Review by JD on March 7, 2016.

What can you say about a band that has been around for so long, without gushing like a twitter pated teenager at a Justin Bieber concert? You just say the two words that make it all right… Iron Maiden.

Since 1975, this East London band has been one of the backbones of the metal movement and lead metal proudly to be what it is today. Their last few albums (Dance Of Death, A Matter Of Life And Death, The Final Frontier) have been lackluster at best, disappointing and downright puzzling… for a long-time fan like me, it’s been hard. Now with the ambitious two disk The Book Of Souls Iron Maiden is back, and showing the world they still kick ass!

From the start of the first disk to the final strains of the 18 minute 'Empire of the Clouds' it is sort of encapsulating their career in two shiny pieces of metal. From the classic Maiden tilt of 'If Eternity Should Fail', to the symphonic epic of 'Empire…' they show that they are more than relevant; they are to be followed by all. My personal favorite tracks are 'If Eternity Should Fail' and 'Death Or Glory'… both are so strong and impressively intriguing at the same time, and still made you think on many levels.

My only critique is that 'Speed Of Light' should have not been their first choice for being the first single… I really think that it should have been If 'If Eternity Should Fail' - but that is just me. It does not affect my rating, because I can only give this one the number that says it all – a perfect ten overall.

Listen to it and revel in the majesty that can only be Iron Maiden. Up the Irons, people!

Rating: 10 out of 10

Review by Adam M on May 29, 2011.

This is an incredibly interesting album that has moments of crushing Doom combined with ones of Post-Rock splendour. It’s an album that is atmospherically powerful and has a slow pace, but captivatingly huge guitar riffs. The band manages to craft a haunting mood using very minimal musical moods and elements. Not being overly familiar with Funeral Doom, I liken this band to a combination of Atmospheric like Neurosis with Doom such as My Dying Bride.

Each song has its own unique musical style, although there is definitely a thread of Doom throughout. While some tracks, such as the opener 'A Vision From Hlidskjalf' are firmly entrenched in the Doom aesthetic, others like the acoustic 'In the Ashes' present something different. The biggest standout is the slowly building-up 'Sweltering', but other tracks like 'A Gaze At The Stars' have a manner of keeping you entranced as well. The low point on the album was the more Drone-driven 'On The Shoulders Of The Gods'. Seeing as the music here is very experimental, it can be expected to have highs and lows. There are certainly moments that drag here, but they are offset by an even greater number of mesmerizing ones. Instrumentally, the musicians all do a great job, with commanding guitars complemented by nimble drumming. Vocals are powerful, but unspectacular.

The emotional impact of the songs wins out over the thought that the songs could sound overly wandering, with the small exception being the beginning of the second track. They have enough exquisite moments to keep the listener enraptured for a large quantity of the running length. "For Winter Fire" will appeal to fans of Doom Metal and post metal in equal measures.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 6.5
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.3 out of 10