The Iron Maiden Thread v. The Merge of Souls

[emtee]

I have always felt that repetition--not only melodies but song construction and drum fills that are always left-to-right and very similar--are Maiden's weakness. Very rarely do they attempt to step outside their comfort zone. That's ok because many bands do the same thing but it is a recognizable trait of theirs that causes me to stop an album midway through sometimes.

[pg1067]

My top one-two opening punch : Where Eagles Dare / Revelations

I think that's where I come out too.

Ides of March/Wrathchild and Murders in the Rue Morgue would probably be runner up.

Moonchild kicks ass, but Infinite Dreams kinda sucks.

[Stadler]

I love Maiden; they are and probably always will be my favorite "metal" band, and I don't really share a lot of the criticisms of the band that others have, about the repetition and such.   However, I bought En Vivo! recently and was listening in the garage to "When The Wild Wind Blows" and was immediately struck by the melodies of the guitar lines.  I also had this sort of guilty twinge of "isn't that same melody in like six other songs?"   

[Indiscipline]

Repetition is really key when I ask myself why I'm so in love with the 80's material and quite lukewarm with the post-reunion one. Paradoxically, and I believe a quick glance at music transcriptions could corroborate the theory, the former is way more "repetitive" than the latter. There's a catch though: IM's songwriting in the past century featured repetition as structural variation of fixed tropes, the same way classical baroque music does, hence repetition didn't feel ... "repetitive" (sorry!), but the core of an increasingly fresh and energising system. Post reunion, always strictly imo, repetition becomes a symptom - hence giving the kind of feeling Stadler talks about above - of songwriting being expanded without real musical evolution backing it up. If you will, 00's IM soundwriting to my ears is not unleashing a band's potential, but revealing its limits, whereas creative repetition inside those limits (hell, stimulated by those limits, even) was a clear strength in the vinyl era.

Regardless, I love Iron Maiden very much 

[cramx3]

I have always felt that repetition--not only melodies but song construction and drum fills that are always left-to-right and very similar--are Maiden's weakness. Very rarely do they attempt to step outside their comfort zone.

Agree with that first statement 100%, not so quite much with the second, at least in the re-union era they've experimented quite a bit.

[wolfking]

Just going back to AMOLAD, I too always thought it was universally acclaimed or widely regarded as their 'best' reunion album among the masses.

I will say, not getting a DVD of that tour where they played the album in full was a real shitter.

[425]

Yeah, I'm really disappointed about that, too. As a result of that and the tendency to avoid AMOLAD for the most part in subsequent setlists, we actually have zero officially released live versions of songs from that album—the only Maiden album of which this is true.

[wolfking]

Yeah, I'm really disappointed about that, too. As a result of that and the tendency to avoid AMOLAD for the most part in subsequent setlists, we actually have officially released live versions of songs from that album—the only Maiden album of which this is true.

I'm guessing you mean 'don't' have official releases, but I never thought about that and you're right.  Such a damn shame.

[Samsara]

Wow, that set off a firestorm of comments. 

For the record, I always thought most people considered BNW tops of the reunion era by miles. And I thought that while people liked AMOLAD, they generally weren't as fond of it as others. That's why I called it underrated. Personally, I have it ranked higher than a many of the 82-92 catalog. But I thought I was in the minority, thus underrated.

Oh, and can we all agree that TAC is usually wrong? 

[425]

Yeah, I'm really disappointed about that, too. As a result of that and the tendency to avoid AMOLAD for the most part in subsequent setlists, we actually have officially released live versions of songs from that album—the only Maiden album of which this is true.

I'm guessing you mean 'don't' have official releases, but I never thought about that and you're right.  Such a damn shame.

Yeah, I meant to have the word "zero" in there and accidentally omitted it. And yeah, I didn't actually realize it until I thought about it just now. For some reason I had it in my head that either Breeg or Colours had made En Vivo, but nope.

[wolfking]

I wouldn't really call AMOLAD underrated personally.

[wolfking]

Yeah, I'm really disappointed about that, too. As a result of that and the tendency to avoid AMOLAD for the most part in subsequent setlists, we actually have officially released live versions of songs from that album—the only Maiden album of which this is true.

I'm guessing you mean 'don't' have official releases, but I never thought about that and you're right.  Such a damn shame.

Yeah, I meant to have the word "zero" in there and accidentally omitted it. And yeah, I didn't actually realize it until I thought about it just now. For some reason I had it in my head that either Breeg or Colours had made En Vivo, but nope.

A shame the band has decided to ignore it up until now with Greater Good of God.  I wonder if they have any pro footage shot of the Legacy tour.

[Architeuthis]

I will say, not getting a DVD of that tour where they played the album in full was a real shitter.

Same with The Astonishing.

[wolfking]

I will say, not getting a DVD of that tour where they played the album in full was a real shitter.

Same with The Astonishing.

Nah, I'm cool with that one not getting a DVD. 

[devieira73]

A shame the band has decided to ignore it up until now with Greater Good of God.  I wonder if they have any pro footage shot of the Legacy tour.

I don't know if you are asking about some professional recording paid by the band, but the Rock in Rio 2019 show was broadcasted, with excellent footage and audio (although it isn't one of Bruce's greatest nights according with himself).

[TAC]

Wow, that set off a firestorm of comments. 

Well, your great post gave us something to discuss.

For the record, I always thought most people considered BNW tops of the reunion era by miles. And I thought that while people liked AMOLAD, they generally weren't as fond of it as others. That's why I called it underrated. Personally, I have it ranked higher than a many of the 82-92 catalog. But I thought I was in the minority, thus underrated.

Nah, you're definitely not in the minority on AMOLAD. It's a stellar album. But apparently the masses are split between it and BNW.

Oh, and can we all agree that TAC is usually wrong? 

Usually yes.

But not when it comes to Iron Maiden!

[wolfking]

A shame the band has decided to ignore it up until now with Greater Good of God.  I wonder if they have any pro footage shot of the Legacy tour.

I don't know if you are asking about some professional recording payed by the band, but the Rock in Rio 2019 show was broadcasted, with excellent footage and audio (although it isn't one of Bruce's greatest nights according with himself).

Yeah, I meant official from the band.  I know there's some good quality stuff out there.

[Architeuthis]

D.O.D. is my favorite of the post 2000 era albums.   

[Polarbear]

D.O.D. is my favorite of the post 2000 era albums.   

DOD is ranked generally pretty low by fans, but I really like it!

There are some bangers on that album. Paschendale, Rainmaker, Face in the Sand and the title track are all great!

[MirrorMask]

Indeed, the album is not really favored, but I've always loved it since the beginning.

For all the talks about repetitions, when it happened again that, out of the two longest songs of the album, one had a chorus repeated only twice, and the other had no chorus at all?

The great songs of DoD more than make up for the slightly inferior ones present on the album.

And yes, the cover blows but by now who cares, the music is what matters.

[wolfking]

D.O.D. is my favorite of the post 2000 era albums.   

DOD is ranked generally pretty low by fans, but I really like it!

There are some bangers on that album. Paschendale, Rainmaker, Face in the Sand and the title track are all great!

Great album, but the production really let it down.

[cramx3]

Yeah, I'm really disappointed about that, too. As a result of that and the tendency to avoid AMOLAD for the most part in subsequent setlists, we actually have officially released live versions of songs from that album—the only Maiden album of which this is true.

I'm guessing you mean 'don't' have official releases, but I never thought about that and you're right.  Such a damn shame.

I believe they did release an official live track or two from AMOLAD as a bside to a single.  I'm trying to remember, but I'm pretty sure it was Different World and Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg. 

Also, I recall they did film a festival concert where they performed half of AMOLAD and half of TNOTB (which was the tour they did after the full album performance leg) but they weren't happy with the performance so it hasn't seen the light of day. 

[devieira73]

D.O.D. is my favorite of the post 2000 era albums.   

DOD is ranked generally pretty low by fans, but I really like it!

There are some bangers on that album. Paschendale, Rainmaker, Face in the Sand and the title track are all great!

Great album, but the production really let it down.

Listen to the new remaster. Seriously, maybe the best production of all 2000’s albums. The guitars sound almost like in their 80’s discography.

[goo-goo]

Listen to the new remaster. Seriously, maybe the best production of all 2000’s albums. The guitars sound almost like in their 80’s discography.

Huh. So this new remaster sounds better? Need to get a hold of it then.

[Mister Gold]

Dance of Death is a great album and holds some of the band's best songs ever (the title track, Paschendale, Rainmaker). But I would agree with the common consensus that it's among the weaker entries of the reunion era, along with maybe The Final Frontier... Which is more a testament to how freaking stellar Iron Maiden have been since the reunion era started.

[devieira73]

Listen to the new remaster. Seriously, maybe the best production of all 2000’s albums. The guitars sound almost like in their 80’s discography.

Huh. So this new remaster sounds better? Need to get a hold of it then.

I think so. Really better.

[Stadler]

Yeah, I'm really disappointed about that, too. As a result of that and the tendency to avoid AMOLAD for the most part in subsequent setlists, we actually have officially released live versions of songs from that album—the only Maiden album of which this is true.

I'm guessing you mean 'don't' have official releases, but I never thought about that and you're right.  Such a damn shame.

I believe they did release an official live track or two from AMOLAD as a bside to a single.  I'm trying to remember, but I'm pretty sure it was Different World and Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg. 

Also, I recall they did film a festival concert where they performed half of AMOLAD and half of TNOTB (which was the tour they did after the full album performance leg) but they weren't happy with the performance so it hasn't seen the light of day.

I can't speak to a live version of "Different World" (at least I don't have it), but there definitely is a live b-side of "Breeg".  It's from Copenhagen and is the b-side of one of the "Different World" singles. 

[faizoff]

Listen to the new remaster. Seriously, maybe the best production of all 2000’s albums. The guitars sound almost like in their 80’s discography.

Huh. So this new remaster sounds better? Need to get a hold of it then.

I think so. Really better.

I had no idea there was a remaster of that. Looks like there is a whole slew of them. Will have to check it out.

[devieira73]

It’s the iTunes remaster (from 2015) of all Maiden albums. After that, they were released on HD tracks and CDs. It’s also on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2Y8x0EEu7il0K2gCQIqVRh?si=rImDyGVmRAiDX3ccLT8EiQ

[goo-goo]

It’s the iTunes remaster (from 2015) of all Maiden albums. After that, they were released on HD tracks and CDs. It’s also on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2Y8x0EEu7il0K2gCQIqVRh?si=rImDyGVmRAiDX3ccLT8EiQ

   So I do have an Iron Maiden playlist with all the studio albums in it. I use shuffle most of the times but for whatever reason, Google Play keeps skipping Dance of Death 

I do have to hunt the CDs though. I only have from Brave New World through Book of Souls.

[devieira73]

   So I do have an Iron Maiden playlist with all the studio albums in it. I use shuffle most of the times but for whatever reason, Google Play keeps skipping Dance of Death 

Of course, they do, it's the special one!
I think the first one really improved too

[wolfking]

Listen to the new remaster. Seriously, maybe the best production of all 2000’s albums. The guitars sound almost like in their 80’s discography.

Huh. So this new remaster sounds better? Need to get a hold of it then.

I think so. Really better.

I remember discussions about these.  I didn't realise they were that much better.  How do the rest of the reunion albums stack up?  And are the old ones worth getting?

[devieira73]

Listen to the new remaster. Seriously, maybe the best production of all 2000’s albums. The guitars sound almost like in their 80’s discography.

Huh. So this new remaster sounds better? Need to get a hold of it then.

I think so. Really better.

I remember discussions about these.  I didn't realise they were that much better.  How do the rest of the reunion albums stack up?  And are the old ones worth getting?

I think DoD is the only one, from 2000 on, clearly better (the original sounds like just a rough mix, not mastered at all). From the 80’s the one that I listened with more atention was the first, because Steve Harris recommended it on some interview or while promoting the remasters. And I think it sounds almost like it was remixed, it really improved.

[Northern Lion]

I'm a big fan of all their albums since BNW.  Although BNW is my favorite of the bunch, I like almost all the songs from all of them.  In my view, it is Iron Maiden's best years.  Although the 80's stuff is really good too.

[wolfking]

Listen to the new remaster. Seriously, maybe the best production of all 2000’s albums. The guitars sound almost like in their 80’s discography.

Huh. So this new remaster sounds better? Need to get a hold of it then.

I think so. Really better.

I remember discussions about these.  I didn't realise they were that much better.  How do the rest of the reunion albums stack up?  And are the old ones worth getting?

I think DoD is the only one, from 2000 on, clearly better (the original sounds like just a rough mix, not mastered at all). From the 80’s the one that I listened with more atention was the first, because Steve Harris recommended it on some interview or while promoting the remasters. And I think it sounds almost like it was remixed, it really improved.

Doing some googling seems people aren't too keen on them, but I think I'd have to check them out.  If they on a whole were improved, I'd probably start collecting them.

And yeah, with DOD when I picked it up and took it home and listened, I thought I must have had a defect copy or something lol.  I'll check that one at least.