The Book of Souls cover

The Book of Souls

Iron Maiden · 2015

92 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal · traditional heavy metal · new wave of British heavy metal

Epic narratives unfold through intricate compositions, blending heavy riffs and soaring melodies in a rich tapestry of sound.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • epic narratives with dynamic peaks
  • wave-like pacing that captivates
  • immersive storytelling through compositions
  • headphone detail hunting required
  • late-night reflective journeys

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer short standalone tracks
  • seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

Themes
historical narratives· mythical journeys
Career context
Released on September 4, 2015, 'The Book of Souls' is Iron Maiden's sixteenth studio album and their first double album. It arrived after a four-year hiatus following 'The Final Frontier' (2010) and marked the continued evolution of their sound, showcasing complex arrangements and lyrical depth as they celebrated over four decades in the music scene.
Stylistic neighbors
Judas Priest· Helloween· Megadeth
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory by Dream Theater — Shares epic storytelling and intricate compositions with heavy riffs and melodic structures.
Nightfall in Middle-Earth by Blind Guardian — Combines rich narratives and complex arrangements, drawing from mythology and literature themes.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 If Eternity Should Fail 8:28
  • 2 Speed of Light 5:01
  • 3 The Great Unknown 6:37
  • 4 The Red and the Black 13:33
  • 5 When the River Runs Deep 5:52
  • 6 The Book of Souls 10:31

Disc 2

  • 1 Death or Glory 5:12
  • 2 Shadows of the Valley 7:32
  • 3 Tears of a Clown 4:58
  • 4 The Man of Sorrows 6:27
  • 5 Empire of the Clouds 18:05

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata