Recent content by JayIto

1. Fallen Angel 2. Brighter Than A Thousand Suns 3. Rainmaker 4. Ghost of the Navigator 5. Paschendale 6. Brave New World 7. Wicker Man 8. Face in the Sand 9. Dance of Death 10. Lord of Light

I wasn't very clear - I rather meant that was the most evident difference if you compare the first two albums produced without Birch's involvement, i.e. X-factor and Virtual XI

Don't know about that, their sound was obviously changing even with Birch at the helm. A more evident symptom of Birch's absence is the weakening guitar sound and bloating of songs IMO.

Don't forget Starblind!

I don't miss harmonies that much, and there are a number of post-reunion songs that have amazing ones. Something that has bothered me is however the fact that the band actually made use of the three guitars to make more interesting arrangements on BNW and DoD. Not so much after that.

Senjutsu. The X-Factor has some awesome songs that really come into their own live (the addition of heavy guitars and more energy helps) but the albums on their own? Senjutsu by far. That said, Edge of Darkness, Sign of the Cross and Man on the Edge are awesome live. SOTC live at RiR is Maiden...

I'm not a drummer but maybe you are thinking of Nicko's infatuation with ride cymbals? Also I think he tuned his drums quite high. I quite like Simon's more muscular sound and think that Nicko at times sounded too weak and tinny live, but of course it is subjective

Same with RiR version of Wicker Man, it just roars. A shame that they seem to have gone for a less heavy rythm guitar tone after that (or put Adrian lower in the mix)

Well Live After Death has always been overrated. Beast over Hammersmith is better, as is Rock in Rio (the band at it's peak?)

Playing songs slightly slower is a good thing and not necessarily a symptom of age. With Dawson's steadiness and fat drum sound I'd say some songs, especially Rime and SSOASS, sound as good live as they ever have.

I'd say Bruce still sounds great for his age, even more so last summer when he did a solo tour. That being said, the lisp and lack of enunciation; this is a symptom of his cancer treatment right? Unfortunately it seems to have become more pronounced lately.

Most likely not, since Helsinki is the capital of Finland, not Sweden. ;)

As well as Sthlm Stadion 2003. My first time seeing Maiden live. Absolutely amazing crowd and gig. Listen to the public service radio soundboard recording if you get the chance

Just back from the 2nd Sthlm gig. Wow! I see a lot of complaints about the set list, which is kind of baffling to me. Best live version of SSOASS I've heard, a version of ROTAM to rival Flight 666, seeing Killers performed live for the first time. The band sounded tight, Simon's drumming is more...

A Matter of Life and Death for sure. 3 amazing tracks (BTATS, LD, LoL). Otherwise it plods and sounds too much like the X-factor production-wise (great drum sound, the rest sounds flat and weak)