Iron Maiden Album: “Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg”

This is the first single off the new Maiden Album "A Matter Of Life And Death" which will hit stores in the USA on September 5th, 2006, available in Standard and Delux Editions (With DVD). This Single is Available on CD and on Clear Vinyl. This song is very reminiscent of Somewhere in Time/Stranger in a Strange Land Maiden, this is an Epic song. Even the promo video on their website tosses back to the "flight of icarus" video.

Again filled with a haunting guitar intro, slow and soft vocals begin to unfold the story of Benjamin Breeg. Then the song bursts out into a great guitar driven melody that grabs you and won't leave your heads. There are plenty of dueling guitar slabs to make any metal head very happy. There is a two track version with Hallowed be thy name live (Radio One Legends sessions) and a three track version that has Run to the Hills live and The Trooper Live (radio one sessions). Get either of these singles, you will not be dissapointed.

As with the prior Maiden fans to reveiw this single before me, I am in Agreement with them that this is a great song put out by maiden. Hearing this first last month on KNAC.com, and now awaiting the release of the full album, this song sets high standards and has my expectation for this next album through the roof. This does sound like very classic Maiden, a longer song with an excellent story. Some of the sound may be the fact that they recorded this album in a more traditional way, all in the studio in one take. They cut out many of the remastering and sound effects and have recaptured that original fresheness. I have always respected Maiden, and am a maiden fan through my brothers huge collection, but hearing this song really sends a message that maiden can still rock, and this album will be great. Must have single for a maiden fan.

This is one of the most fascinating songs ever play by Maiden!

the golden years are here. Please buy the new CD and Support this band. The more we support it the more chances we will have to have another CD in 2009!

Probably the best of the song off 'A Matter Of Life and Death' although that isn't saying much as the album is full of long winded, formula driven, pieced together arrangements. 'The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg' has Bruce Dickinson sitting comfortably within his range, something most of the other songs off this new disk sadly are devoid of as he seems to push to the limits of his range on virtually every other track. I can't say I've heard him ever do that on another Maiden record.

The Maiden formula rears it's head on 'Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg' with that melodic, slow intro which turns into a good, solid heavy riff for the verses, throw in an pre chorus/chorus/verse/instrumental/guitar solo/instumental/second guitar solo/coda verse/melodic slow outro that replicates the intro.....etc.

Arranged and structured with all the spontinaiety of a lemming at the edge of a cliff, every twist and turn is all too familiar for a Maiden fan of my vintage. However the groove in this song is heavy in a way that Iron Maiden haven't really done before, dare I say a little modern.

The production is very good. 'Arry and his bass are clearly heard in this album and Nicko's kit has never sounded better. The guitars at times sound huge which you would expect from a three guitar onslaught but at little more of that trade mark Maiden duel guitar harmonies wouldn't go astray.

Bruce is still as strong as ever vocally and he puts in a solid performance on this song, even if the melodies are all too familar.

This song sounds empassioned and it is obvious that Iron Maiden are still enjoying the ride that has them still selling out the largest stadiums in Europe. For all the predictabilities that a band that has been around for a good part of 30 odd years like Iron Maiden, they still thrive on their live show. 'The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg' would be a hell of a song to catch on their next tour although some may find the studio version a little too.......predictable.