Customer Reviews

Chemical Wedding

5 star:		(108)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While Iron Maiden was being faced with mixed results with their non-Bruce albums, Bruce Dickinson was enjoying a lucrative solo career that proved proved he was not only a tremendous heavy metal vocalist, but a solid songwriter as well. That said, Chemical Wedding is the peak of his career as both occupations. Bruce's vocals have matured considerably over the years, and have reached a more dynamic state while not sacrificing his youthful intensity. Lyrically, the album is an evocative, thought-provoking concept album that proves to be incredibly rewarding once its theme is revealed.

By comparison, this album is heavier sonically than any of Bruce's other work or any of Iron Maiden's discs. Whether this was a conscious decision or a natural progression given the subject matter of the album, it works incredibly well. Roy Z and Adrian Smith are one hell of a duo, and if Bruce's vocals weren't so dazzling, they'd steal the show. Clean solos slice through the mix, and poignant riffs are ceaselessly launched at the listener in wave after wave of heavy melody. Guitar interplay weaves and merges in an engaging mannner, made all the more enjoyable by the clean, heavy production.

But while the guitars are excellent, they never take focus away from Bruce. Never before has his adopted a broader sense of dynamics as with this album. Listen to the sinister verses in "Book of Thel", or the soaring octaves in the chorus of "Trumpets of Jericho", or the constantly shifting dynamics of "The Alchemist." As always, the vocals are etched with Bruce's trademark intensity and vigor. Over the years, Bruce's voice has been refined to an ideal timber, and in my opinion he sounds better than ever.

The album is a (non-story) concept album that deals with man's relationship with God (at least that's my interpretation of it). Ultimately, the meaning of the lyrics are one of the album's best points, but less lyric-oriented listeners will enjoy the lyrics from a superficial level as well (stuff about the devil, mythology, religious stories, etc). Still, understanding the lyrics is an important, rewarding part of this disc, so I encourage all listeners to think about it for a while. (To understand what Bruce was trying to say, only the relationship between tracks 1, 2, 3, 9, and 10 must be understood.) The only problem with this album is that the chorus of "Killing Floor" is the most unlistenable thing I've ever heard. But it's a minor complaint, as I enjoy the rest of the song.

I regard this as one of the best metal albums of the 90s. Even this year's hailed and laudable Maiden album "Brave New World" (which I enjoy) has nothing on the power, originality, and brilliance of The Chemical Wedding. I encourage any heavy metal fan to pick this one up.

Korn--move over. Post-Black Album Metallica--take a back seat. Limp Bizkit? Clear the building. Make way for the almighty Air Raid Siren himself, Bruce Dickinson. In an age where the airwaves are starved for good music, Bruce has kept the muse of metal alive, striking hard and furious with one of the heaviest recordings of the decade. Make no mistake; this is no industrial or pseudo-funk rap-metalism; this is old-school heavy metal, Maiden and Sabbath style. Armed with ex-Iron Maiden axeman Adrian Smith and Tribe of Gypsies guitarist/producer Roy Z, Dickinson delivers a 10-track masterpiece that ranges from trademark Maidenesque thunder(King in Crimson, Trumpets of Jehrico, The Tower, the Killing Floor, Machine Men) to progressive metal suites (Book of Thel) to Gaelic/folk-inflected mandolin-metal reels (Jerusalem) to soul-haunting power ballads (title track, the Alchemist, Gates of Urizen). Fans of Dickinson's other work will likely find this release superior to Balls to Picasso, seeing as it stays true to the metal genre rather than foraying into hard rock. Musically, Dickinson's sidemen are EXCELLENT--Adrian Smith, being one of the best things about Maiden CDs, turns in some of his most ripping solo work while still maintaining his emotive, spell-binding soul that is his trademark. Roy Z is no slouch either--his songwriting craft provides the perfect backdrop for Dickinson's gothic lyrics, and his stellar lead work could give Vai/Satriani a run for their money. The rhythm section borrowed from Tribe of Gypsies, bassist Eddie Casillas and drummer Dave Ingraham, are as solid as any in metal and propel the music with muscular drive that hearkens to the halcyon days of the Geezer Butler/Bill Ward thunder duo in Sabbath.

Lyrically, this album is filled with Dickinson's trademark evocative style, drawing upon medieval mythology, theology, and history to create his gothic, stomach-turning imagery. He seems very much a poet and word-painter--the lyrics evoke images and emotions, rather than specific plotlines or concepts. Having said that, it provides the perfect lyrical frame to his thunderous, hellish backing band. Included are various musings on war, gnosticism/alchemy, the fear of the Devil, the evils of industrial society, crises of faith, fantasy, and sorrow--all tied together with a tribute to the great Romantic poet William Blake. Dickinson's album is bleak, prophetic, poetic, triumphant, frightening, powerful, shocking, and 100% magic--one of the best metal CDs of the 90s. Dickinson, both with his solo career and his new triumph with the second coming of Maiden, seemingly resolves to take popular music by the throat and drag it, kicking and screaming, back down to hell with him.

Wage the War Against Musical Incompetence.

UP THE IRONS!

Bruce Dickinson, former and new frontman of Iron Maiden, brings his solo career to a close with quite a gem. "The Chemical Wedding" is in the lyrical vein of "Infinite Dreams" where lines like : "I couldn't hear those screams, even in my wildest dreams" make you pause to ponder what the meaning is. Songs like "Jerusalem", "The Tower", and "The Alchemist" have a richly texture sound that is simply inspiring, and the vocals by Bruce are complimented nicely by the guitar rythmns of Roy-z, and the bluesy style of Adrian Smith whom is another cohort from Maiden. Listening to the tracks the touch of Adrian's stringing becomes very apparent as his departure from Maiden meant an end to songs like the "The Prisoner" that require a well paced style of play. Janick Gers is good but any true Maiden fan would know that he butchers Adrian's solos from previous albums to death. He simply plays too fast. Ah, the "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner". Anyway, this is one well executed album from top to bottom. The Band is really just Bruce and Adrain because everyone else, Roy-Z is independent and works as a producer, Dave Casselle (I think)and sorry for not knowing the rest are really the band: Tribe of Gypsies minus some key members. Bruce loves to borrow this band to do albums such as:"Balls To Picasso", "Accident of Birth", and now "The Chemical Wedding" with them. I have to admit tHIS ALBUM PRESENTS A NEW MUSICAL DIRECTION FOR ALL OF METAL. While new groups deal with techno beats, heavy guitar rythmns, blasting drums, hip-hop lirisism, appearance and other stuff that has caught the old guard off guard, Bruce sticks to being nothing more than a metal artists whom has released a master work that will no doubt end up being mention as an inspiration for future great axemen of the gendre. Take the Red Hot Chili Peppers, I just saw one of their new videos where they're playing on a red stage with an aluminum cover structure, and the song they play ends on a solo routine that just sounds a lot like the strings for "The Tower". Whether or not they listen to Bruce's album, aspiring metal axemen should check this album out because it shows how important overlooked releases are to the art form. Here your imaginatiuon will fly so set down any preconceived notions of what to expect from an album and listen to music that is fresh, new, somehow familiar, and overall a very fine experience. Long live Bruce, Long live Adrian, long live Roy-Z, and long live those who care about the music.

THE BAND: Bruce Dickinson (vocals), Adrian Smith (guitars), Roy Z (guitars, mellatron, piano), Eddie Casillas (bass), David Ingraham (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (1998) 10 tracks clocking in at just over 57 minutes. The digitally remastered version (2005) contains 3 unreleased bonus tracks. Included with the disc is a 14-page booklet containing 2 band pictures, song titles/credits & lyrics, and thank you's. Recorded at Silver Cloud and Sound City Recording studios in Los Angeles, CA. All songs written by Dickinson and Roy Z (except "Killing Floor" and "Machine Men" by Dickinson and Smith). Cover art - The Ghost Of A Flea" by William Blake (1819). Label - CMC International Records.

COMMENTS: "The Chemical Wedding" picks up where the prior year's "Accident Of Birth" left off. Dare I say Adrian Smith and Roy Z rival the dueling axes of Bruce's other famed band... Iron Maiden. Highlights include the opener "King In Crimson" - about the arrival of the devil himself... starts out slow and then the rest of the band joins in and picks up the pace; the title track is a heavy and slow methodical chugger dealing with death; the softer "Jerusalem"; my 2nd favorite song on the disc featuring some very heavy rhythm guitars "Trumpets Of Jericho"; and the Maiden influenced 8+ minute "Book Of Thel"... the hardest, catchiest, grooving melody on the disc (much like "Freak" did on "Accident" - it grabs you and simply won't let go). Not to mention the downslide of Bruce's old band Iron Maiden with substitute singer Blaze during this time - Maiden would rise to fame again in 2000 when Dickinson and Smith would re-join (see Maiden's comeback album of the year in "Brave New World"). I can listen to "Chemical Wedding" the whole album through and not hit the skip button... absolutely no filler. I put "Chemical Wedding" right up there on the same lofty perch as "Accident Of Birth" as a close 2nd best album from Dickinson (5-stars).

There's no real need for me to review this album; most of Bruce's work isn't widely known but Chemical Wedding is almost legendary. 125 people have already reviewed it here; thats more than a lot of Iron Maiden albums, and most people have never heard of Bruce Dickinson apart from Maiden

All i might say is that this is an incredible CD; reserve a place in your CD player for the long term, because Chemical Wedding isn't going to be in its case for a long time. Bruce really delivers with this album, its incredible...

Based loosely around the life and times of William Blake (an awesome poet and painter), the Chemical Wedding is considered by many as 'more Iron Maiden than Iron Maiden' in the late 90's. That is probably true, Chemical wedding is quite possibly better than anything Iron Maiden did (and they still produced some decent stuff) between Seventh Son and BRave New World.

This is a reasonably heavy album (heavier than Iron Maiden; don't argue with me and say its not heavy compared to death metal bands etc because that goes without saying). Bruce has produced quite a unique sound with the intermingling of heavy, sometimes downtuned, distorted guitars, AND phaser-effects. Chemical Wedding is a good example (the title track i.e.)

The result is that many songs have an otherworldly feel that is incredible. The entire album is brilliant; there is no filler here, no song is worth skipping for an instant. The ONLY song I feel to be slightly weak is Killing Floor, but even that is still great. MY personal favourites are the title track (the chorus will keep you awake at night), The Book of Thel (who doesn't love this; absolutely stunning!) Jerusalem (Bruce's version of the hymn, which Blake composed incidentally) and the Alchemist. But its so hard to differentiate, the whole CD is breathtaking.

Part of the success seems to be the pairing of twin guitarists, Roy Z whom I had never heard of before Bruce worked with him, but he has impressed me so much on Bruce's solo albums, a great guitarist; and Adrian Smith, who needs no introduction. Adrian and Roy combine brilliantly on this CD, as on Accident of Birth, to produce wonderful guitar riffs, solos etc.

I haven't yet heard Bruce's latest effort; Tyranny of Souls, but I'm told that it isn't quite as strong as this album, arguably because it was done only with Roy Z, not Adrian Smith. If that is the case (i'll find out soon when my copy arives) then any prospective buyer should definitely buy Chemical Wedding and see what all the well merited fuss is about!!

It's amazing how some artists wait until they are well into a burgeoning career before they record their finest material. Bruce Dickinson spent 10 years in Maiden and recorded 4 solo albums before his magnum opus, the Chemical Wedding was released.

It's been worth the wait.

Accident of Birth hinted at greatness, but it is on Chemical Wedding where Bruce's new direction is perfected. From the first song I knew I was listening to a metal classic, an album that will definitely go down in the hall of fame along with Maiden's first couple, Judas Priest's Sad Wings, etc. etc. It may be a bit premature to declare this to be such a record, but I sure am convinced.

Adrian Smith slaps on bass strings, tunes down low, and reunites with Bruce to record songs which take a decidely modern direction. These are the career moves that could make or break an artists integrity and in this case, Mr. Dickinson succeeds on all levels. Instead of chugga chugga caveman riffs, we are treated to a slab of classic metal, heavy as hell and just as catchy. The Chemical Wedding is a concept album based on alchemy, and the songs tie together in mood to form a sonic experience.

Tracks like King in Crimson, The Tower, Machine Men, and my personal favorite the Book of Thel easily rank up there with Maiden standards. Bruce's vocal performance is top notch and fits the lower keys like a glove. These are powerful songs that scream heavy metal.. the bone crunching production doesn't hurt either.

Really, anybody who likes classic metal needs this. Along with Nevermore's Dead Heart in a Dead World, Dickinson's Accident of Birth, and Testament's the Gathering, the Chemical Wedding defines metal for the new millenium and should gain lengendary status in the years to come.

This is going to be a simple review.

Buying a new album is like a gamble. You know there's at least one good song, the single you probably heard on the radio/television, but you don't know about the other songs. If you know Bruce Dickinson and you were lucky enough to hear/buy Accident of Birth, you know this album has to be something special. So you put on this album and are immediately blown away by how heavy it is. Chemical Wedding, Gates of Urizen and Jerusalem will immediately grab you. After a second listen you'll realize that there is not one weak song on the album. In fact, you'll even have a hard time deciding which one is your favorite.
This is the best album I've ever heard in my life. This is the culmination of everything Bruce Dickinson has done musically in his life and you would do very well sharing the experience. I can't possibly recommend it enough.

In 1990, Bruce Dickinson began a solo career on the strength of a song he recorded for a movie soundtrack. In 1993, he quit the band that had made him a star, Iron Maiden, and further pursued his solo career. In 1998, he released the ultimate, straight-forward metal album, Chemical Wedding. The album was a landmark in Dickinson's career and his best work yet.

Everything Bruce Dickinson has recorded and released, solo or Maiden, has been excellent work. This takes that statement even further. Dickinson's "Air Raid" vocals take center stage and come through clear as a bell with precision and beauty, as opposed to the raspy tones of his first solo release, Tattooed Millionaire. One half of the guitar power found on this album is Roy Z., who contributes to the incredible lyrics found on this album. Roy Z. continues the trend that he began on Accident Of Birth: thick guitar riffs and great solos played to perfection. Former Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith also lends his services on this album but, unlike Accident Of Birth, he plays on every song, not just two. On rhythm are bassist Eddie Casillas and drummer David Ingraham, who are the perfect additon to the heaviness of the guitars while completing Dickinson's finest solo line-up.

The album begins with King In Crimson, a heavily distorted, low-toned, thick song with Dickinson singing in his signature wail, is a brutally heavy song compared to his earliest solo work as well as anything Maiden has ever recorded. The title track follows, slowing the pace of the album. Not as hard and nowhere near as fast, Dickinson's vocals are powerful and clear while Adrian and Roy play the perfect riffs. The Tower picks up with the tempo but not with the heaviness found on the first song. Starting with a Maiden-esque bassline, this song has incredible instrumental work and Dickinson's vocals are stupendous. Killing Floor picks up with the brutality of King In Crimson, with punching guitar riffs and a pounding rhythm. Dickinson shows off some more vocal prowess as he tries his hand at screaming/screeching during the chorus. The Book Of Thel is one of the longer songs on the album and is an amazing song. It starts a little slow and picks up with Dickinson's vocals flying high while the instrumentation hits home perfectly. Gates Of Urizen is a 180 degree change of direction on the album because it is dominantly soft and eerie until a later point of the song. The guitar is beautiful and Dickinson's vocals are wonderful. A very mellow track for the most part. Next come Jerusalem which begins soft but kicks in earlier than Gates Of Urizen. Starting with some great guitar, Dickinson's sings great lyrics, based on a passage from the Bible, in the perfect tone. An incredible song. One of the faster songs on the album, Trumpets Of Jericho is a incredible song. The guitars are perfect, the rhythm is solid and the vocals are astounding. One of the best songs on the album. Machine Man is a mid-tempo song, sounding a bit like The Tower. The vocals are great, especially on the chorus, and the guitars groove and rock. The final song, The Alchemist, is a long track which has a slower tempo with some great work from all members. The song is basically a reprise of Chemical Wedding with a little more added to it.

Ever since Dickinson joined Iron Maiden for the recording of Number Of The Beast, the face of metal has never been the same. This album shows that he is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to making music. This album is an incredible work of metal. Fans of Maiden and solo Dickinson would absolutely love this album. The regular metal listener would more than likely enjoy this as well. Maybe even all the "nu-metallers" would enjoy this.

Though Iron Maiden is one of my favorite all time bands, ol Bruce never has had much song writing credits with them. However, with his solo material he lets us all know that he is just as good as a song writer as he is a singer. Thought I am a HUGE HUGE Iron Maiden fan, I am, until now, unfamiliar of Bruce's solo career. Apparently, during his two album absence with Iron Maiden, he has recorded 6 solo cds. I was strumming through the used CD section at a store and i saw this and decided I should check it out. I was afraid that it would sound just like Maiden, since he's singing and adrian is on guitar.

I was wrong. Good.

Though just as metal (and actually a little heavier) it is pretty far away from Iron Maiden. The lyrics, the guitar, even the vocals, are competley different from I'm used to with Maiden. However, some things are still in tacked: good riffs, good vocals, epic songs, diversity, and really really catchy stuff.

Basically, I cna't see anyone liking maiden not liking this but I can see someone who hates Maiden liking this.

Bruce Dickinson's Chemical Wedding is simply amazing.

Unlike most of his cheesy solo work it contains music and lyrics that are timeless. I highly suggest that anyone longing for a freshly updated version of Iron Maiden's style of music to purchase Dickinson's Chemical Wedding and Accident of Birth.
I am happy that I did.

Now my only wish is that Iron Maiden and Dickinson could continue in the style of Chemical Wedding and Brave New World.

Don't mindlessly UP THE IRONS - UP GOOD MUSIC.