karljant
Ancient Mariner
Self explanatory. Try not to repeat songs (just pick the best version from a single edition):
40 - "Wasting Love":
Maiden playing AOR power ballads? No way! And Bruce's voice sounds awful. Cool entering lead and solos. Other than that this Wasting Love is truly a waste of time.
39 - "From Here to Eternity"
Once again the only thing memorable here is the infectious bass line with which the song begins with. Other than that FHTE is a cringe fest of a Hard Rock FM wannabe, plagued by awful vocals and an abortion of a chorus.
38 - "The Angel and the Gambler (Edited Version)":
More bearable than the album version due to more than needed trimming, this song still fails to impress the slightest.
37 - “Coming Home”:
Interesting melodic tune with some hooks but its charm wears too fast. Still nice to listen to.
36 - "Speed of Light":
Uncompromising short rocker with a nice flow to it but that's all. Nice guitar licks in the pre-chorus.
35 - "Twilight Zone":
Enjoyable fast rocker. Yet a somehow cacophonous vocal line in the verses and too much compressed content in too little time surely holds this song back. Props to Paul's voice in the chorus.
34 - "Women in Uniform":
Maiden nailed it while covering this Skyhook's song. But other than being a really refreshing and cool rock cover this track has little more to offer.
33 - "Running Free":
Another off the charts hear friendly and radio friendly tune. And like the previous track it offers little more than that. Perhaps I'm being too harsh due to the thousands of times I've listened to it but it's my actual take.
32 - "Virus (Short Version)":
Deprived of its horrendous and lengthy initial part, Virus proves to be a pretty enjoyable song that features an excellent final section.
31- "Holy Smoke":
Energetic and sarcastic as it can be, Holy Smoke dwells in areas Maiden rarely ventures in and does it with a fair amount of success. An edgy and uncompromising rocker that sounds kind of dislocated in No Prayer For The Dying but works really nice on its own.
30 - "Wildest Dreams"
Although it may sound way too basic and similar to various short songs from their 2000's era, the high notes for this short track go to the infectious rhythm and mostly to its absolutely beautiful bridge.
29 - "Empire of the Clouds":
As I mentioned before I really dislike Rock Operas but have to recognize this one is really well composed and features some excellent passages.
28- "El Dorado":
A really energetic song featuring a great chorus yet recurring too much to Maiden cliches. Yet proves to be more than efficient to generate some serious headbanging.
27- "Different World":
With the exception of its cheesy soap opera like pre-chorus, Different World strengths reside in the same points than the previous tune without sounding cliche. Great guitar harmony in the bridge, also.
26- "Out of the Silent Planet (Edited Version)":
It's a pity the single doesn't feature the complete version since that intro is really something. Other than that OOTSP is a great song with excellent passages, proving to be one of the better cuts from maiden's 2000 reunion album.
25 - "Lord of the Flies":
After a somehow confusing intro the second single out of The X Factor reveals to be a muscular mid tempo anthem. Its composition may be quite simple but it's also tight as nails. I prefer Bruce's take on this one live with the octave variations giving a bit more dynamics to the pre-chorus and refrain but Blaze does a really good job on this tune also.
24 - "Rainmaker":
Dance Of Death's second single secret to greatness is the excellence of its melodies, be it during the initial guitar lead or the verses and chorus itself. Suffers a bit from repetition syndrome though, but being quite short that handicap is not as noticeable as it proves to be in longer songs.
23 - "Futureal":
Excellent uptempo opening tune and a great way to start an album full speed ahead. My only complaint is that other than the chorus, the vocal part(either sang by Bruce or by Blaze) is quite basic and lackluster, holding this track back.
22 - "Hallowed Be Thy Name (Live):
Back in 93, someone should've explained Steve that producing a record was not his best ability. In all honesty, the production almost ruins this absolute classic that only ranks this high due to its inherited and undeniable quality. The band's performance here is far from being the sharpest also.
21 - "2 Minutes to Midnight":
An absolute classic taken from a flawless album, 2 Minutes is the most radio friendly song out of Powerslave but still preserves tons of Heavy Metal punch and a killer chorus, helping the band to solidify itself as the primary metal act worldwide.
40 - "Wasting Love":
Maiden playing AOR power ballads? No way! And Bruce's voice sounds awful. Cool entering lead and solos. Other than that this Wasting Love is truly a waste of time.
39 - "From Here to Eternity"
Once again the only thing memorable here is the infectious bass line with which the song begins with. Other than that FHTE is a cringe fest of a Hard Rock FM wannabe, plagued by awful vocals and an abortion of a chorus.
38 - "The Angel and the Gambler (Edited Version)":
More bearable than the album version due to more than needed trimming, this song still fails to impress the slightest.
37 - “Coming Home”:
Interesting melodic tune with some hooks but its charm wears too fast. Still nice to listen to.
36 - "Speed of Light":
Uncompromising short rocker with a nice flow to it but that's all. Nice guitar licks in the pre-chorus.
35 - "Twilight Zone":
Enjoyable fast rocker. Yet a somehow cacophonous vocal line in the verses and too much compressed content in too little time surely holds this song back. Props to Paul's voice in the chorus.
34 - "Women in Uniform":
Maiden nailed it while covering this Skyhook's song. But other than being a really refreshing and cool rock cover this track has little more to offer.
33 - "Running Free":
Another off the charts hear friendly and radio friendly tune. And like the previous track it offers little more than that. Perhaps I'm being too harsh due to the thousands of times I've listened to it but it's my actual take.
32 - "Virus (Short Version)":
Deprived of its horrendous and lengthy initial part, Virus proves to be a pretty enjoyable song that features an excellent final section.
31- "Holy Smoke":
Energetic and sarcastic as it can be, Holy Smoke dwells in areas Maiden rarely ventures in and does it with a fair amount of success. An edgy and uncompromising rocker that sounds kind of dislocated in No Prayer For The Dying but works really nice on its own.
30 - "Wildest Dreams"
Although it may sound way too basic and similar to various short songs from their 2000's era, the high notes for this short track go to the infectious rhythm and mostly to its absolutely beautiful bridge.
29 - "Empire of the Clouds":
As I mentioned before I really dislike Rock Operas but have to recognize this one is really well composed and features some excellent passages.
28- "El Dorado":
A really energetic song featuring a great chorus yet recurring too much to Maiden cliches. Yet proves to be more than efficient to generate some serious headbanging.
27- "Different World":
With the exception of its cheesy soap opera like pre-chorus, Different World strengths reside in the same points than the previous tune without sounding cliche. Great guitar harmony in the bridge, also.
26- "Out of the Silent Planet (Edited Version)":
It's a pity the single doesn't feature the complete version since that intro is really something. Other than that OOTSP is a great song with excellent passages, proving to be one of the better cuts from maiden's 2000 reunion album.
25 - "Lord of the Flies":
After a somehow confusing intro the second single out of The X Factor reveals to be a muscular mid tempo anthem. Its composition may be quite simple but it's also tight as nails. I prefer Bruce's take on this one live with the octave variations giving a bit more dynamics to the pre-chorus and refrain but Blaze does a really good job on this tune also.
24 - "Rainmaker":
Dance Of Death's second single secret to greatness is the excellence of its melodies, be it during the initial guitar lead or the verses and chorus itself. Suffers a bit from repetition syndrome though, but being quite short that handicap is not as noticeable as it proves to be in longer songs.
23 - "Futureal":
Excellent uptempo opening tune and a great way to start an album full speed ahead. My only complaint is that other than the chorus, the vocal part(either sang by Bruce or by Blaze) is quite basic and lackluster, holding this track back.
22 - "Hallowed Be Thy Name (Live):
Back in 93, someone should've explained Steve that producing a record was not his best ability. In all honesty, the production almost ruins this absolute classic that only ranks this high due to its inherited and undeniable quality. The band's performance here is far from being the sharpest also.
21 - "2 Minutes to Midnight":
An absolute classic taken from a flawless album, 2 Minutes is the most radio friendly song out of Powerslave but still preserves tons of Heavy Metal punch and a killer chorus, helping the band to solidify itself as the primary metal act worldwide.
Last edited: