Alright Dear Reader, it’s year’s end and I’d like to share with you what I’ve been listening to in the hope of turning you on to something new or reconnecting you with an old favorite. So, here goes!
Iron Maiden: The Book of Souls
This is the best songwriting I’ve heard from Iron Maiden in quite some time. To be fair, I love Iron Maiden and find something like to like in each of the band’s releases.
On its most recent couple of studio albums, Maiden’s songwriting has been primarily a showcase for Steve Harris’ prog leanings. While this is enjoyable, brevity is the soul of wit, ya know?! Iron Maiden seems to have embraced that adage and with much heavier contribution from Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith in the songwriting department, the band has rarely sounded so much like its classic self and that’s a great thing!
I’ve long believed Adrian Smith’s sense of melody, both vocally and in his lead-playing is the bands’ not-so-secret weapon and with The Book of Souls his talents are on full display. If you like what many consider “classic” Iron Maiden, check out this new one.