Top Tracks: Iron Maiden – “Dance of Death”

Some Iron Maiden albums feel like a return to the past.

“Dance of Death” feels like Maiden looking forward.

Released in 2003, the band 13th studio album arrived during one of the strongest periods of their modern era. Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith were back in the lineup, Steve Harris was pushing the songwriting into increasingly ambitious territory and Maiden were clearly not interested in simply recreating the glory days of the 1980s.

Instead “Dance of Death” mixes the band trademark galloping riffs with progressive arrangements, acoustic passages, orchestral touches and some seriously epic storytelling.

It’s not perfect. It’s not even consistent.

But when it hits, it hits hard.

And that’s exactly why Maiden fans still argue about this album.

“Wildest Dreams”

The album gets moving quickly.

“Wildest Dreams” is short, energetic and packed with the kind of melodic hooks that made Iron Maiden a stadium-filling machine in the first place.

It’s not trying to be the most complicated song here.

It’s trying to get your head banging.

Mission accomplished.

“Rainmaker”

Another compact, melodic Maiden anthem.

“Rainmaker” has that instantly recognizable Iron Maiden feel catchy guitar melodies, Bruce Dickinson soaring over the top and enough energy to make it a natural live favorite.

It’s one of those songs that proves Maiden don’t always need eight minutes to tell a story.

“Montségur”

Now things get heavier.

“Montségur” is one of the album fastest and most aggressive tracks, inspired by the siege and destruction of the medieval Cathar stronghold in France.

The guitars are relentless, Steve Harris drives the song forward and Bruce sounds completely fired up.

If you’re looking for the classic Maiden gallop, this is where you go.

“Dance of Death”

The title track takes a completely different road.

It begins quietly, almost like an old folk tale being told around a fire, before gradually building into a huge theatrical metal epic.

The acoustic guitars, layered melodies and triple-guitar attack give the song a cinematic quality that separates it from the band earlier work.

It’s strange.

It’s dramatic.

And once that main section kicks in, it’s unmistakably Maiden.

“Paschendale”

And then comes the monster.

Inspired by the Battle of Passchendaele during World War I, “Paschendale” is an eight-minute journey through mud, blood, fear and devastation.

The song constantly changes mood and intensity, moving from atmospheric passages into some of the album heaviest guitar sections.

Bruce Dickinson delivers one of his most emotional performances, while the three-guitar lineup gives the song an enormous sense of scale.

For many fans, this isn’t simply the best song on “Dance of Death”.

It’s one of Iron Maiden greatest modern-era masterpieces.

“Face in the Sand”

Another darker and more atmospheric track.

“Face in the Sand” brings orchestral textures into Maiden sound, creating a haunting contrast with the heavier guitar work.

It’s one of those songs that benefits from headphones and a little patience.

“New Frontier”

A fun piece of Maiden history.

“New Frontier” features the first and only official songwriting credit for drummer Nicko McBrain.

It’s also one of the album more direct songs, but its place in Maiden history makes it impossible to ignore.

“Journeyman”

And then Maiden do something they had never done before.

They close the album with “Journeyman” their first fully acoustic studio track.

No traditional distorted-guitar assault. No galloping rhythm section.

Instead, the band builds a melancholic, almost cinematic finale around acoustic guitars and orchestral textures.

It’s an unexpectedly beautiful way to finish an album as ambitious as “Dance of Death”.

The Highs, The Lows & That Cover

Let’s get the obvious thing out of the way.

Yes, that cover is ugly.

The infamous CGI artwork was reportedly only intended as a rough mock-up, but it ended up becoming the final cover. Artist David Patchett was unhappy with the decision and requested that his name be removed from the credits.

Fortunately, the music is considerably better.

The album can feel uneven, particularly when the shorter tracks sit beside the huge epics. Songs such as “Gates of Tomorrow” and “Age of Innocence” don’t receive the same love as the album biggest moments.

But when Maiden unleash “Paschendale”, “Dance of Death”, “Montségur” or “Journeyman” the album reaches a level that few bands could touch.

There’s also something historically special about this record: every member of Iron Maiden received a songwriting credit, making it the only album in their catalog with that distinction.

So… What’s the BEST Track?

That’s the question.

Is “Paschendale” the undisputed masterpiece?

Does the title track deserve the crown?

Maybe “Montségur” is the one that gets your blood pumping.

Or perhaps you’re here to defend “Rainmaker”, “Face in the Sand”, “Journeyman” or one of the underrated cuts.

POLL: What is the BEST track on Dance of Death?

Cast your vote and tell us why your choice deserves the crown.

Because with “Dance of Death” there are plenty of songs worth defending.

Up the Irons! 🤘