THE Iron Maiden Thread

[El Barto]

Disagree about Rime.  That song does a great job of recreating the atmosphere of Coleridge's poem.  Musically, it was a full-blown realization of the experiment that they teased us with on To Tame A Land.  

Yup.  The poem was a damn fine piece of work, and I think Maiden's efforts did it justice.  While the middle bass section might run a bit long, I think it's necessary for the epic sense of revelation that comes out of it.  

[glaurung]

Disagree about Rime.  That song does a great job of recreating the atmosphere of Coleridge's poem.  Musically, it was a full-blown realization of the experiment that they teased us with on To Tame A Land.  

Yup.  The poem was a damn fine piece of work, and I think Maiden's efforts did it justice.  While the middle bass section might run a bit long, I think it's necessary for the epic sense of revelation that comes out of it.  

And the gradual buildup into the solo after that part is one of my favorite moments for any Maiden song. 

[tri.ad]

Triad, I think there was a discussion about The X Factor somewhere in this thread, but to me, The X Factor is full of great ideas, and a lot of great songs. But it has this unfinished quality to it. The production for one, but there are parts of songs that just do go together. I can't cite examples off the top of my head. It became obvious how much the balance that Bruce/ Adrian contibuted to center some of Harris' ideas.
There just didn't seem to be anyone that could help Harris arrange the parts. The album has direction so I wouldn't say it lacks direction, but like I said, it just has a Demo quality or lack of completeness to it. In fact I think it has some of the best ideas and could've been a freaking masterpiece. To me, it's a very frustrating listen, because all of the pieces were in place for it to be so much more.

We've had this discussion about The X Factor before, and I still stand to my opinion. Let's just agree to disagree there.

Nevertheless, I see your point about Harris not having anyone that supported/at times opposed his arrangements, but in my opinion, it was worse on Virtual XI. Four songs (interestingly, the four longest ones) were solely written by Harris, and there are many things that could bear changes in the arrangement. There is no originality in the songs, it's basically Steve Harris by numbers - the bass supporting the guitars even when there are no drums, one-line chorus lyrics etc. The only song on the album that somewhat manages to escape this one-dimensionality is Cómo Estáis Amigos.

[TAC]

Yeah, both albums, which have latent greatness in them, would've been better served if there was someone there to challenge Steve Harris, or at least given him someone to bounce things off of..

[GuineaPig]

Triad, I think there was a discussion about The X Factor somewhere in this thread, but to me, The X Factor is full of great ideas, and a lot of great songs. But it has this unfinished quality to it. The production for one, but there are parts of songs that just do go together. I can't cite examples off the top of my head. It became obvious how much the balance that Bruce/ Adrian contibuted to center some of Harris' ideas.
There just didn't seem to be anyone that could help Harris arrange the parts. The album has direction so I wouldn't say it lacks direction, but like I said, it just has a Demo quality or lack of completeness to it. In fact I think it has some of the best ideas and could've been a freaking masterpiece. To me, it's a very frustrating listen, because all of the pieces were in place for it to be so much more.

We've had this discussion about The X Factor before, and I still stand to my opinion. Let's just agree to disagree there.

Nevertheless, I see your point about Harris not having anyone that supported/at times opposed his arrangements, but in my opinion, it was worse on Virtual XI. Four songs (interestingly, the four longest ones) were solely written by Harris, and there are many things that could bear changes in the arrangement. There is no originality in the songs, it's basically Steve Harris by numbers - the bass supporting the guitars even when there are no drums, one-line chorus lyrics etc. The only song on the album that somewhat manages to escape this one-dimensionality is Cómo Estáis Amigos.

My favourite Maiden song of the '90s 

[Mladen]

X Factor rules and is one of my favorite Maiden albums. I will defend it to the death.

Finally!    Fantastic album, my 3rd favorite by Maiden overall...

[cramx3]

I agreee that the X-Factor is a good album and that Virtual XI is not.

[GuineaPig]

It's production and Blaze hold it back.  If that album had Martin Birch and Silicon Messiah-era Blaze, then it's a top 3 easily, maybe even my favourite.

[TAC]

I was just watching the Philly 87 DVD and I really hope Caught Somewhere In Time is part of this year's setlist. Live, the main harmony/riff before the verses has always sounded thin, even on this soundboard, so I think with Jannick playing chords underneath it, it will really improve the song live.

[skydivingninja]

I was just watching the Philly 87 DVD and I really hope Caught Somewhere In Time is part of this year's setlist. Live, the main harmony/riff before the verses has always sounded thin, even on this soundboard, so I think with Jannick playing chords underneath it, it will really improve the song live.

That would be badass.

[Birch Boy]

I know this isn't 100% on topic, but it's really close, so what does everyone think about Bruce's solo career and with Samson? I love his solo stuff, very melodic and slightly more progressive at times, and very much a lot darker. It's really really good. Thoughts?

[Nick]

I love Bruce's solo work, but it's a crime that Adrian's Psycho Motel went pretty much unnoticed, two amazing albums.

[Birch Boy]

I love Bruce's solo work, but it's a crime that Adrian's Psycho Motel went pretty much unnoticed, two amazing albums.

Yep, never heard of that 
I'll check it out.

And my solo Bruce rankings would go lie this (I only have three)

1. The Chemical Wedding
2. Accident of Birth
3. Tyranny of Souls

[Zydar]

I like Bruce's solo stuff a lot, I actually prefer it over Maiden's stuff when they took in Blaze. Sounds like Bruce took the "Maiden sound" with him when he jumped ship in 1993, did some "Maiden sounding" solo albums, and then returned to the band. Accident Of Birth is one great album, I tell ya. It beats The X Factor and Virtual XI any day of the week.

[GuineaPig]

The Chemical Wedding is the best them.

Of all them.

[Zantera]

The Chemical Wedding is amazing, though i would like to give some praise for Tyranny of Souls.
That album just seems very underrated, and its amazing from start to finish.
I especially love 'Navigate the Seas of the Sun" which is imo the best ballad made by Bruce, followed by Jerusalem.

[Birch Boy]

TCW is amazing song-for-song all the way through.

[sneakyblueberry]

I especially love 'Navigate the Seas of the Sun" which is imo the best ballad made by Bruce, followed by Jerusalem.

A man after my own heart...

TCW is amazing song-for-song all the way through.

Killing Floor is the only weak track imo.

[Birch Boy]

TCW is amazing song-for-song all the way through.

Killing Floor is the only weak track imo.

I think it's awesome!
To me, the only "weaker" track is "Confeos", but I don't even know if that was originally included. It might be a bonus track.

[sneakyblueberry]

TCW is amazing song-for-song all the way through.

Killing Floor is the only weak track imo.

I think it's awesome!
To me, the only "weaker" track is "Confeos", but I don't even know if that was originally included. It might be a bonus track.

Yeah thats a bonus track, can't say I've ever heard it though.  I love the dark production on CW.  Can't believe how well it fits the mood of the album.  I've said this so many times before but it bears repeating.

[Birch Boy]

TCW is amazing song-for-song all the way through.

Killing Floor is the only weak track imo.

I think it's awesome!
To me, the only "weaker" track is "Confeos", but I don't even know if that was originally included. It might be a bonus track.

Yeah thats a bonus track, can't say I've ever heard it though.  I love the dark production on CW.  Can't believe how well it fits the mood of the album.  I've said this so many times before but it bears repeating.

Yeah definitely his most "complete" album in terms of everything fitting together, the lyrics, the music, the artwork, everything.

[GuineaPig]

Confeos is amazing.  Fuck the haters 

[Birch Boy]

Confeos is amazing.  Fuck the haters 

I agree, I just think it's the weakest track on the album.

[glaurung]

Accident of Birth > Chemical Wedding

[GuineaPig]

Accident of Birth > Chemical Wedding

Accident of Birth is an amazing album, but it doesn't have a "Jerusalem" or a "Book of Thel"

[Zantera]

I really love Skunkworks as well, but i know it isn't generally 'loved' by fans.

[Birch Boy]

Accident of Birth > Chemical Wedding

Accident of Birth is an amazing album, but it doesn't have a "Jerusalem" or a "Book of Thel"

Or any of the other TCW songs. 

I really love Skunkworks as well, but i know it isn't generally 'loved' by fans.

I'll eventually get that one.

[LordCaptainMcKlockenstein]

Accident of Birth is an amazing album, but it doesn't have a "Jerusalem" or a "Book of Thel"

"Book of Thel" is amazing.

I want to make love to it behind a Wal-Mart...

[Chagny]

Seeing Maiden live with DT in June

[glaurung]

That tard is amazing.

[MetalManiac666]

That tard is amazing.

Agreed. 

[Zantera]

River of no Return is an amazing song.

[GuineaPig]

River of no Return is an amazing song.

Hear, hear.

Fuck, now I want to do a Bruce Dickinson top 25 so I can express my love for his work.

[Zantera]

River of no Return is an amazing song.

Hear, hear.

Fuck, now I want to do a Bruce Dickinson top 25 so I can express my love for his work.

I would follow with interest.

[Birch Boy]

River of no Return is an amazing song.

Hear, hear.

Fuck, now I want to do a Bruce Dickinson top 25 so I can express my love for his work.

I would follow with interest.