The Iron Maiden Thread v. The Merge of Souls

[NoseofNicko]

There’s not a single weak track on Powerslave.

[TAC]

I love QFF lyrics 

In a time when dinosaurs walked the earth
When the land was swamp and caves were home
In an age when prize possession was fire
To search for landscapes men would roam

Then the tribes they came to steal their fire
And the wolves they howled into the night
As they fought a vicious angry battle
To save the power of warmth and light

You'd think Ben Jamin wrote those lyrics.

[wolfking]

 

[pg1067]

I also forgot to mention how every band going made a song about nuclear war during this time period.

Yeah...I used the word "contrived" earlier, but that's not the best word.  As you noted, EVERY band had a "let's not nuke the hell out of everyone" song, and by that point, it was a bit played out.

But I definitely had Fire Down Under, Restless And Wild, and Power And The Glory, and Holy Diver by the time Powerslave came out.

While I didn't notice any of the similarities between 2 Minutes and any other song, I was aware that Stand Up and Shout and Power and the Glory had basically the identical opening/main riff.  Saxon's album was released a couple months earlier, but I'm pretty sure that Holy Diver had been recorded before P&TG was released, so the similarity was purely coincidental (unless both bands swiped it from a common source).

I didn't feel that Powerslave built on Piece Of Mind in any way. It felt like a step back honestly.

I did too, but that's only because POM is SO FUCKING GOOD that it's virtually impossible to top (and, IMO, they never have topped it).

Remember, these are the thoughts of a 16 y/o TAC.

I hear you.  This was right in the midst of my "if it ain't metal, it ain't good" phase (even though I liked a bunch of non-metal bands, so the consistency definitely wasn't there for me).

I'm in the same group here.  I thought Powerslave was the bomb.  It wasn't AS GOOD as Piece of Mind - which was probably my favorite album at that point - because there was filler - the instrumental, The Duellists, and Flash Of The Blade - but the highs - Side two is my favorite Maiden album side from that era - were really high.   By then, Dio was sort of fading for me.  I LOVED Holy Diver, and Last In Line was close, but there was something cartoon-y about Dio that Maiden wasn't, and Sacred Heart just cemented that. 

I don't know that cartoon-y is the right word.  Both bands could be accused of that.  I think the thing with Dio was that the band was a bit of a one-trick pony, and that really set in for me after Sacred Heart.

Quest For Fire has really aged well. And I've always like Sun And Steel.

I love both songs also -- especially S&S.  I don't think paleontological accuracy was the driving goal for Harris when he wrote QFF (which, I believe, was based on the movie, which, despite not featuring any dinosaurs, wasn't all that historically accurate).   

[bosk1]

I think the thing with Dio was that the band was a bit of a one-trick pony, and that really set in for me after Sacred Heart.

Probably a bit of a hot take here, but:  To me, Dio (the band) not only was a "one-trick pony," but they forgot the money trick altogether and never managed to duplicate it after Last in Line, IMO.  To me, they have a handful of outstanding tunes, and not much else that I am interested in.

[Glasser]

I think the thing with Dio was that the band was a bit of a one-trick pony, and that really set in for me after Sacred Heart.

Probably a bit of a hot take here, but:  To me, Dio (the band) not only was a "one-trick pony," but they forgot the money trick altogether and never managed to duplicate it after Last in Line, IMO.  To me, they have a handful of outstanding tunes, and not much else that I am interested in.

Holy Diver and Last in Line set the bar to unreachable heights. Some of Craig G. and Doug A. stuff is decent, the Rowan Robertson stuff didn’t do it for me and I revisited them all in the reissues. 

[Dream Team]

I actually enjoy KTD quite a bit, Doug Aldrich is great on it. But yes those first 2 are untouchable.

[Glasser]

I actually enjoy KTD quite a bit, Doug Aldrich is great on it. But yes those first 2 are untouchable.

Oooooh yessss forgot about that album! I do like it! Doug is grossly underrated!!!

[TAC]

I actually enjoy KTD quite a bit, Doug Aldrich is great on it. But yes those first 2 are untouchable.

Oooooh yessss forgot about that album! I do like it! Doug is grossly underrated!!!

If he's underrated, it's not from his work in Dio. I like KTD too, but I feel like I'm dropping my Dio standards a bit to let it in. Aldrich, and Craig Goldie have zero personality in their playing in Dio.

Rowan Robertson is great on Lock Up The Wolves. That album has a great sound and songs with personality. Hell, even Traci G had personality. Those two albums have a distinct flavor.

[Glasser]

I actually enjoy KTD quite a bit, Doug Aldrich is great on it. But yes those first 2 are untouchable.

Oooooh yessss forgot about that album! I do like it! Doug is grossly underrated!!!

If he's underrated, it's not from his work in Dio. I like KTD too, but I feel like I'm dropping my Dio standards a bit to let it in. Aldrich, and Craig Goldie have zero personality in their playing in Dio.

Rowan Robertson is great on Lock Up The Wolves. That album has a great sound and songs with personality. Hell, even Traci G had personality. Those two albums have a distinct flavor.

He was a beast in Lion and Hurricane, love his guitar tone!!! I dig some of his Whitesnake stuff too. He could have replaced Zakk in Ozzy without issue!

[wolfking]

KTD is a fav of mine too.  Great songs and Doug rips.

Another hot take.....I LOVE Magica!

[bosk1]

I guess I'll just put it this way:  I was never more than a casual Dio fan.  I really like a handful of his songs, and don't really connect with much more.  I could probably make a "greatest hits" CD of my favorite songs of his from Sabbath and his solo career, and be perfectly happy with just one CD.

[TAC]

Another hot take.....I LOVE Magica!

Other than Challis and Losing My Insanity, I think Magica kind of blows.

Only Angry Machines is worse. Maybe Master Of The Moon too.

[gazinwales]

Back to IM discussion 

One thing that Senjutsu has done has re-kindled my love for the band and to start listening to them again.
Powerslave one album I hadn't heard in 15 years or so, it still has magic for me and it has aged very well.
Top 3 Maiden for me, I am sure you can guess the other two?

[KevShmev]

There’s not a single weak track on Powerslave.

After two listens, this is my position as well.  Every song is strong, and the majority are pretty great.  I will be surprised if they top this one for me.

[jammindude]

Losfer Words is my favorite Maiden instrumental.

[Lupton]

There’s not a single weak track on Powerslave.

After two listens, this is my position as well.  Every song is strong, and the majority are pretty great.  I will be surprised if they top this one for me.

QFT 

[edit: IMHO of course  ]

[wolfking]

Another hot take.....I LOVE Magica!

Other than Challis and Losing My Insanity, I think Magica kind of blows.

Only Angry Machines is worse. Maybe Master Of The Moon too.

I thought MOTM was absolutely terrible.

[Stadler]

I think the thing with Dio was that the band was a bit of a one-trick pony, and that really set in for me after Sacred Heart.

Probably a bit of a hot take here, but:  To me, Dio (the band) not only was a "one-trick pony," but they forgot the money trick altogether and never managed to duplicate it after Last in Line, IMO.  To me, they have a handful of outstanding tunes, and not much else that I am interested in.

Nah, I'm with you.

When I say "cartoon-y" I mean that whole "we're carrying the flag for metal! We rock!" stuff.  That got stale quickly for me (same with Judas Priest).   And while he's rightfully a fantastic singer and frontman, the sort of rep that he got later as the nicest guy in metal was to me a little undeserved.  Sure, he was good to the fans - my friend met him in Hartford and said he was the nicest guy in the world and that was after he stood outside the Bushnell in 28⁰ weather for almost an hour signing everything that was put in front of him - but I remember when the press wasn't so positive.  He fought with Blackmore, he fought with Iommi and Butler (twice), he fought with Campbell...   I don't know; it sounds like I'm slagging him, and I'm not, he's just not on Iron Maiden's level for me.

[cramx3]

I may have a keeper, my girlfriend got me a Senjutsu tshirt as part of my birthday gift 

[Mladen]

Time to go to the ring store. 

[RodrigoAltaf]

I may have a keeper, my girlfriend got me a Senjutsu tshirt as part of my birthday gift 

 Marry her!

 I don't even like the album that much, and already have two Senjutsu shirts...a friend of mine got the box set, and two shirts were included in the purchase, so he gave me the second one. And the band's PR sent me the Belshazzar's Feast shirt, which is VERY cool, and is not the obvious Maiden shirt design you would expect. I can't wait for the tour!!!

[Stadler]

HAHA, I bought a shirt through the fan club and when it came my wife was like "what in hell is THAT?" 

[pg1067]

I think the thing with Dio was that the band was a bit of a one-trick pony, and that really set in for me after Sacred Heart.

Probably a bit of a hot take here, but:  To me, Dio (the band) not only was a "one-trick pony," but they forgot the money trick altogether and never managed to duplicate it after Last in Line, IMO.  To me, they have a handful of outstanding tunes, and not much else that I am interested in.

Nah, I'm with you.

When I say "cartoon-y" I mean that whole "we're carrying the flag for metal! We rock!" stuff.  That got stale quickly for me (same with Judas Priest).   And while he's rightfully a fantastic singer and frontman, the sort of rep that he got later as the nicest guy in metal was to me a little undeserved.  Sure, he was good to the fans - my friend met him in Hartford and said he was the nicest guy in the world and that was after he stood outside the Bushnell in 28⁰ weather for almost an hour signing everything that was put in front of him - but I remember when the press wasn't so positive.  He fought with Blackmore, he fought with Iommi and Butler (twice), he fought with Campbell...   I don't know; it sounds like I'm slagging him, and I'm not, he's just not on Iron Maiden's level for me.

Well...look at the guy's track record:

- For each of the three Rainbow albums, the entire band changed, except for Dio and Blackmore, and then the two of them fell out.
- Two albums with Iommi and Butler and he's gone.
- Three albums with Vivian Campbell and then he's out (there's a video of him on YouTube absolutely excoriating Campbell, which was honestly kind of a bummer to watch).
- One album (plus a live EP) with Craig Goldy and he's gone.
- One album with Rowan Robertson and he's gone.
Etc., etc.

The only guy who seemed to have any staying power with Dio was Vinny Appice, but even he seemed to move in and out of grace.

Compare that to a band like Maiden that's had almost no turnover for 35+ years.  It's a pretty telling thing.

[MirrorMask]

Well, with Rainbow it was really Ritchie's band, so I wouldn't put the lineup changes on Dio's shoulders...

[DoctorAction]

There’s not a single weak track on Powerslave.

+1

[nick_z]

Speaking of Powerslave, I get the feeling that there isn't a massive amount of love for Flash of the Blade...it might not be a top Maiden song, but I enjoy it a ton. It's a fun tune with a lot of energy, and I'd love to see it live (wouldn't the instrumental section be just great with the three guitars?!)

[nick_z]

The Duellists is amazing. That long solo section basically laid the blueprint for some of the long instrumental sections in the Reunion Era.
Sure, it wasn't as proggy as Infinite Dreams or Seventh Son, but when I think of The Red And The Black, it reminds me of The Duellists.

The Duellists is very good - except for the chorus. It's not bad, but it's my least favorite part of the song. But I agree the solo/instrumental part is fantastic.
I don't know if it's just me, but I always thought the vocal melody in the verse is kinda similar to Where Eagles Dare?

[fadetoblackdude7]

There’s not a single weak track on Powerslave.

Agreed. Powerslave is where the stars aligned for this band. It is better than perfect IMO.

[Herrick]

Back to IM discussion 

One thing that Senjutsu has done has re-kindled my love for the band and to start listening to them again.
Powerslave one album I hadn't heard in 15 years or so, it still has magic for me and it has aged very well.
Top 3 Maiden for me, I am sure you can guess the other two?

For Herrick, Senjutsu has opened the doors to the reunion albums I never really gave a fair chance. I've been listening to those albums (everything from Dance of Death to The Book of Souls) almost exclusively since Senjutsu came out. I've been enjoying them for the most part. I'm still not really sure about them though except for A Matter of Life and Death which became an instant Like.

[Dream Team]

I think the thing with Dio was that the band was a bit of a one-trick pony, and that really set in for me after Sacred Heart.

Probably a bit of a hot take here, but:  To me, Dio (the band) not only was a "one-trick pony," but they forgot the money trick altogether and never managed to duplicate it after Last in Line, IMO.  To me, they have a handful of outstanding tunes, and not much else that I am interested in.

Nah, I'm with you.

When I say "cartoon-y" I mean that whole "we're carrying the flag for metal! We rock!" stuff.  That got stale quickly for me (same with Judas Priest).   And while he's rightfully a fantastic singer and frontman, the sort of rep that he got later as the nicest guy in metal was to me a little undeserved.  Sure, he was good to the fans - my friend met him in Hartford and said he was the nicest guy in the world and that was after he stood outside the Bushnell in 28⁰ weather for almost an hour signing everything that was put in front of him - but I remember when the press wasn't so positive.  He fought with Blackmore, he fought with Iommi and Butler (twice), he fought with Campbell...   I don't know; it sounds like I'm slagging him, and I'm not, he's just not on Iron Maiden's level for me.

Well...look at the guy's track record:

- For each of the three Rainbow albums, the entire band changed, except for Dio and Blackmore, and then the two of them fell out.
- Two albums with Iommi and Butler and he's gone.
- Three albums with Vivian Campbell and then he's out (there's a video of him on YouTube absolutely excoriating Campbell, which was honestly kind of a bummer to watch).
- One album (plus a live EP) with Craig Goldy and he's gone.
- One album with Rowan Robertson and he's gone.
Etc., etc.

The only guy who seemed to have any staying power with Dio was Vinny Appice, but even he seemed to move in and out of grace.

Compare that to a band like Maiden that's had almost no turnover for 35+ years.  It's a pretty telling thing.

Same situation as with Ozzy, when your wife is the manager the other guys get screwed over. Not a secret.

[wolfking]

Hell on Earth could be close to the greatest thing the band has ever done.

[gazinwales]

For me 'Senjutsu' is the best thing IM have done since 'Seventh Son' 

[TAC]

Hell on Earth could be close to the greatest thing the band has ever done.

So my biggest problem with it is that the second half is nowhere near as strong as the first half.

The Parchment has passed it I think.

[gazinwales]

Hell on Earth could be close to the greatest thing the band has ever done.

So my biggest problem with it is that the second half is nowhere near as strong as the first half.

The Parchment has passed it I think.

For me the album gets better as it goes on, building up to grand finale of the last three songs and boom!