The Book of Souls
Iron Maiden · 2015
92 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal
Epic heavy metal anthems intertwine complex narratives with soaring melodies and intricate guitar work.
Top tracks — play these first
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If Eternity Should Fail Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Speed of Light — This track showcases Iron Maiden's ability to blend classic heavy metal with contemporary sounds, featuring a catchy chorus and dynamic guitar solos that embody the band's signature style.
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The Red and the Black — A sprawling epic that highlights the band's progressive tendencies, this track features intricate time signatures and multiple sections, showcasing their musical complexity and storytelling prowess.
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Empire of the Clouds — As the longest track on the album, this piece combines orchestral elements with heavy metal instrumentation, offering a unique narrative about the R101 airship disaster that showcases Bruce Dickinson's lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines intricate narratives and strong melodies, maintaining Iron Maiden's distinct sound while exploring new structures.
What we noticed
- Guitar solos are prominent throughout, often featuring harmonized dual leads that create a rich texture in the arrangements.
- The first track opens with a slow build-up before transitioning into a faster tempo, establishing a dynamic contrast that recurs in later songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
- 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
- prefer short standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Strong release showcasing continued creativity and popularity in their later years.
- Themes
- historical narratives· mythical journeys
- Career context
- Released on September 4, 2015, The Book of Souls is Iron Maiden's sixteenth studio album and marks their first double album. This release came four years after their previous album, The Final Frontier, during a period when the band was enjoying a resurgence in popularity and critical acclaim.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Judas Priest· Helloween· Megadeth
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 If Eternity Should Fail Start here 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
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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