Looking Back At Iron Maiden's Dance Of Death 20 Years Later

A song-by-song look back at Iron Maiden's Dance Of Death in celebration of its 20th anniversary!
Paschendale Full Cover: • PASCHENDALE - Iron Mai...
Guitars:
"Gers-ified" Fender Mexican Standard Stratocaster
1974 Ibanez Model 79 Acoustic
Plugin: Neural DSP Archetype: Petrucci
DAW: Reaper Audio
Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
Strings: Ernie Ball 10-46
Picks: JAZZ III XL 1.5mm

[@Applecornflakes]

Under rated to this day. Janick hit a home run with the title track, and Adrian with Paschendale. Not to mention everyone in the band got a writing credit on the album, the first and only time ever. In my opinion far more varied and colorful than Brave New World while still keeping in line with it. To me they have always felt like sister albums and then AMOLAD had a bit of a different vibe.

[@eszterszabo5103]

Very well said. Could not agree with you more. Cheers! 👌🤘👍👋

[@mikkolappalainen9916]

Dave hit the jackpot with "Rainmaker". Great album.

[@szithaanu9934]

Dance of Death is now as old as Peice of Mind was when Dance of Death came out. Isn't that mental to think about?

[@bghammock]

.. did you really have to do that? 😂

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

We don't talk about these things. 😂😂😂😂

[@metalinsights9664]

"No More Lies," the song that never wants to end.

[@odpro5587]

What a Anniversary! Rainmaker is one of my favorites songs EVER!!! 🤘🌧

[@MofosOfMetal]

I love this album! Montségur is maybe the heaviest Iron Maiden song of all time.

[@ilarimanninen7021]

Or Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg. Montsegur is a great song, though!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I do enjoy Montségur! 😊 As for it being their heaviest song, the riff is definitely among their heaviest sounding, but maybe as a song overall, I think this one ranks among the very top: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHbVi6yombKJqNk

[@PolarisCastillo]

I still remember when this came out. I was 14 and I remember going to my local record store to buy it a day ahead of the release date. The busty woman who worked there had it on full display behind the counter and I asked, "Omg is it out yet?! Can I buy it?" and she happily accommodated.

[@sebasnovelli3379]

This album has an extraordinary complexity. It sounds like a powerful orchestra!

[@HeshLord]

Saw them in Hollywood on this tour (what was rumored to be their final tour lol) and MAN did they play great. That Paschendale intro… whoa. Bruce even took a super gnarly fall from the riser into the drums, rolled down the stairs and appeared dead, Steve stopped playing and ran to him while the rest of the band played through the solo section, and to our relief Bruce popped back up in time to sing the chorus. I can’t remember the song but I want to say Number of the beast. After the song he said “whichever crew member left a puddle of water up there, YOU’RE FIRED!” Such a memorable show and one of the best I’ve ever been to!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

That's craziness!! "You're fired" is f'n hilarious 😂😂

[@danbal4185]

The cover art with just "Reaper Eddie" without all the junk around was perfect! What a shame. When it came out, i literally consumed the cd. Probably one of their most underrated works.

[@vozmajster1011]

I think it was someone from the band, maybe even Steve (wouldn't wanna lie, I really don't remember, but I think I'm not mistaken), who saw this unfinished artwork and just put his foot down that this has to be the final artwork used... The artist(s) even said it's unfinished, that it's just for an idea and that it will look much better when they work more on it, but that someone (I still do think it was Steve, but am too lazy to look it up) just wanted this. Couldn't remember the reason without looking it up again, but it was something like this...

[@michaeldean7220]

​@@vozmajster1011without looking it up I think your recollection is pretty accurate. I recall that the guy who did the cover specifically asked to NOT be credited as he was not happy with what was going to go out as the finished art.

[@robbie3612]

Yeah honestly, as hideously godawful as those CG figures on the cover are, I'm kind of surprised more people don't talk about how friggin badass that Reaper Eddie is, I mean it's Eddie the Head as the goddamn Grim Reaper, and he's wielding a scythe and beckoning you with a cheesy grin on his face, what's not to love about that? \m/

[@danbal4185]

@@robbie3612 at least for the world tour posters they leave it that way.

[@robbie3612]

@@danbal4185 yea true

[@metalinsights9664]

The lead work on "Dance of Death" (the song) is some of the best in Maiden's entire catalog. True world class.

[@ijaudkoceng]

one of my fav Maiden album that reached "soundtrack of my life" leveled after SIT, FOTD, VXI and BNW

[@robertdemeter5793]

Iron Maiden is a "Shamanic band" of infinite Truths and love and light. That nobody else can see and understand. Only UNLESS you have Be-come " it " and totally transformed your-Self to infinite Truths of Soul and Spirit in higher dimensions of consciousness can you possibly ever totally understand the beauty of Iron Maiden. Because, "If it's not Shamanic, it's not Organic. " Not many people have the ability to understand Iron Maiden, as most people live in the lies of duality of good and evil of the mind and are just walking "reactions", and lack the consciousness. But, Iron Maiden = Easily the greatest & most beautiful Metal band in music history. No band writes such depth in their lyrics of the overall human condition with such intelligence & wisdom, bringing light to Truth, combined with such beautiful depth, grace, and power in their music. Absolute masters of their craft and creativity. They are untouchable. All you have to do is read Bruce's published books to see these guys have tons of direct Spiritual experiences. These guys know truth and fully know and see right through the lies of society's game, and they see right through all the lies of Religion (and when I say religion I am talking about the lies churches teach, not true Spirituality, as spirituality and religion are nothing alike). Maiden is so much better than Metallica in so many ways. Much better musicians, better singer, far better songwriting. More melodic. More "pure" energy. Far more longevity and have so many more great songs, and Maiden never wrote a bad album ( you could say they had a sub-par album in the 90's, but remember that was with half the band missing doing their solo stuff). Did Metallica put out some great songs and albums revealing everything in society is a lie, from governments to religions ? They sure did in their early days however it ended there, they did not go deeper into the Self and the greater meanings. And besides, LOADS of Rock bands stated everything in society is a lie through thousands of fantastic songs, and right from the beginning from the first Metal band Black Sabbath through their first six albums. Therefore Metallica never brought anything new to the table. Metallica never really had much to say, while Maiden has so much to say that allow you to really question so many things. Maiden never sold out by producing garbage albums like Metallica's St Anger to appease popularity and the current music "trends" of society, that always pass away, are totally meaningless, and are fake anyways., And you definitely won't see Iron Maiden prostituting themselves in silly reality TV shows like Metallica and KISS have done for years. It's just not Maiden's style. They have absolutely no interest in being "celebrities", or any gossip/drama. Drawing attention away from them because as they said, the music is about much more than them. Which is why they have a mascot "eddie" on their album covers, so people focus on eddie and not the "images" of the band members. Having Eddie (which is just a representation of the blind ego-based mind) leaves them alone to be themselves and they don't have to have any fake image of being "rock stars". As Bruce once said, We can continue making music when we're old and ugly and just slap Eddie on the album cover and nobody will mind. And it is brilliant. Inner light doesn't need the spotlight. Maiden always stayed true and original. Always timeless. Eternal. Nobody sounds like them and nobody ever will. Nobody will again write such important and complete concept albums with such atmosphere like Somewhere in Time and Seventh son, with that super high-level musicianship and genius bass and guitar work (and no band introduced synthesizers into their music with such seamless genius as Maiden did on those 2 albums),, as the concepts of those albums are vital to every human being and Spirit- realizing the illusion of time, and seventh's son concept of realizing the illusion of duality,. The beauty and truths of 1984's " Powerslave" album with it's beautiful egyptian theme, and the striking messages that are right in the title track itself (Powerslave). How humans are slaves to death (in other words, slaves to the illusions of Time), therefore slaves to needing power or any control or judgment, the cause of all our deep inner separations, our greed and selfishness and total blindness, because of the Ego false-self. All of our problems come from our absolute stupidity of fear of death, as humans are totally separated from Truths of Spirit and Soul. The more one fears death, the more one is fearful of life and fearful of fully receiving and giving love. Truth is always paradoxical, as at the speed of light there is no time, it's the Eternal Now of presence. In other words no duality of Good and evil, but only "unity" consciousness of light of the infinite Oneness of the Universe, as you are the Universe ( it's not a coincidence that Maiden's new album has a song titled "Speed of Light"). And it's not a coincidence that "Somewhere in Time" was their next album after they produced one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all-time - Powerslave. And who else in heavy metal at the time had the courage to write long 14-minute masterpieces like Iron Maiden's "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" to close out an album?? The answer is nobody else, only Maiden, because it was unheard of before that. And their new album, they just wrote an 18-minute masterpiece to close that album with most of the band over 60. Again, IN-tegrity. Nobody else had a 7-album run like Maiden's first 7 albums. Some bands may put out a couple nice albums in their prime and whisper away into the night, but Maiden put together 7 fantastic albums in a row. And the fact they put out so much great material of those 7 monumental albums in just an 8 year span is unfathomable. Magical. Moreover. You simply cannot find bands with live albums that can approach Maidens live recordings, and in ways better than the studio albums, and that speaks volumes. And at 60 years of age and 40 years into their careers, they are still pumping out great new material. Unlike Metallica where their last 4 albums they were just looking for something to click with no purpose or direction, just poking around aimlessly, it's blatantly obvious. Just 15 years into Metallica's career they were long done producing shameful music with albums like Reload and St Anger. While Maiden, always progressing itself, yet staying true to their form and originality at the same time, 20+ years into their careers came out with a very good album 'Brave New world' . The band quietly laughing at anyone who thought they were done, with a nice tip of the hat to the legendary psychedelic medicine visionary Alduous Huxley. Many songs on that album like "Dream of Mirrors", and "Ghost of the Navigator" that metallica can't touch. And years later, Iron Maiden 25 to 35 years into their careers wrote and produced so many great songs like "The Nomad", Dance of Death, "The Talisman", The Red and the Black, The Man who would be King", "Paschendale", "Brighter than a Thousands Suns", "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg", "Lord of Light, "Empire of the Clouds", "Isle of Avalon", "The Legacy", "The Longest Day", "Montsegur", "Blood Brothers", "Starblind", "Out of the Shadows", "The Book of Souls", "Journeyman (and Journeyman being my personal Ayahuasca journey tribute song :-)" .... "Rainmaker", "Coming Home", "For the Greater Good of God", just to name a few songs that metallica hasn't come close to achieving in their mid to later years. Cliff Burton was the heart of Metallica and by far their best and most talented musician. Burton was to Metallica what Steve Harris is to Iron Maiden. Steve Harris is widely considered to be the best heavy metal bassist of all-time, and if Burton were still alive, he'd be right there with Harris, that's how good Burton was. Nobody in Metallica comes close to Burton's immense talent he had as a musician. When Burton passed away in 1986 Metallica went downhill as they lost their true backbone and juice. And they replaced him with mere hired guns to control, just a hired body to fill in, not to have as a real contributor. But let's face it, a major part of Metallica's popularity is just because of the label that they are an 'american band'. Metallica is always covering Maiden songs in their concerts, and they've played multiple Maiden songs in their concerts as Metallica was influenced by Iron Maiden (All you have to hear is Lars Ulrich grovel at Iron Maiden like a lost puppy during Maidens 2008 tour) . But you don't see Maiden covering Metallica songs. Because Maiden IS Maiden. Even if you split the band members into doing solo work, James Hetfield couldn't come close to writing such a beautiful solo album for himself as Bruce did with "The Chemical Wedding", and what a masterpiece album that is. Why don't more people know about Bruce's solo work? who knows, but people are missing out. One thing is for sure, there is so much more love and MYSTERY in Iron Maiden's music. And so much more meaning. And they always truly progressed. Not many people understand the deep Spiritual meanings in Iron Maiden's music, or understand the full concepts of their albums because they're quite deep, mysterious, wonderous, and absolutely magnificent. But once you grow Spiritually to higher levels of Consciousness, Maiden can bring you to weeping tears with their Truths in their music. Metallica doesn't have that depth, beauty, or power. Real Power is so much more than just playing fast and heavy. Iron Maiden is so much more than just a great heavy metal band, Maiden is much more than the music. As when it comes to the greatest in anything, there is always Much More than meets the eyes (& ears). Eye love you Iron Maiden!!. Gratitude !! Shanti OM . Namaste!

[@philipsmith2995]

My wife bought me Dance of Death for my 30th birthday OMG I’m old now. Always loved this album though fav track Age of Innocence 🎸🤟🏻

[@fritzburbank935]

Dude, I'm 52 and saw them on my 17th berfday at Nassau Coliseum. I prayed all nite to hear running free and that was their final encore.

[@patryknowak9]

I was 14 when it came out. Got it on DVD-audio disc with 5.1 mixes and had no 5.1 sound system at home. The box and artwork were absolutely amazing at the time. I think it's a really well-balanced record and just fun. Brings back loads of good memories.

[@MeenToss]

Probably my favourite 2000's Maiden album. So many great songs.

[@user-ql1pc7pi9x]

Face in the Sand and Age of Innocence are two of my most favorite Maiden songs. I agree with Harris' sentiments in the lyrics. Face in the Sand has such an epic intro, the way it draws you in. An underrated album for sure.

[@growlerpig]

lol arry has been in bitter old man mode since the x factor

[@marlon1463]

The Face in the Sand Intro is for real one of the most epic moments in maidens discography

[@ignaciooregonvalencia9305]

Such an amazing album, and the first tour I saw live. Despite not being my favorite album it has a very strong sentimental value because it reinforced my love for the band. I will never forget Paschendale and Dance of Death live 🔥

[@MarcusAsenlund]

One of my top 5 Iron Maiden album 1. Iron Maiden 1980 2. Fear of the dark 3. Dance of Death 4. Powerslave 5. Somewhere in time

[@fohn4305]

For sure one of the best Maiden Albums! ILove it even more than i did 20 years ago when it came out ❤

[@ianfurqueron5850]

This was the album that really got me back into Iron Maiden and was the first one I connected with since Seventh Son. Oddly enough, it was also the last record I connected with until Book of Souls. I still listen to Dance of Death often. All of the songs I like from a guitarist POV, but the lead singer part of me really loves Face in the Sand. The anger in the lyrics and the ear-bleeding power of Bruce's delivery. I just love singing that song.

[@modmorning1262]

The mood of “Journeyman” is one of the best moments of the record! I love it!

[@benedictdonald4338]

One of the best moments of their entire career.

[@elmagisterconstabail9994]

9:38 That's exactly what has always stood out to me about Montségur: with no warning given, the song shifts from a totally dramatic chorus in E minor to this nearly jovial section in E major, without losing any of its power. Even more unexpectedly, the E major chord eventually prevails over the E minor, as the final chorus doesn't switch back to E minor and instead uses the same keys from the E major section, with the addition of a second main guitar. All of these are the main reasons why to me Montségur is a top favorite Iron Maiden song, and one of the best heavy metal songs I've ever listened to ❤

[@darrenc8776]

Absolutely brilliant album. Pachendale is unreal. Wildest dreams, No more lies and the journeyman to end with outstanding. What I'm struggling with is its twenty years ago!!!!!!!! WTF!

[@phillytheflyerable]

Yeah. I remember buying this on it's release day after school. Good times

[@darrenc8776]

I was 26 my friend were did those years go haha

[@DavorMagdic]

I started watching the video and after that opening I got the urge to hear the whole album, playing now. Will come back!

[@HCkev]

What happened with the album cover is that the artist quickly placed 3D characters on the cover to get the band approval before working on the final version, but for some reasons the band decided to use that draft as the final cover. The artist asked to have his name removed from the album credits out of embarrassment

[@sickriffs886]

My favourite album

[@GunsAddiction]

This album was amazing! Was my second Iron Maiden cd and The Dance of Death World tour was my first Iron Maiden concert ever, this album has a place in my metal ❤

[@lucaverza8051]

I was on Milan in 2003 for the DEATH ON THE ROAD TOUR. This album Is probably One the most underrated in recent metal History. Some Maiden lovers like me thaught that 'Pashendale' was the new 'Halloween be thy name'!

[@In_Minor_Key]

I feel that this album is probably underrated for coming after brave new world, surely the best Iron Maiden album of the 21st

[@sebastiengauthier6507]

Amazing video for what I consider to be an amazing record. Personally, I've always loved DOD better than BNW although the latter is solid as well. I love every song on that record. A lot has been said on the album cover but as long as the songs are great I couldn't care less about the artwork!! My favorites are Rainmaker, NML and Paschendale.

[@georgesinclair3497]

It's a great album for sure

[@olivergarner1746]

This was my first ever maiden show, so this album holds a special place. And what a show. The atmospheric, almost moody lighting really added to the whole theatrical affair. Rainmaker, face in the sand and age of innocence are really underrated songs, and quite unique with their like not seen again. The chorus on age of innocence is one of the best they’ve ever written. An aggressive, choppy verse into a hopeful and soaring chorus - all driven along by Nicko’s quite marvellous drumming. Listen out for the fill he does on the 2nd chorus after Bruce sings “exchange it”. Genius. All in all, a wonderful album with its own unique style and mood. Oh, and I’m glad someone else has mentioned the Am add9 in no more lies. That catches my ear every time 😊

[@user-ms4fs3vk2h]

Rainmaker is successful work of their album!

[@Shazeen82]

I remember the tour started in Debrecen Hungary. The town was so proud of having Maiden you can buy tickets in the newspaper booths, shops, etc.

[@rikardplaystheguitar]

This was the first new album release for me after becoming aware of the band sometime in 2001 or 2002 when I was just a kid. Got the album for christmas and loved it.

[@brewt1mer]

One of their best albums imo

[@nationalcleaners8496]

Most people discount this record because of the cover. Big mistake. Dont leave any stone unturned when it comes to Maiden. Great album. If you havnt given it a chance do it now. In my Top 5 of the 17 studio albums. Thanks for doing a breakdown. You will open peoples eyes to this record.

[@ancientmariner8494]

Always felt this was such a quality album given an unfair reputation solely because of the horrendous artwork. Rainmaker, Paschendale and Montsegur all absolutely rip and i consider the title track to be a top 10 song in the band's discography. Awesome breakdown again Nico!

[@richardrondon8843]

Wow 20 years!!!! I wouldn't believe it if I'd didn't live it jajaja. What I like the most is the sound, the bass sounds very diferent, and Paschendale, sooo good

[@_pedrohenriquebp]

My favourite Maiden album

[@trevorwhittemore8036]

An absolute masterpiece.

[@leofaneuf4]

Title track is alot of fun to play.... especially if you play Janicks parts

[@yanikem6655]

There’s a way to hear the album with clear production. If you have Apple Music, on your iPhone go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Headphone Accommodations > On > Tick ‘Brightness’ and move the slider to ‘Strong’. The album now sounds clear and you can hear each guitar track a lot better.

[@smashygodzilla3213]

I took my mum and dad to see the dance of death tour,they loved it lol

[@pablodarosa8429]

My favorite

[@marcdiego1]

Bought it on release day. Still a very very good album.

[@norrsken9608]

As always, thanks Nico for your great explanations on the structure of the songs! Really great retrospect. DoD is still one of my favorite Maiden-albums and it is crazy that it is already 20 years old. The first album I counted down to the release day and bought on the day of release. Very varied selection of songs on the album and yet it is held together quite nicely. And what a great show it was on this tour.. Saw them at Globen in Stockholm on this tour and it was incredible. My favorites on DoD: Rainmaker, Gates Of Tomorrow & Face In the Sand.

[@metalinsights9664]

My favorite song on the album: "Age of Innocence." As is typical for Dave, this is a beautiful gothic composition, with a romantic intro. Very similar to "The Prophecy" and "Men of Sorrows" in terms of color and overall mood. And, yes, the harmony in the middle is one of the best modern-day Maiden harmonies. A true thing of beauty.

[@ldfinotti]

I really appreciate the development over the years . I was caught by Iron Maiden in Brave New World, and to see all of those Powerslave tangling makes me ever so excited to what’s coming up

[@danbal4185]

I attended the Florence concert too! Maybe we also run into each other... it was really an amazing show, when the played Paschendale with that battlefield intro...I've had chills to this day!

[@christianbivona8165]

Great job as always! So many strong tracks on this album. They were truly reinvigorated when they made Dance of Death.

[@kennyfinger8306]

Love this album, one of my favorites. And the live show? Wow!

[@ghastlynavigator]

I love the cover, got the shirt of it. I love the album from start to finish. Rainmaker, no more lies, montsegur, Dance of death and paschendale are great. Age of innocence is a masterpiece as well. Journeyman especially live is insane good. Nicko's new frontier has an old school maiden song and I would have loved to hear it live. People say it's production is not bright like BNW but I believe that's what fits the context of the album. It's simply darker. Great video Nico! UP THE IRONS 🤘

[@vozmajster1011]

Man, I was really looking up to this one! Dance of Death has to be within my top 3 Maiden albums, it just hits a certain spot... Not only was it recorded in a time period that was just awesome for me, so it always brings back so many amazing memories, but it's just generally SO enjoyable to listen to! But you were right when you said it doesn't feel like it's already been 20 years... I still remember the release day and my first minutes listening to it as if it was yesterday. I was actually at work and on my way home went straight to a record shop and no matter my absolute exhaustion and desire to come home and fall right onto my bed, I instead waited for like 30 minutes in a queue at the record shop and I had to listen to the full album right as I got home. A neighbor even came banging on the door that it's too loud, but actually stayed over for a beer or two, because when he heard it better, he fell in love with the album too! It was Gates of Tomorrow what he heard after I opened the door and to this day any time we talk about music, we bring this moment up and laugh at it, especially because now it's both of ours favorite song from this madness of a record. I just couldn't think of words to explain how much this masterpiece means to me and how much I just love it. It does sound somehow "fitting" into the time period it was recorded at (don't ask me to explain 😃), but it's still innovative in ways. Awesome performances, just... After 20 years of knowing and loving it, it still feels just as amazing to listen to it now as it did on the first day. And I still get the same chills from Dance of Death's intro, it's just really well written and sets the atmosphere perfectly.

[@isaiapanduri6003]

OMG, that's not a dog, that's a bear! XD

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

😂😂😂 Per me rimane un cucciolone! 😊

[@jordanmaiden0073]

Great video. You could call me a “newer fan” as I became a fan in 2007. (I’m 31 and wasn’t exposed to this kinda music when I was a kid) I feel like Dance of Death is right there with No Prayer for the Dying in terms of being the most underrated. Dance of Death, the title track, is one of their greatest songs of all time. High level story telling, atmosphere, as you said that solo section is top tier and that “dancing riff” is one of their best rhythm sections ever. Paschendale is also a very good song. I put on Rainmaker almost every time it rains haha and I would also like to particularly shout out Face in the Sand. Great album.

[@4StringStudio]

outstanding! great playing. 🤘

[@philipcorrigan6050]

I always feel this album is underrated because of its cover. I always get a certain autumn mood when I listen to it. It's awesome. Reminds me of the time when I discovered Maiden. I love it.

[@RAGOG92]

Awesome video! Will always go back and listen to this album.. it's so rare and perfect!

[@markbreslin7189]

get video. This is one of my favourite iron maiden albums. It was the first Maiden album I heard as I was getting into heavy metal in 02/03 and I still love it now.

[@pasko1983]

My rating for this album has grown once I started to appreciate Dance of Death and especially Paschendale; it took me a long time for me to appreciate this two song and I don't know why... anyway, I've always had a thing for Montsegur, from the first listen, so bad Maiden never played it live

[@maiden4greece572]

Brilliant ...

[@russmartin1814]

dude.....your analysis is ALWAYS enlightening. You're the Beato of Maiden.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I'm still a bit far from Beato level, but thank you so much!! 🙏😊

[@frankiekimber3973]

It’s a good album,definitely a grower

[@phillytheflyerable]

Paschendale is a masterpiece. I consider this album second best of the 00's

[@carlosabad6596]

Great , great album ! There are many great songs on this Dance of Death . Great video as always.

[@Wabin22]

I believe Nicko said in an interview that he didn't use a double bass pedal, he simply played and then they doubled up the layer in production so that you had the same play twice, making it sound like double bass. Nicko has always been the double bass enemy #1 ;) At least that's what he said, I unfortunately can't remember which interview it was and if you have sources claiming otherwise then please share :) On topic, I think this is an underrated album. Songs like Face In the Sand, New Frontiers and Montsegur are great songs that no one talks about. I am probably the only Maiden fan who never had any problems with the artwork for Dance of Death ;) To me it was simply just a different style, but yeah.. I can see why people don't like it.

[@sergiopaulino859]

Love this album ! Th songs for me that stand out is Dance of death ,Paschendale, Face in the Sand and Journeyman

[@fmoe87]

Fantastic video about an absolutely amazing album, i though have to mention Janicks solo on No More Lies that imo is one of his best

[@trevorcrist5456]

Your tone sounds really great. Love it

[@waynegira2720]

awesome album

[@alessandrotomesani425]

Grandissimo Nico!!! Album stupendo!!!! Ricordo ancora quando trascorsi 3 settimane in montagna con i miei nonni e tutti i giorni mi ascoltavo questo album e Somewhere in time tutto il giorno! Mentre leggevo, mentre facevo i compiti e mentre camminavo nel bosco!!! Mamma mia!!! Che ricordi!!! Sei un grande!!!

[@joshd3192]

No gallop on the album and it's very organic. They tried something different and I like it.

[@ironmaiden1236541]

OMG 20 years 😮😮😮

[@Aurainmaker]

Watching this video and each time a song comes into focus, it's like "damn why don't they play this live?". It was my first release as a fan, and the tour my first live gig, but goddamn, this album slaps and Paschendale is my fave among them. Adrian is untouchable.

[@curtiswardley6312]

Love these album breakdown/retrospectives Nico. Montsegur is top tier for me!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thanks a ton brotha!! 🤜🤛

[@antalwozniak881]

Yay, Miles! 😍

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

My little big guy 😊

[@BanjoSick]

It has Paschendale, so it’s great. Many of the songs lack a certain final touch in greatness.

[@straati]

Awesome video. Death on the road tour was the first time I saw maiden. Can't believe 20 years has passed! I wish this video was twice as long, there are so many interesting songs on this album. I really hope you revisit these songs individually in future videos!

[@Pepper4573]

This. Was. Wonderful. Nico, thank you for this. Well done, sir. I genuinely and thoroughly enjoy what you do for us.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

10000 thanks!!!

[@mathias6423]

Wow, feels almost like this album came out yesterday, I think I am one out of few that has this album in my top 5 Maiden albums =) This album released at a special time in my life, so I hold special and great memories with this album. It was also the second album with my fav guitar trio of all time, and it had great shoes to fill after the Brave New World masterpiece album. I do not know about you guys, but I still get shivers when hearing the trio play the guitar solos in the title song And Bruce singing it like he tells of a great story, such a storyteller :D

[@melih_aydin]

I wish Dave Murray wrote more songs

[@douglasdbs7139]

Thanks for the great video Nicko! It is incredible that it has already been 20 YEARS that this album came out. I remember in 2001, 2002, 2003, etc. thinking about "Oh, Killers/The Number of the Beast/Piece of Mind was released 20 years ago, it was a long time ago, they are vintage albums", now 2003 is as distant in the past today as the early 80s was when Dance of Death came out. I think that Dance of Death was the last Maiden album that I trully liked. I really miss those 3-min long fast killer songs like the Rainmaker. I totally shared the same excitement towards this album, especially because as a Brazilian I was super pumped after the historical Rock in Rio 2001 concert. I remember too being excited after each song release and following online forums about the album :)

[@mikelecabezaguerrero]

Man Miles is the star of the show

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

😂 Yuuuuuuuup! 100%!!

[@thehighdeath5562]

Easily my favorite since Brave New World.

[@user-ev1fo9ir6x]

I've only been a maiden fan since around march 2021 and somehow i feel old with dance of death being 20+ years old now, prolly because a lot of the maiden songs i got into first were songs like "No More Lies" and "Dance of Death" and without knowing when the album first came out when i was getting into maiden at the time, it felt pretty fresh for me

[@natemurray311]

After you check out the amazing Iron Maiden discography make sure to give Bruce Dickenson solo stuff a good spin. Especially accident of birth and chemical wedding albums.

[@user-ev1fo9ir6x]

@@natemurray311 In the time since I discovered maiden I've listened to every album, some pretty extensively might I add (Any of the 80s albums and A Matter of Life and Death) plus I've gotten pretty deep into the genre overall, my favorite groups are Mercyful Fate, Black Sabbath and Motorhead now

[@CC-qb9sm]

Nico’s advanced studies for Metal Maniacs! 🤘 Loved it! 🤘

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

You know... I really don't mind how that sounds 😄

[@CC-qb9sm]

@@LicksOfTheBeast - Glad you like the sound of that! btw I totally agree with your comment about maybe not loving every single song on this album but that it’s a very strong album. There definitely are some great songs on the album though! As a matter of fact, I listened to this album in it’s entirety less than two weeks before the release of this video discussion! I think I remember an interview somewhere in which Bruce stated that they couldn’t have made AMOLAD without first, making Dance of Death.

[@steliosjulio]

First Maiden album I bought and experienced on its release date. Along with Piece of Mind this is the album I put on more frequently for a laid-back Maiden session. An interesting trivia for me is that the riff before and during the solos of New Frontier is basically the main riff of Dickinson's Wickerman from his solo carreer (check it out at his Best-of album).

[@D3Alm3ida]

20 years ago imagine that. I had the chance to see them in NYC, the famous concert that ended without encore.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

What? No encore? What happened?

[@ponskponsk3210]

That clean sound in No More Lies is just spot on compared to the album!

[@craigstacey391]

Thanks!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Hey thanks so much, man!! 🙏 It's truly greatly appreciated!! Cheers! 🤜🤛

[@musictrajectory]

Great video as always! Dance of Death came out when I was in college and it was a mainstay in my CD Walkman. The cover is bad indeed, but it's definitely a solid album. It's hard to rank it high against their other albums because they have so many classics. If anything, this album features some of the most badass riffs of their career, IMO.

[@jonathanmack5474]

I wonder if Ai could generate a new version of the album cover in the style of Derrick Riggs ?

[@davidredmond292]

I was walking through a mall and was surprised and happy to see a new Maiden Album front and center on the rack. The cover is the worst one I had seen up to that point. The album is a very solid one I believe. The weakest track for me is Age of Innocence. That said I do like the song. The lyrics, vocals, guitars, drums and bass are very good throughout. My absolute fav Maiden track of all time is on this record. Pashendale . Other Stand out tracks: Monsegur, Gates of Tommorrow, Wildest Dreams, Rainmaker, Journeyman Another great review Nico. Thank you very much.

[@colbillington]

Great retrospective. Brave new world next please 🙏

[@MarcoMastra]

Uno dei miei album preferiti...sono già passati 20 anni! Thanks Nico, up the Iron!

[@lethalfright]

This is the only Iron Maiden album I managed to listen ahead of the release. What an incredible album it was. My first impression is that I could have easily topped Brave New World it it wasn’t for some fillers like Gates or Tomorrow and New Frontier. Overall a very good album.

[@henningjust]

Thank you for making me appreciating the music even more😊

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thank YOU! 🙏🙏

[@davel7791]

"Everybody" says that the Dance of Death album art is bad. But I think it's cool. I get what it's trying to convey. (Sometimes I have outlier opinions on Maiden stuff; for example I think Fear of the Dark is a top 3 Maiden album.)

[@Finalblastmusic]

I love DOD, one of my favourites. Thanks for this breakdown of the songs Nico!