In defense of Montségur's chorus

Siddharth

Long Distance Trooper
Before I put my point, let me make it clear that I do NOT wish to change your opinion on the song. Whether you like it or not is completely your choice. I just come across people calling it out because of the chorus part sounding "bubbly" and "joyful" as compared to the rest of the song. I just find this assessment pretty unfair.

The lyrics of the song accounts for the Seige Of Montsegur by the army of Louis IX during 1243-44. Montsegur was the stronghold of the Cathars that broke away from the Catholic Church due to their differing religious interpretations. Now Maiden has famously written many songs based on history but what I have noticed is that, from a songwriter's point of view they deal with the subject matter in a disinterested and a dispassionate way. A prime example can be of 'Run To The Hills' where the first half is from the perspective of the Native Americans and the later half from that of the invaders i. e. without taking any side as such.

At times one forgets that they are actually listening to music, which is a different medium and has a different tone than say, a documentary. I don't know if street theater is poupular in your region or not but here it is and called as "Nukkad Natak" and while raising several social and political issues, it generally has a "mocking" tone.

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I personally find the chorus section in Montsegur pretty much in the same vein as often displayed in the above art form and hence I think it fits perfectly as played in a major key with a more happy or should I say mocking sound.

Cheers. Up The Irons!

 
For the record, I appreciate your post and opinion and my opening line was more for comedic timing rather than anything else. But the happy chorus is the reason I rarely listen to this song, despite the album being one of my favorites. To me it sounds like it could be a children's song or something.
 
I listened to Montsegur just before the album release at Sanctuary Records, they had a little press listening at the time before the interviews and they made us listen to the first four songs. I already heard Wildest Dreams at Donington Download Fest. From the other 3, I couldnt really grasp the short hit Rainmaker and the long Virtual11-esque No More Lies. The Montsegur was the closer of that listening and the one which raised our hopes for the album. (My review changed in time of course, I really love NML and RM more than Montsegur now)

So I don't get the negativity towards the chorus... It's really hard to please Maiden fans!

The chorus is like euro-power (a little folky) like others mentioned and at that time bands like Blind Guardian, Skyclad were bringing new breath to the genre. I thought it was nice that Maiden presented this style in their own craft. It causes a nice contrast in this aggressive historical song.
 
I watch quite a bit of tennis and there’s a player called Ons Jabeur.

Whenever I see one of her matches is on and her name is on screen I immediately get the ‘Montsegur’ chorus stuck in my head.

Anyone reading this will now probably have the same thing happen if they see her name.

Sorry about that.

(I really like the song).
 
To me, the entire song borders on a musical theater score. It’s a descendent of Maiden’s Phantom of the Opera track in many ways.

I personally never took issue with any Maiden songs sounding too upbeat other than “Wildest Dreams” which, along with the album’s cover art, put me off to Dance of Death until I gave the whole album a chance.
 
I love Montsegur, even the goofy-ass chorus. That said, the song has a dichotomy between the brutal opening riff and happy-ass chorus reminds me of a hypothetical scenario where Master of Puppets gets the chorus to Helloween's Future World.
 
I love Montsegur, even the goofy-ass chorus. That said, the song has a dichotomy between the brutal opening riff and happy-ass chorus reminds me of a hypothetical scenario where Master of Puppets gets the chorus to Helloween's Future World.
I love that comparison.
 
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