Next Tuesday is the day. Every few years I look forward to the newest studio release from Iron Maiden - one of my very favorite bands - and that time has again come. A Matter Of Life And Death, their 14th studio album, will be released next week on September 5th, and I’m expecting a lot this time.

I’ve read that this is one of the band’s best ever. Even the band is saying that. That’s saying a lot, but still, that’s pretty encouraging. What is even more encouraging, however, is the fact that I’ve now been able to listen to three of the tracks in full plus clips of all of the songs - and they are very good. You can hear two tracks at the Maiden website (Different World and Brighter Than A Thousand Suns), and you can also see the video for The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg. “Brighter…” was my favorite of the three, very heavy, even more so than usual for Maiden. I look forward to hearing it all.

Also online is a preview of the album, which includes commentary about each track, and also a “behind the scenes/making of” video, both on the Maiden site as well. Maiden’s best work has always been considered in the early to mid 80’s - the …Beast, Piece of Mind, Powerslave years. One review I read said it was their best since …Beast, which, again, is saying quite a bit. But I think the last two albums have been very good and leading up to something special. From what I’ve heard, it certainly sounds like this is it.

Other music

I’m looking forward to several other releases in the coming months, including something new by Skillet, who I’ve been a fan of since their first release about 10 years ago. Their last couple of albums have been really strong, and apparently their first single (which I still haven’t listened to) is getting a lot of airplay and has been received well, so I look forward to hearing it and the rest of the album.

Chris Tomlin has been one of my favorites over the last 5 years or so, and his newest is due out in late September. His discs seem to have gotten progressively better each time. His last, Arriving, was great, and I suspect it will take something pretty special to surpass it.

Jars of Clay’s newest is also due out next week. I was a big fan of Jars’ first two discs, then they put out several that were just okay, at least in my opinion. They didn’t do much for me. But I’ve really liked the last two and become more of a fan again, so I look forward to seeing what they come up with next.

Others on the horizon include new offerings from Little Rock’s own Evanescence (I absolutely loved their first disc) in October, and Switchfoot later in the year. I love Amy Lee’s voice, although I’ve heard that the newest will be somewhat different than Fallen. As for Switchfoot, I think they recorded their “best ever” with A Beautiful Letdown, but last year’s Nothing Is Sound was strong as well and I’ll be anxious to hear what’s next from them as well. Jon Foreman seems to think this is their best so far, and if he’s right, it will be something to behold.