Since the reunion, Gers has had diminishing songwriting credits, whereas Adrian has had more and more input as time as gone on. I see that trend continuing, as Steve has relied more and more on Adrian's contributions.
We'll see. I clearly remember a comment from Steve that he "coincidently" went to Adrian first.
Those songs have held up over time and figure in the modern-era setlist. Granted, other Smith songs aren't as good, but by and large, his track record is pretty good. He writes strong melodies, will write songs that break out of the Maiden box (not an opinion, just look at Isle of Avalon or Starblind), ....
Great songs, not in the setlist.
From the 90s CDs, I can't find a Gers-penned song that remains in the setlist since the reunion. That can't all be put on his songwriting, but where are his classics from that era?
Not sure what you mean by classic, but some people hear great tracks by Gers from this era, others don't. I do: E.g. The Unbeliever, and more from TXF -> Great songs, not in the setlist.
To be frank, the question you ask is not that fair, because this era has just one remaining classic when you rely on the setlist. Maiden is allergic for their nineties material. His material from this unpopular period didn't have the same chances as later material from the "metal is popular again" period. That does not mean that the songs from that period are so bad. They are perhaps more difficult to digest compared to the more easy listening material that Adrian wrote in the 1980s. Some remained in the set, and Maiden lately prefers to do it the easy way. Easy songs to play, easy songs to digest. Big part of the audience = happy.
But boy, I wouldn't mind to get some darker and more complex stuff from the nineties.
If only Maiden would have the guts to do that again. Then we're talking.
Actually, the fact that some stuff from more recent albums has been more often in the setlist than the nineties influences many peoples' opinions. I can't prove it, and it works differently for every individual, but I seriously think that a large number of people are very enthusiastic about a song after they've seen it live. If they haven't, they need to use their own imagination, and their taste and open mindness, to fully appreciate a never heard work.
Also, how much of the success of the post-reunion Gers songs can be attributed to him (since Steve says he and Dave only bring in bits of ideas, whereas Adrian brings in full demos and will contribute lyrics, also) and how much can be attributed to Steve, or Bruce? Have there been any Gers-only songs?¨
Apparently you don't know if there have not been either. Did you actually know that he wrote the lyrics for The Pilgrim? And I am pretty sure he wrote a big deal of Dance of Death (focusing on your arguments: a song that lasted longer and better than Paschendale).
Again, I'm not necessarily bashing, just answering the question put to me.
You're not answering questions about Gers. You
ask questions. I'd say, let's find answers and we'll how unimportant he has been for Maiden's success in recent years (in comparison to Adrian and Dave).
By the way: I am not a Gers fanboy, and I dislike The Talisman (worst song in ages), but I really like The Alchemist, and previous recent songs he contributed to. On
Brave New World he totally outshone Adrian in songwriting, but indeed, on the last two albums Adrian is the man.
I am very curious how this will be on the next album. As long as songs are good it doesn't matter that much of course, but I am nerd about song credits and keep all possibilities open. Gers had one song for
Virtual XI and look at what he did two years later.