Iron Maiden

The Final Frontier (UMe)

Having flagged any remaining uncharted territory on Flight 666, Iron Maiden mobilizes The Final Frontier. The British troopers’ 15th studio album, a deep space oddity only a galaxy removed from the Sword’s Warp Riders, matches the renewed vigor of millennial reboot Brave New World. Opening preamble “Satellite 15 … the Final Frontier” sets the controls for stadium bombast before “El Dorado” jet-sets a classic 1980s gallop, an arms race matched only by “The Alchemist.” Maiden’s triple-guitar front overthrows Bruce Dickinson’s narrative drama on the fantastical “Isle of Avalon” and emotive power ballad “Coming Home.” Nearly 77 minutes, The Final Frontier calls for a harsher edit and, of course, Maiden’s early punk tenacity.

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This article appears in September 10 • 2010.

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