Second listen to Senjutsu: This album is REALLY good. Thus far, I might put it at #2 for 2021 just behind A View From the Top of the World (but I haven't listened to Innocence and Danger yet). Solid effort. This early, the "new car smell" isn't even close to wearing off, so I am cautious about being overly enthusiastic, but at this early stage, I am thinking this could be up in the discussion with my Maiden top 3 of The Final Frontier, Somewhere in Time, and Piece of Mind. It kinda feels like the quality is up there with those 3, and even if it doesn't clearly surpass them, it does on
quantity. And I get why I was told that, being a fan of TFF, I would probably like this one. Sonically, and in terms of writing, I hear a lot of similarity, which is great. I think any time someone can say, "You know your favorite album from this band? The new one sounds a lot like it, but it is even longer!" that is a surefire win.
EDIT: Man, the RIFFS on this album!!!