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A Matter of Life and Death (engl. für: „Eine Sache von Leben und Tod”) ist das 14. Studioalbum der britischen Heavy Metal-Band Iron Maiden. Das Album erschien am 25. August 2006 in Europa und am 5. September in den USA. Produzent des Albums ist Kevin Shirley. Aufgenommen wurde es, wie schon das vorangegangene Album Dance of Death, in den Sarm West Studios in London. Eine anschließende Welttournee startete am 4. Oktober 2006 im New England Dodge Music Center - Hartford in den USA.
Iron Maiden blieb der markanten Linie treu und veröffentlichte auch auf A Matter of Life and Death wieder Songs mit konkretem historischen Hintergrund, wobei die zeitgemäßen Themen Krieg und Konflikte das Album prägen. These Colours Don't Run beschreibt die Eindrücke von Soldaten in Kriegsgebieten. Brighter Than a Thousand Suns nimmt Bezug auf die erste Atombombe, die von Wissenschaftlern, die bei der Explosion dabei waren, als „heller als tausend Sonnen“ beschrieben worden war. Mit The Longest Day lieferten Iron Maiden einen weiteren Song mit geschichtlichem Hintergrund. Die Operation Overlord der Amerikaner im Juni 1944 und der damit einhergehende Sturm auf die Omaha Beach werden hier thematisiert.
User Album Review
Any fan of Iron Maiden who's witnessed their evolution has learned to ignore the 'hilarious' quips about screaming banshees and the men who look like yetis. Instead you focus on the structure of the songs, the meaning in the lyrics and the tight instrumentation that always provide enjoyment and satisfaction.
So, is A Matter Of Life And Death as good as classics Powerslave and Dance Of Death? Yes; the quality bar is raised once more. Maiden again prove their uncanny ability to write great lyrics wrapped around guitar orchestration that rock fans crave.
"For The Greater Good Of God" and "The Longest Day" are outstanding with the partnership of guitar, bass and drum (and now even keys) flowing and developing throughout. "Lord Of Light" is one of those epic tracks destined to be listened to again and again - each time giving something new.
A Matter Of Life And Death is the sound of a band who have been together for thirty one years, mostly spent on the road. The album manages to preserve the raw element of a live performance because, as with their other albums, the band recorded A Matter... together in the same studio as live. Every song provides evidence that the band feed off each other and share a common energy.
In this world of hopeless auto-tuned mediocrity here is a British band that consistently crafts fantastic music that surprises reviewers and fans alike. Some may dislike the controversial lyrics, but isn't that what rock music is supposed to be all about?
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