Iron Maiden's Dance of Death: A heavy metal masterpiece with a notoriously unfinished cover
In short: Released in 2003, Iron Maiden's thirteenth studio album is celebrated for its progressive ambition and historical depth. Yet, it remains equally famous for its computer-generated artwork, which the artist disowned and critics frequently rank among the worst in metal history. Discover the story behind this polarizing, analogue-recorded heavy metal milestone.
Dance of Death marked a significant creative moment for Iron Maiden, serving as their second studio release following the 1999 return of vocalist Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith. Produced by Kevin Shirley, the album was recorded at Sarm West Studios and stands out for its experimental range. It features the band's first fully acoustic track, 'Journeyman', and 'New Frontier', the only song in the band's history to feature a songwriting credit from drummer Nicko McBrain. This credit is notable because it makes the album the only one where every band member contributed to the writing process.
The album's lyrical themes are deeply rooted in history and philosophy. 'Montségur' explores the 1244 fall of a Cathar stronghold, while 'Paschendale' offers a detailed, progressive-rock-inspired account of the First World War battle. The title track draws inspiration from the final scene of Ingmar Bergman's film The Seventh Seal, where figures perform a 'dance of death' on the horizon. Meanwhile, 'Face in the Sand' reflects on the transience of empires, inspired by the Iraq War, and remains the only track where McBrain utilized a double bass pedal.
Despite critical praise for the music—with outlets like Kerrang! calling it 'stupendous' and Sputnikmusic labeling 'Paschendale' an 'ultimate masterpiece'—the album's visual presentation became a source of embarrassment. The cover art, created by David Patchett using the program Poser, was released in an unfinished state against the artist's wishes. Patchett requested his name be removed from the credits, and the image has since appeared on numerous 'worst of' lists, with critics comparing the crude animation to early 2000s television hallucinations. Even Bruce Dickinson later admitted he found the artwork embarrassing, marking a strange contrast to the high-quality production of the music within.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Dance of Death (album)
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