A Matter of Life and Death is the fourteenth studio album by Iron Maiden. Released on August 25, 2006 in Italy and Finland and on August 28 worldwide, except in the United States, Canada and Japan, where it was released on September 5.
It is the first album in Iron Maiden’s career to enter the top 10 of the Billboard charts in the United States, and has also achieved significant success in many other countries. Iron Maiden began writing new songs in late 2005, following a break after their successful festival dates in the U.S. and Europe during the Eddie Rips Up the World Tour. After taking time off over Christmas, the songs were completed and the band began recording at Sarm West Studios in London, with their regular producer, Kevin Shirley. The album was recorded from March 1 to May 4, 2006.
The first single from the album was The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg, released on August 14, 2006. On August 10, Different World was made available for streaming on the band’s website, as was Brighter than a Thousand Suns the following day. Different World was the second single, and was played on many rock radio stations. The song also features an animated video, similar to that of Wildest Dreams.
Tracklist:
- Different World
- These Colours Don’t Run
- Brighter Than A Thousand Suns
- The Pilgrim
- The Longest Day
- Out Of The Shadows
- The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg
- For The Greater Good Of God
- Lord Of Light
- The Legacy
Iron Maiden:
Bruce Dickinson: vocals
Dave Murray: guitars
Janick Gers: guitars
Adrian Smith: guitars, guitar synthesiser on Brighter Than a Thousand Suns
Steve Harris: bass, keyboards, co producer
Nicko McBrain: drums
Production:
Kevin Shirley: producer, mixing, engineer
Drew Griffiths: engineer
Alex MacKenzie: assistant engineer
Tim Bradstreet: cover illustration
Grant Goleash: cover illustration
Peacock: art direction, design
Simon Fowler: photography
John McMurtrie: photography
Rod Smallwood: management
Andy Taylor: management
Matthew Amos: documentary and music video director (bonus DVD)
Kit Hawkins: producer (bonus DVD)
Dave Pattenden: producer (bonus DVD)
