Iron Maiden tried to make an album of epic tracks and ballads.
I think it failed, it's just not their type of music.

Written by rise447 on 22.04.2011 at 14:29

Iron Maiden tried to make an album of epic tracks and ballads.
I think it failed, it's just not their type of music.

Sure, they failed with this album. We all know everything post-SSOASS is immensely superior to 80s Maiden.
And, of course, Virtual XI is more their type of music.

This is the only Maiden album I ever really got into. I like the epic feel and the "grandeur" approach, which you probably wouldn't expect from me...

Now that I think of it I really have no idea why I have such an attachment to this album. It's not even a matter of nostalgia.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 22.04.2011 at 16:09

Now that I think of it I really have no idea why I have such an attachment to this album. It's not even a matter of nostalgia.

In this case, I would say that qualitative music is qualitative music.
I'm really not into this stuff at all nowadays (traditional Heavy Metal) but I can't deny that this album is quite good. And I would say the same about any album Maiden released in the 80s.

I have a feeling kinda similar for "The Crimson Idol". I don't listen to any other WASP album nowadays but I still like TCI very much.

Quote:

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Sure, they failed with this album. We all know everything post-SSOASS is immensely superior to 80s Maiden.
And, of course, Virtual XI is more their type of music.

EPIC!

Seriously tho, I like the album but I really dig their earlier stuff more. Maybe this release was a little over the top, at least for me.

I'd actually put this as the second weakest of Maiden's 80's output, ahead of NOTB but below all the others. Of course, it still ranks among the best metal albums ever; it's classic Maiden. It's just slightly watered down, and slightly 'fluffier' than their previous efforts-Damn good for what it is, but I prefer speedfests like Caught Somewhere In Time and Aces High.

I listen to it every day!

Iron Maiden are my favorite band IMO.

Maiden's best and most consistent album. It only has one song that isn't great as the others, The Prophecy. The rest are untouchable.

Written by rise447 on 22.04.2011 at 14:29

Iron Maiden tried to make an album of epic tracks and ballads.
I think it failed, it's just not their type of music.

I agree. And no, Virtual XI etc. are really not their style, as well. This album starts out really weak, but picks up pace late on: there are some really sweet moments on "the Clairvoyant" and the title track. Otherwise, it's so "goody-goody". Can't stand it.

Goody-goody? Yes indeed, its damn goody-goody!

I like it!

This is one my favorites.

A masterpice, ten times better than The Number Of The Beast!

Either this or 'Powerslave' is definitely my favourite IM album. This one simply because every song is memorable, it holds ultimately bewildering epics like the title track and the opener and closer 'Moonchild' and 'Only the good die young'. Some may be cynical about the way the band used the synthesisers on this album, but for me they only enhanced the intense atmosphere that the other instruments created. Some may also argue that 'TNOTB' fares better, but for me, this album is the one that took IM to a different world.

Written by RavenKing on 22.04.2011 at 15:48

everything post-SSOASS is immensely superior to 80s Maiden.

This is a joke, right?

Written by Guest on 13.04.2012 at 22:54

Written by RavenKing on 22.04.2011 at 15:48

everything post-SSOASS is immensely superior to 80s Maiden.

This is a joke, right?

It was sarcasm, of course.
I thought it was quite obvious.

Written by Yaniv on 07.03.2012 at 15:24

A great masterpiece, great concept, so enjoyable to the ears.
Unfortunately, this is the last perfect score album they made.

Brave New World is pretty close for me. Damn near a 10. Everything else after SSOASS is meh.

Written by RavenKing on 14.04.2012 at 00:28

Written by Guest on 13.04.2012 at 22:54

Written by RavenKing on 22.04.2011 at 15:48

everything post-SSOASS is immensely superior to 80s Maiden.

This is a joke, right?

It was sarcasm, of course.
I thought it was quite obvious.

Haha, just kidding The Maiden fans would have jumped headlong into you

Best Maiden album hands down.

The guitar harmonies are beautiful, particularly on Moonchild.

My only problem with most of Iron Maiden's stuff after the first two albums is Bruce Dickinson. Imagine, if you will, that one of the guitars was not tuned properly, and continued to hit every note a little too flat for a good portion of the track.

Vocals are the instrument of the voice, when used they make a huge impact on the overall sound of each song. Bruce, with his faux-operatic style and forced vibrato, seems to put to much pressure and coercion on his voice, and ends up being off-key very often because of it. If Paul Di'Anno didn't get his ass kicked out, he would've made this album twice as good as it already is. Unfortunately, while I do enjoy this CD, I still get put off by that forced vibrato and all the flat notes.

I think my favorite part of this album is that it was inspired by none other than one of my favorite book series by Orson Scott Card: the Alvin Maker series. First book is Seventh Son, and I believe that the second Red Prophet is my favorite of the series. Some badass historical fiction makes for a pretty cool source of inspiration, I guess.

Written by Jaeryd on 20.08.2012 at 23:26

My only problem with most of Iron Maiden's stuff after the first two albums is Bruce Dickinson. Imagine, if you will, that one of the guitars was not tuned properly, and continued to hit every note a little too flat for a good portion of the track.

Vocals are the instrument of the voice, when used they make a huge impact on the overall sound of each song. Bruce, with his faux-operatic style and forced vibrato, seems to put to much pressure and coercion on his voice, and ends up being off-key very often because of it. If Paul Di'Anno didn't get his ass kicked out, he would've made this album twice as good as it already is. Unfortunately, while I do enjoy this CD, I still get put off by that forced vibrato and all the flat notes.

Can't say I've ever heard an opinion quite like this......Also, couldn't disagree more...Paully wouldda sounded so outta place, here. He was the right fit on the fist 2, for sure, though

The most important fact is, that without Bruce this album won't even exist in such a shape, as Bruce helps with writing half of the stuff...and not talking about another fact, that Maiden with Paul will obviously have a waaaay different fate...so this discussion is kinda abstract and pointless

One of Maiden's best albums, however I prefer Somewhere In Time.

I realize it's viewed as some kind of metal blasphemy to play tracks in different orders from albums, but I was listening to some mp3's from this album and the combo of "Only the Good Die Young" straight into "The Evil That Men Do" was quite awesome. Evil might just be my favorite Maiden song ever, and the first song that really got me hooked onto them.

One of Maiden's classics. Definitely among my favorites the band has released, every song is gold.

This album opens whit good song I like that song, IMO most heavyer in that album, I realy love it , but when I listen it I know if next one would be(even I know what came after) like this than Maiden has no future, well maybe ''sexy'' 80's shorthaired punkish chick in mini skirt and stockings could like it what is sortha cool pop diva, but still, time late 80's seems agan music inusdustry and marketing made them wrote such album.... I dont say its bad, still its 80's and good HM, but ...... is it perfect?

Written by Bad English on 26.02.2013 at 01:28

its 80's and good HM, but ...... is it perfect?

Yes, it pretty much is.

My favourite album ever. Has a perfect balance between melody, complexity (without over-playing) and a dark atmosphere (without over-using keyboards).