The "Best of the Beast" compilation CD from 1996 also states:

"Front cover illustration: Derek Riggs"

So who knows, maybe he will be doing the cover for "Dance of Death"

Yes, he says in his interview that he came back and did a few things for Maiden, such as the covers you mention. Here is what makes me think we are not going to get Riggs back.

Quote from Riggs

"and I still painted them a few covers on and off for the money but eventually I managed to get myself out of it all. so now I am a freelance illustrator and I don't paint pictures for iron maiden any more. They asked me to paint them another cover recently but I said no because when I am gone, I am gone."

Yuo never know though, Maiden might offer a little more $$$, and he might have to say yes. Riggs or no Riggs, the new album will still kick a**!!

Now Playing - Beast Over Hammersmith

Just got 7th row for the Houston show. Awesome.

I'm suprised there is not any mention that its out TOMORROW!!!!!!!

I'm getting this one on the way to work. About 90% of the comments that I'm reading about it are VERY positive.

Dance Of Death - crappy cover, GREAT album - that seems to be the general consensus.

IS that, in fact, the real cover?

I've heard rumbling that it's a fake cover, with the real one not being revealed until the CD is in stores.

That's what I was hoping. I won't have it till lunch time.

Don't get your hopes up. Plenty of people who have posted on the official site have the CD already. That's the cover.

I'm surprised no one has picked up on the fact yet that the TV show The Prisoner (of which two Maiden songs, "The Prisoner" and "Back In the Village", pay homage to) has an episode entitled "Dance of the Dead", where at one point the people of the village attend a costume ball. It sure seems to be what Maiden is referencing via the album cover.

That aside, it doesn't excuse the fact that the cover is haphazard to look at.

I'm picking up my CD today.

-HM

Picked up the cd this morning. This is one kick a** cd. The cover is the same as whats been posted already. Montsegur (track 4) is classic Maiden at their best. First cd I have bought new in about 2 years. If you are a Maiden fan get DOD!

There's a little bit of female nudity going on inside the booklet.

I'm getting ready to put the CD in now.

i cannot wait to get home and listen to this.

im gonna have a maiden/andrew wk party!

Well, based on first listens, I like it better than the first time I heard Brave New World. It will take a few more times to really get a feel for it though.

I'm on my fourth listen now, and I like it more each time. "Montsegur" sounds like it could have been on Powerslave. "Paschendale" is a classic Maiden progressive epic, and there are plenty of other great tracks on here.

What the album lacks are the killer "hook" songs like "Flight Of Icarus," "2 Minutes To Midnight," "Number Of The Beast," etc. Nothing here really grabs you by the throat, instead it's an album filled with really strong album cuts - the kind of stuff that wouldn't get played on the radio (even back in the 80's).

It's about as good as Brave New World, maybe a tad better. That ain't bad.

My feeling is pretty similar. I loved Brave New World, but I can't remember how long it took me to really enjoy it. This one grows with each listen, but it has to because as you say, there's nothing that just screams out at you initially. It's all top quality album material but I have a feeling that it might not register as high with fans due to the lack of a killer "single".

It definitely seems more of a throwback album than BNW. That one sounded like a maiden for the new millenium where as this seems like it could have been released in '85. That isn't a criticism about either album.

Hopefully I'll have a review up in the next few days. I'll let you guys know.

I'm in the middle of my second listen and its getting better.

I've listened to it three times now.... I'll be honest, it's a total letdown. They have 3 guitarists. The album should be overflowing with great riffs and cool harmonies, but unfortunately it doesn't have either of those. Overall it sounds like a mixture of Brave New World and No Prayer for the Dying (worst parts of both).

I wish I had something good to say about it. I think Bruce should have stayed solo. His Chemical Wedding and Accident of Birth albums were epic records (in my opinion). I fear the same will happen to Rob Halford with the revamped Juday Priest.

I'll be listing my copy for sale tonight on half.com.

I liked Brave New World pretty good, but Dance Of Death is twice as good as BNW. First, Wildest Dreams is a much better song and single than Wickerman. I am really enjoying it. Oh, and I like the cover too.

Slop101 - I'm sorry that the album let you down. I'm sad to hear that, but that is your opinion, and I respect that. I just wish you wouldn't sell your copy, just in case you might like it better someday. I felt the same way with Brave New World, but it later grew on me.

For me the DOD album turned out pretty much as I exspected it to, 'cept for a few songs. I was not letting myself do like I did when BNW came out. I was wanting another Piece of Mind, back then, and was let down big time. I have realized that Maiden will never be able to put an album like that(POM) out again, and moved on.

As for DOD. I think it is a great album. One of the better "true" metal albums put out in many years. It is also hands down the best Maiden album since 7th Son of a 7th Son, and far better than "that other band's"(you know who I mean) album that went #1 in this country a few months ago.

My personal favorites, so far, would have to be Monstegur, Paschendale, Face in the Sand, and Rainmaker.

If I were to have any complaints, it would have to be the order the songs are in, which is no biggy. I never like the order anyone puts the songs in, on most every album. I like things to flow a little better, so needless to say, I already have put DOD in my own order already on a CD-R. Problem solved, thank God my CD wasn't copy protected(aplauding loudly). Other than that, not much. Doesn't sound good in my P.C., but solved that by edditing and remixing MP3's ripped from the CD, and I was a bit let down by 'Journeyman". It is one song that fell far short of what I was exspecting, seeing how it was supposed to be something Maiden had never done before(accustic). I guess I was exspecting something as good as "Prodigal Son" from the killers album. (Hmmm must not have moved on, as far as I thought I have)


Dance of Death is a great album, and everyone who is a fan of Metal, Hard Rock, or just something that kicks ass, I would suggest going out and getting it.


UP THE IRONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. the 3 guitars things was always something that was more of an advantage LIVE. Harris said certain songs would need 3 guitars live. Obviously in studio 2 guitars could be worked into whatever you need.

2. I hate to say it but I agree about Bruce being solo. I wish Maiden would do songs like Bruce's solo stuff which kicked ass. But I guess with Harris doing most of the writing that will never happen. :(



IMHO, I know Maiden is known for songs that change tempo. but i wish they would do more songs with same tempo or throughout instead. Personally, I like slow to medium heavy songs better than fast songs with 20 minute guitar solos. That's what live shows are for.