Virus

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date

How good is Virus on a scale of 1-10?

  • 7

    Votes: 8 8.6%

  • 6

    Votes: 13 14.0%

  • 1

    Votes: 4 4.3%

  • 2

    Votes: 1 1.1%

  • 3

    Votes: 4 4.3%

  • 5

    Votes: 5 5.4%

  • 4

    Votes: 2 2.2%

  • 8

    Votes: 21 22.6%

  • 9

    Votes: 17 18.3%

  • 10

    Votes: 18 19.4%
  • Total voters
    93
This came out in 1999 or 2000. Supposedly Godspeed You Black Emperor simply made a field recording of this crazy guy on the street who called himself Blaise Bailey Finnegan and made a song around the recording and didn't know it was Maiden. Or at least that's their story.
 
I've been listening to virus today. Its definately worse than gangland, invaders, and tail gunner. Way worse. I cant see why some on here rate it so high. The intro is thoroughly boring. Simple and repetitive and goes for way too long. The chang in volume when the drums kick in briefly is irritating. The drum sound is aweful. The singing is cringy. When the song picks up it gets better but the chorus is yuck don't like the layering. This is such a bad song. So happy it didn't make it onto a studio album. If I were to be introducing someone to maiden I'd steer way clear of this.
 
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This is a very good song. Great brutal riff, chorus and especially verses. The instrumental part is also good (although without any solos). The song has all parts in it (long intro, great melodies etc.... and even has a choir chant) that were essential during the Blaze era.

I like the short version a little bit more.
 
This song oozes 90s vibes. It has great heights, but is also too long for its own good. I really like the use of add9 power chords, something that has been relatively uncommon in Maiden's music, but still pops up here and there over the years. The intro unfortunately stretches itself over 2 minutes out of a roughly 6 minute song. There's no reason for the intro to take up 1/3 of the song!

The lead guitar section once the song finally decides to properly get going kicks ass and is easily the highlight of the song. I also really like the fast verses. Blaze sounds fantastic and the chorus features some neat vocal harmonies, which we didn't get too many during the Blaze years. The fast parts of this song is what we should've had more of on TXF.

The section after the second chorus is a bit experimental (the choir pads and the additional toms are a neat touch), but it repeats itself a bit too much considering how little changes. The lyrics of the song are not the best by any stretch, but this section sticks out even more for some reason. A bit too blunt, I suppose. As if all that weren't enough we get a reprise of the intro again.

If the song were only the fast parts in the middle third we'd have an easy 9. Unfortunately it's not without its flaws, so I'll stick with a 6.
 
I think the intro is unnecessary (as often is the case in maiden) but the verses with that killer heavy guitar tone are exactly what TXF was missing and I think the verse lyrics are great. I also think it's Blazes best studio performance in Maiden
 
IMO, the single edit version is what it's at. From the point the track goes up-tempo (featuring those gorgeous guitar harmonies) up to the synth filled final part this song is awesome ... a solid 8 or 8,5 out of 10. Now, when it comes to the full version I think the initial calm section is utterly boring and the syncopated bursts are the true definition of awful. Overall, I can only describe it as a horrible mess, and in my book it shaves several points. So it's a 5.5 or a 6 out of 10.
 
karljant said:
IMO, the single edit version is what it's at. From the point the track goes up-tempo (featuring those gorgeous guitar harmonies) up to the synth filled final part this song is awesome ... a solid 8 or 8,5 out of 10. Now, when it comes to the full version I think the initial calm section is utterly boring and the syncopated bursts are the true definition of awful. Overall, I can only describe it as a horrible mess, and in my book it shaves several points. So it's a 5.5 or a 6 out of 10.
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I had no idea there even was a single edit. Personally, the best version of this song is on As Live As It Gets. But I do think that the BOTB edition is a top tier Blaze era song.
 
naranja said:
...with that killer heavy guitar tone are exactly what TXF was missing and I think the verse lyrics are great. I also think it's Blazes best studio performance in Maiden
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Agreed on all. The rhythm guitar tone is great and maybe Blaze should have written more such energetic rockers with faster lyrics.
Belshazzar said:
And the instrumental breakdown with the synths.
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The synths add something different, which is cool, the vibe is so fitting.
karljant said:
IMO, the single edit version is what it's at. From the point the track goes up-tempo (featuring those gorgeous guitar harmonies) up to the synth filled final part this song is awesome ... a solid 8 or 8,5 out of 10. Now, when it comes to the full version I think the initial calm section is utterly boring and the syncopated bursts are the true definition of awful. Overall, I can only describe it as a horrible mess, and in my book it shaves several points. So it's a 5.5 or a 6 out of 10.
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The intro is too long, but I like it because it brings TXF vibe in a couple of minutes, which is special. And it fits the song, we have to say that.
Spaldy said:
Personally, the best version of this song is on As Live As It Gets.
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The harmonies are even better live, the whole song actually. Plus, this live album has an awesome production. It's pure Maiden especially from the Blaze era, probably more than any other song. Steve really wanted to make a statement. It would have been a great addition to both Blaze albums. If I have to change anything, surprisingly it wouldn't be adding proper solos, but instead another repeat of the chorus after the instrumental section.
 
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