The Iron Maiden Thread v. The Merge of Souls

[porcacultor]

It seems like Bruce gave up on keeping the cat inside the bag for the next tour and answered a burning setlist question at one of his recent spoken word gigs. I'll be vague about it because there may be people who don't want to be spoiled on the set (excess of caution, perhaps?), but really, I'm so glad for what's coming!

[wolfking]

It seems like Bruce gave up on keeping the cat inside the bag for the next tour and answered a burning setlist question at one of his recent spoken word gigs. I'll be vague about it because there may be people who don't want to be spoiled on the set (excess of caution, perhaps?), but really, I'm so glad for what's coming!

Well, you just gave it away from your post.

[MirrorMask]

I haven't seen any clips about it, but if we're talking about that song that they've been teasing about since years, I guess it's gonna be after all the LEAST surprising part of the setlist.

I mean, at this point, after all the years of teasing and doing a tour based on that album, NOT playing it would be a dick move, akin like not playing Infinite Dreams during the Maiden England tour.

[porcacultor]

It seems like Bruce gave up on keeping the cat inside the bag for the next tour and answered a burning setlist question at one of his recent spoken word gigs. I'll be vague about it because there may be people who don't want to be spoiled on the set (excess of caution, perhaps?), but really, I'm so glad for what's coming!

Well, you just gave it away from your post.

I think I took enough care with how I worded it, but by all means let's keep talking about stamps.

[nobloodyname]

Anyone with more than a passing interest in Maiden will know what song Bruce (and therefore your goodself) is talking about

[TAC]

Didn't he say they're discussing it? Is that to be taken as confirmation?

[jammindude]

Maybe I’m just being dense but I’ve been an Iron Maiden fan since 1985 and I don’t know what you guys are talking about. Of course, I haven’t listen to the interview either.

[nobloodyname]

Bloody hell. I'm flabbergasted by that, JD.

[pg1067]

Someone posted on Reddit that Dickinson confirmed they'd be playing Alexander the Great.  People who commented on it refuted the claim.  I haven't seen anything else on the subject.

Anyone with more than a passing interest in Maiden will know what song Bruce (and therefore your goodself) is talking about

Agree, but I used the small font anyway.

[jammindude]

Someone posted on Reddit that Dickinson confirmed they'd be playing Alexander the Great.  People who commented on it refuted the claim.  I haven't seen anything else on the subject.

Anyone with more than a passing interest in Maiden will know what song Bruce (and therefore your goodself) is talking about

Agree, but I used the small font anyway.

Thank you. Got it

[DTA]

If they can’t play it with 3 guitarists then they’re just being assholes at this point. It’s a hard rock song, not an opera.

[wolfking]

If they can’t play it with 3 guitarists then they’re just being assholes at this point. It’s a hard rock song, not an opera.

I think it was always the complexity of it.  Not that it's over the top complex (only that 7/8 section) but I remember there always being a bullshit reason about not being able to remember it or something.

[Mosh]

Here's the video that was referenced earlier (don't click if you don't want a spoiler, but that last person made it really obvious): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej6oUY6-WKM

I don't really take it as confirmation for anything.

[Setlist Scotty]

Here's the video that was referenced earlier (don't click if you don't want a spoiler, but that last person made it really obvious): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej6oUY6-WKM

I don't really take it as confirmation for anything.

Yeah, I wouldn't say it's definite confirmation, but it's curious that he included it as part of his routine. At this point, it's the white elephant in the room. And I love how the fans have spoken!   

[Grappler]

Yeah, I wouldn't say it's definite confirmation, but it's curious that he included it as part of his routine. At this point, it's the white elephant in the room. And I love how the fans have spoken!   

He didn't include it in his routine, specifically.  it's the part of his routine where he answers fan-submitted questions.  I think the video is hilarious as he's just flipping the cards and reading question after question about the song.  His answer was "I can't tell you," which isn't truly confirming anything, but makes one suspicious that it may likely be played.  Either way, I think it's much ado about nothing. 

[jammindude]

Here's the video that was referenced earlier (don't click if you don't want a spoiler, but that last person made it really obvious): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej6oUY6-WKM

I don't really take it as confirmation for anything.

“This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Iron Maiden.”

Hmmmmm

[Setlist Scotty]

Here's the video that was referenced earlier (don't click if you don't want a spoiler, but that last person made it really obvious): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej6oUY6-WKM

I don't really take it as confirmation for anything.

“This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Iron Maiden.”

Hmmmmm

And even the Blabbermouth post talking about those videos has disappeared! Things to make you say "Hmmmmm" indeed. 

[Setlist Scotty]

Here's the same clip - watch it before Maiden has it deleted!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SUkzryIxok

And here is the now (suspiciously) missing BM article (thanks to the Wayback Machine):
https://web.archive.org/web/20230115143740/https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-iron-maidens-bruce-dickinson-answers-fan-submitted-questions-at-bergen-stop-of-january-2023-spoken-word-tour


Iron Maiden: "These are not the droids you're looking for..." 

They're gonna end up causing the "Streisand effect" to happen. 

[Mosh]

It's a bit 100%. The questions are preselected during intermission and I'm sure there are some fake questions thrown in.

[Stadler]

If they can’t play it with 3 guitarists then they’re just being assholes at this point. It’s a hard rock song, not an opera.

I think it was always the complexity of it.  Not that it's over the top complex (only that 7/8 section) but I remember there always being a bullshit reason about not being able to remember it or something.

Um, maybe it's just not that good of a song... just sayin'.

[jammindude]

If they can’t play it with 3 guitarists then they’re just being assholes at this point. It’s a hard rock song, not an opera.

I think it was always the complexity of it.  Not that it's over the top complex (only that 7/8 section) but I remember there always being a bullshit reason about not being able to remember it or something.

Um, maybe it's just not that good of a song... just sayin'.

Ya. It’s ok. But I never understood the fan service of that song myself.

[TAC]

How it ends so abruptly castrates the track a bit, honestly.

[Setlist Scotty]

He didn't include it in his routine, specifically.  it's the part of his routine where he answers fan-submitted questions.

I know that. My point is, he could've avoided those questions completely, since he doesn't answer every question submitted. But instead, he decided to acknowledge them. That's what I meant by him including it in his routine.
 
 

If they can’t play it with 3 guitarists then they’re just being assholes at this point. It’s a hard rock song, not an opera.

I think it was always the complexity of it.  Not that it's over the top complex (only that 7/8 section) but I remember there always being a bullshit reason about not being able to remember it or something.

Um, maybe it's just not that good of a song... just sayin'.

Ya. It’s ok. But I never understood the fan service of that song myself.

Different strokes for different folks, but it's a song I love. And I think because it's not only one of the longer songs from the 80s, but also one that has never been played live has helped it build up its "legendary" status. I think a fair comparison would be to Rush's The Camera Eye, which IMO is a decent song, but really nothing exceptional and perhaps a bit bloated. But before Rush brought it back in 2010, it seemed to top all the wish lists that were compiled of what fans wanted to see them play. I'd say the way you guys view AtG is similar.

How it ends so abruptly castrates the track a bit, honestly.

[wolfking]

If they can’t play it with 3 guitarists then they’re just being assholes at this point. It’s a hard rock song, not an opera.

I think it was always the complexity of it.  Not that it's over the top complex (only that 7/8 section) but I remember there always being a bullshit reason about not being able to remember it or something.

Um, maybe it's just not that good of a song... just sayin'.

I like it, but won't be up in arms if they don't play it.

[Stadler]

Different strokes for different folks, but it's a song I love. And I think because it's not only one of the longer songs from the 80s, but also one that has never been played live has helped it build up its "legendary" status. I think a fair comparison would be to Rush's The Camera Eye, which IMO is a decent song, but really nothing exceptional and perhaps a bit bloated. But before Rush brought it back in 2010, it seemed to top all the wish lists that were compiled of what fans wanted to see them play. I'd say the way you guys view AtG is similar.

That's all true, of course, but I bristle at that stuff generally.  Things get a sort of reputation after a while, and I find it... puzzling.  It's the same thing that happened back when Flying Colors was coming out, and they released the song titles, and durations.  Within about eight minutes, without hearing a note of music, there were all these people saying "OOOOOOOHHHHHHH!  BLUE OCEAN IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!" and "CAN'T WAIT FOR INFINITE FIRE, BITCHES!" (yes, they said that! ).    And it was nothing more than the time of the song.  Wha?   The Beatles Revolution 9 is their longest song by far, and it's not even a song!  It's a sound collage! And one of the greatest songs ever written in the history of music (at least evidenced by it's sales and cover versions) is "Yesterday", 2:05 of near perfection.   

I don't begrudge anyone from liking the song; hell, my list shows that I'm my own man when it comes to liking songs by bands.  But to project that on others, or the band... I don't get it.

[cramx3]

If they can’t play it with 3 guitarists then they’re just being assholes at this point. It’s a hard rock song, not an opera.

I think it was always the complexity of it.  Not that it's over the top complex (only that 7/8 section) but I remember there always being a bullshit reason about not being able to remember it or something.

Um, maybe it's just not that good of a song... just sayin'.

Ya. It’s ok. But I never understood the fan service of that song myself.

Different strokes for different folks, but it's a song I love. And I think because it's not only one of the longer songs from the 80s, but also one that has never been played live has helped it build up its "legendary" status. I think a fair comparison would be to Rush's The Camera Eye, which IMO is a decent song, but really nothing exceptional and perhaps a bit bloated. But before Rush brought it back in 2010, it seemed to top all the wish lists that were compiled of what fans wanted to see them play. I'd say the way you guys view AtG is similar.

Also reminds me of Space Dye Vest.  You don't hear too many people calling for that song to be played anymore once DT finally played it.

I enjoy ATG, but it's mid tier IM.

[bosk1]

I used to consider it top 10, but it has fallen quite a bit as I've grown to like a lot of other songs more.  But I'd still love to see it. 

Regarding the video, I agree with those who say it isn't even nearly a "confirmation" of anything.  But at the same time, unless there is a long running joke of Bruce trolling fans about it every tour, this really seems like a strong hint that they are going to do it.

[TAC]

To me, the real hint is Iron Maiden taking anything related to it down from the internet.

[cramx3]

Bruce has teased playing it before

To me, the real hint is Iron Maiden taking anything related to it down from the internet.

But this is how I feel too.  I feel IM mostly don't care about what's posted on the internet about them, so seeing this is odd and maybe more of a confirmation than what was even posted.

[wolfking]

To me, the real hint is Iron Maiden taking anything related to it down from the internet.

That's true.  Bruce has said many times and even I remember in concerts saying to film and share as much stuff about the band as possible that they didn't give a fuck about what's really out there so it is interesting behaviour.

[Mosh]

I used to consider it top 10, but it has fallen quite a bit as I've grown to like a lot of other songs more.  But I'd still love to see it. 

Regarding the video, I agree with those who say it isn't even nearly a "confirmation" of anything.  But at the same time, unless there is a long running joke of Bruce trolling fans about it every tour, this really seems like a strong hint that they are going to do it.

There kind of is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWsuWg8Q6AE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxfSgS4TYYs

Only difference now is there is a tour where it seems like an obvious choice. At the same time though, it also seems like an obvious choice to not play it. I can see it going either way.

[The Curious Orange]

Bruce also said they would be playing Senjutsu all the way through in smaller venues for this tour - Bruce often presents his views and opinions as fact, forgetting that Rod and 'Arry also have a say. Take anything he says with a pinch of salt the size of Lot's wife.

[Stadler]

Bruce also said they would be playing Senjutsu all the way through in smaller venues for this tour - Bruce often presents his views and opinions as fact, forgetting that Rod and 'Arry also have a say. Take anything he says with a pinch of salt the size of Lot's wife.

I'll be bummed if that doesn't happen, but honestly, I think the odds are very low that it does.

[cramx3]

Yeah, given the next tour announcement, I'm not sure when they'd do a Senjutsu in full tour.  And while it would be awesome to see IM play in a smaller venue, I just don't see the reason for them to do that when it's more likely they can be playing stadiums.

[Mosh]

As far as I know, Bruce never said that they were going to do it, he said they were considering it. I'm sure it was a serious consideration at one point before they figured out a way to combine it into a fan service-y nostalgia tour.