Alright, I ended up getting the deluxe. There's nothing special about it just a nice big heavy packaging. It's Maiden so I had to get it. I will probably end up getting the normal one at some stage too. I've only listened to the first cd but I've listened to it about 4 times now. Fuck this is quite spectacular. Here's my thoughts on the songs;
If Eternity Should Fail - IMO, at the moment, the best song of the disc, it's just incredible. Bruce's vocals here might be some of the best I've ever heard from him. His voice just sounds so beastly and godlike here. The key of D certainly fits his voice perfectly and it's easy to hear the solo material comparison, and that he wrote it himself (presumably with Roy) It's a pure mix of Chemical and Tyranny, great stuff. I love the middle section with the harmonies and I actually liked how it didn't go into guitar soloing, the whole song works really well.
Speed of Light - We know this one, it's cool in the flow of the album and with this one, I still think Bruce actually sounds a bit weak in the chorus, but it's a typical Maiden single which slots in nicely.
The Great Unknown - It was difficult to get anything out of this after one listen, the structure is a bit strange IMO, but it's opening up to be a very powerful tune. The first minute and a half reminded me of Mother of Mercy. Great pre chorus here and Bruce sounds amazing once again. The chorus is a real grower and to me doesn't seem to differ to much from the verse melody which threw me off, but I'm really liking this one.
TRATB - Fuck yeah, don't know why people rate this one as a weak track, this shit is killer. Steve's Blood on the Worlds Hands inspired intro gave me chills and once the band kicks in reminded me heavily of Run Silent Run Deep at first. Then we realise that it's pretty much a Rime redo with some of the chugging so blatant, but really who could give a fuck. All the melodies here work perfectly and I really like the whoa whoa parts, obviously written for a live setting. Bruce sounding incredible again and the instrumental section is just godlike. Everything needs to be there IMO. I have no problem with the length and happy to listen to this one for 14 minutes, vintage Maiden, love it.
When the River Runs Deep - This has Adrians name written all over it, yet the name riff is Man on the Edge. I don't really know what to make of this track yet, because for me, it doesn't really remind me of anything Maiden has really done. just reminds me of a standard H New Frontier type song. Great energy though and the chorus seemed to drag it down at first but now is infectious. Some of the riffing though also has an old school Maiden feel. A fine addition to the album.
The Book of Souls - Janick's songwriting has been one of my favourite aspects of him since the whole reunion era started. His song writing adds so a different approach and this is no different. Easily recognizable as a Janick contribution reminding heavily of the Talisman and especially DOD. Bruce again just fucking controls this album and sounds so beastly here. The phrygian verses are a perfect touch and the chorus is one of the best here where Bruce again dominates. Have a listen closely to the chords in the chorus and see if you can pick which metal classic it's borrowed from. The whole breakdown is probably the grooviest part of disc one and it just continues to grow. Great solos again where the boys seem to have put a lot more thought into their leads this time around. Perfect end to disc one.
I have no issues with the production either thankfully. It's miles ahead of DOD and TFF and is a mix of BNW and AMOLAD. I don't mind the rawness of what Maiden have been doing but the mudiness of DOD and TFF just hurt IMO. I'm exhausted and completely satisfied with what I've heard and I haven't even heard the masterpiece yet.