Bruce Dickinson Chemical Wedding CD

While his ex-counterparts in Iron Maiden continue to pump out '80s-style metal with vocalist Blaze Bayley, screamer Bruce Dickinson takes that same metal style and adds another layer. THE CHEMICAL WEDDING contains all the elements that made Maiden unique, while adding a heaviness and power that take it to the next level. This album is truly thunderous, while also maintaining a melodic quality throughout. The opening track, "King In Crimson" sets the pace for a fast and furious record. The title tune is classic metal with a mid-tempo groove. "Killing Floor," complete with references to Satan, conveys a dark, angry mood. "Book of Thel" makes it clear that the pairing of former Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith and Dickinson is as potent as ever. The musicianship and production are rock solid, and Dickinson is showing a newfound vocal control. Fans of this amazing singer and lyricist will find this disc quite satisfying, as it holds up to all previous efforts.

Like its consistently excellent (and slightly superior) predecessor, Accident of Birth, Bruce Dickinson's fifth solo effort, The Chemical Wedding, continued to provide a welcome sanctuary (blatant reference intended) for disgruntled Iron Maiden fans, suffering through the all-too-long mediocrity of the Blaze Bayley era. By avoiding the experimental pitfalls of prior solo outings to fully embrace his metallic origins, Dickinson -- the solo artist -- is at his creative peak on these two records. The importance of co-songwriter, producer, and guitarist Roy Z's guidance in this revival cannot be overstated, and reuniting with fellow Maiden alum Adrian Smith wasn't a bad idea either. Muscular anthems such as "King in Crimson," "Killing Floor," and the title track manage to deliver with aggression, confidence, and, most importantly, a modern metal aesthetic sorely missing in Iron Maiden's efforts of the time. The album's second half does dip in quality somewhat, but a storming parting shot of "Machine Men" (a classic Dickinson-Smith collaboration if there ever was one) and "The Alchemist" (which revisits the title track's main theme in Seventh Son fashion) offer a worthy finale to this very impressive album. [The album was reissued in 2005 with three bonus tracks.] ~ Eduardo Rivadavia

Recorded at Sound City, Van Nuys, California and Silver Cloud, Burbank, California.

Personnel: Bruce Dickinson (vocals); Arthur Brown (spoken vocals); Roy Z (guitar, keyboards, bass instrument); Greg Schultz (keyboards); Eddie Casillas (bass guitar); Dave Ingraham (drums); Adrian Smith (guitar, keyboards).

Audio Mixers: Roy Z; Stan Katayama.

Liner Note Author: Dave Ling.

Photographer: William Hames.

Personnel: Bruce Dickinson (vocals); Arthur Brown (spoken vocals); Roy Z, Adrian Smith (guitar, keyboards); Greg Schultz (keyboards); Eddie Casillas (bass); Dave Ingraham (drums); Frazeeke MC, The Guru, Willy 666, Craig Lichtenstein (background vocals).

Engineers: Joe Floyd, Stan Katayama, Roy Z.