Search - Iron Maiden :: The Final Frontier (Mission Edition)

The Final Frontier (Mission Edition)

Platon Murenin | Las Cruces, NM | 08/18/2010

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This review is not about the album itself (I thought it was very good), but about the actual product. Most of music newspapers, magazines, sites, and so on reviewed the album already (with positive result), so, no point of rewriting them.



Before I start, the rumors have it that it might be the band's last album, so I expected an extra treatment. The metal case with a little window is pretty neat. Upon opening it, I expected 2 CDs, the album and the bonus DVD, like A Matter of Life and Death for example. There was only one CD. I thought that maybe it's all there then. No, just the album. For bonus you go to their site, it verifies that you have this CD inserted and then gives you access to perhaps the crapiest bonus material I have ever seen.



Final Frontier (The Director's Cut) has been available through YouTube for some time now, in better quality.

Final Frontier Mission Debrief has even worst quality than the first video.

Pictures, barely any, and they are not that good either, especially at such low resolution.

Game, something I don't care about.

Wallpaper. Really wanted that, to find a good wallpaper with the actual band is literally impossible. There are none. Absolute crap. Most of it is just snapshots from the video. There are few wallpapers that stand out from photography perspective, but none with the band itself.



The only reason to buy this edition over regular one is the reason such as 'why not? It's just $2 more'. Don't buy it expecting an actual Deluxe Edition, besides the metal case, which is pretty cool I admit, this version has nothing else to offer.



Also, I am sure that in a few months they will wrap up that bonus website leaving us with no bonus at all."

Digest it over a few spins, then judge

Monkdude | Hampton, Virginia | 08/17/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, you need to listen to this CD at least a few times before making a judgement, and don't expect any quick radio friendly hits. Like the last three albums, most of the songs are long and progressive. I happen to like the fact that they have changed with time, adding more complex epics. They aren't getting rid of the old classics people. In fact, I saw them live last month for the first time and most of the crowd knew the newer tunes as much as the concert staples. And yes, of course they rocked. Probably the best live show I've seen, including the stage spectacle that is KISS, who I've seen three times.



It's hard to single out an individual song, since they are all good in many different ways. Interestingly enough, the first single released, El Dorado, is my least favorite song on the entire album. I do have to admit that the intro, Satellite 15, is very weird, especially by Iron Maiden standards. Most of the songs start off slow and build to a melodic chorus. The title track and The Alchemist are the most straight forward "Iron Maiden" sounding songs. They are both super catchy and should be on the radio, while When The Wild Wind Blows closes things out beautifully. Overall, the musicianship is always fantastic from the trio of guitars, drums, bass, and Bruce Dickinson still has a great voice for his age. He sang just as clear when I saw them in concert, not to mention his off the charts energy. The dude was doing jumping high kicks off the speaker amps!



If you only like the Maiden sound before Brave New World, you're not going to like this, but for those of us who don't mind the longer musical journeys of recent releases, you won't be able to get enough of The Final Frontier. The album title had me scared this was going to be the end, but fear not, they'll be back."

Beautifuly complex, desrves more than only 1 listen.

Rodrigo | San Luis Potosí, México | 08/18/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hi! I got Mission Edition too!

The album needs to be really LISTENED and not just blamed because of prejudices and false expectations.



Yes it is a complex album, yes the songs are a bit more longer than the so-known classics. I hate to criticize others opinion mostly because all should be recived with respect and an open mind, but I feel shame of those "metal-heads" that in order to enjoy an Iron Maiden album it must be "monstruously-fast-and-full-of-anger-killer-riffs"; Maiden are not those 30 years old youngs anymore, they have been mauturing along with their music style, and that's something I really appreciate: they have PROGRESSED.



For me, A Matter of Life & Death is the best IM album I've heard, Why!? Well, it is full of layers, solid composition, constructive lyrics and of course a great fusion of Progressive Rock & Heavy Metal.



About The Final Frontier: It's very early to say, but it will be on my IM top 3 records!

The precious stone of the album is indeed The Man Who Would be King; never heard before so much different styles & new musical territories on one single song.

Now, I'm going to listen it all again on my stereo room!"