The Iron Maiden Thread v. The Merge of Souls

[nobloodyname]

Agreed on all parts. For me, it's one of the stand-outs of the album.

[TAC]

Yes it is and it might be in my Maiden Top 15.

[cramx3]

I personally wouldn't go that far, but agreed that it is fantastic and un-maiden like.  I also love it on En Vivo.

[TAC]

I would.

Might also be one of my favorite Maiden lyric too.

[cramx3]

I love how the dedicated BoS thread just turns into general IM discussion 

[TAC]

I feel like Speed Of light would've made a better Track 2 on TFF, whereas El Dorado would've fit a lot more as TBOS' second track.

[Kwyjibo]

I feel like Speed Of light would've made a better Track 2 on TFF, whereas El Dorado would've fit a lot more as THOS' second track.

The Hook Of Souls?

[TAC]

 

Sorry, I'm using my Kingshmeglish keyboard!

I actually started typing the title, but decided midstream to use initials.

[nobloodyname]

I feel like Speed Of light would've made a better Track 2 on TFF, whereas El Dorado would've fit a lot more as TBOS' second track.

That's an interesting observation. I do feel that Speed of Light fits on The Book of Souls but my first reaction on hearing the track was that it sounded like a holdover from The Final Frontier. Must admit I really like the track now but was a little underwhelmed at first.

[cramx3]

Speed of Light is definitely a grower.  I liked it from first listen, but it keeps getting better and I feel it fits well in the album.  That said, I also do think it could have fit in El Durado's spot as well.  I think they are similar style songs, but Speed of Light is better.

[Mladen]

I loved El Dorado from the start, although more than I do now. However, even though it's only been a few weeks, I would say Speed of light is much better, I hope it stays great.

[goo-goo]

The intro to Speed of Light makes me want to scream "More Cowbell"

[aurorablind]

So I`ve been listening to this album for about a week now (arrived in the mail yesterday, so a lot of the listening have been illegal).
I`ve had time to digest it, and it`s just incredible how good it is. It aint perfect. The Red and the Black and Shadows of the Walley haven`t really clicked, but the rest of the album... wow.. The best reunion era album? Probably!

[TAC]

Shadows In The Valley is probably the weakest track for me. TRATB is fantastic though. Love the extended instrumental break.

I don't think this is the Reunion Era's best album, but it is awesome!!

[kirksnosehair]

Irons Up 

[cramx3]

Shadows In The Valley is probably the weakest track for me. TRATB is fantastic though. Love the extended instrumental break.

I don't think this is the Reunion Era's best album, but it is awesome!!

Yup, thats my least favorite so far and I really really like TRATB.  I think its one of Steve's better epics.  Too early to say it's their best though, need more time to digest and it's going to be tough to beat AMoLaD for me, but it does have the potential, it's that good.

[Scorpion]

First listen, here I come!

Really digging If Eternity Should Fail - awesome opener.

[sneakyblueberry]

Shadows In The Valley is probably the weakest track for me. TRATB is fantastic though. Love the extended instrumental break.

I don't think this is the Reunion Era's best album, but it is awesome!!

Yup, thats my least favorite so far and I really really like TRATB.  I think its one of Steve's better epics.  Too early to say it's their best though, need more time to digest and it's going to be tough to beat AMoLaD for me, but it does have the potential, it's that good.

Ha.  I really love Shadows of the Valley, and I think TRaTB could be a few minutes shorter.  Surprisingly the tracks I don't dig as much on this album are written by Steve.


My ranking:

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


10. Tears of a Clown
11. The Great Unknown

I think maybe 'Arry's missed the mark a little on this, besides Shadows and the title track - a lot of that comes from just writing meandering, repetitive stuff.  The only two tracks I really don't care for much at all are Tears of a Clown and Great Unknown, otherwise the rest are on a fairly even keel.  To me this album is made all the more glorious for Bruce and Adrian's contributions, and Janick managed to write two absholute bangers.  Still incredibly stoked with it. 

[aurorablind]

The Book of Souls is now available on Spotify! 

[aurorablind]

Song ranking so far:

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

Except for Shadows and parts of Red/Black there is really no weak track on this album. 

[Zydar]

It's way too early for me to rank them, I need many more spins to do that.

[cramx3]

It's way too early for me to rank them, I need many more spins to do that.

Even after many listens I don't think I can rank the songs, there's so much to digest here.

[ZKX-2099]

How do you spoil an album?

[wolfking]

How do you spoil an album?

Yeah, I'm with you.  I'm buying my copy tomorrow and have been reading this thread all week.  I'm pretty sure I don't know what I'm going to hear based on comments here haha.

[wolfking]

The price difference here in Australia seems to be quite absurb between the editions.  $19.95 for the standard and $32.99 for the deluxe.  Considering it seems to be pretty much the same production, this is nuts.  Can any Aussies confirm, did anyone go and get it today?

[ZKX-2099]

How do you spoil an album?

Yeah, I'm with you.  I'm buying my copy tomorrow and have been reading this thread all week.  I'm pretty sure I don't know what I'm going to hear based on comments here haha.

I would get it if it were a concept album with plot points... but how does hearing about an album spoil it?

[wolfking]

How do you spoil an album?

Yeah, I'm with you.  I'm buying my copy tomorrow and have been reading this thread all week.  I'm pretty sure I don't know what I'm going to hear based on comments here haha.

I would get it if it were a concept album with plot points... but how does hearing about an album spoil it?

i don't know.  If anything I love reading all this stuff before hearing up, builds up the anticipation.

[Kwyjibo]

How do you spoil an album?

Yeah, I'm with you.  I'm buying my copy tomorrow and have been reading this thread all week.  I'm pretty sure I don't know what I'm going to hear based on comments here haha.

I would get it if it were a concept album with plot points... but how does hearing about an album spoil it?

That's what I was wondering too some pages ago. I had hoped that those who feared spoilers in the original thread would explain what there is to spoil.

[cramx3]

I guess if we all that the album sucked then in a way it could spoil it since it may turn people off from buying the album.... but that is not the case.

[goo-goo]

So the main difference between the regular edition and the deluxe edition is the artwork? Does anybody know if the booklet from the regular edition is the same as the deluxe?

I'm picking this up shortly and I was thinking about getting both versions but I don't think I'm going to that...

[Cyclopssss]

On my second listen in. What a fucking amazing album!!!!! 

[Phoenix87x]

First listen done

So far so good. Will reserve formal judgement upon further listens

[devieira73]

Just a quick question: does anyone here knows if the artwork of the regular edition is the same of the deluxe edition? I'm wondering if the only difference is the size of the pages. Thanks!

[Cyclopssss]

I only have the deluxe version, so I can only guess that the pages are bigger and perhaps there´s an extra illustration, but I really don´t know.

[Riitasointi]

Been listening to the album for a week now (yeah, I downloaded the leak and YES I bought the album today) and I must say, it actually is good. Better than TFF. Much better.

The sound is still not perfect, especially when it comes to the drums, but it's okay I guess. Some sloppy playing is still to be found as well but overall I think it's slightly tighter a performance compared to TFF. What makes this album good is, of course, the songwriting and Bruce's performance.

I will probably write a full review of sorts later but here's where I stand at the moment:

God Tier

• The Red And The Black - just love that instrumental section with solos and trademark Harris guitar melodies all over. It's golden.
  
• The Book of Souls - Bruce kills it here and the theatrical melodies (spiced with synth layers) really make this song an epic one. Plus the aggressive second part of the song, bravo!
• If Eternity Should Fail - Melodies, melodies. The faster part in the middle is exactly what this song needed too.
• Empire Of The Clouds - I didn't quite get this song at first but it really is an amazing one. This is all about storytelling and that's what Bruce does best. I dig the clever part where the band plays SOS with Morse code.

Good
When The River Runs Deep
The Man Of Sorrows
The Great Unknown

Just Average
Shadows Of The Valley
Death Or Glory
Speed Of Light
Tears Of A Clown