View source for Dance of Death (album)

{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = Dance of Death
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[Iron Maiden]]
| cover      = Iron Maiden-Dance of Death.jpg
| border     = yes
| alt        =
| released   = {{start date|2003|09|02|df=yes}}
| recorded   = January–February 2003
| venue      =
| studio     = [[Sarm West Studios|Sarm West]] (London)
| genre      = [[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]
| length     = 67:57
| label      = [[EMI Records|EMI]]
| producer   = [[Kevin Shirley]]
| chronology = [[Iron Maiden]]
| prev_title = [[Edward the Great]]
| prev_year  = 2002
| next_title = [[No More Lies (EP)|No More Lies]]
| next_year  = 2004
| misc       = {{Singles
 | name        = Dance of Death
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[Wildest Dreams (Iron Maiden song)|Wildest Dreams]]
 | single1date = 1 September 2003
 | single2     = [[Rainmaker (Iron Maiden song)|Rainmaker]]
 | single2date = 24 November 2003
}}
}}
'''''Dance of Death''''' is the thirteenth studio album by English [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Iron Maiden]], released first in Japan on 2 September and then 8 September 2003 in the rest of the world excluding North America (where it was released a day later). The album was an analogue recording.<ref name="dotr"/>

Their second studio release since the return of vocalist [[Bruce Dickinson]] and guitarist [[Adrian Smith (musician)|Adrian Smith]] in 1999, the album features the band's first-ever fully acoustic track, "Journeyman", as well as "New Frontier", their only song co-written by drummer [[Nicko McBrain]].{{efn|While 1984's ''[[Powerslave]]'' does not have a songwriting contribution from McBrain, he is credited on one of its B-sides singles, which later featured on bonus tracks, although this is a recording of an argument between McBrain and Harris, rather than an actual song.}} As with ''[[Brave New World (Iron Maiden album)|Brave New World]]'', its predecessor in 2000, the record was produced by [[Kevin Shirley]], who has worked with Iron Maiden on all subsequent releases.<!-- as of when? -->

==Background==
The band first confirmed that they would be working on a follow-up to 2000's ''Brave New World'' with producer [[Kevin Shirley]] on 27 November 2002; the album was announced alongside a small set of European tour dates for the following year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/iron-maiden-announce-european-dates/ |title=Iron Maiden announce 2003 European dates |access-date=31 December 2011 |date=28 November 2002 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref> On 6 January 2003, Shirley confirmed via his website that the band would begin recording that month,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/producer-iron-maiden-to-begin-recording-this-month/ |title=Iron Maiden To Begin Recording This Month |access-date=31 December 2011 |date=6 January 2003 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref> followed by the announcement that the basic tracks had been completed on 5 February<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/iron-maiden-complete-basic-tracks-for-new-cd/ |title=Iron Maiden Complete Basic Tracks for New CD |access-date=31 December 2011 |date=5 February 2003 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref> and that the release was to be mixed in April.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/iron-maiden-to-begin-mixing-in-april/ |title=Iron Maiden to Begin Mixing in April |access-date=31 December 2011 |date=21 February 2003 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref> On 31 May, the band announced that the album, recorded at [[Sarm West Studios]], would be entitled ''Dance of Death'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/iron-maiden-new-album-details-unveiled/ |title=Iron Maiden: New Album Details Unveiled |access-date=31 December 2011 |date=1 June 2003 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref> after which the release date was issued on 17 June.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/iron-maiden-to-tour-europe-in-the-fall/ |title=Iron Maiden Announce European Tour and Release Date |access-date=31 December 2011 |date=29 June 2003 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref>

The band undertook the [[Dance of Death World Tour]] in support of the album, which included many theatrical elements inspired by the record's songs. During "Dance of Death", Bruce Dickinson would wear theatrical masks and a cape while moving around the stage; at the end he would dress as the [[Grim Reaper]] for the final chorus.<ref name="Wall380"/> During "Paschendale", Dickinson would wear a traditional British Infantryman trench coat and helmet (although he revealed in the ''Death on the Road'' documentary that it was actually Hungarian),<ref name="dotr">{{cite video |date=6 February 2006 |title=[[Death on the Road]] |chapter=Documentary |medium=DVD |publisher=[[EMI]]}}</ref> as worn during World War I, and the set would be decorated with barbed wire.<ref name="Wall380">{{cite book |author=Wall, Mick |title=Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography | edition = 3rd |publisher=Sanctuary Publishing |year=2004 |isbn=1-86074-542-3 |page=380 |author-link=Mick Wall}}</ref> The tour led to a live album and DVD, entitled ''[[Death on the Road]]'', released in 2005 and 2006.

The album was released as a [[DVD-Audio]] disc in 2004, including 5.1 mixes of each song.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ironmaiden.com/iron-maiden-release-special-souvenir-ep.html |title=Iron Maiden release special souvenir EP |date=28 January 2007 |access-date=3 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402140947/http://www.ironmaiden.com/iron-maiden-release-special-souvenir-ep.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Songs==
[[File:Nicko McBrain 30nov2006.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Drummer [[Nicko McBrain]] made his song writing debut on ''Dance of Death''.]]
''Dance of Death'' is the only Iron Maiden album to date in which drummer [[Nicko McBrain]] has a songwriting credit, having co-written "New Frontier". This also makes it the only Iron Maiden album to date in which every member of the band receives a songwriting credit.<ref name="Wall374"/> The song expresses McBrain's views on human cloning. McBrain, a born-again Christian, explained that "I personally believe that God created man and it's only God's right to create a human being because only He can give you a soul. When man attempts to make man then it's a monster in a test tube."<ref name="Wall374"/>

"Montségur" was based on the [[Siege of Montségur|fall]] of the [[Catharism|Cathar]] stronghold [[Montségur|of the same name]], which fell in the aftermath of the [[Albigensian Crusade]] in 1244.<ref name="Wall373">{{cite book |author=Wall, Mick |title=Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography | edition = 3rd |publisher=Sanctuary Publishing |year=2004 |isbn=1-86074-542-3 |page=373 |author-link=Mick Wall}}</ref> Dickinson, who wrote the song's lyrics, states, "There is so much great stuff and so many great stories throughout history that you can make parallels with the modern day – particularly when history repeats itself as often as it does – that it makes for some very colourful subject matter."<ref name="Wall373"/>

"Paschendale" is about the [[Battle of Passchendaele]] which took place during the [[World War I|First World War]]. It was written by [[Adrian Smith (musician)|Adrian Smith]], who usually contributes to the band's shorter, more commercial-sounding songs, but decided to write what he describes as "a traditional Maiden epic".<ref name="Wall375">{{cite book |author=Wall, Mick |title=Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography | edition = 3rd |publisher=Sanctuary Publishing |year=2004 |isbn=1-86074-542-3 |page=375 |author-link=Mick Wall}}</ref> It features strong [[progressive rock]] elements, including its length and detailed structure. Dickinson comments, "the beauty of 'Paschendale' isn't in the epic-ness of the song – although you have to admit it is a powerful and stirring body of music – but the detail."<ref name="Wall375"/> In live performances, Dickinson introduces the song with a passage from [[Wilfred Owen]]'s "[[Anthem for Doomed Youth]]".<ref name="Wall380"/><ref>{{cite journal|last=Campbell|first=Iain|title=From Achilles to Alexander: The Classical World and the World of Metal|journal=Heavy Metal Music in Britain|date=March 2009|page=118|editor1-first=Gerd|editor1-last=Bayer|location=London|publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]]}}</ref>

[[File:Iron Maiden Newcastle, July 23rd 2011.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Iron Maiden performing "Dance of Death" in 2011]]

According to guitarist [[Janick Gers]], the album's title track was inspired by the final scene of [[Ingmar Bergman]]'s ''[[The Seventh Seal]]'', at the end of which "these figures on the horizon start doing a little jig, which is the dance of death".<ref name="Wall373" /> Gers wrote most of the music and explained the concept to [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]], who wrote the lyrics and most of the melodies.<ref name="Wall374">{{cite book |author=Wall, Mick |title=Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography | edition = 3rd |publisher=Sanctuary Publishing |year=2004 |isbn=1-86074-542-3 |page=374 |author-link=Mick Wall}}</ref>

"Face in the Sand" is based on the media coverage surrounding the [[Iraq War]], taking place as the album was being recorded.<ref name="Wall376"/> Dickinson explains, "I remember thinking about the desert sands as an image and how it moves and shifts with time. Specifically what I was thinking was that whatever empires you tend to build – whether they are British, American, Iraqi or whatever, they'll all crumble and fade away into something else. So, to my mind at least, the best thing you can hope for, if you were to leave anything behind, is just an imprint in the sand."<ref name="Wall376"/> The song is notable for being the first and only Iron Maiden track in which McBrain uses a [[Double bass drumming#Double bass drum|double bass pedal]].<ref name="Wall375" />

The final track, "Journeyman", is Iron Maiden's first and to date only fully [[acoustic music|acoustic]] song. According to Dickinson on the ''Death on the Road'' live album, it is about "the whole process of writing and being a musician",<ref>{{cite video |date=6 February 2006 |title=[[Death on the Road]] |chapter=Journeyman |medium=DVD |publisher=[[EMI]]}}</ref> although [[Mick Wall]] describes it as "a wistful tale of ''[[carpe diem]]''".<ref name="Wall376">{{cite book |author=Wall, Mick |title=Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography | edition = 3rd |publisher=Sanctuary Publishing |year=2004 |isbn=1-86074-542-3 |page=376 |author-link=Mick Wall}}</ref> The song was originally recorded with electric instruments, however, as Dickinson states, "after all the battering that we've given the listener over the last hour of music it just seemed right to play out with something totally unexpected and left field."<ref name="Wall376"/> The original version appears on the ''[[No More Lies (EP)|No More Lies]]'' EP.

==Artwork==

[[File:IronMaiden_DanceOfDeath_OriginalCoverArt.jpeg|thumb|right|The original unused cover art]]

The [[computer generated imagery|computer-generated]] cover art was provided by David Patchett,<ref name= "patchett">{{cite book | last1 = Iron Maiden  |author-link1=Iron Maiden| title = From Fear to Eternity Booklet | chapter = Album List: ''Dance of Death'' | publisher = [[EMI]]| date = 6 June 2011|title-link=From Fear to Eternity (album)}}</ref> who asked for his name to be removed from the album's credits after the band decided to use an unfinished version.<ref>{{cite web |last=Porter |first=Tom |title=Iron Maiden: a gruesome history of graphic artwork |url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/iron-maiden-a-gruesome-history-of-graphic-artwork-248809/61 |publisher=[[MusicRadar]] |access-date=30 July 2021 |date=22 July 2010|archivedate=12 November 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112074111/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/iron-maiden-a-gruesome-history-of-graphic-artwork-248809}}</ref>  The album cover was received negatively by both fans and critics, being cited on several "worst of" lists.<ref name= "SputnikMusic"/><ref name="whatculture">{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Brian |title=10 Hilariously Terrible Album Covers And Why They Exist |url=https://whatculture.com/music/10-hilariously-terrible-album-covers-and-why-they-exist?page=5 |website=WhatCulture.com |access-date=3 September 2021 |language=en |date=17 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="MetalSucks">{{cite web |last1=Rosenberg |first1=Axl |title=Let's Argue About Iron Maiden Album Art |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2010/06/10/lets-argue-about-iron-maiden-album-art/ |website=MetalSucks |publisher=Metal Sucks |access-date=3 September 2021 |language=en |date=10 June 2010}}</ref><ref name="DrownedInSound">{{cite web |date=November 4, 2010 |first1=James |last1=Lawrenson |title=When Artwork Goes Wrong: The 10 Worst Album Covers of the 00's |url=https://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4141074-when-artwork-goes-wrong--the-10-worst-album-covers-of-the-00-s |website=DrownedInSound |access-date=3 September 2021 |language=en |archive-date=3 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903055028/https://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4141074-when-artwork-goes-wrong--the-10-worst-album-covers-of-the-00-s |url-status=dead }}</ref> Dickinson later called the cover "embarrassing".<ref>{{Cite book|title=What does this button do? : Bruce Dickinson : an autobiography.|last=Dickinson|first=Bruce|isbn=9780008172435|location=London|pages=301|oclc=1006818916|date = 19 October 2017}}</ref>

The original cover art supposedly featured only Eddie and a few monks behind him but the band manager [[Rod Smallwood]] felt it looked empty, so he hired someone from IronMaiden.com to design characters surrounding Eddie using the program [[Poser (software)|Poser]]. They then gave the roughs back to Patchett and asked him to work on the skin and mask textures. Patchett did so but was unimpressed with the result.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dance of Death |url=http://ironmaidencommentary.com/?url=album13_dod/commentary13_dod&lang=eng&link=albums |website=The Iron Maiden Commentary |access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name= "AM">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r656128|first=James|last=Monger|access-date=18 June 2011|title=Iron Maiden – ''Dance of Death''}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|BW&BK]]''
| rev2score = 7.5/10<ref name="bw&bk">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.bravewords.com/hardwares/1000565 |title=Iron Maiden – ''Dance of Death'' |magazine=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|BW&BK]] |first=Tim |last=Henderson |access-date=16 September 2012 |archive-date=18 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518041906/http://www.bravewords.com/hardwares/1000565 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Kerrang!]]''
| rev3score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name= "Kerrang!">{{cite web |url=http://www.ironmaiden.com/kerrang-dance-of-death-review.html |title=Kerrang ''Dance of Death'' Review |access-date=18 June 2011 |last=Lawson |first=Dom |publisher=IronMaiden.com |work=[[Kerrang!]] |date=12 September 2003 |archive-date=21 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921085244/http://www.ironmaiden.com/kerrang-dance-of-death-review.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| rev4 = Sputnikmusic
| rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name= "SputnikMusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/9129/Iron-Maiden-Dance-Of-Death/ |title=Iron Maiden – ''Dance of Death'' |access-date=18 June 2011 |date=13 September 2006 |website=Sputnikmusic |last=Stagno |first=Mike}}</ref>
}}

Reviews for the album were generally positive with ''[[Kerrang!]]'' describing it as "stupendous stuff and concrete proof that Maiden are as electrifying and important as they have been in a long time".<ref name= "Kerrang!"/> Sputnikmusic were also positive about the album, giving special mention to "Paschendale", described as "quite easily the ultimate Maiden masterpiece".<ref name= "SputnikMusic"/> Although deeming the first three songs "refreshing yet unremarkable", [[AllMusic]] describes ''Dance of Death'' as "a triumphant return to form for these heavy metal legends."<ref name= "AM"/>

Although criticising the album for its length and for not "matching the quality" of its predecessor, ''Brave New World'', [[PopMatters]] praised the band for being able to "still easily outclass most of the younger nu-metal bands today".<ref name= "PopMatters">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/ironmaiden-dance/ |title=Iron Maiden: ''Dance of Death'' |access-date=18 June 2011 |magazine=[[PopMatters]] |date=1 October 2003 |last=Begrand |first=Adrien}}</ref>

==Track listing==
<!-- Do NOT change any song lengths. They are listed here as in Iron Maiden's official website, as well as the original UK CD pressing of the album (EMI, 592 3402) -->
{{Track listing
| headline        = ''Dance of Death'' track listing
| total_length    = 67:57
| title1          = [[Wildest Dreams (Iron Maiden song)|Wildest Dreams]]
| writer1         = {{hlist|[[Adrian Smith (musician)|Adrian Smith]]|[[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]]}}
| length1         = 3:52
| title2          = [[Rainmaker (Iron Maiden song)|Rainmaker]]
| writer2         = {{hlist|[[Dave Murray (musician)|Dave Murray]]|Harris|[[Bruce Dickinson]]}}
| length2         = 3:48
| title3          = [[No More Lies (EP)|No More Lies]]
| writer3         = Harris
| length3         = 7:21
| title4          = Montségur
| writer4         = {{hlist|[[Janick Gers]]|Harris|Dickinson}}
| length4         = 5:50
| title5          = Dance of Death
| writer5         = {{hlist|Gers|Harris}}
| length5         = 8:36
| title6          = Gates of Tomorrow
| writer6         = {{hlist|Gers|Harris|Dickinson}}
| length6         = 5:12
| title7          = New Frontier
| writer7         = {{hlist|[[Nicko McBrain]]|Smith|Dickinson}}
| length7         = 5:04
| title8          = Paschendale
| writer8         = {{hlist|Smith|Harris}}
| length8         = 8:27
| title9          = Face in the Sand
| writer9         = {{hlist|Smith|Harris|Dickinson}}
| length9         = 6:31
| title10         = Age of Innocence
| writer10        = {{hlist|Murray|Harris}}
| length10        = 6:10
| title11         = Journeyman
| writer11        = {{hlist|Smith|Harris|Dickinson}}
| length11        = 7:06
}}

==Personnel==
Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes.<ref name="liner">{{cite AV media notes |title=Dance of Death |others=[[Iron Maiden]] |date=8 September 2003 |publisher=[[EMI]] }}</ref>

===Iron Maiden===
*[[Bruce Dickinson]]&nbsp;– [[Singing|vocals]]
*[[Dave Murray (musician)|Dave Murray]]&nbsp;– [[Electric guitar|guitars]]
*[[Janick Gers]]&nbsp;– guitars
*[[Adrian Smith (musician)|Adrian Smith]]&nbsp;– guitars
*[[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]]&nbsp;– [[Bass guitar|bass]], [[Electronic keyboard|keyboards]], [[Record producer|co-producer]]
*[[Nicko McBrain]]&nbsp;– [[Drum kit|drums]]

===Production===
*[[Kevin Shirley]]&nbsp;– producer, [[audio engineer|engineer]], [[audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]]
*Drew Griffiths&nbsp;– engineer
*Brad Spence&nbsp;– assistant engineer
*Tim Young&nbsp;– [[Mastering (audio)|mastering]]
*Dave Patchett&nbsp;– [[illustration|sleeve illustration]] (uncredited)<ref name="patchett"/>
*[[Simon Fowler (photographer)|Simon Fowler]]&nbsp;– photography
*[[Rod Smallwood]]&nbsp;– management
*Andy Taylor&nbsp;– management
*Merck Mercuriadis&nbsp;– management

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Chart (2003)
!Peak<br>position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|12|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|3|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|4|artist=Iron Maiden|album=A Matter of Life And Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|9|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|5|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Denmark|10|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=29 June 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|10|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Finland|1|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|France|3|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany|2|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|id=4625|accessdate=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Greece|2|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Hungary|3|year=2003|week=37|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Ireland2|6|artist=Iron Maiden|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Italy|1|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Oricon|11|M|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/32233/products/music/513627/1/|title=死の舞踏|publisher=Oricon.co.jp|access-date=June 16, 2024|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|21|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=29 June 2020}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|3|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Poland|3|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|id=971|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Portugal|4|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
!scope="row"| Russian Albums ([[National Federation of Phonogram Producers|NFPF]])<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nfpf.org/hitlist/oct03.php |title= Лучшая 10-ка НФПФ. Октябрь 2003г. |publisher= [[National Federation of Phonogram Producers]] |language= ru |access-date= 19 September 2020 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20050116020711/http://www.nfpf.org/hitlist/oct03.php |archive-date= 16 January 2005}}</ref>
|align="center"| 9
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|2|date=20030914|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
!scope="row"|Spanish Albums ([[Productores de Música de España|AFYVE]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hBEEAAAAMBAJ&q=Iron+Maiden+Dance+of+Death&pg=PA63|title=Hits of the World – Spain|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|date=27 September 2003|page=62}}</ref>
|align="center"|3
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|1|artist=Iron Maiden|album=Dance of Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|2|artist=Iron Maiden|album=A Matter of Life And Death|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|2|date=20030914|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|UKRock|2|date=20030914|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|18|artist=Iron Maiden|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2024}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Chart (2003)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|German Albums ([[GfK Entertainment Charts|Offizielle Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2003|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=de|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment]]|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>
|81
|-
!scope="row"|Swedish Albums ([[Sverigetopplistan]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/83?dspy=2003&dspp=1|title=Årslista Album – År 2003|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>
|33
|-
!scope="row"|Swiss Albums ([[Schweizer Hitparade]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2003/alben|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2003|website=hitparade.ch|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>
|72
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Dance of Death|type=album|artist=Iron Maiden|relyear=2003|region=Argentina|award=Gold|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=Iron+Maiden&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |title=Representando a la Industria Argentina de la Música |publisher=[[Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers|CAPIF]] |access-date=13 January 2022 |language=es |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110531184336/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=iron+maiden&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=0&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-date=31 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Dance of Death|type=album|artist=Iron Maiden|relyear=2003|access-date=13 January 2022|region=Brazil|award=Gold|certyear=2007}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Dance of Death|type=album|artist=Iron Maiden|relyear=2003|access-date=13 January 2022|region=Finland|award=Gold|salesamount=24,528|certyear=2003}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Dance of Death|type=album|artist=Iron Maiden|relyear=2003|access-date=13 January 2022|region=Germany|award=Gold|certyear=2005}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Dance of Death|type=album|artist=Iron Maiden|relyear=2003|access-date=13 January 2022|region=Greece|award=Gold|id=20031209112241|certyear=2003}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=2003|region=Norway|artist=Iron Maiden|title= Dance of Death|certyear=2005|award=Gold|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/195071140534971/photos/a.585485104826904/670946876280726/|date=20 December 2020|title=EMI Norwegian Dance of Death Award for 20'000 sold|website=[[Facebook]] }}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Dance of Death|type=album|artist=Iron Maiden|relyear=2003|access-date=13 January 2022|region=Sweden|award=Gold|certyear=2003|relmonth=9}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Dance of Death|type=album|artist=Iron Maiden|relyear=2003|access-date=13 January 2022|region=United Kingdom|award=Gold|certyear=2003|id=1642-1438-2}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{IronMaiden}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Iron Maiden albums]]
[[Category:2003 albums]]
[[Category:EMI Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Kevin Shirley]]
[[Category:Death in music]]