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Brave New World(Iron Maiden album)

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Brave New World
Studio albumby
Iron Maiden
Released29 May 2000(2000-05-29)
Recorded1999 – April 2000
StudioGuillaume Tell (Paris)
GenreHeavy metal
Length66:57
LabelEMI
ProducerKevin Shirley
Iron Maidenstudio albums chronology
Virtual XI
(1998) 		Brave New World
(2000) 		Dance of Death
(2003)
SinglesfromBrave New World
  1. "The Wicker Man"
    Released: 8 May 2000
  2. "Out of the Silent Planet"
    Released: 23 October 2000

Brave New Worldis the twelfth studio album by Englishheavy metalbandIron Maiden,released on 29 May 2000.[1]It was their first studio release since the return of longtime lead singerBruce Dickinson(who left in 1993) and guitaristAdrian Smith(who left in 1990) in 1999, as well as the band's first studio recording as a six-piece, asJanick Gers,who replaced Smith in 1990, remained with the band.

The album artwork and title song are references to thenovel of the same namewritten byAldous Huxley.The upper half of the artwork was created byDerek Riggs,with the bottom half by digital artist Steve Stone.

The songs "The Wicker Man"and"Out of the Silent Planet"were both released as singles. The promotional radio release of"The Wicker Man"featured extra vocals in the chorus not present in any other versions of the song.

TheBrave New World Tourwas thetourin support of the album, during which the show atRock in Riowas recorded and later released asa live album and video.

Brave New Worldpeaked at No. 7 in theUK Albums Chart,and has since been certified Gold.[2]In the United States, it debuted at No. 39 on theBillboard200,[3]and registered over 307,000 sales on theNielsen SoundScansystem in 2008.[4]

Songs, composition and live performances[edit]

Brave New Worldmarked the return of vocalistBruce Dickinson(left) and guitaristAdrian Smith(right).

Most of the songs were written beforeThe Ed Hunter Tourand were later recorded at Guillaume Tell Studios, Paris. It was the first album the band would record with producerKevin Shirley,and the first that they would record live in the studio.[5]

According to an interview withAdrian Smith,"The Nomad", "Dream of Mirrors", and "The Mercenary" were originally written for 1998'sVirtual XI,and former vocalistBlaze Bayleyclaimed to have provided some lyrics for "Dream of Mirrors", but was not credited.[6]According to Steve Harris, work had also begun on "Blood Brothers" during that period, but it was not completed at the time.[7]

"Brave New World" was the release's only song to reappear on theDance of Death World Tour,the next tour in support of a studio release. None of the tracks from the album were played during theA Matter of Life and Death Tour,although many returned throughoutThe Final Frontier World Tour,with "The Wicker Man","Ghost of the Navigator ", the title track, and" Blood Brothers "being played during the 2010 leg." Blood Brothers "returned forThe Book of Souls World Tourand "The Wicker Man"also returned for theLegacy of the Beast World Tour.

The song "Blood Brothers", written by Steve Harris for his late father, was dedicated toRonnie James Diothroughout the 2010 leg of The Final Frontier World Tour, following his death on 16 May. On the 2011 leg of the tour starting in Australia, "Blood Brothers" would then be dedicated to the victims and friends and family of the band members and audience who were affected by the2011 Christchurch earthquakeon 22 February. As the tour progressed, the song was also dedicated to the victims of the2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami,as well as the revolts inEgyptandLibyaand, later, the victims of the2011 Norway attacks.A live performance of the song from 2012'sEn Vivo!was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performanceon 6 December 2012.[8]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
Blabbermouth.net5/10[10]
BW&BK10/10[11]
Classic Rock[12]
Kerrang![13]
Metal Hammer9/10[14]
NME4/10[15]
Sputnikmusic[16]

Reviews for the album were generally positive. Critics were especially warm towards the return ofBruce DickinsonandAdrian Smithto the band compared to the previous two releases which featuredBlaze Bayleyon vocals.[16]Kerrang!described it as "truly towering. Majestic. Bombastic. Titanic. So gloriously in-yer-face you can almost feel its hot breath up your nostrils."[13]Sputnikmusic described it as "one of the band's top albums; alongside the likes ofPowerslave,Somewhere in Time,andPiece of Mind"and" definitely the easiest album to get into since the band's glory days. "[16]Classic Rockstated that, while "it may not take too many strides forward," it "certainly succeeds in reeling back the years to Iron Maiden's heyday."[12]

AllMusicwere slightly more critical of the album, describing it as "noNumber of the Beast",although going on to say that" as comeback albums go, its excellence was undeniable ", and likewise giving the album a positive rating.[9]

NMEwere extremely unfavourable towards the release, arguing that the band's past "dismissal of the outside world, which kept them safe all those years, now leaves them looking rather obsolete". The magazine also compared the band to more contemporary acts such asKornandSlipknotand felt Iron Maiden were "no longer the high priests of the black arts, and seem almost innocent by comparison".[15]Blabbermouth.netwere also negative, stating that the band sound "tired and uninspired", and concluding that "[Brave New World] will fail to leave a lasting mark on the face of the current metal scene. "[10]

In 2020, it was named one of the 20 best metal albums of 2000 byMetal Hammermagazine.[17]

Track listing[edit]

Brave New Worldtrack listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Wicker Man"
4:35
2."Ghost of the Navigator"
6:50
3."Brave New World"
6:18
4."Blood Brothers"Harris7:14
5."The Mercenary"
  • Gers
  • Harris
4:42
6."Dream of Mirrors"
  • Gers
  • Harris
9:21
7."The Fallen Angel"
  • Smith
  • Harris
4:00
8."The Nomad"
  • Murray
  • Harris
9:06
9."Out of the Silent Planet"
  • Gers
  • Dickinson
  • Harris
6:25
10."The Thin Line Between Love and Hate"
  • Murray
  • Harris
8:26
Total length:66:57

Personnel[edit]

Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes.[18]

Iron Maiden[edit]

Additional personnel[edit]

  • Kevin Shirley– production, engineering, mixing
  • Steve Harris – co-production
  • Denis Caribaux – second engineer
  • Nicolas Meyer – assistant engineer
  • Rory Romano – assistant engineer
  • Jeff Bova– orchestration on "Blood Brothers" and "The Nomad"
  • George Marino– mastering
  • Derek Riggs– sleeve illustration
  • Steve Stone – sleeve illustration
  • Peacock – sleeve design, sleeve concept
  • Dean Karr – photography
  • Rod Smallwood– management
  • Andy Taylor– management
  • Merck Mercuriadis – management

Charts[edit]

Chart (2000) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[19] 33
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[20] 10
Belgian Albums (UltratopFlanders)[21] 12
Belgian Albums (UltratopWallonia)[22] 29
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[23] 23
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[24] 16
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[25] 2
French Albums (SNEP)[26] 3
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[27] 3
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[28] 4
Italian Albums (FIMI)[29] 3
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[30] 13
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[31] 4
Scottish Albums(OCC)[32] 7
Spanish Albums (AFYVE)[33] 8
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[34] 1
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[35] 9
UK Albums(OCC)[36] 7
UK Rock & Metal Albums(OCC)[37] 1
USBillboard200[38] 39
Chart (2010) Peak
position
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[35] 72
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[39] 27

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[40] Gold 100,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[41] Gold 50,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[42] Gold 16,316[42]
Germany (BVMI)[43] Gold 150,000^
Poland (ZPAV)[44] Gold 35,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[45] Platinum 100,000[45]
Sweden (GLF)[46] Gold 40,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[2] Gold 100,000^

*Sales figures based on certification alone.
^Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^"Iron Maiden Official Website –Brave New World".ironmaiden.com. Archived fromthe originalon 16 February 2007.Retrieved11 February2012.
  2. ^ab"British album certifications – Iron Maiden – Brave New World".British Phonographic Industry.
  3. ^"Iron Maiden Chart History".Billboard.Nielsen Business Media, Inc.Retrieved1 November2021.
  4. ^"Iron Men".Billboard.Vol. 120, no. 20. 17 May 2008. p. 51.Retrieved1 January2010.
  5. ^Marshall, Clay (22 April 2000)."Maiden's Back, With Familiar Voice".Billboard.Vol. 112, no. 17. p. 12.Retrieved1 January2010.
  6. ^"Iron Maiden Guitarist Admits Band Used Leftover Ideas".Blabbermouth.net.13 September 2004.Retrieved16 August2010.
  7. ^Yates, Rod (28 May 2011). "Best of the Beast".Kerrang!(1365): 39.
  8. ^Alderslade, Merlin (6 December 2012)."Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Marilyn Manson, Lamb of God Among Grammy Nominees".Metal Hammer.Archived fromthe originalon 4 February 2014.Retrieved6 December2012.
  9. ^abRivadavia, Eduardo.Iron Maiden –Brave New WorldatAllMusic.Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  10. ^abKrgin, Borivoj."Iron Maiden –Brave New World".Blabbermouth.net.Retrieved13 November2012.
  11. ^Henderson, Tim."Iron Maiden –Brave New World".BW&BK.Archived fromthe originalon 18 May 2013.Retrieved16 September2012.
  12. ^ab"Iron Maiden:Brave New World".Classic Rock(15): 68–69. June 2000.
  13. ^abEverley, Dave (27 May 2000)."Iron Maiden –Brave New World".Kerrang!.No. 803.EMAP.p. 40. Archived fromthe originalon 13 February 2009.Retrieved18 June2011– via cavemanproductions.com.
  14. ^Dome, Malcolm(June 2000). "Under the Hammer".Metal Hammer.No. 79. UK:Future plc.p. 66.
  15. ^ab"Brave New World".NME.13 June 2000.Retrieved1 August2012.
  16. ^abcStagno, Mike (12 August 2006)."Iron Maiden –Brave New World".Sputnikmusic.Retrieved18 June2011.
  17. ^"The Top 20 best metal albums of 2000".Metal Hammer.Future plc.29 September 2020.Retrieved6 March2021.
  18. ^Brave New World(Media notes).Iron Maiden.EMI.29 May 2000.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^"Australiancharts.com – Iron Maiden – Brave New World".Hung Medien. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  20. ^"Austriancharts.at – Iron Maiden – Brave New World"(in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  21. ^"Ultratop.be – Iron Maiden – Brave New World"(in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  22. ^"Ultratop.be – Iron Maiden – Brave New World"(in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  23. ^"Top RPM Albums: Issue 7326".RPM.Library and Archives Canada.Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  24. ^"Dutchcharts.nl – Iron Maiden – Brave New World"(in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  25. ^"Iron Maiden: Brave New World "(in Finnish).Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  26. ^"Lescharts.com – Iron Maiden – Brave New World".Hung Medien. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  27. ^"Offiziellecharts.de – Iron Maiden – Brave New World"(in German).GfK Entertainment Charts.Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  28. ^"Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2000. 24. hét"(in Hungarian).MAHASZ.Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  29. ^"Italiancharts.com – Iron Maiden – Brave New World".Hung Medien. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  30. ^Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005(in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo:Oricon Entertainment.2006.ISBN4-87131-077-9.
  31. ^"Norwegiancharts.com – Iron Maiden – Brave New World".Hung Medien. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  32. ^"Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  33. ^Salaverri, Fernando (2005).Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002(in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE.ISBN84-8048-639-2.
  34. ^"Swedishcharts.com – Iron Maiden – Brave New World".Hung Medien. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  35. ^ab"Swisscharts.com – Iron Maiden – Brave New World".Hung Medien. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  36. ^"Official Albums Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  37. ^"Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40".Official Charts Company.Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  38. ^"Iron Maiden Chart History (Billboard200) ".Billboard.Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  39. ^"Portuguesecharts.com – Iron Maiden – Brave New World".Hung Medien. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  40. ^"Brazilian album certifications – Iron Maiden – Brave New World"(in Portuguese).Pro-Música Brasil.
  41. ^"Canadian album certifications – Iron Maiden – Brave New World".Music Canada.
  42. ^ab"Iron Maiden"(in Finnish).Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  43. ^"Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Iron Maiden;'Brave New World') "(in German).Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  44. ^"Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2004 roku"(in Polish).Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.Retrieved18 April2021.
  45. ^ab"Spanish Gold Disc for BNW Album".elportaldemusica.es.Retrieved21 June2024.
  46. ^"Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2000"(PDF)(in Swedish).IFPI Sweden.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 17 May 2011.
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