Iron Maiden-Dance Of Death (2003)

In 2003, Iron Maiden returned to a six-member lineup, including Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith, who had rejoined for the previous and magnificent "Brave New World", released three years earlier. While not a typical concept album, a somber and dark atmosphere permeates much of the record, beginning with its controversial cover, the gloomy title, and the eerie themes of almost every track. However, beyond all of this, the album showcases the band's signature epic heavy metal style in songs like the exhilarating "Rainmaker", the decadent "Montsegur", and the effective "New Frontier" and "Gates of Tomorrow". The band also delves into complex structures and virtuosic instrumental passages in songs like the captivating "No More Lies", the devastating, medieval-tinged "Dance of Death", the epic and progressive "Paschendale", and the thunderous "Face in the Sun". Finally, after the colossal and organic heavy metal, the band leaves us with the atmospheric and acoustic "Journeyman", thus ending another of the monumental works of the legendary British band.