Reading these last few posts is music to my ears (eyes, whatever)...
My guess is early touring for the older deep cuts inspired some return to those eras and God Bless them for it as after what I felt was a mediocre first single with Writing On The Wall (works better as an album track) then hinting at something more with the excellent Stratego, they've delivered the surprise album of the year and what I feel is their best album since Brave New World
Agree regards Hell On Earth. Epic stuff sounding like a blend of Only The Good Die Young and Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son (the title-track). Cannot get enough of it and Lost In A Lost World with all its X-Factor-isms and absolutely beautiful outro (in which Bruce delivers one of his finest vocal performances period), is probably my favorite song of theirs since The Wickerman, Brave New World and Paschendale. No two ways about it, it's essential Maiden!
Personally The Parchment was a slow burn fer me but in the last couple weeks since returning to the album in full it's the one that has really opened up. Thoroughly into it and feel free to continue dissecting and pulling it apart pointing out all the good this one am enjoying every damn second of it all \m/