© Scott D. Smith/Retna ./Retna Ltd./Corbis
Bruce Dickinson: possibly not in a pose ideal for delivering the balladry of Coming Home
The No.1 website for musicians
New album sees heavy metal legends reinvent themselves
Joe Bosso, Thu 22 Jul 2010, 12:40 pm UTC
© Scott D. Smith/Retna ./Retna Ltd./Corbis
Bruce Dickinson: possibly not in a pose ideal for delivering the balladry of Coming Home
The words 'Iron Maiden' and 'ballad' have a way of sending shivers of skepticism down most spines, but on this inventive composition, the group delivers what could be a bona fide stadium anthem.
A hooky guitar arpeggio gently glides us into a dramatic, power chord-peppered verse and chorus. Dickinson’s lyrics about descending from the sky and returning home are poignant and honestly devoid of mawkish sentiment.
A snaky bit of progressive riffing is followed by a full-bodied, languid guitar solo that makes way for a second solo turn that is beyond frenzied.
Back in 1980, no one could have anticipated the leaders of the NWOBHM pulling off a ballad with such commitment and aplomb, but this winner proves that growth, 30 years later, is indeed possible.