Released: August 13, 2010
Iron Maiden's comeback from the realms of commercial and artistic stagnation that would have killed almost any other band has been remarkable to say the very least. It's a rare band indeed that could return from such a slump and go on to create material that ranks beside the classics of their past. Their fifteenth studio album sees that success curve continue as they maintain listener interest in spite of its prestigous length by throwing in a few curveballs and some of the best music of their career.
The Final Frontier starts off with a very un-Maiden sounding extended intro that is certainly one of the more interesting things the band has done in a long time. It kind of sets the stage for some of the other less-typical aspects they've sprinkled throughout. After the segue is the usual strong opener let down only slightly by one of Steve Harris' unimaginative, single-line choruses ("The final frontier! The final frontier! The final frontier!") but otherwise the lyrics are Maiden's typically celebral fare. "Mother of Mercy" is a particularly impressive track early on, followed by the surprising "Coming Home", a rare ballad from Iron Maiden and one that actually works. Then comes "The Alchemist", a reasonable effort but nothing these guys haven't done a few dozen times already.
The back half of The Final Frontier is introduced by the majestic Arthurian epic "Isle of Avalon" with "Starblind" showing off the band's rather more aggressive side. It is on these last five songs where Iron Maiden's progressive nature finally flowers with some of the arrangements and extended instrumental sections among the best they've ever done. The guitar work has always been brilliant, but some of the work Messrs. Smith, Murray and Gers do on this album is truly breathtaking. "When the Wild Wind Blows" is the only track on the album written by Harris alone. It's been hailed by some as the album's highlight but on analysis there's several bits and pieces from the band's back catalogue weaved into it, notably a large section of "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" at one point. Nevertheless, even at eleven minutes it doesn't outstay its welcome and really does show how magnificent a band Iron Maiden is when they set out to create something truly amazing.
The Final Frontier is not the easiest album to digest. The complexity and layering of the arrangements and production may mean it takes more than a couple of listens to penetrate, but the effort is worth it. This is Iron Maiden's best since the 80s and without a doubt one of the best albums of 2010.
- Satellite 15... The Final Frontier
- El Dorado
- Mother of Mercy
- Coming Home
- The Alchemist
- Isle of Avalon
- Starblind
- The Talisman
- The Man Who Would be King
- When the Wild Wind Blows
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