Quite a few times ive read some dude saying the production on this album sucks...i can see what they mean...but then again i know that a matter of life and death was recorded with all of the musicians playing at the same time... (almost like a live album)
i think thats so fucking badass for a HUGE band to do
keep it real! up the irons !

Wow.. how did this get an 8 overall?!

Written by Death To Posers on 24.03.2010 at 01:43

Wow.. how did this get an 8 overall?!

Which imho is still too high. I woudl say between a 6 and a 7 so a 6.5

Because it is too good to be rated high...

I think that 8 rating is a decent and fair one for this record. A solid album with some nice listenable songs...

It's Iron Maiden in a really different style. But I like it. Got an 8 from my side.

This is one of my favourite album covers.

This is a very strong album, there's only one song on it I don't like. And the long, epic songs generally work far better on this album than on "The Final Frontier".

From all maiden albums I've listened so far, this one is the worst.

EDIT: I forgot the Blaze-era albums This album is the worst in maiden discography featuring Bruce. I've not fully listened to Dance of Death or The Final Frontier. And seriously, Dance of Death CAN'T be bad as this album is.

Say "most different" and i will agree with you

This album is beautiful. It's my second favorite 2000s era Maiden album behind Brave New World. There are so many haunting moments on here and the brooding atmosphere is captivating. Out Of The Shadows is also one of Bruce Dickinson's best vocal performances I've ever heard, the music around it is heartwarming.

Pretty interesting and strong, maybe strongest ''new era'' , defenetly much better than next one aka last one (from nowdays point of wiew) if IM will relise so strng one next (ferom todays point of wiew) I will be so happy
Diferent Worlds, Brighter Than 1000 Suns, actualy all songs are good, some weeker, some stronger, but all are decent. one more album album not one bets song video album

It started off with a bit of strength, but despite the decent writing and great performance, it turned out to be really bland. Didn't really enjoy this one all that much. Even thought Dance of Death was slightly better.

Actually, i'm loving this album! It's so awesome, specially, The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg...oh that voice at the end of the song...oh Bruce!

Their most mature album indeed. Great lyrics and nice idea to record all instruments along, gives sometimes the feeling of a live album but without the crowd (well, you understand me ).

Surely not as good as BNW or DOD but still great.

Great record. The only one from the 2000's that can top BNW IMO

This is such a brilliant record, they seemed to get right every fucking thing on this work. Every single song tells it's own story and even though the length of the songs (and the album overall) it never feel dragging or repetitive. The way The Longest Day paints the horrors of war or the excellent mysticism they faked about the Benjamin Breeg story is just two of the wonderful things with this album. I consider this one of their best albums and a true heavy metal classic!

A Matter Of Life And Death, huh? More like An Album That Bored Me To Death

Re listening, I remember I hated it back then, now its an epic kick ass album, basically best what Maiden wrote(don't worry I wont say same things about next one ) but its awesome and interesting, epic in some way, a perfect album for old farts what cant run and has no energy as young pals has

A masterful album for sure. Easily one of their greatest. One of the few truly consistent albums in their catalogue with no filler track. It differentiates itself very well from the previous two records and has a fresh, raw sound. Lyrics and music is deeply emotional, which is something lacking from most other Maiden records. Unlike on other modern Maiden album (and older ones even) none of the songs feel too "show-offy" in in the execution, but feel incredibly honest. It's an album that I can always listen to and be captivated by it's creativity, mood and emotional power.

I mean, even the singles on this album are strong. Different World is good and Benjamin Bregg might be the best song David Murray has a writing credit on. Add to that imaginative songs like Lord of Light, The Legacy and Brighter than a Thousand Suns as well as emotionally powerful ones like The Longest Day and Out of the Shadows and you got a modern classic.

Written by MajorMalfunction on 04.06.2016 at 12:41

This is such a brilliant record, they seemed to get right every fucking thing on this work. Every single song tells it's own story and even though the length of the songs (and the album overall) it never feel dragging or repetitive. The way The Longest Day paints the horrors of war or the excellent mysticism they faked about the Benjamin Breeg story is just two of the wonderful things with this album. I consider this one of their best albums and a true heavy metal classic!

Finally! Someone who understood the mastery of this record. In my opinion, best Maiden album since the 80s and one of their best albums ever for sure.

Because my latest re-listen made me appreciate Dance of Death for what it is, I also decided to give this one a go. If the former was pretty much disliked by everyone I knew, this thing was loved and praised by the same people like crazy. While I honestly enjoy the more epic songs here, I feel like they had to put in also few more radio-friendly songs that really drag it down. Songs like "Different World" and "Benjamin Breeg" especially are just average and boring, in my opinion.