"Nothing is gonna come between us and our fans, and it will be death before dishonour - this is Iron Fucking Maiden!" That was Bruce Dickinson, speaking out under a hail of eggs and detritus at last years's Ozzfest isn San Bernardino, California, during one of the most controversial and infamous incidents in recent rock history. That, my friends, is a frontman.

While Maiden have respectfully distanced themselves from the alleged sabotage of their set that night, they have remained in combative mood ever since. If you thought new music from these veteran standard-bearers of British Metal might see them cooling down in any respect, 'A Matter Of Life And Death' will answer as Maiden know best - loudly, aggressively and memorably. Although not a concept album, war and the missuse of religion to justify conflict is a near constant, from artwork to lyrics to all-out musical attack. War is a theme Maiden have tackled many times before, but never with such purpose, such tenacious realism and, yes, thoughtfulness, as they do here.

Forget wildly inappropriate single 'The Reincarnation oF Bejamin Breeg' - this album is about tracks like 'The Longest Day' and 'These Colours Don't Run', the latter a sly reference to another of Bruce's comments on that fateful evening in San Bernardino. The former develops gradually into a chorus fit for arena chanting and fist-pumping, one that is succeeded by a martial battering of drums and an evolving six-string showdown.

'For The Greater Good Of God' bleeds into another big hook, unfurling its banner amid epic orchestration. Time changes and three-part guitar solos hurtle from ear to ear, and vary in speed, tone and intensity. It's another Maiden classic that does not compromise heaviness in achieving its nine-minute span. 'The Pilgrim' and opener 'Different World' are immediate if relatively standardised rockers, while the balladic 'Out Of The Shadows' draws yet another untouchable vocal performance from Dickinson, redolent of his solo hit 'Tears Of The Dragon'.

Maiden fans will revel in the gallop and surge of 'Brighter Than A Thousand Suns', Steve Harris' bass twanging high in the mix, while closer 'The Legacy' - concluding the theme of war breeding more war - features a call-to-arms fanfare of electric guitars blaring intermittently through movie soundtrack ambience and acoustics.

Although 'A Matter Of Life And Death' perhaps may be too ambitious for some palates, this album keeps everything longtime fans loved about Iron Maiden alive. The bristling heaviness, the time changes, the astonishing musicalilty, the filmic grandeur. Hoist your flag high."