I am really glad to see Maiden put out another album! They were the first metal band I obsessed over so I (like many others) have a really soft spot for them in my heart. I really like most of the albums from BNW onwards (especially AMOLAD, while TFF is the weakest by miles) so I have kinda high expectations. A Few things I wish of The Book Of Souls:
1. The playing needs to be tight. On TFF the riffs and drumming were very lazy at many points and that almost ruins the experience for me altogether. Sure, Maiden sounds amazing live but on studio albums the riffage etc. needs to be spot on. In addition to rigid playing, we definitely need....
2. ... good sound an production. Producer Kevin Shirley hasn't been brining out the best of Maiden in my opinion. Steve Harris is clearly calling the shots in the studio, and it seems he thinks the "raw" sound is where the magic's at. Off with the cardboard-box-sounding drums and muddy guitars!!
3. They really need to realise the contemporary capabilities of Bruce's voice. The highs on recent albums sound awful at many points (think The Talisman) while his mid voice is awesome these days. So freaking powerful and controlled. Basically, I'd like to hear the vocal melodies go more on the lower-mid register, that's where 2010+ Bruce kills. His solo albums showcase this perfectly in my opinion. Also, should they finally do what, for example, Metallica had the wits to do years ago and lower the tuning to Eb or something in live concerts?