Released 20 years ago
A Matter of Life and Death
Iron Maiden · 2006
72 min · 10 tracks · heavy metal
A thunderous blend of intricate melodies and powerful anthems that explore themes of conflict and existence.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Different World Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
-
→
These Colours Don’t Run — This track captures the album's exploration of warfare through its aggressive rhythms and poignant lyrics about resilience in the face of conflict.
-
→
Brighter Than a Thousand Suns — With its sweeping melodies and reflective lyrics on nuclear war, this song embodies the album's thematic complexity while showcasing Iron Maiden's signature progressive metal style.
-
→
For the Greater Good of God — This epic track delves into religious conflict with a powerful narrative structure, representing both musical ambition and deep philosophical inquiry within the band's work.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and thematic depth but has some pacing issues across its length.
What we noticed
- The album features several tracks that exceed six minutes, allowing for extended instrumental sections and complex arrangements.
- Many songs incorporate dual guitar harmonies, creating a rich texture that is characteristic of Iron Maiden's sound.
- The lyrics consistently explore themes of war, existence, and morality, with each track presenting a narrative or philosophical concept.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gradual build to epic climax
- socially conscious lyrical themes
- immersive storytelling through music
- reflective moments with intensity
- late-night deep listening experience
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy, complex narratives
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases ambitious songwriting and thematic depth in Iron Maiden's catalog.
- Themes
- burdens of war· atomic bomb legacy· religious moral dilemmas
- Career context
- Released on August 28, 2006, 'A Matter of Life and Death' is Iron Maiden's fourteenth studio album, coming after their successful reunion with vocalist Bruce Dickinson. This album follows the critically acclaimed 'Dance of Death' (2003) and marks a continued evolution in their sound, featuring complex compositions and deeper lyrical themes reflecting on war and philosophy.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Judas Priest· Helloween· Megadeth
Tracklist
- 1 Different World Start here 4:18
- 2 These Colours Don’t Run 6:52
- 3 Brighter Than a Thousand Suns 8:46
- 4 The Pilgrim 5:07
- 5 The Longest Day 7:47
- 6 Out of the Shadows 5:36
- 7 The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg 7:22
- 8 For the Greater Good of God 9:24
- 9 Lord of Light 7:24
- 10 The Legacy 9:22
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Death Magnetic
Metallica
Shares complex themes of mortality and inner conflict with a similarly epic metal sound.
Nostradamus
Judas Priest
Explores historical and moral dilemmas through grand narratives and heavy guitar work.
United Abominations
Megadeth
Addresses social issues and war themes with intricate melodies and heavy riffs.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.