Iron Maiden

[Zzzptm]

This one I like a lot more than WotW.

[Charger]

Well okay...this is better for sure.

Nothing brilliant but okay. The mix is really odd though. Guitars are pretty low and Bruce's vocals are quite loud and yet kind of muffled.

I do like the Maiden-style galloping riffing again....

This sure is more Maiden-like than Writing on The wall...which like one of my facebook buddies said sounded more like Wishbone Ash than Iron Maiden.

But the synths or keyboards or whatever...yikes...too much of that.

[Jack the Stripper]

^ Exactly, there's more of that out there, we just have to learn about the guys that didn't get lucky enough to get a video on Headbanger's Ball or some other break like that.

Some of us have heard/enjoyed almost everything there is to have heard from back in the day. But obviously for you having a more broader taste in musical genres there’s still much metal/hard rock for you to explore which is a bonus for you. In saying that, a lot of them aren’t around anymore which is what my original comment reflects on.

[Zzzptm]

^ Exactly, there's more of that out there, we just have to learn about the guys that didn't get lucky enough to get a video on Headbanger's Ball or some other break like that.

Some of us have heard/enjoyed almost everything there is to have heard from back in the day. But obviously for you having a more broader taste in musical genres there’s still much metal/hard rock for you to explore which is a bonus for you. In saying that, a lot of them aren’t around anymore which is what my original comment reflects on.

That's true, and there's no question that for each additional band passing along, there's another book closed. I suppose for me, taking the view that I have adopted is a means of coping with the other losses along the way.

[Jack the Stripper]

Listening to Senjutsu now. 4 songs in and I’m already enjoying more than I was TBOS on its first few listens.

[Thelemech]

I just picked up the new Iron Maiden album. Going to put on the stereo soon. Awesome cover!!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

My copy arrived earlier today. I've ripped it on to my MP3 player... now I just need to listen to it!!

[Tyr66]

First listen and .... I didn't feel at all the boredom I had experienced with "The Book of Souls". I feared in particular the tracks signed Harris and especially the last long 3 in a raw. Despite some lengths it's quite enjoyable.
"Lost in a Lost World" is the least pleasant to date but "Darkest Hour" is of a quality not achieved in years. What a track ! signed Smith / Dickinson of course.
The purchase is seriously considered.

[Charger]

^^^
Considering that Book Of Souls was their best effort since Dance Of Death (which isn't saying much I know) this does make me bit more excited...
Lost In a Lost world has been getting quite a lot of praise from people and Darkest Hour has been said to sound very much like The X Factor stuff so that's a good bit of info as well...

I might check out the songs from youtube after all before I get the album...don't know....

[Jack the Stripper]

I enjoyed my first listen but hasn’t really grabbed me as a whole with subsequent listens but I know like most of these later day Maiden albums they’re a slow grower and I’m sure it will be the case with Senjutsu. I will say though that Bruce sounds fantastic throughout this album and Nicko’s drumming is excellent, and some of the the guitar solos are mind blowingly good. It is a little more mellower compared to the previous few albums as well. The two bookends are probably my favourite tracks at this stage along with Days of Future Past and The Parchment. Still much more to soak in yet.

[Tyr66]

Ok it's done . The order for the triple red and black marble vinyl album has just been confirmed.
My second current listening confirms my very good first feeling. I think some limited editions will be sold out very quickly.

[Charger]

Been through the first disc now and that wasn't very good to be honest.

Stratego was the best track, although Days Of Future Past had it's moments too...Lost In A Lost World and The Time Machine both had some potential but both fell into the blandness sadly.


On to the second disc... Darkest Hour doesn't deliver but Death Of The Celts has the first really good vocal melody and some classic Maiden instrumentalisation again. I'd say this is the best track so far! Not a great number but pretty damn good.

[Zzzptm]

Side two... I found myself thinking, "Wow, this is a long song..." quite a few times. Dickinson said that they had to learn the songs in parts, they were so long and difficult.

[Charger]

The Parchment has a great guitar solo but Bruce's vocals are all over the place...But I'm still kind of liking it, but honestly it most certainly doesn't need to be over 12 minutes long! So far I'm been checking the time 3 times during the song...and usually I never do that. So that says something about the flow of the song.

[Charger]

Okay HELL ON EARTH!

This is something that could have been on The X Factor! The darker intro is for once GREAT and then the song kicks right into high gear with some awesome galloping guitar work and soloing.

Bruce's vocals are bit over the top for a song like this though...I could easily hear Blaze singing this one and it working better actually. But still I'm finding myself truly enjoying this song. Best song on the album for sure.

EDIT:

After first listen.

3 good songs
STRATEGO
DEATH OF THE CELTS
and HELL ON EARTH
which is by far the top song on the album...a damn near brilliant song.

1 Okay song
DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

3 Semi Decent songs
Lost In A Lost World
The Time Machine
The Parchement

1 Bad song:
Darkest Hour

and
2 absolutely bottom of the pile garbage bland snooze fest songs:
Senjutsu
The Writing On The Wall

All In all I'd say this is 2 ½ star album...


Might change my opinion on few songs after few more listens but I doubt it...the wow factor is not present with Maiden anymore...