Yuriy P. - 27/Jan/2022  A sequel to Brave New World, and a good one, although I like the predecessor better, maybe because I listened to it so many times? I've read several reviews of this album, the fans give quite good ratings, but in one review one metalhead found fault with the cover, and this influenced the assessment of the album. What can I say, if people are already evaluating albums solely because of the cover, for such people it is better to release albums in a clean box, without design, stick a leaflet with the tracklist into the disc and let them enjoy. And it seems to me that soon they won’t buy albums at all, only because of the cover, they will stand in the store, look at the picture, they won’t like the way the disc is designed and won’t buy it, just some kind of degradation. Okay, let's get down to reviewing the album - the sound is too similar to the previous creation of the Maidens, which is why I called this record a continuation of Brave New World. This product is of high quality, and like all the albums of this group, all the same, “maidens” have been living for 30 years, and a group with such work experience should know what to do and why, and why. Bruce's vocals haven't changed a bit, not hoarse and the like. The first three songs from this album (Wildest Dreams, Rainmaker, No More Lies) were released as separate singles and I think everyone can see why (because they are great). Steve Harris did not let his fans down and composed a new portion of excellent songs, well, it's like always. Bruce Dickinson is simply overwhelmed with work, is torn into two parts, is also engaged in “maidens” and sings in his solo album at the same time. Other musicians are also good, I don’t want to talk about their skills, well, everyone probably understands that they are experts in their field, it has been proven by scientists, it is not subject to discussion! The music is still the same groovy as it was before, the sound itself has changed somewhat, but they still remain true to themselves, let me remind you that they have never changed their chosen style (i.e. hei metal), and are still revered by all ranks metalheads, those who listen to something heavier (extreme music), and those who are killed under the good old heavy. I'm not saying they're the best in the business, but undeniably one of the best, even now. All songs on this album are original, unique, easy to remember, listen to all this without any tension. Wildest Dreams - the opening song of the album is very good "One, Two, One, Two, Free, Four" and off we go. Rainmaker - I liked this song from the very first seconds of playing this track, the chorus is really a bit boring, but otherwise everything is fine. No More Lies is the third song in a row, at the beginning it may seem that this is another ballad, but it was not there. Montsegur is a notorious song, I didn't like it. Dance Of Death is the title track, overall not bad, the beginning is similar to No More Lies. Gates Of Tomorrow is a great iron maiden action game. New Frontier is an action movie again, only with a lovely chorus that will be remembered for a long time. Paschendale is a bit of a boring song. Face In The Sand is a mediocre song. Age Of Innocence is the penultimate song, after a number of somewhat boring songs Maiden put a very interesting action movie on the album, I really like the chorus of this track. Journeyman - and at the very end they threw in a seemingly unremarkable ballad, but this is not so, I really like this composition, such things should end the album. And finally - long life to the "maidens". Let them continue in the same spirit.
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