Iron Maiden Survivor 2016 - Results & Discussion v. We have a winner...

[425]

Alright, we're going to have a big switchover in 48 hours once The X Factor ends. Hopefully that switchover will see me being more timely with these threads. I did pretty well for the first 8 albums, so hopefully I can pick that back up now.

Here's how things are going to go. In 48 hours, when The X Factor is over, Virtual XI will begin. 24 hours after that, Brave New World will begin. At one of those times (I haven't decided yet), a live album survivor will also start. Here's what I'm definitely going to include in that:

Live After Death
Maiden England
A Real Live One/A Real Dead One
Live At Donington
Rock In Rio
Death on the Road
Flight 666
En Vivo!

I'd like some input on two things:

• Should A Real Live One and A Real Dead One be separated out or listed together? They were initially released separately, but then sold together as A Real Live Dead One.
• Should Maiden Japan and/or Beast Over Hammersmith be included? They're less widely available than the ones above, but they're still Maiden live releases. Should they be included, or do too few people know them that it'll be pointless?

Thanks, everybody.

[cramx3]

Is Maiden japan an official release?  I always thought that was just a bootleg.  Beast Over Hammersmith should be included though, that's an official release apart of Eddie's archive and some of the videos are found on one of their DVDs (I think the history pt 1 DVD).

[cramx3]

also, maybe this doesnt count since its not on CD only DVD, but Raising Hell?

[425]

I think Maiden Japan was quasi-official but didn't have that broad of a release.

And regarding Raising Hell, I suppose it could count, but I don't think many people have it (I don't have it). And it's pretty much just that FotD setlist, which is also basically featured on Donington and Real Live Dead, so it's not like we'd be missing too much without it.

[cramx3]

And it would likely be eliminated quickly since it's a pretty poor performance although pretty historic in a way for the band

[Outcrier]

Results:
1. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
2. Somewhere In Time
3. Powerslave
4. Piece of Mind
5. Brave New World
6. The Number of the Beast
7. The Book of Souls
8. A Matter of Life and Death
9. Dance of Death
10. The Final Frontier
11. Iron Maiden
12. Killers
13. The X Factor
14. Fear of the Dark
15. No Prayer for the Dying
16. Virtual XI

My ranking:

1. Somewhere in Time
2. Brave New World
3. Seventh Son
4. Powerslave
5. Iron Maiden
6. Killers
7. The X Factor
8. The Number of the Beast
9. Dance of Death
10. Piece of Mind
11. A Matter of Life and Death
12. Virtual XI
13. Book of Souls
14. Fear of the Dark
15. The Final Frontier
16. No Prayer for the Dying

In comparison, good to see SIT and BNW pretty high. I admittedly don't like TNOTB and POM that much and i like X Factor and Virtual more than most.

[MirrorMask]

I'm ok with having A Real Live and Dead one separated, Maiden Japan was originally actually released in its time if I recall correctly, Beast over Hammersmith was only released in 2002 as part of Eddie's Archive, and thus it could be discarded (but I wouldn't cry havoc over Maiden Japan of course).

About the album rankings, I've long accepted that I'm one of the very few - along with Bruce, hehe! - that isn't really crazy over Somewhere in Time, and I also truly love Dance of Death, its very highs redeem also the low bits of the album. I would have had Piece of Mind, Seventh Son and Dance of Death itself finishing up above.

[425]

The X Factor Round 10 Results:

Sign of the Cross - 2 votes - 12.5%
The Edge of Darkness - 14 votes - 87.5%


Sign of the Cross is the The X Factor album champion!

Results:
1. Sign of the Cross
2. The Edge of Darkness
3. The Aftermath
4. Fortunes of War
5. Lord of the Flies
6. Blood on the World's Hands
7. Judgement of Heaven
8. Man on the Edge
9. 2 AM
10. The Unbeliever
11. Look for the Truth

____________

The Unbeliever as low as it ended up is an absolute scandal, that's a great song. But that aside, I mostly agree with the rankings here. I'd probably put Blood on the World's Hands ahead of Lord of the Flies and Look for the Truth ahead of Man on the Edge, but for the most part I agree with this, egregious Unbeliever stuff aside.

Virtual XI just began. Brave New World and the live album survivor start tomorrow. I anticipate including both Beast Over Hammersmith and Maiden Japan, though I imagine they'll both go out pretty early due to people not knowing them and liking all the rest.

[Outcrier]

Neither Lord of the Flies or Man on the Edge in at least consolations was disappointing for me.

[CharlesPL]

My ranking :

11. The Unbeliever
10. 2 AM
9. The Aftermath
8. Lord of the Flies
7. Look for the Truth
6. Blood on the World's Hands
5. Sign of the Cross
4. Man on the Edge
3. Judgement of Heaven
2. Fortunes of War
1. The Edge of Darkness

[425]

Virtual XI Round 7 Results:

The Clansman - 6 votes - 35.3%
The Educated Fool - 11 votes - 64.7%


The Clansman is the Virtual XI album champion!

Results:
1. The Clansman
2. The Educated Fool
3. Futureal
4. Lightning Strikes Twice
5. When Two Worlds Collide
6. Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger
7. Como Estais Amigos
8. The Angel and the Gambler

____________

I think the top three here turned out right. I'd have liked to see Como higher and Lightning lower, but it went alright. Also, sorry that this ended a long time ago and I'm just now putting this in the thread.

[425]

Brave New World Round 9 Results:

Ghost of the Navigator - 6 votes - 25.0%
Dream of Mirrors - 18 votes - 75.0%


Ghost of the Navigator is the Brave New World album champion!

Results:
1. Ghost of the Navigator
2. Dream of Mirrors
3. The Wicker Man
4. Blood Brothers
5. Brave New World
6. The Nomad
7. The Thin Line Between Love and Hate
8. The Mercenary
9. The Fallen Angel
10. Out of the Silent Planet

____________

I think people saying in the thread that Ghost won in part by being inoffensive was probably right. I wouldn't have it there, but most of my favorites went out too early here, I thought. Oh well.

I'm starting up Dance of Death right now. A Matter of Life and Death will start tomorrow, and I'll actually start that live album survivor that I said was going to happen but didn't.

[MirrorMask]

With Dance of Death I think most the fanbase agrees on what are the best tracks and what the lesser ones, with AMOLAD however the album is entirely consistent (not really among my favorites however, but still I realize its general strength) that I expect since the beginning many votes equally spread among most of the songs.

[Train of Naught]

Yeah AMOLAD is probably the one I'm looking forward to most. Not only one of my favorite IM albums, but one where I have no idea what the favorites are. I fear The Pilgrim will go out way too soon though for some reason, love that song personally.

As for Dance of Death, I can't rank anything close to Paschendale but I think it's still a pretty good album overall and there's at least 4-5 songs on it that I adore.

[Outcrier]

BNW survivor ended up pretty well for me, with my two favorite songs winning and a solid top 4 overall.

[MirrorMask]

My predictions based on my assumptions is that for AMOLAD Different Worlds, Out of the Shadows and The Pilgrim will go down first, and For the Greater Good of God and The Legacy are the favorites. But we'll see!

[Scorpion]

I think the repetitiveness of For the Greater Good of God will sink it, ultimately, but I do hope that The Legacy wins.

[cramx3]

The Legacy for the win! (I hope too)

[CharlesPL]

My ranking :

1. The Nomad
2. The Thin Line Between Love and Hate
3. Brave New World
4. Dream of Mirrors

5. Ghost of the Navigator
6. The Wicker Man
7. The Fallen Angel
8. Blood Brothers
9. Out of the Silent Planet
10.  The Mercenary

1. The Educated Fool
2. Como Estais Amigos
    Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger
4. The Clansman
5. When Two Worlds Collide
6. Futureal
7. Lightning Strikes Twice
8. The Angel and the Gambler

[425]

I think the repetitiveness of For the Greater Good of God will sink it, ultimately, but I do hope that The Legacy wins.

I LOVE For the Greater Good of God. I also love The Legacy. And so many others on this album. Truly a great one.

[Dream Team]

I think the repetitiveness of For the Greater Good of God will sink it, ultimately, but I do hope that The Legacy wins.

Agreed on FTGGOG.

[425]

Dance of Death Round 10 Results:

Dance of Death - 19 votes - 82.6%
Paschendale - 4 votes - 17.4%


Paschendale is the Dance of Death album champion!

Results:
1. Paschendale
2. Dance of Death
3. Rainmaker
4. Journeyman
5. No More Lies
6. Montsegur
7. Face in the Sand
8. Wildest Dreams
9. Age of Innocence
10. Gates of Tomorrow
11. New Frontier

____________

I basically agree with these results, with the exception of Face in the Sand, which I would have higher, in the top four. I understand that it's a pretty deep cut, though, even as reunion tracks go, so I'm not surprised to see it further down the list. Paschendale is definitely deserving of #1 and Dance of Death is as good a song for finals as any other on this album, though I might have given the spot to Face in the Sand.

[425]

A Matter of Life and Death Round 9 Results:

These Colours Don't Run - 13 votes - 59.1%
The Longest Day - 9 votes - 40.9%


The Longest Day is the A Matter of Life and Death album champion!

Results:
1. The Longest Day
2. These Colours Don't Run
3. The Legacy
4. For the Greater Good of God
5. Brighter Than a Thousand Suns
6. The Pilgrim
7. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
8. Lord of Light
9. Different World
10. Out of the Shadows

____________

I've made my opinion clear on this one: I think this album survivor was an absolute disaster. These Colours Don't Run should not have made finals. It should not have made consolations. It should not have made the top half of the rankings. Instead, it and The Longest Day (which is good but not nearly the best one—I'd have it at #5) make finals, forcing the best two to consolations and my #3 and #4—Brighter Than a Thousand Suns and Lord of Light—out entirely. Terrible job, everyone!

The Final Frontier starts right now. The Book of Souls starts tomorrow. I haven't forgotten about the live album survivor, but I just haven't had the time lately to keep up with three survivors. I'll run that one concurrently with consolations.

[MirrorMask]

I've got an idea for a spinoff survivor... the best unplayed song!

On one hand it could be fun to have a survivor of only songs that Maiden never played live... on the other hand, it could potentially be a waste time and we could directly ask "Which song do you prefer, Alex the Great or Empire of the Clouds?" (Unless someone has some hidden love for Quest for Fire)

[cramx3]

I've got an idea for a spinoff survivor... the best unplayed song!

On one hand it could be fun to have a survivor of only songs that Maiden never played live... on the other hand, it could potentially be a waste time and we could directly ask "Which song do you prefer, Alex the Great or Empire of the Clouds?" (Unless someone has some hidden love for Quest for Fire)

Interesting idea.... so many amazing songs IM have chose not to play live.

[MirrorMask]

To the best of my knowledge, which is surely great but I don't claim to be a Maiden wiki, the list would be as it follows:

Innocent Exile?
Prodigal Son?
Invaders
Gangland
Quest for Fire
Sun and Steel
Flash of the Blade
The Duellists
Back in the Village
Deja-Vu
Alexander the Great
The Prophecy
Only the Good Die Young
Fates Warning
The Assassin?
Run Silent, Run Deep
Mother Russia
Fear is the Key
Childhood's End
The Fugitive
Chains of Misery
The Apparition
Judas Be My Guide
Weekend Warrior
Look for the Truth
Judgement of Heaven
2 AM
The Unbeliever
Como Estais Amigos
The Nomad
The Thin Line between Love and Hate
Montsegur
Gates of Tomorrow
New Frontier
Face in the Sand
Age of Innocence
Mother of Mercy
The Alchemist
Isle of Avalon
Starblind
The Man who Would be King
The Great Unknown
When the River Runs Deep
Shadows of the Valley
The Man of Sorrows
Empire of the Clouds

[425]

Innocent Exile was played back in '81.
The Assassin was played in '90.

I'll double-check that list, but I think you got the rest of it right. This could indeed be a fun survivor to do, though I do think there will be some expected ones that rise to the top.

[425]

The Final Frontier Round 9 Results:

Isle of Avalon - 6 votes - 26.1%
The Talisman - 17 votes - 73.9%


Isle of Avalon is The Final Frontier album champion!

Results:
1. Isle of Avalon
2. The Talisman
3. When the Wild Wind Blows
4. Coming Home
5. Starblind
6. The Man Who Would Be King
7. Mother of Mercy
8. Satellite 15... The Final Frontier
9. El Dorado
10. The Alchemist

____________

So, this turned out to almost exactly fit my tastes on this album, except with the huge caveat of one of my very favorite Iron Maiden songs being kicked to #5 and eliminated from the survivor entirely. That egregious event aside, I think the two finals choices are very good and When the Wild Wind Blows is the right choice for consolations. I do think there are at least two and possibly three better songs than Coming Home that did not make consolations. On the whole I'd say my feelings on this result are very mixed.

[425]

The Book of Souls Round 10 Results:

If Eternity Should Fail - 19 votes - 73.1%
Empire of the Clouds - 7 votes - 26.9%


Empire of the Clouds is The Book of Souls album champion!

Results:
1. Empire of the Clouds
2. If Eternity Should Fail
3. The Book of Souls
4. The Red and the Black
5. Tears of a Clown
6. Shadows of the Valley
7. Speed of Light
8. Death or Glory
9. When the River Runs Deep
10. The Great Unknown
11. The Man of Sorrows

____________

My views on this album aren't as firmly formed as they are on the other 15, because this one is so much newer and is the first one to have come out after my phase of intense Iron Maiden fandom. However, like on TFF, I would say that my general assessment is that I agree with the results except for one song which I think is being severely underrated. In this case, that song is The Man of Sorrows, which came in last place, but I think is actually among the best songs on the album. I would have it at least at #5 and maybe higher. Aside from that, though, I think things went pretty well. I'd probably put one of the other two epics in the finals in place of If Eternity Should Fail, but it's hard to argue with the high placement of that one, either.


I was going to run a quick bonus track survivor including Virus, Judgment Day, Justice of the Peace and potentially Women In Uniform, which would send one winner to consolations. But when I asked about bonus tracks way back in January, no one seemed to care. So unless people speak up and say that they want that survivor to happen, I'm just going to start consolations, which will be exceedingly long as is. Personally, I like Virus potentially enough to want it in consolations, but I don't know any of the others, and don't, like, need Virus to make it high in consolations and go to finals or anything, so I'm fine whatever way people want to go on the bonus tracks.

I'm going to start the live album spinoff tonight. If at least two people post in this thread within the next 36 hours saying they want the bonus track survivor, I'll start that tomorrow night, but if not, I'll just start consolations and we'll toss the bonus tracks to the side.

[Mladen]

As much as I'd enjoy a survivor of the bonus tracks, none of them would stand a chance against the album songs in the finals or even consolation rounds, so why bother. 

[cramx3]

If we do bonus songs, I will participate, but Im fine without them.  I think I said before, most of the Iron Maiden b-sides besides the ones mentioned aren't very good IMO.

[Evermind]

I'll skip the bonus track survivor if there's one. Not familiar with any of them to be honest.

[jjrock88]

I would participate for sure.  I agree about Virus, great tune.

[MirrorMask]

How about we do it as a bonus, unofficial survivor just for fun for the few actually interested? it's fun to discuss the bonus tracks among diehard fans but let's get real, in an actual survivor they will be eliminated anyway.

So I vote yes, but unofficially and for fun only.

[Kwyjibo]

I'll skip the bonus track survivor if there's one. Not familiar with any of them to be honest.