I listened to this song a lot in the last few days. Calmer parts of the song are easily a 10, great riff and lyrics. Heavier parts of the song are good, but drawn out a little bit. In conclusion, it's an 9/10.
I thought this was a brilliant song when the album was new, and one of the best epics on the album. But something has happened, maybe the fact that I've listened to the song about 150 times has made me a bit tired of it, I just don't think it's that great anymore. The weakest link in this song is Bruce. Especially towards the end of the song. Don't get me wrong, it's a very good song, but not as good as the four other long songs.
This is where the album really gets interesting. The song opens with what I see as a nod to SSOASS, and progresses to something that simply has to be inspired by Rush. This is the first of two songs where the band really shows their musicianship (Starblind being the other), and the end product is very, very good. A high 9 to Isle of Avalon.
10/10. This is my third favourite on the album. I love the space feel to it, and I love the Rush sounding middle section.
I wasn't really sure what to think of this song. When I was reading reviews for TFF before the release I was looking forward to this most and then I got the album and it didn't really click. It was a bit repetitive initially, the lyrics were confusing and it seemed to lack direction. Then I noticed something. It had a fucking awesome chorus. And then it all kind of clicked for me. The way the song just keeps building and building for this sudden release of emotion and adrenaline in the chorus. The drums in the intro remind me a little of the drums in the interlude of SSoaSS in the way they build. The instrumental section has grown on me a lot and I like how they build the tension, only to drop back into the intro and build it all the way up again before the final chorus. The only thing that stops this from being a 10 is the second post chorus which kills the song a little, in my opinion. The song would be a 10 if it finished after 8 minutes. Although I do like the ending. 9/10.
9/10 - This was initially my favourite song from the album, now it's around my second or third. I love the chorus and the sort of mystical, faraway feel of the whole song - a masterpiece for sure!
This song initially didn't do anything for me, and I thought it was longer than necessary. On my most recent detailed listen, it finally clicked for me, and I appreciated the lyrics and especially the superb guitar work. 9/10. (I reserve 10 for the TRULY great Maiden epics, and this one just falls somewhat short of that for me)
10/10. Fantastic song, one of my favorite post-reunion tracks. BTW, does anyone know which scales are used in this song?
Key is E Major until the pre chorus. Then it is E Minor. I'm not sure if that's what you meant though...
For me, "Isle Of Avalon" is the only long song on "The Final Frontier" that completely works, and neither feels overlong, or contains parts that feel like they don't fit the song. It is also the only one that totally engages me, and pulls me into it's soundscape like all great epics should. And as a Rush fan, the fact that this one clearly feels inspired by the Canadian legends is another reason to love it! It's simply a wonderful song on all levels, with atmospheric and tense clean sections, an absolutely huge, majestic, chorus that actually makes you feel like you are on the Isle, quirky proggy passages that captivate and fill you with wonder, and of course, a classic crashing "Maiden ending" that just gives it that final, intense flourish that just leaves you breathless by the end. Whilst none of the other long songs on the album are actually bad, compared to this wonderfully inspired piece of work, they do seem weak. "Isle Of Avalon" is one of my very fave Maiden songs, no question!