Think rock is dead? Not so fast! We ever have a treat for you. Metal visionaries Iron Maiden have released its first new album in five years, The Book of Souls, which is a massive two-disk set of pure rock 'n' roll.
At 92 minutes long, there's plenty to listen to on the new album. We're given 11 new tracks with some massive run times. "The Red And The Black" comes in at 13:34 and the album's closing song "Empire Of The Clouds" is Iron Maiden's longest in its 16 album-deep catalog at 18:01.
Frontman Bruce Dickenson solely wrote two of those 11 tracks, opening and closing the album, the first time doing so since 1984's Powerslave.
The album cover features yet another skeleton, this one particularly gruesome to continue the art style of previous iconic releases.
There's a mix of slow burners and heavy head bangers on this album. The lead song "If Eternity Should Fall" comes out swinging, showing off Dickenson's vocals, which is a good sign given his earlier cancer diagnosis. The album had been largely finished when he got the news but the band decided to hold the release until he had been treated and cleared.
The band is gearing up for a huge tour on a comically large and decorated jumbo jet called Ed Force One, which is reminiscent of Led Zeppelin's lavish jet. Iron Maiden might not be as big as Zeppelin was given the U.S. is somewhat adverse to metal at times, but they're anticipating a worldwide tour that's being finalized now. Plus, this is Iron Maiden, no ordinary metal rockers.
According to the band's website the tour will open in the U.S. in late February before moving on to Central America, South America, Canada and a "long awaited" return to Japan (a country that is metal hungry right now). Official tour dates will be announced in a "few weeks' time" so stay tuned to the band's website for updates.
Listen to the album below via Spotify.
