I wanna address that I never listened to the Fear of The Dark album until now. And I have to say this album is really, arena rock like The Scorpions, especially Childhoods End. I could see why it is not liked among the fan base. Also, Dickinsons vocals are different and seems as if he's dialing it in, or just wasn't enthused at the songs. Not saying his vocals suck on this, but I feel he could've done a way better job at these songs, and seeing Fear Of The Dark, the song, live shows me that Bruce could have done better. But that's me and my opinion.
I wouldn't say this album is bad. It's that it feels it would be a better album done by Helloween or Primal Fear. Rather than being an Iron Maiden album, which this sound the album has does not scream Iron Maiden and feels as if they're trying to emulate that sing along anthem. I can also hear the beginnings of the reunion sound on this album thanks in part to Janick.