metal that just slightly light than Saxon and early Iron Maiden, instead more thick in blues rock feel. This is clear in second song Black N Blue. It even tune down the metal feel and lending more to rock in the third title song Sons of Malice. The Hanging Tree is typical country feel song and so does it. Monkey On My Back has it nice "on stage" drumming intro. So does it with song Waking the Dead that provide solo drumming and development into rather minor metal riff. Of the one hour long album, all song composition writing over a catchy and crunchy guitar riff, before scream out the lyric by bassist and singer Chris Bradley.

This is an album for 80s UK tube guitar amp lover. A fantastic tunes recorded by duo of Savage guitarist. The songs mostly never become too heavy. An acceptable release by the veteran of this genre. With a cover album that still use the classic artwork feel, Savage still maintained their identity of early NWOBHM act in this album.

Savage Sons of Malice 2012
buy it here

01. The Rage Within
02. Black N Blue
03. Sons Of Malice
04. The Hanging Tree
05. Monkey On My Back
06. Junkyard Dogs
07. Blow
08. Waking The Dead
09. Choose Revolution
10. Now
11. Look At Yourself
12. Master Of War
13. Fallen Idols

Chris Bradley - Vocals, Bass
Kristian Bradley - Guitars
Andy Dawson - Guitars
Mark Nelson - Drums

Iron Maiden En Vivo (Live) 2012

It’s been ten years since my last Iron Maiden live disc, Rock in Rio. Sure I can listen the echo of  Two Minute to Midnight in a sleep but I convince myself to again entertainment myself with the Beast  latest offer, En Vivo 2012.

The good thing is this decision will never go wrong. With their multimillion platform, Iron Maiden already pull out a perfect live disc every time they wanted. En Vivo is their latest perfection, this time it was set in Chile from the tour around 2010-2011.

For all of us know, Iron Maiden already less putting out a song with straightforward riff followed by screaming chorus. Rather, Iron Maiden is now a metal band that build up their song on certain melodic motive done by their quartet Smith-Gers-Murray-Harris strings, put in a very serious lyrics and repeat their chorus for several minutes. This is exhausting from Dance of Death, A Matter of Life and Death and to The Final Frontier. But this situation actually improved decently with a live performance. Risky slow song like The Talisman and Coming Home are cleverly allocated within the show. For this, Iron Maiden always success in manage to build up a great atmosphere for each song. So, the first setlist taken from The Final Frontier album is quite a success opening. Only a little less confident that they still put in Two Minutes to Midnight right in the fourth set.

Over the show, the quartet melody highlight is when they performed their simple Maiden melodic motive. And of course with three axemen on stage we would like to see the necessary of this. The solos guitar are always the part that I enjoyed the most. There is many combination on this, first is a take turn solos, as in El Dorado, the two unison + 1 answering solo, as in The Trooper , or just plain three unison solos as in 2 Minutes to Midnight.

Production wise are best, they are the industry standard. Whatever Bruce screams, bumbling , grunt, whisper are clear presented. The crowd’s “… to Midnight” are breathtaking recorded. Nicko’s drumming part also polished well.

Even if you owned 20 live disc of Iron Maiden, getting another one will probably give you that little joy. En Vivo is yet another great entertainment for this excellent 2012 year of metal. Interestingly, this is Iron Maiden live album that titled more differently that the other.

Iron Maiden - En Vivo! (LIVE) 2012

buy it from Amazon here

Disc I
01. The Final Frontier
02. El Dorado
03. 2 Minutes To Midnight
04. The Talisman
05. Coming Home
06. Dance Of Death
07. The Trooper
08. The Wicker Man

Disc II
01. Blood Brothers
02. When The Wild Wind Blows
03. The Evil That Men Do
04. Fear Of The Dark
05. Iron Maiden
06. The Number Of The Beast
07. Hallowed Be Thy Name
08. Running Free

Bruce Dickinson - vocals
Janick Gers - guitars
Adrian Smith - guitars
Dave Murray - guitars
Nicko McBrain - drums
Steve Harris - bass
Michael Kenney - keyboards

Resensi Album Iron Maiden - En Vivo! (Live) 2012

Album live Iron Maiden terakhir yang saya ikuti adalah album Rock In Rio 2002. Setelah lewat sepuluh tahun, kiranya cukup beralasan untuk mendengar perkembangan si the Beast. Maka kehadiran En Vivo, album live terbaru 2012 dari Iron Maiden nampaknya cukup seru untuk diikuti kembali. 

Sebagai supergroup dan band superkaya, produksi mereka selalu dalam kualitas awesome. Ini adalah penampilan live mereka dari stadium Estadio Nacional, Santiago Chili. Iron Maiden melakukan tur The Final Frontier di daerah Latin Amerika sekitar tahun lalu.

Kita semua maklumi, sekarang Iron Maiden bukan lagi band yang suka membuat lagu sederhana, dengan riff polos seperti era 80an mereka. Iron Maiden sekarang lebih merupakan band yang tertarik dengan lagu yang dimulai dengan motif melody khas mereka. Lagu-lagunya lebih berat di lirik dan yang bikin kurang sreg adalah tendensi mereka mengulang-ulang lick dan chorus hingga cukup panjang. Dari tiga album terakhir, Dance of Death, A Matter of Life and Death dan The Final Frontier, pola ini sudah cukup terulang dan menimbulkan efek bosan bagi penggemar Iron Maiden yang sudah kenal mereka puluhan tahun. Tapi kondisi ini ternyata bisa diperbaiki dalam setting live performance. Quartet Smith-Gers-Murray-Harris memainkan senar adalah pertunjukan utama di sini. Lagu-lagu agak membosankan seperti The Talisman dan Coming Home tampaknya cukup berhasil ditampilkan live di sini dengan memposisikan lagunya di urutan yang tepat. Iron Maiden secara keseluruhan berhasil membawa atmosfer setiap lagu mereka dengan mantap. Keseluruhan pembukaan album ini yang sebagian besar materinya diambil dari album The Final Frontier tampak berhasil dipresentasikan dengan baik. Hanya tembang klasik Two Minutes to Midnight yang mungkin tetap diselipkan agar kebesaran Iron Maiden terus diingatkan.

Bagian solo gitar adalah bagian yang selalu ditunggu-tunggu. Dengan tiga gitaris berkeliaran di panggung, tentu diharapkan ada solo yang cukup untuk dimainkan. Kira-kira ada tiga kombinasi dari mereka, pertama adalah solo bergantian seperti di tembang El Dorado, lalu ada pula dua unison solo yang dijawab solo lainnya seperti di The Trooper, atau paling sederhana, ketiganya mengamuk serempak seperti di tembang klasik Two Minutes to Midnight.

Produksi suara di album ini sangat top notch, mereka adalah standar dalam industri ini. Teriakan, gerutuan, bisikan, apapun dari si Bruce terekam jelas. Suara ribuan penonton juga bisa dinikmati dengan baik. Pukulan si Nicko tidak ada yang terlewatkan. 

Walaupun penggemar memiliki puluhan kaset live Iron Maiden, sekiranya album ini tetap bisa memberi senyuman di bibir. En Vivo adalah hiburan yang baik untuk awal tahun 2012 ini.

3 Inches of Blood - Long Live Heavy Metal 2012

Even after 40 years of heavy metal invented by Black Sabbath, there still enough signs that this genre not going to die soon. Evidence of this is how an album with “Metal” word keep appearing on scenes. Months ago was Hysterica with The Art Of Metal and then week ago Blaze Bayley with The King Of Metal. Totally unknown to me was band called 3 Inches of Blood who put in another brave album called Long Live Heavy Metal.

Not only the title album was brave, but the commodity inside are far awesome to be missed. Just like Anvil and Annihilator , 3 Inches of Blood happens to be a Canadian band. Which another examples of how Canadian potential in keeping traditional heavy metal alive on earth. The reviewer many said they are New Wave of British Heavy Metal genre, the genre that belong to the best metal act on Earth, Iron Maiden.

The first three tracks of the album, confirmed the potential keep inside this band. Traditional vocal screaming, awesome dual guitar attacks and fast songs , this is yet another Judas Priest reincarnation in the 2012 year.  This interrupted a bit by new age-ish folk metal Chief and the Blade before the storm multiple again the song Dark Messenger. The singer Cam Pipes is supported by guitarist Justin Hagberg who doing the death metal part.

During its 52 minutes Long Live Heavy Metal demonstrated neat heavy metal act. Their unique because some of the songs incorporated elements of death metal and folk metal nicely to its British Heavy Metal background. If you are looking for yet another catchy riff, catchy metal, this album will very less disappointed you.

Metal Harem class: ******* 7 stars out of 10

3 Inches of Blood - Long Live Heavy Metal 2012

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1. "Metal Woman"   4:48

2. "My Sword Will Not Sleep"   4:37

3. "Leather Lord"   3:57

4. "Chief And The Blade"   2:27

5. "Dark Messenger"   4:07

6. "Look Out"   5:29

7. "4000 Torches"   4:16

8. "Leave It On The Ice"   3:34

9. "Die For Gold (Upon The Boiling Sea IV)"   4:03

10. "Storming Juno"   4:24

11. "Men Of Fortune"   7:35

12. "One For The Ditch"   3:31

    Cam Pipes - vocals

    Shane Clark - guitar, vocals

    Justin Hagberg - guitars

    Ash Pearson - drums

    Byron Stroud - bass