After the ominous doomy power chords of the opening killer cut "King In Crimson", it's full speed ahead on Bruce Dickinson's stellar solo album The Chemical Wedding, long revered by fans as perhaps his finest solo outing and equal to anything Iron Maiden recorded in the last decade. Heavier than anything in the Maiden cannon, The Chemical Wedding, released in 1998, featues the dual guitar work of Adrian Smith and Roy Z (who also produced the album), Eddie Casillas on bass, and drummer David Ingraham. It's a killer line-up, and the songs on the album are for the most part brutal metal anthems, with thick down-tuned guitar riffs, dark lyrics, and one of the best Dickinson vocal performances in years.
There's really not a junker in the lot among the album's 13 songs (three are bonus tracks here on this special edition), and more than a few classics. The previously mentioned "King In Crimson" is an evil sounding metal monster, with a deliciously nasty vocal from Bruce and plenty of crushing riffs. "The Tower" is fairly Maiden-ish, with a galloping rhythm and loads of harmony guitar licks, not to mention a catchy chorus. The band headbangs with reckless abandon on "Killing Floor" and even throws in some Satanic lyrical imagery that Dickinson spews with plenty of venom, while the epic "Book of Thel" is 8-minutes of classy progressive metal that sees the whole band really firing on all cylinders. There's also the melodic "Jerusalem", the somber title cut, and the raging anthem "Machine Men", one of the heaviest tracks on the album and a tune that will easily get you pumping your fist in the air and singing along.
The three bonus tracks are all previously released in Japan but first time here in the US. They fit right into the feel of the original album as they were all recorded at the same sessions. The Chemical Wedding is not only Bruce Dickinson's greatest achievement as a solo artist, but it's also one of the hottest metal albums of the 1990's. The booklet contains some expert commentary from Dave Ling (Classic Rock and Metal Hammer) regarding the album, along with photos and lyrics. If you haven't yet heard this album, now's the time.
Track Listing
1. King in Crimson
2. Chemical Wedding
3. Tower
4. Killing Floor
5. Book of Thel
6. Gates of Urizen
7. Jerusalem
8. Trumpets of Jericho
9. Machine Men
10. Alchemist
11. Return of the King [bonus]
12. Real World [bonus]
13. Confeos [bonus]
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