Iron Maiden
The Final Frontier
EMI
August 17
By Jill Jung
Iron Maiden’s 15th album, The Final Frontier, can truly be considered an epic ending that will result in an enduring legacy.
The Final Frontier is the band’s longest yet, with songs averaging six minutes a piece for a total of 76 minutes. As rumors swirl that this might be the band’s last album, it’s as if Iron Maiden saved the best for last.
The album opens with the two-part song “Satellite 15…The Final Frontier”. The lengthy two and a half minute long introduction starts off with a slow ominous mood and an electronic feel, building with an almost tribal sounding drum. This is a very new sound for Iron Maiden. “Satellite 15′ can easily be set apart from the rest by singer Bruce Dickinson’s sorrowful lyrics and the drummer Nicko McBrian’s pounding percussion. The two-second pause changes the feel of the song dramatically. The rest of the song follows true to the Iron Maiden name, ending off with a fading chant of “The Final Frontier”.
There are other incredible songs on this album, my personal favorite being “Mother of Mercy” with Bruce Dickinson’s expressive singing about the horrors of war. And “El Dorado,” the first single off the album, takes a bite at the economic troubles the country is facing. The lyrics reflect that perfectly; “The eternal lie I’ve told/About the pyramids of gold/I’ve got you hooked at every turn/your money’s left to burn.”
Overall, this album has diverse moods and sounds that all are unique to Iron Maiden. If you are passionate about metal, music in general, or are just looking to pick up an album full of amazing talent, I would highly recommend Iron Maiden’s The Final Frontier.
