IRON MAIDEN - A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2LP 2X Vinyl PICTURE DISC

- Limited Edition with Double Picture Disc

"A Matter of Life and Death" is the 14th studio album by English 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 heavy metal album to debut at #4 in India, and made it to #2 in the Indian charts. It is also one of the few rock/metal albums to go platinum in India. It is the first album in IRON MAIDEN's almost 30 year career to enter the U.S. Billboard charts in the top 10, and has seen significant chart success in many other countries.

 

IRON MAIDEN - A Matter Of Life And Death 2LP PICTURE DISC front cover https://vinyl-records.nl

A Matter of Life and Death: Iron Maiden's Bold Exploration into the Heart of Darkness
Album Description:

In the annals of heavy metal history, Iron Maiden's 2006 opus, "A Matter of Life and Death," stands as a monolithic testament to the band's unwavering commitment to pushing musical boundaries. This double vinyl picture disc, etched with iconic imagery from the album, encapsulates a sonic journey that delves into the depths of war, mortality, and the human spirit.

Historical Context: Echoes of Conflict

Released amidst a world grappling with ongoing conflicts and political turmoil, "A Matter of Life and Death" reflected the zeitgeist of its era. The album's lyrical themes explored the harsh realities of war, the sacrifices made by soldiers, and the philosophical questions surrounding life, death, and faith. Iron Maiden, known for their historical and literary inspirations, wove together a narrative that resonated with a global audience facing uncertain times.

Musical Exploration: A Progressive Odyssey

Musically, "A Matter of Life and Death" marked a departure from Iron Maiden's earlier works. The album embraced a more progressive approach, featuring longer, more complex song structures, intricate instrumentation, and a wider range of dynamics. Tracks like "For the Greater Good of God" and "The Legacy" showcased the band's willingness to experiment with different tempos, time signatures, and melodic motifs.

Genre: A Metal Symphony

While firmly rooted in the heavy metal genre, "A Matter of Life and Death" transcended traditional boundaries. The album incorporated elements of progressive rock, symphonic metal, and even hints of folk music. This eclectic blend of styles created a sonic tapestry that was both powerful and nuanced, appealing to a broad spectrum of music fans.

Controversies: Challenging Expectations

The album's release was not without controversy. Some critics and fans felt that the progressive nature of the music alienated Iron Maiden's core audience. Others praised the band for their bold experimentation and refusal to rest on their laurels. Ultimately, "A Matter of Life and Death" sparked a debate about the evolution of heavy metal and the role of artistic expression within the genre.

Production Team and Recording Studio: Forging a Masterpiece

The album was produced by Kevin Shirley, a long-time collaborator of Iron Maiden, and recorded at Sarm West Studios in London. Shirley's expertise in capturing the raw energy of the band's live performances, coupled with the state-of-the-art facilities at Sarm West, resulted in a recording that was both sonically rich and emotionally powerful.

Title: A Reflection of Life's Fragility The title, "A Matter of Life and Death," encapsulated the album's central theme: the precarious nature of existence and the constant struggle between hope and despair. It served as a reminder that life is fleeting and that every moment should be cherished.

Music Genre:

NWOBHM New Wave of British Heavy Metal 

Album Production Information:

The album: "IRON MAIDEN A Matter of Life and Death 2LP 2x Picture Disc" was produced by: Kevin Shirley and Steve Harris

Record Label & Catalognr:

EMI 

Album Packaging:

Gatefold/FOC (Fold Open Cover) Album Cover Design with artwork / photos on the inside cover pages.

Media Format:

Double 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 700 gram 

Year & Country:

2006 Made in UK 
Band Members and Musicians on: IRON MAIDEN A Matter of Life and Death 2LP 2x Picture Disc
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Bruce Dickinson - vocals
  • Bruce Dickinson – Singer

    Samson forged the roar; Iron Maiden turned it into a global alarm system.

    Bruce Dickinson, Bruce Dickinson is the rare frontman who can sound like a human air-raid siren and still tell a story. Before the arenas, I track him in Samson (1979–1981) , where the voice sharpened into steel. He joined Iron Maiden in 1981 and powered their classic run through 1993, then returned in 1999 and has stayed ever since. Between the big chapters he kept moving: a solo career from 1990 onward, plus the short, sharp Skunkworks detour in 1996. On stage he’s theatrical without slipping into pantomime—commanding, precise, and oddly disciplined for heavy metal. Timeline: Samson ’79–’81; Maiden ’81–’93 and ’99–now; solo from ’90; Skunkworks ’96. And yeah, never boring.

    Bruce Dickinson Wiki
  • Dave Murray - guitar
  • Dave Murray – Guitar

    Maiden’s calm killer: smooth leads, twin-guitar harmony for days, and that melodic bite that makes the “gallop” feel cinematic instead of chaotic.

    Dave Murray (born 23 December 1956, Edmonton, Middlesex, England) is one of the defining lead guitar voices of heavy metal, and in my book he’s the melodic “second spine” of Iron Maiden. His timeline with the band starts early: joining in 1976, getting briefly pushed out in 1977, then returning in 1978 and staying locked in ever since—making him one of the longest-serving members in the whole Maiden saga. During that 1977 gap he spent around six months with Urchin (Adrian Smith’s band), which is a fun little historical glitch in the matrix if you like your Maiden lore messy and human. Beyond the main band, his most notable “outside the mothership” credit is the all-star charity metal project Hear ’n Aid (1985), because apparently even guitar lifers sometimes leave the bunker to do side quests. Dave Murray Wiki

  • Janick Gers - guitar
    Janick Gers, born 1957, is a high-energy guitar virtuoso whose electrifying solos and wild stage presence have fueled Iron Maiden since 1990. From his early days with White Spirit and Gillan to shredding alongside Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, his dynamic style adds fire to Maiden’s sound. Discover more about his journey here.
  • Adrian Smith - guitar and backing vocals, guitar synth on Brighter than a Thousand Suns
  • Adrian Smith – Guitarist, Songwriter

    The melodic blade behind Maiden’s heaviest hooks.

    Adrian Smith, Adrian Smith, he writes riffs the way old street poets throw punches: clean, sharp, and memorable. Before the Maiden machine, I hear him in Urchin (1973–1980), already mixing melody with bite. He joined Iron Maiden in November 1980, helped define their twin-guitar gold through 1990, then stepped away as the band’s direction shifted. In the wilderness years he tried A.S.A.P (1989–1990) and led Psycho Motel (1993–1999), plus a stint in Bruce Dickinson’s solo band (1997–1999). Since his return to Iron Maiden in 1999 he’s stayed a key songwriter, while still stretching out with projects like Smith/Kotzen (2020–present). He’s the guy who makes speed feel singable, not just fast for fast’s sake.

    Adrian Smith Wiki
  • Steve Harris - bass guitar, backing vocals, keyboard
  • Steve Harris – Bass Guitar, Songwriter

    Iron Maiden’s engine room: galloping bass lines, history-nerd lyrics, and “captain of the ship” energy baked into every riff.

    Steve Harris (born 12 March 1956, Leytonstone, England) is the rare bassist who doesn’t just hold the floor—he draws the whole blueprint. In my book, he’s the founder and primary songwriter who’s kept Iron Maiden on its rails from 1975–present, with that instantly recognizable “gallop” driving huge chunks of the catalogue. The pre-Maiden grind matters too: first band days in Influence/Gypsy’s Kiss (1973–1974, including a documented gig run in 1974), then the older, blues-leaning Smiler period (1974–1975) where his more ambitious writing basically forced the next step: forming Maiden. Outside the mothership, he’s fronted his own hard-rock outlet British Lion (2012–present), a project that grew out of connections going back to the early 1990s and finally hit the world as his solo debut in 2012.

    Steve Harris Wiki
  • Nicko McBrain - drums
  • Nicko McBrain – Drums Nicko McBrain, born 1952, is the powerhouse drummer who has driven Iron Maiden’s thunderous engine since joining in 1982. His playing combines brute force with swing and pinpoint timing, giving albums like The Number of the Beast and Powerslave their unstoppable momentum. Before Maiden, his work with Trust and the Pat Travers Band sharpened his style, culminating in a career that redefined metal drumming.
    Nicko McBrain Wiki
Complete Track Listing of: IRON MAIDEN A Matter of Life and Death 2LP 2x Picture Disc

The Song/tracks on "IRON MAIDEN A Matter of Life and Death 2LP 2x Picture Disc" are

  • Different World Adrian Smith, Steve Harris Harris 4:17
  • These Colours Don't Run Bruce Dickinson Smith, Harris 6:52
  • Brighter Than a Thousand Suns Dickinson, Harris Smith, Harris 8:44
  • The Pilgrim Harris Janick Gers, Harris 5:07
  • The Longest Day Dickinson Smith, Harris 7:48
  • Out of the Shadows Dickinson Dickinson, Harris 5:36
  • The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg Harris Dave Murray, Harris 7:21
  • For the Greater Good of God Harris 9:24
  • Lord of Light Dickinson Smith, Harris 7:23
  • The Legacy Harris Gers, Harris 9:20
 

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