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'{{Infobox Album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums --> | Name = A Matter of Life and Death | Type = Studio album | Artist = [[Iron Maiden]] | Cover = Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life And Death.jpg | Released = 28 August 2006<ref name="ann">{{cite web |url=http://www.ironmaiden.com/article.php?section=1&subsection=1&article_=&article_id=1340 |title=IRON MAIDEN announce special album format |date=2006-08-03 |accessdate=2006-10-29 |publisher=ironmaiden.com }}</ref> | Recorded = September 2005 - July 2006 at [[Sarm West Studios]], [[London]] | Genre = [[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]<!-- NOTE: do not add anymore genres to this field. Iron Maiden genres for each album have gone through extensive discussion and a very clear consensus has been reached--> | Length = 71:54 | Label = [[EMI]] | | Producer = [[Kevin Shirley]] | Reviews = *''[[Allmusic]]'' {{Rating|3.5|5}} [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:aeozefbk5gf8 link] *''[[Kerrang!]]'' {{Rating|5|5}} *''[[Metal Hammer]]'' {{Rating|5|5}} *''[[Sputnik Music]]'' {{Rating|5|5}} [http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=11335 link] | Last album = ''[[Death on the Road]]''<br />(2005) | This album = '''''A Matter of Life and Death'''''<br />(2006) | Next album = ''[[Somewhere Back in Time|Somewhere Back in Time - The Best of: 1980-1989]]''<br />(2008) | Misc = {{Singles | Name = A Matter of Life and Death | Type = studio | Single 1 = [[The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg]] | Single 1 date = 14 August 2006 | Single 2 = [[Different World (song)|Different World]] | Single 2 date = 14 November 2006 }} }} '''''A Matter of Life and Death''''' is the fourteenth studio album by [[England|English]] [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Iron Maiden]]. It was released on 25 August 2006 in Italy and in Finland, 28 August worldwide, and 5 September 2006 in the United States, Canada and Japan. It is the first album in Iron Maiden's career to enter the U.S. Billboard charts in the top 10 and the third album where [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]] has had a song writing credit on every track, and has seen significant chart success in many other countries.<ref name="chartspr">{{cite web |url=http://www.ironmaiden.com/article.php?section=1&subsection=1&article_type=&article_id=1359 |title=A Matter of Life and Death kills the charts worldwide! |date=2006-09-11 |accessdate=2006-09-17 |publisher=ironmaiden.com }}</ref> While the album is not a [[concept album]],<ref name="rrr">{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=54636 |title=IRON MAIDEN Drummer, Guitarist Talk About New Album |date=2006-07-05 |accessdate=2006-09-17 |publisher=Blabbermouth }}</ref> [[war]] and [[religion]] are recurring themes in the lyrics throughout the album, as well as in the album's artwork. The title is also linked with the [[war]] theme, as it shared with a [[A Matter of Life and Death (film)|1946 film]] whose primary character is a WWII [[Royal Air Force]] pilot, though singer [[Bruce Dickinson]] has stated that the title and dark lyrical themes came partly from the band members' childhood experiences having grown up in the [[Cold War]] era amid common fears of imminent destruction and war. [[A Matter of Life and Death Tour]] was the [[Concert tour|tour]] supporting the [[album]]. == Overview == {{Unreferenced section|date=August 2008}} The band, still consisting of the same lineup as their previous two studio albums (making it the second most stable lineup; see ''[[Powerslave (album)|Powerslave]]''), started to write the songs near the end of 2005 after their hugely successful appearances in the [[United States|U.S.]] and [[Europe]]. By the end of the year, the songs were completed and they began rehearsing at [[Sarm West Studios]] in [[London]]. At 72 minutes, ''A Matter of Life and Death'' is the band's second longest album, exceeding 1995's ''[[The X Factor (album)|The X Factor]]'' by approximately one minute, and exceeded by 2010's ''[[The Final Frontier]]'' by approximately four minutes. A Matter of Life and Death puts emphasis on creating atmospheres befitting the darker lyrical themes and long sprawling epics with changes in tempo and dynamics, in contrast to the riff-driven music of the band's early days. This darker direction of the lyrical viewpoint can even be seen in the shorter songs "Different World" and "The Pilgrim." In order to provide a more "live" sound, the album was not mastered.<ref>http://www.cavemanproductions.com/jul2k6.htm</ref> Producer Kevin Shirley said, "Spoke to 'Arry ([[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]]) on Friday, who has decided against mastering the Iron Maiden album... It means that you will get to hear the new album exactly as it sounded in the studio, no added EQ, compression, analog widening, etc., and I must say, I am pretty happy with the end result."<ref>{{cite web|title=IRON MAIDEN Bassist Decides Against Mastering New Album - July 9, 2006|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=54823|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=5 August 2010|date=9 July 2006}}</ref> This is the band's fourth studio album not to share its name with a song, following ''[[Piece of Mind (Iron Maiden album)|Piece of Mind]]'', ''[[The X Factor (album)|The X Factor]]'' and ''[[Virtual XI]]''. The album cover was created by [[Tim Bradstreet]], an American artist, best known for his work on the ''[[Hellblazer]]'' and ''[[Punisher]]'' comics. During their North American, Japanese and European tours, the band performed the entire album in full. They announced after the show at Earl's Court, London on December 23, 2006, that the album would never be played in its entirety again. The album is the only Iron Maiden album since ''[[Iron Maiden (album)|Iron Maiden]]'' where all the songs have been played live. ==Critical response== The album was met with positive reviews. ''[[Metal Hammer]]'' rated the album 10/10 and stated that "Iron Maiden have utterly surpassed themselves", [[Kerrang!]] rated it 5/5 and said "Another [Iron] Maiden classic... Keeps what longtime fans loved about the band alive." ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' also awarded it Album of the Year, and the band won an award voted by ''Classic Rock'' readers, for the album. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave the album 3 stars out of 5, finding the music and lyrics "relevant." However, the magazine also claims that "the songs now march where they once galloped", implying that the band is "aging gracefully".<ref name="Rolling Stone review"> {{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Rolling Stone Review | work = | publisher =Rolling Stone | date =2007-05-03 | url =http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ironmaiden/albums/album/11368913/review/11544784/a_matter_of_life_and_death | format = | doi = | accessdate = }}</ref> ==Single details== The first single to be released from the album was "[[The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg]]". It was released on 14 August 2006. On 10 August 2006, "Different World" was put on the official website for everyone to hear. The following day "Brighter than a Thousand Suns" was also put on the official site for public streaming. "[[Different World (song)|Different World]]" was the second single released from the album.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?pid=4887&aid=811196 Billboard.com - Discography - Iron Maiden - Different World [3 Track Single&#93;<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It has already been receiving airplay on many rock radio stations. The song also features an animated video, similar to that of "[[Wildest Dreams (song)|Wildest Dreams]]". ==DVD documentary== In addition to the standard CD release, ''A Matter of Life and Death'' was also released in a [[limited edition]] version which contains a bonus [[DVD]]. The DVD, which has a total runtime of nearly one hour, contains a half-hour documentary, plus videos and photos all shot whilst the band were making the album. The [[documentary film|documentary]] "The Making of A Matter of Life and Death", directed by Matthew Amos (director of ''[[The Early Days]]'' and ''[[Death on the Road]]'' DVD documentaries), features candid video footage shot largely by [[Kevin Shirley]] himself during the recording of the album giving a behind-the-scenes look at life in the studio. The bonus DVD also features the full video promo for "[[The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg]]", and a special intimate filming of the band recording "Different World" in the studio. The album is also available as a limited edition double [[picture disc]] vinyl in gatefold sleeve, and as a digital download. ==Track listing== {{tracklist | lyrics_credits = yes | music_credits = yes | total_length = 71:54 | title1 = [[Different World (song)|Different World]] | lyrics1 = [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]] | music1 = [[Adrian Smith]], Harris | length1 = 4:17 | title2 = These Colours Don't Run | lyrics2 = [[Bruce Dickinson]] | music2 = Smith, Harris | length2 = 6:52 | title3 = Brighter Than a Thousand Suns | lyrics3 = Dickinson, Harris | music3 = Smith, Harris | length3 = 8:44 | title4 = The Pilgrim | lyrics4 = [[Janick Gers]] | music4 = Gers, Harris | length4 = 5:07 | title5 = The Longest Day | lyrics5 = Dickinson | music5 = Smith, Harris | length5 = 7:48 | title6 = Out of the Shadows | lyrics6 = Dickinson | music6 = Dickinson, Harris | length6 = 5:36 | title7 = [[The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg]] | lyrics7 = Harris | music7 = [[Dave Murray (musician)|Dave Murray]], Harris | length7 = 7:21 | title8 = For the Greater Good of God | lyrics8 = Harris | music8 = Harris | length8 = 9:24 | title9 = Lord of Light | lyrics9 = Dickinson | music9 = Smith, Harris | length9 = 7:23 | title10 = The Legacy | lyrics10 = Harris | music10 = Gers, Harris | length10 = 9:22 }} ;Bonus track (iTunes store edition) {{tracklist | lyrics_credits = yes | music_credits = yes | title11 = [[Hallowed Be Thy Name]] | note11 = Radio 1 'Legends' Session | lyrics11 = Harris | music11 = Harris | length11 = 7:11 }} ==Personnel== *[[Bruce Dickinson]] – [[singer|vocals]] *[[Dave Murray (musician)|Dave Murray]] – [[guitar|lead & rhythm guitars]] *[[Janick Gers]] – [[guitar|lead & rhythm guitars]] *[[Adrian Smith]] – [[guitar|lead & rhythm guitars]], [[Guitar synthesizer|guitar synth]] *[[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]] – [[bass guitar]], [[electronic keyboard|keyboard]] *[[Nicko McBrain]] – [[drum kit|drums]] with *[[Kevin Shirley]] - producer ==Charting positions== The album sold 175,000 copies worldwide on its first week of release <ref [[http://www.mediatraffic.de/albums-week37-2006.htm]] </ref> and sold over 177,000 copies worldwide on its second week.<ref [[http://www.mediatraffic.de/albums-week38-2006.htm]] </ref> It entered at no. 4 in the world album chart, no. 1 in ten countries, no. 4 in the UK charts, no. 2 in Canada, no. 4 in India , and for the first time entered the U.S. top 10 at no. 9 with sales of over 56,000. The album went [[Music recording sales certification|gold]] in Finland in its first week.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv3.fi/viihde/uutiset/musiikki.shtml/466223?iron_maiden |title=Iron Maiden kotimaisten myyntilistojen kärjessä |date=2006-08-31 |accessdate=2006-09-17 |publisher=MTV3 Finland }}</ref> This gold record became Maiden's 8th from Finland. An update on Iron Maiden's official website states that "In just the first week the new album has shipped over a million copies worldwide and impacted on the charts pretty well everywhere in the world". In doing so it has charted in the top 20 in 34 countries worldwide. {| class="wikitable" !Chart !Position |- |Canadian Album Charts |#2 |- |German Album Charts |#1 |- |UK Album Charts |#4 |- |U.S. Billboard 200 |#9 |- |U.S. Billboard Top Rock Albums |#4 |- |Switzerland |#2 |- |Chile |#3 |- |Spain |#4 |- |Finland |#1 |- |Greece |#1 |- |Brazil |#1 |- |Italy |#1 |- |- |India |#2 |- |Turkey |#2 |- |Sweden |#1 |- |Ireland |#5 |- |Slovenia |#1 |- |Serbia |#1 |- |Croatia |#1 |- |Hungary |#2 |- |Czech Republic |#1 |- |Norway |#2 |- |Poland |#1 |- |[[UAE]] |#5 |} ==Certifications== {| class="wikitable" !align="left"|Country !align="left"|Certification !align="left"|Sales |- |[[Brazil]] |Gold<ref>[http://www.abpd.org.br/certificados_interna.asp ABPD searchable database]. Retrieved December 29, 2008.</ref> |50,000+ |- |[[Canada]] |Gold<ref>[http://www.cria.ca/gold/1006_g.php CRIA Gold & Platinum certifications for October 2006]. Retrieved July 25, 2007.</ref> |50,000+ |- |[[British Phonographic Industry|United Kingdom]] |Gold<ref>[http://www.bpi.co.uk/ BPI searchable database]. Retrieved December 29, 2008.</ref> |100,000+ |- |[[Finland]] |Platinum |30,000+ |- |[[Sweden]] |Gold |30,000+ |- |[[IFPI|Germany]] <ref>http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank_beta/#topSearch</ref> |Gold |100,000+ |- |[[Greece]] |Gold |10,000+ |- |[[Italy]] |Gold |10,000+ |- |[[Switzerland]] |Gold |15,000+ |} ==References== <references/> {{IronMaiden}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Matter of Life and Death (album), A}} [[Category:Iron Maiden albums]] [[Category:2006 albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Kevin Shirley]] [[Category:EMI Records albums]] {{Link GA|fi}} [[bs:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[bg:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[cs:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[da:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[de:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[es:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[fr:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[hr:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[it:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[he:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[hu:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[nl:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[ja:ア・マター・オブ・ライフ・アンド・デス〜戦記]] [[no:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[pl:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[pt:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[ro:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[ru:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[sk:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[sr:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[fi:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[sv:A Matter of Life and Death]] [[tr:A Matter of Life and Death (albüm)]]'