Maiden make music that is just on the verge of tolerable.

If you were king you might ban them in a fit of pique, but alas you're not.

So all we can really hope for is that radio stations take the Radio 1/Status Quo course of action of a few years back and keep this rather bland chugging away from discerning ears.

But if it must be listened to, it's heartening to know Maiden are a little less demanding on the musically receptive parts of the brain than some modern metal outfits.

Though Dance of Death is a juvenile and passionless affair, it is competent eighties metal, if that is your scene.

Lyrically it's a non-starter and musically it doesn't go anywhere near to breaking the mould.

Indeed, the band would be risking the wrath of a dedicated and shameless fan-base if they had attempted to climb out of the rut they gouged for themselves 20 years ago or so.

You can't really win many new fans with stuff like this but the Iron army should still be happy.

JS