Album Review: Iron Maiden - The Book Of Souls

Vocalist Bruce Dickinson's cancer scare unfortunately underscored Maiden's inevitably finite lifespan, and threatened to derail the veterans' post-reunion perpetual momentum. 

This double-album defiantly brims with progressive ambition. Bookended by cuts solely penned by Dickinson, the 18-minute, orchestral-laced Empire Of The Clouds sees him making his piano debut. It's a reputable addition to their canon of epics. Bassist Steve Harris' The Red And The Black is coherent and offers palpable character. More immediate Speed Of Light and Death Or Glory effectively counter-balance the sprawling affairs. A few arrangements and tracks could've been culled, but metal's luminaries are evidently running free again.