{"id":50,"date":"2006-07-04T13:19:35","date_gmt":"2006-07-04T18:19:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.themetalden.com\/?p=50"},"modified":"2009-05-20T13:20:50","modified_gmt":"2009-05-20T18:20:50","slug":"iron-maiden-new-album-artwork-single-details-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themetalden.com\/?p=50","title":{"rendered":"IRON MAIDEN: New Album Artwork, Single Details Revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"

The cover artwork for IRON MAIDEN<\/strong>‘s upcoming album, “A Matter of Life and Death”<\/strong>, has been posted online at this location<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“A Matter of Life and Death”<\/strong> is scheduled for release in early September via EMI<\/strong>. The album’s first single, “The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg”<\/strong>, will precede the album on August 14.<\/p>\n

Said bassist Steve Harris<\/strong>, “This is a very intense album in many ways, and we really wanted to go with a lead track that demonstrated that in the best way rather than going for a shorter track on the album just to please the chart rules. ‘Benjamin Breeg’ is a great example of the feel of the album in its really heavy riff and lyrically it’s a very dark, atmospheric and powerful song which really epitomizes what the album is all about for us. So it made a natural choice for us.”<\/p>\n

In true MAIDEN<\/strong> style, the single will be released in two special limited-edition formats, which by content will not be eligible for the U.K. singles chart. Manager Rod Smallwood<\/strong> explained: “There are various chart rules compliant to number of tracks, the maximum running time, price structure and all the rest of it. As for the new MAIDEN<\/strong> single, it’s simple: we’re putting out a two-track CD \u2014 ‘The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg’<\/strong> and ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’<\/strong> (Legends Session) and if it’s too long to qualify for the charts, then so be it. We have no problem with it being non-chart-eligible.”<\/p>\n

EMI<\/strong> will also release a special 7″ picture disc with collectable sticker of the “Crossed Guns” logo. B sides to both formats are from last year’s amazing BBC Radio 1 “Legends”<\/strong> session recorded especially for the Zane Lowe<\/strong> show.<\/p>\n

“A Matter of Life and Death”<\/strong> was recorded at Sarm West Studios<\/strong> in London with producer Kevin Shirley<\/strong>, who also worked on the last two MAIDEN<\/strong> albums, 2000’s “Brave New World”<\/strong> and 2003’s “Dance of Death”<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“‘Brave New World’<\/strong> and ‘Dance Of Death’<\/strong> were both good records,” frontman Bruce Dickinson<\/strong> told Kerrang!<\/strong> magazine. “But they weren’t anywhere near as good as this one! This one is ‘Dance of Death’<\/strong> without the effort. This whole album feels effortless. It’s like driving a big, gas-guzzling motor car. You just put your foot down and there’s limitless power under the bonnet.”<\/p>\n

“It’s been unbelievable,” added Steve Harris<\/strong>. “We booked the studio for three months and we finished the whole thing in two. I think the preparation was good. We didn’t have the rows we usually have! We really focused on each song and it was a very positive experience.”<\/p>\n

“The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg”<\/strong>, which will be the first single to be taken from the record, is described by Kerrang!<\/strong> as “an intricate seven-minute epic that starts with a creepy, ominous intro before erupting into a crushing, almost LED ZEPPELIN<\/strong>-esque riff and a powerful, emotive chorus.”<\/p>\n

“It’s very different for us.” admitted Harris<\/strong>. “It’s very riffy. The intro has an almost nursery rhyme eeriness. Sometimes you try to create a mood and sometimes it’s just there. Everyone’s going to ask who Benjamin Breeg<\/strong> is, but you’ll just have to find out for yourself!”<\/p>\n

With regards to whether “A Matter Of Life And Death”<\/strong> marks a fresh lease of life for MAIDEN<\/strong>, Harris<\/strong> said, “Five years ago we were thinking about possibly retiring at this point, but now we’re at this stage there’s no way! Why should we? I don’t know why, but I always had it in my head that we’d do fifteen studio albums, so we’ve got at least one more to go!”<\/p>\n

The complete track listing for both the single and the album is as follows:<\/p>\n

Limited-Edition Two-Track CD:<\/p>\n

01. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg<\/strong>
\n02. Hallowed be thy Name<\/strong> (Radio 1 “Legends” Session)<\/p>\n

Limited-Edition 7″ Picture Disc (To Include “Crossed Gun Logo” Sticker):<\/p>\n

01. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg<\/strong>
\n02. Run to the Hills<\/strong> (Radio 1 “Legends” Session)
\n03. The Trooper<\/strong> (Radio 1 “Legends” Session)<\/p>\n

“A Matter of Life and Death”<\/strong> track listing:<\/p>\n

01. Different Worlds<\/strong> (Smith\/Harris) (4:17)
\n02. These Colours Don’t Run<\/strong> (Smith\/Harris\/Dickinson) (6:52)
\n03. Brighter Than a Thousand Suns<\/strong> (Smith\/Harris\/Dickinson) (8:44)
\n04. The Pilgrim<\/strong> (Gers\/Harris) (5:07)
\n05. The Longest Day<\/strong> (Smith\/Harris\/Dickinson) (7:48)
\n06. Out Of the Shadows<\/strong> (Dickinson\/Harris) (5:36)
\n07. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg<\/strong> (Murray\/Harris) (7:21)
\n08. For The Greater Good of God<\/strong> (Harris) (9:24)
\n09. Lord Of Light<\/strong> (Smith\/Harris\/Dickinson) (7:23)
\n10. The Legacy<\/strong> (Gers\/Harris) (9:20)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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