Iron Maiden. A band that can best be summed up as the greatest metal band of all time. That may be a rather extreme, over-the-top description but one that few will deny. Through out the decades they have remained a powerful force in metal and in music in general.  From their self-titled first album up through and including their latest album, "Dance of Death", they have proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Let us not forget that, for a band that has been together for over twenty-four years, they have not compromised themselves by changing their style to what's considered "cool". With all of that said, on with the review.

This is a review of Iron Maiden's seventh studio album, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. Now you may be asking yourself "Why is he reviewing an album that is sixteen years old?". Well to answer your question, I'm doing it because I feel like it. Plus, there are younger metal heads out there that may not have heard some of the classics of the '80s. One reason why I chose to review this specific Maiden album is because it is, in my opinion, their first (and best) effort at doing progressive metal.

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son is said by many to be a concept album. Steve Harris and the gang, as far as I know, have yet to admit it but let's face it, it is a concept album. From what I have read it is based on a book. For the whole story, feel free to research it.

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son... starts out with a somber intro that kicks into a ripping, kick-your-teeth-in number called "Moonchild". The intro isn't a separate track, nor is the outro that is very, very similar. But "Moonchild" is the type of opening track you would expect from Iron Maiden. A whirlwind of an attack that tells you to hold on to your seats, because Iron Maiden is going to get you yet again.

After you've been knocked off your chair, "Infinite Dreams" puts you back on your seat and calms you down. This is one of those tracks that shows just how well Bruce Dickinson can sing. This is also one of Maiden's more prog-metal-type tunes. Definitely one of my favorite tracks off of the album.

The third track off of this album is "Can I Play With Madness?". Most Maiden fans seem to hate this song, as it is their most commercial sounding. I personally think it has its charm and is a great song in its own right, but it does stick out like a sore thumb on this album. "Can I Play With Madness" is a song that should have been on No Prayer for the Dying. Despite all of that, it doesn't really sully the album one bit.

The fourth track on the album is also my favorite. It's "The Evil That Men Do". It is one of those songs that belongs on every action-movie soundtrack. It's got the classic Maiden feel that proves just why Maiden rules!

The fifth song on the album is the title track. I'm surprised this song isn't played live more often. This is mainly because of the "Woooooh" thing that goes on during the song. Per usual, Maiden makes a title track that is actually worth naming the album after. Like "Infinite Dreams", it's a more soothing song.

When listening to the sixth track, titled "The Prophecy", don't be surprised if you start saying "Aaargh" after every verse. This is because this particular song has a sea chanty, I'm-a-pirate feel to it. This is another favorite track of mine, as it is yet another song that really shows that Bruce has a great set of pipes. The twin guitar harmonies help, too.

Another favorite of mine, "The Clairvoyant" comes in as track number seven. This is one of those songs that, had I not have known better, I could have sworn Dream Theater wrote. It's got that calm before the storm thing going on, which is yet another thing that Maiden is known for doing and does well. First it starts up with soothing synths and leads, then it kicks you right in the face while Bruce sings "There's a time to live, there's a time to die, there's a time to meet your maker!!!!".

The closing track on this album is "Only the Good Die Young". Maiden couldn't have found a better closing track. Just as "Moonchild" tells you to wake the hell up because Maiden is about to kick your ass, "Only the Good Die Young" makes the album go out with a bang!

If you are a Maiden fan but don't have this album, then stop reading this and go buy yourself this album. If you never heard any of Iron Maiden's albums before in your life, then ask yourself "Do I like prog/power metal that uses synths without over saturating?". If your answer is yes, then get off of your can and go pick up Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. In my opinion, it's tied with Iron Maiden's self-titled album as being the greatest Iron Maiden album there is.

Reviewer:  Keith "Death Metal Cookie Monster" Horning

(5 out of 5)
 

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