Anyone around here pick up the new Iron Maiden album? I'm kinda curious as to whether-or-not it's worth picking up(soon I shall have Powerslave as well, that CD's harder than hell to find).

Dance of Death is a great Maiden album, and if the rumors are true - the last.

It doesn't stand on the same ground as their classic releases from the 80's, but I've grown up with them, so my brain has had twenty years of exposure and emotional attachment to them.

To put it this way - Dance of Death doesn't make me cringe while listening to it. Brave New World did that, which is a shame as I had expected better upon Dickinson's return to the band.

I'm sure in 20 years, Dance of Death will be fondly remembered. Just not for that horrible fucking cover art.

What ever happened to the original cover artist? HE COULD USE MORE WORK!!! *hint hint hint*

Peace,

G.A

I hear you on the cover art, my God, it's horrible! Kinda strange, Brave New World had awesome cover art but was mediocre all around(though I liked "Ghost of the Navigator" off of it), while Dance of Death is better a better album with pug fugly cover art(they ought to have had the person who did the cover art for the single "Rainmaker" do the cover art for for Dance of Death). Off topic a bit, but so far my favorite Maiden cover art is for Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.

Next time I'm out I'll pick up Dance of Death and Powerslave(that is a blasted hard album to find!) to round out my mini-collection of heavy metal from one of my fave heavy metal bands, seeing as how I already have Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.

I just wished Iron Maiden were going to have a stop in Phoenix on the Dance of Death World Tour(they might add more stops later, but I'm not holding my breath).

I'd highly recommend Rhapsody if you haven't already checked them out.

They're currently my favorite metal act since Iron Maiden, and each of their album releases comes with an increasingly ridiculous hyperbole filled sticker on the cover describing of their music.

"The new hope of Symphonic Epic Power Metal..."

"The grand masters of Symphonic Epic Hollywood Metal strike back..."



It's all so cheesy, but Luca Turelli knows his shit in terms of composing some really intense music. However, if you're not a fan of baroque music, some of the compositions may be way off kilter for your ear.

Their debut album really caught me off guard, and at first I didn't care for it, but I stuck with it and treating it as a chapter in a continuing saga, it makes a hell of a lot of sense.

Legendary Tales starts off rather light and downright queer in some spots.

By the time the Emerald Sword saga concludes in Power of the Dragonflame, the music takes on a turbulent tone, matching the battle filled conclusion.

My hat is also off to Hammerfall.

Peace,

G.A

Edit: HOLY FUCKASSSHITBITCH!!!!

/me reads the news article here and creams his kecks!

Without hesistation, I declare this to be - ONE OF THE BEST FUCKING METAL ALBUMS TO HAVE EVER BEEN MADE!!!! Until the end of time!

I've been lookin' for Rhapsody but haven't been able to find any of their CD's for sale in shops around here(I've heard the title song and "Emerald Sword" off of Symphony of Enchanted Lands and have been looking for them but no one carries them(since CD's only run $10-$12 where I buy them I usually get them at the local Fry's Electronics). Bah, guess I'll have to buy it off of Amazon.com.

You'll be hard pressed to find Rhapsody or Hammerfall CD's in big business brick and mortar stores just interested in selling more Britney Spears, Limp Bisquick, and Stinkin' Park CD's to the kids with their parents SUV's and credit cards.

America doesn't like true metal. MORE PANSIES PLEASE! It's the order of the day, or The Order of the RIAA.

There's only one store in the area here that carries them, and more often than not they're out of stock.

You can also special order them through Borders if you have one near you and want to skip on shipping costs. Unless Borders has some kind of service fee for special orders.

Peace,

G.A

I'd imagine the Borders does. I'll have to go there and find out, though. You get a chance to hear anything off of Falconer's new album(The Sceptre of Deception)?

I heard some old Falconer, and I didn't much care for the vocalist. I know, that may be a specious point of contention for someone with a tolerance for Joacim Cans (sp?) vocals. I just wasn't feeling Falconer.

I've heard the old vocalist left the band and someone new has signed on. I'll have to look into their newer stuff to see if it's any more palatable to my ear.

Also, here's a handy tip. Use the Borders store locator on their website and you can search the physical store inventory for merchandise. It's one of the best features for a retailer with a website ever.

Peace,

G.A

Thanks much, Greg! I'll look into that right now, in fact. I've heard a bit off the new album, but not enough to say one way or another if it's changed. I liked the old vocals a lot myself, but then to each their own. Hope you like the new vocals more!

EDIT: Well, I'll be damned, so they do have it. That's awesome, they'll probably still have the album when I get back to Phoenix.

EDIT 2: Nevermind, I'll have to have them order it, silly me. I misread the availability. Oh well.