As the sound of the gulls fade from the speakers, we now enter a new territory as Steve's bass leads us through a darkened morning, just before sunrise, on the British Isles, where Celtic warriors prepare for battle. I love how this intro shifts through four sections before Bruce comes in; there's a "Clansman" vibe, sure, but it also feels uniquely its own. Nicko enters slowly as the song builds up until we reach the melody that will lead us into the song proper. Bruce never reaches crescendo here, but that's okay, because this is a song that doesn't require that. "Death of the Celts" moves forward on its own terms. It's arranged more like a poem than a song, with three verse 'sections' back to back right up front.
The first one builds off the intro, a very quiet piece that gets us set up for what's to come. It sounds like a Celtic fighter building himself up before battle. Then the slide in with a heavy, distorted guitar, and now Bruce is giving it what he's got. The battle has begun, the soldiers clash, and the song goes on. I love how the guitars change up between this second section and the third; the melody is the same throughout but these subtle changes mean that it never drags. And when we reach the only thing that reminds of an actual chorus ("Spirits cry for a god from the grave..."), it feels earned. And also pretty bleak. Not all wars can be won. The death toll here is a reminder of that. Yet they will die with honor, and without any tears shed, because the will live evermore beyond this life.
Adrian hits us with a ripping solo just before the song changes up with a little piece that reminds me of both AMOLAD and "Empire of the Clouds". Then we rumble through the battlefield in a glorious anthemic instrumental section that's like a jig of pride in the face of doom. There's also some pretty blatant nods to "Losfer Words" here, but worked in so well that it takes a couple listens to notice. There's some extended playing before we hit up the triple axe attack, this time with Janick leading us with a lengthy solo of his own. It rocks. Davey's is even better, laying on so much fire it's hard not to air guitar along with him. And then H rips through the speakers to wrap things up. This song demonstrates 100% just why we love the three amigos so much. They each have different styles and sounds but work off each other so damn well.
Then things comedown a bit as a mournful yet admiring Bruce comes back to remind us that this is not a song where the heroes win. "Dying, a warrior Celt has no fear... Immortal, for he will live evermore..." Things come to a close as Steve's bass picks up where the intro left off. Bruce's delivery here is so fucking good. He sounds like a dying warrior heading towards the light himself. "Following those who came from Hell, came to witness the death of the Celts," is SUCH a great fucking line to end things on. Steve nailed this song lyrically, constantly building up the narrative, filling it with glory and emotions. So good.
This one took some time to grow on me, but wow does it capture the attention once you really 'get' it. Not a typical song structure from Maiden, but it's constantly building, then shifting, then rocking, and by the time it comes to a close you almost want to weep. Steve's closing trio looked risky as hell on paper back when the tracklist was revealed, but he really brought out the big guns for Senjutsu. I think it'll work super well live too, almost like a "Clansman"-meets-"The Red and the Black" affair. What a great song. 10/10
