The Iron Maiden Thread v. The Merge of Souls

[wolfking]

Hey wolfking can you do me a favor and list the older Maiden melodies that some of the melodies in The Parchment and Hell on Earth sound like please? A lot of the melodies in these 2 songs sound really familiar to me but I just can’t remember which older melodies they sound like. You seem really good at remembering what melodies sound like what melodies so that’s why I’m asking you. I would appreciate if you included time stamps too.

Hmmm....I can pick solos but haven't really thought about the melodies.  I'll have a think though mate and see if anything jumps out.

For Hell on Earth though, the main verse melody instantly reminded me of Wild Wind.

[TAC]

For Hell on Earth though, the main verse melody instantly reminded me of Wild Wind.

Same here.

[NoseofNicko]

Thanks a lot man.

[cramx3]

People seem to call Shirley a Yes Man to Steve.  I've never heard of that from interviews or anything from people inside the band, but it certainly seems likely.  I think a different producer would be looking for some trimming and also a better sound.

Trust me, I have ZERO complaints about the Reunion Era. It is funny how great Piece Of Mind sounds, but to me, it's always about the songs, and they've never been better IMO. Chemistry plays a big part in how the band goes, and with Janick sometimes being a lightning rod, he plays a big part.
But I also I think their relationship with Shirley is underrated.

Oh, I still think it's about the songs and it's why I still think this is a great album.  But I also enjoyed X Factor and one reason I hardly ever listen to it though is because it sounds terrible.  I don't think Senjitsu sounds as bad, but it's the worst of the reunion era IMO.

[Herrick]

People seem to call Shirley a Yes Man to Steve.  I've never heard of that from interviews or anything from people inside the band, but it certainly seems likely.  I think a different producer would be looking for some trimming and also a better sound.

How much control does a producer typically have? I've watched the great Rush documentary where Shirley tells Lifeson he can't have any reverb on whatever album it was they were making at the time...but Rush is a band that has been more into drastically changing their sound.

Reunion Maiden has sounded like Reunion Maiden for over 20 years.

[cramx3]

People seem to call Shirley a Yes Man to Steve.  I've never heard of that from interviews or anything from people inside the band, but it certainly seems likely.  I think a different producer would be looking for some trimming and also a better sound.

How much control does a producer typically have? I've watched the great Rush documentary where Shirley tells Lifeson he can't have any reverb on whatever album it was they were making at the time...but Rush is a band that has been more into drastically changing their sound.

Reunion Maiden has sounded like Reunion Maiden for over 20 years.

Well, it's been 21 years of Shirley producing all the IM albums now.  So I think you are right, but I think BNW and DoD sound different than the last four albums which all have that more "live" style of sound they seem to go for.  Personally I LOVE the sound of BNW, but that's the only Shirley album I think sounds good.

[Herrick]

People seem to call Shirley a Yes Man to Steve.  I've never heard of that from interviews or anything from people inside the band, but it certainly seems likely.  I think a different producer would be looking for some trimming and also a better sound.

How much control does a producer typically have? I've watched the great Rush documentary where Shirley tells Lifeson he can't have any reverb on whatever album it was they were making at the time...but Rush is a band that has been more into drastically changing their sound.

Reunion Maiden has sounded like Reunion Maiden for over 20 years.

Well, it's been 21 years of Shirley producing all the IM albums now.  So I think you are right, but I think BNW and DoD sound different than the last four albums which all have that more "live" style of sound they seem to go for.  Personally I LOVE the sound of BNW, but that's the only Shirley album I think sounds good.

Hmm...I've been listening to the last 4 albums a lot over the past few days but I haven't listened to Brave New World in a long time. I should listen to it to see how it differs sonically, but I've never been really good at picking that kind of stuff out. I only really dislike the production when it's really bad like those old Black Metal albums.

[Glasser]

People seem to call Shirley a Yes Man to Steve.  I've never heard of that from interviews or anything from people inside the band, but it certainly seems likely.  I think a different producer would be looking for some trimming and also a better sound.

How much control does a producer typically have? I've watched the great Rush documentary where Shirley tells Lifeson he can't have any reverb on whatever album it was they were making at the time...but Rush is a band that has been more into drastically changing their sound.

Reunion Maiden has sounded like Reunion Maiden for over 20 years.

Well, it's been 21 years of Shirley producing all the IM albums now.  So I think you are right, but I think BNW and DoD sound different than the last four albums which all have that more "live" style of sound they seem to go for.  Personally I LOVE the sound of BNW, but that's the only Shirley album I think sounds good.

Hmm...I've been listening to the last 4 albums a lot over the past few days but I haven't listened to Brave New World in a long time. I should listen to it to see how it differs sonically, but I've never been really good at picking that kind of stuff out. I only really dislike the production when it's really bad like those old Black Metal albums.

Wait, you’re saying BATHORY “…The Return” has a bad production?

[Herrick]

People seem to call Shirley a Yes Man to Steve.  I've never heard of that from interviews or anything from people inside the band, but it certainly seems likely.  I think a different producer would be looking for some trimming and also a better sound.

How much control does a producer typically have? I've watched the great Rush documentary where Shirley tells Lifeson he can't have any reverb on whatever album it was they were making at the time...but Rush is a band that has been more into drastically changing their sound.

Reunion Maiden has sounded like Reunion Maiden for over 20 years.

Well, it's been 21 years of Shirley producing all the IM albums now.  So I think you are right, but I think BNW and DoD sound different than the last four albums which all have that more "live" style of sound they seem to go for.  Personally I LOVE the sound of BNW, but that's the only Shirley album I think sounds good.

Hmm...I've been listening to the last 4 albums a lot over the past few days but I haven't listened to Brave New World in a long time. I should listen to it to see how it differs sonically, but I've never been really good at picking that kind of stuff out. I only really dislike the production when it's really bad like those old Black Metal albums.

Wait, you’re saying BATHORY “…The Return” has a bad production?

I don't remember if I've heard that one.

[cramx3]

People seem to call Shirley a Yes Man to Steve.  I've never heard of that from interviews or anything from people inside the band, but it certainly seems likely.  I think a different producer would be looking for some trimming and also a better sound.

How much control does a producer typically have? I've watched the great Rush documentary where Shirley tells Lifeson he can't have any reverb on whatever album it was they were making at the time...but Rush is a band that has been more into drastically changing their sound.

Reunion Maiden has sounded like Reunion Maiden for over 20 years.

Well, it's been 21 years of Shirley producing all the IM albums now.  So I think you are right, but I think BNW and DoD sound different than the last four albums which all have that more "live" style of sound they seem to go for.  Personally I LOVE the sound of BNW, but that's the only Shirley album I think sounds good.

Hmm...I've been listening to the last 4 albums a lot over the past few days but I haven't listened to Brave New World in a long time. I should listen to it to see how it differs sonically, but I've never been really good at picking that kind of stuff out. I only really dislike the production when it's really bad like those old Black Metal albums.

I'm definitely not the one to take advice from when it comes to sound, it's just my opinion.  I definitely don't have great enough hearing to technically understand the sonic differences other than, just sounds more to my liking.

[wolfking]

People seem to call Shirley a Yes Man to Steve.  I've never heard of that from interviews or anything from people inside the band, but it certainly seems likely.  I think a different producer would be looking for some trimming and also a better sound.

How much control does a producer typically have? I've watched the great Rush documentary where Shirley tells Lifeson he can't have any reverb on whatever album it was they were making at the time...but Rush is a band that has been more into drastically changing their sound.

Reunion Maiden has sounded like Reunion Maiden for over 20 years.

Well, it's been 21 years of Shirley producing all the IM albums now.  So I think you are right, but I think BNW and DoD sound different than the last four albums which all have that more "live" style of sound they seem to go for.  Personally I LOVE the sound of BNW, but that's the only Shirley album I think sounds good.

I agree with this.

I do like how Senjutsu sounds though, don't understand the dislike for the production on this one. 

[NoseofNicko]

Senjutsu is probably the album I’ve listened to the most in the last 2 years! and it just keeps getting better, it’s just a really great album!

And I also don’t think it sounds bad, in fact I have no issue whatsoever with the way it sounds, I think it sounds fine.

[DoctorAction]

Senjutsu sounds great to me.

Another list? For sound quality on the reunion albums?? Great idea:

SOUND:

BNW
Senjutsu / TFF
DOD
AMOLAD
TBOS

[WardySI]

Haven't gotten tired of this album yet.  Still have it on repeat.

Yep!

Have tried to move onto other things but couldn't go a day without 

[wolfking]

Thanks a lot man.

Not picking up on anything specific in The Parchment but the last lyric section again reminds me of Wild Wind.

Also, check 8.44 of Wild Wind.  Same exact lick Janick pulls out In his first solo.

[wolfking]

The Daily Doug does Hell On Earth..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWqYLCSnwhI

Not available in my country apparently.

[Zydar]

Not here in Sweden either.

[krands85]

Seems like the USA is pretty much the only country where it isn't blocked at the moment. Doug said he's trying to fix it, but I imagine he'll reupload it to Vimeo if he can't get it unblocked - he did that with The Alien.

If you're desperate to watch now though, a VPN set to the USA will do the trick.

[pg1067]

How about The Classic Era?
I'm using Bruce only songs.

Limiting it to Bruce songs makes this easier, but the under 5 minute category is still insanely hard.

< 5 minutes

The Number of the Beast
The Trooper
Sun and Steel
Aces High
Deja Vu

5-7 minutes

22 Acacia Avenue
Where Eagles Dare
Revelations
Wasted Years
Moonchild

>7 minutes

Hallowed Be Thy Name
To Tame a Land
Powerslave
Alexander the Great
Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son

[DTwwbwMP]

Any word on a "senjutso tour"? I know they still have to finish the LOTB tour in summer '22 but damn, that's a long time to wait before touring this great album!

[TAC]

Any word on a "senjutso tour"? I know they still have to finish the LOTB tour in summer '22 but damn, that's a long time to wait before touring this great album!

https://bravewords.com/features/iron-maiden-scheduled-to-tour-senjutsu-next-june-i-think-the-performances-from-all-my-bandmates-are-superb-theyre-just-magic-says-nicko-mcbrain


This is a short, but very interesting interview with Nicko. He says the Senjutsu tour will start in June.

[gazinwales]

I do like how Senjutsu sounds though, don't understand the dislike for the production on this one.

Well I can understand, for a 'metal' album it just sounds so different to almost every modern metal album.
Most albums sound like absolute crap, over compressed, mastered too loud and mix is so blurry you can just about make out a few instruments and the drums sounds like someone is tapping on a plastic food container.

While Senjutsu is crystal clear with all the instruments gleaming, drums sound so crisp, maybe Bruce's vocals are a little lower than normal, but it all fits and sounds perfectly.

[TAC]

The only song I feel like Bruce's vocals are a bit low in the mix is the first track.

[425]

I think it sounds fine. Not amazing, but markedly better than DoD and AMOLAD at least.

[jingle.boy]

Any word on a "senjutso tour"? I know they still have to finish the LOTB tour in summer '22 but damn, that's a long time to wait before touring this great album!

https://bravewords.com/features/iron-maiden-scheduled-to-tour-senjutsu-next-june-i-think-the-performances-from-all-my-bandmates-are-superb-theyre-just-magic-says-nicko-mcbrain


This is a short, but very interesting interview with Nicko. He says the Senjutsu tour will start in June.

I came here looking for a Rush post. I am disappoint.

[TAC]

Hah!

[wolfking]

The only song I feel like Bruce's vocals are a bit low in the mix is the first track.

Agree totally.

[425]

How about The Classic Era?
I'm using Bruce only songs.

I want to go ahead and give this a shot.

<5 minutes:
1. The Clairvoyant
2. Only the Good Die Young
3. Flight of Icarus
4. Aces High
5. The Trooper

5-7 minutes:
1. Revelations
2. Where Eagles Dare
3. Stranger in a Strange Land
4. Infinite Dreams
5. Moonchild

7+ minutes
1. Hallowed Be Thy Name
2. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
3. Alexander the Great
4. Rime of the Ancient Mariner
5. Caught Somewhere in Time

Can you tell what my favorite 80s album is?

[KevShmev]

Deep dive update:

I liked Killers probably about as much as the debut.  I don't think its highs were as high, but it sounded better.  Drums had more punch, in particular.  Wrathchild, Murders in the Rue Morgue, the title track, Another Life and Prodigal Son are the songs I liked the most.  The rest was all solid.

I knew the majority of The Number of the Beast already, but after listening to the first two albums and then this one, the improvement in overall sound quality is pretty obvious.  Always liked Run to the Hills a lot, and Invaders is a kick ass opener.  Children of the Damned and the title track are both very good as well.  Still not buying the hype on Hallowed Be Thy Name; seems great musically, but all of the vocal melodies are a blur to me. 

[v_clortho]

I like this album a lot. My only gripe is the guitar that follows the vocals is a little annoying. Parchment is probably my favorite. Has a bit of a To Tame a Land feel.

[wolfking]

I like this album a lot. My only gripe is the guitar that follows the vocals is a little annoying. Parchment is probably my favorite. Has a bit of a To Tame a Land feel.

Good shout this.

[DTwwbwMP]

Any word on a "senjutso tour"? I know they still have to finish the LOTB tour in summer '22 but damn, that's a long time to wait before touring this great album!

https://bravewords.com/features/iron-maiden-scheduled-to-tour-senjutsu-next-june-i-think-the-performances-from-all-my-bandmates-are-superb-theyre-just-magic-says-nicko-mcbrain


This is a short, but very interesting interview with Nicko. He says the Senjutsu tour will start in June.

I took this as being taken out of context. I think he was talking about the resumption of the LOTB tour which takes place starting in June.

[Cruithne]

And I also don’t think it sounds bad, in fact I have no issue whatsoever with the way it sounds, I think it sounds fine.

Book Of Souls was hanging on to the edge of sounding bad. With Senjutsu they've been pulled back up but are still teetering on the brink.

Post Brave New World it feels to me like there's push and pull going on between Steve Harris trying to make albums that sound like NPFTD, TXF and Virtual XI and someone with functioning ears trying to not let it sound so lackadaisical.

Ultimately if the songs are good then ropey production, up to a point, is a niggle and I really like all the songs on Senjutsu. I didn't like most of the songs on Book Of Souls so maybe that informs my opinion on its sound more than I would like to believe.

[The Curious Orange]

I always wonder whether people who complain about the sound of an album are listening on high-end audiophile equipment or just on their tatty phone speaker.

[KevShmev]

I always wonder whether people who complain about the sound of an album are listening on high-end audiophile equipment or just on their tatty phone speaker.

On the flip side, I often wonder if people who compliment the sound of an album have ever listened to it on high-end equipment or just their phone or computer speakers.