Metal Reviews

And why does Maiden need to record albums with faster or shorter songs? I don't think I would like a carbon-copy of neither "NOTB" or "SIT". I want a new and great Maiden album, be it heavy, fast, short, long, progressive... I don't care... as long as it sounds catchy, with great riffs, great vocals, great lyrics with great arranging of the songs. Yeah, as long as it sounds worked with, it'll be great.
But they must include epics! They must include at least 1 up-tempo! At least one history related lyric! And.... for the love of God I hope they do just what they want to do, 'cause that's what I want them to!

Yes sure, but with it's the same with AC/DC. Black Ice is a very good album, but it lacks a little bit speed. Same goes for Maiden. Where on Somewhere in Time 90% was fast and 10% midtempo/slow, there are today 90% midtempo and 10% fast songs. And that's a little bit too little.

It's the same with nearly every established classic band. Even Slayer aren't half as fast as on e.g. Reign in Blood. This is, what newer bands have in advantage. Compare Warbringer with Slayer or Sodom or Destruction. Compare Mystic Prophecy with Iron Maiden or Judas Priest. Compare Evile with Megadeth. Compare Airbourne with AC/DC.

The old bands trying to be too experimental. And with that, they are loosing their power and speed.

I mean a Matter of Life and Death is a very good album, but the 8 minute songs are much more tougher to stand like e.g. the new Metallica, which IS sure an effort to go back to the earlier days, but it makes much more fun to listen, than e.g. Load or Reload, which were something newer - and worse.

Iron Maiden should go back to their old days and bring some fresh air into their songs.

That's fine if you're a fan boy, I'm not trying to change anyone's mind about anything, but I do think it's good to have these kinds of discussions, it at least in some part validates what Iron Maiden is now doing, and on the other hand exposes the flaws in what they're doing. I don't hate new Iron Maiden, however the question popped into my mind "why should I continue listening to their stuff?" This happened after listening to all the new albums and only having a handful of songs that I could listen to more than once. Those being "Out of the Silent Planet", "Montseguir"....and I can't name any others off the top of my head.

Only two songs from Maiden's last three albums?? Really? I'm not suggesting they're automatic listens from beginning to end, but you don't derive any enjoyment from:

1. Bruce's soaring vocals in "Brave New World" (the song) and "Blood Brothers"? Or "The Thin Line Between Love and Hate"?
2. You don't find "Rainmaker" catchy? Don't like the power of "No More Lies"? Or the menacing vibe of "Dance of Death"?
3. The rousing anthemic qualities to "These Colours Don't Run"? Or the soaring choruses of "For the Greater Good of God"? (an incredible song live).

Really? Nothing? Again, these might not be on par with tunes from the 80s albums, but they're damn good.

None of those compare with the true classics from the first 5 albums.

Seriously... Does anyone really expect Maiden to go back to their roots? They've pretty much pioneered modern epic heavy metal by themselves, and will surely continue in that direction..! Their recent albums is full of quality songwriting and music, unlike other big canons such as Metallica. I know you'll disagree here metalwarrior.

Seriously... Does anyone really expect Maiden to go back to their roots? They've pretty much pioneered modern epic heavy metal by themselves, and will surely continue in that direction..! Their recent albums is full of quality songwriting and music, unlike other big canons such as Metallica. I know you'll disagree here metalwarrior.

I find it very amusing that a band's uninspired and bland era of their catalogue, could be vastly superior to almost every single new band out there.

Exactly.... Iron Maiden is STILL a great Heavy Metal band. In my opinion, their newest albums have been just as great as the old stuff.
Why? Maybe I didn't grow up in 1985, cranking out Live After Death or The Number Of The Beast. Maybe I think the new albums are some of the best because I discovered Maiden with them. The way I se it, Maiden is today as good as they have ever been. Their sound has expanded, they are experimenting, doing something a bit different, never making same albums twice, incorporated three guitars, Bruce sings better than ever, at least certainly live. I heard him pour out the lyrics for "Aces High" in Trondheim this year, and no way he could have done it in '85 as good as he did when I saw them! He has fine-tuned his voice and it has become somewhat deeper and more mature. He hits all notes live, although strugling at some parts, it sounds terrific and it sounds LIVE! That's what it supposed to sound like, dammit.

Their stage show is as great as it have been, too. By taking one look at "Dance Of Death" live at "Death On The Road" they have truly one theatrical show!

And why does Maiden need to record albums with faster or shorter songs? I don't think I would like a carbon-copy of neither "NOTB" or "SIT". I want a new and great Maiden album, be it heavy, fast, short, long, progressive... I don't care... as long as it sounds catchy, with great riffs, great vocals, great lyrics with great arranging of the songs. Yeah, as long as it sounds worked with, it'll be great.
But they must include epics! They must include at least 1 up-tempo! At least one history related lyric! And.... for the love of God I hope they do just what they want to do, 'cause that's what I want them to!

As for Maiden's last 4 albums, two of them are so bland (Virtual XI and Dance of Death) that I'm conviced that if they would not have had the Maiden name on their cover, by now they would have been completely forgotten in the vast ocean of mediocre heavy/power albums of the last 10 years. AMOLAD was a better effort, but still flawed, way too long and lifeless and yes, none of these come even close to the 80's glory.

You guys are funny ;)