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Post by metalcrypt on Sept 7, 2021 13:27:23 GMT -5
The first review on this site (written by Christian) went up last night.
Opinions on the album?
Ready… Set… Go:
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sargon
Staff
Rising from the deep...
Posts: 45
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Post by sargon on Sept 7, 2021 19:11:50 GMT -5
I really like the first half, but then it seems to lose energy toward the end. Still more coherent than Book of Souls though.
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Post by paparay on Sept 7, 2021 23:17:10 GMT -5
I like it a lot, though it has to be said that the only two Maiden albums I outright dislike are No Prayer for the Dying and Virtual XI. But Senjutsu is without question better and more consistent than The Book of Souls. Forgoing (for the most part) the endlessly repeating choruses where Bruce just sings the title did wonders for them. To shorten the runtime I'd probably only cut "Lost in a Lost World" because the back and forth instrumental break aggravates me at times, though I've mostly grown used to it and I don't dislike the song. Plus there's really no reason for "The Time Machine" or "Hell on Earth" to have the quiet Harris taco shell intro/outro to pad the lengths.
That being said, it's a treat to hear Steve Harris play with more gusto than he has in years. His three epics at the end was a bold move, but thankfully they are three different variations on his post-1995 formula for epics. And Adrian Smith's solos are also downright masterful on several songs.
In my opinion, yet another good album from unquestionable legends.
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luxi
Staff
"What does not kill you, makes you more pissed off..."
Posts: 319
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Post by luxi on Sept 8, 2021 2:04:11 GMT -5
I really like this new Maiden album as much as I did with the band's previous album, The Book of Souls. I basically like the fact the album's got so many epic tracks, too, I don't think they sound repetitive at all. So far such songs as "The Parchment" and "Hell on Earth" have hit me the hardest.
This is definitely the kind of an album you'd like to hear with your headphones on (and preferably alone, too) because it requires s a lot of concentration just to get the songs fully sink in.
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Post by mystophales on Sept 8, 2021 9:02:50 GMT -5
I think my issue with the song lengths simply stems from the fact that they feel padded (Intro/Outro that are needlessly long) or that as much as I love this band, they are terrible at transitioning from one part of a song to another. Not EVERY time but sometimes it is VERY noticeable. Sometimes it just feels like Steve hase 800 ideas for a song and tries his damndest to put every single one into one epic song.
There is not a single album from Maiden that I dislike but If I was creating a playlist to listen to on a roadtrip I would be hard pressed to pick any of these epic tracks. I still feel that the best "epic" track maiden has done is still "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" or Maybe "Lonliness of a Long Distance Runner".
Im trying so hard not to be THAT guy....Maiden was better back in MY day...lol
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Post by reigninbloodygore on Sept 8, 2021 9:48:31 GMT -5
I suppose I need to go listen to it, but perhaps more shameful is that I don’t feel any desire to hear this album. I’m a huge fan of everything from their start until they messed it up with No Prayer… now if I want to hear some more modern Maiden, I prefer playing the similar band, Monument, instead.
I’ll eventually get around to hearing this one.
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luxi
Staff
"What does not kill you, makes you more pissed off..."
Posts: 319
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Post by luxi on Sept 8, 2021 13:22:16 GMT -5
I suppose I need to go listen to it, but perhaps more shameful is that I don’t feel any desire to hear this album. I’m a huge fan of everything from their start until they messed it up with No Prayer… now if I want to hear some more modern Maiden, I prefer playing the similar band, Monument, instead. I’ll eventually get around to hearing this one. Have you heard of Icon of Sin yet? If not, you definitely should...
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metalmike
Staff
We need it as a liquid in our veins instead of blood
Posts: 298
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Post by metalmike on Sept 8, 2021 17:42:54 GMT -5
I have not heard the album yet. Christian’s review makes it out to be pretty close to what I was expecting, so I’m in no hurry.
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Post by mystophales on Sept 8, 2021 21:59:54 GMT -5
I have not heard the album yet. Christian’s review makes it out to be pretty close to what I was expecting, so I’m in no hurry. well, if you start listening right now you might be done by this weekend....did I mention it is long....lol
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sargon
Staff
Rising from the deep...
Posts: 45
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Post by sargon on Sept 9, 2021 2:23:32 GMT -5
I suppose I need to go listen to it, but perhaps more shameful is that I don’t feel any desire to hear this album. I’m a huge fan of everything from their start until they messed it up with No Prayer… now if I want to hear some more modern Maiden, I prefer playing the similar band, Monument, instead. I’ll eventually get around to hearing this one. Have you heard of Icon of Sin yet? If not, you definitely should... Damn this guy sounds like Bruce. Uncanny.
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Post by metalcrypt on Sept 9, 2021 9:03:15 GMT -5
Have you heard of Icon of Sin yet? If not, you definitely should... Damn this guy sounds like Bruce. Uncanny. Indeed. The music, not so Maidenish. My first thought was that the singer must have started in a Maiden tribute band.
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Post by metalcrypt on Sept 9, 2021 9:03:36 GMT -5
I have not heard the album yet. Christian’s review makes it out to be pretty close to what I was expecting, so I’m in no hurry. Pffft. Elitist.
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mjolnir
Staff
Your observations of my nonsense fail to excuse your bad sense
Posts: 319
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Post by mjolnir on Sept 9, 2021 19:48:06 GMT -5
Just got to it today. I've seen a lot of people say it's among their worse, but I think that's exaggerated. The mix is uneven and it could have been cut down by like 30 minutes, but there's still some strong moments and even some really good songs on it. It's far from amazing, but you know, it's better than the last one.
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metalmike
Staff
We need it as a liquid in our veins instead of blood
Posts: 298
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Post by metalmike on Sept 10, 2021 5:00:18 GMT -5
I have not heard the album yet. Christian’s review makes it out to be pretty close to what I was expecting, so I’m in no hurry. Pffft. Elitist. Is there anyone here that NEEDS to hear me moan about it? LOL
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Post by xardob on Sept 10, 2021 5:12:51 GMT -5
This album works a lot better as individual songs than as a whole. Most of the songs are good, and some are even great, but it doesn't flow well and it's too long. I think the middle is the weakest part. The Time Machine and Darkest Hour are the two weakest songs here and placed together right in the middle of the album kills the momentum and make for a very boring section. Get rid of those two songs, cut about two minutes from Lost in a Lost World (no one needs that chorus), shuffle the order of the songs a bit (Days of Future Past befor Lost in a Lost World and Stratego after Death of the Celts, for example) and you have a much better album.
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