One of the best songs that has ever been created! Beautiful piano intro, amazing lyrics and Bruce's golden voice is on top here. The riff along with piano under it is a special combination - not to mention the triple-lead melodies which (of course) are fantastic as always. The whole instrumental section with the two solos is great - the changing of the riff and tempo - real pleasure. Dave's solo is great and Adrian's solo is so brutal. The part that starts with ''
Fighting the wind as it rolls you'' is epic. But that part is golden:
''
Here lie their dreams as I stand in the sun
On the ground where they built, and the engines did run
To the moon and the stars, now what have we done?
Oh the dreamers may die, but the dreams live on
Dreams live on
Dreams live on''
I wished Janick also to have a solo on the song.....! I don't have words to describe this masterpiece of a song - I agree with
@Diesel 11 about his statement: ''we've finally arrived at the pinnacle of human creativity, imagination, and artistry''

Only Maiden, no, only Bruce can write such a phenomenal song. It is a epic, epic ballad.... the whole song is a beautiful journey (though the theme of it is one of world's most tragic events). I'm very happy that Bruce wrote about that and the strenght of the song, its epicness shows that Bruce was on top of his game. This song it's up there with ROTAM and HBTN.../ ''Empire Of The Clouds'' is one of the best songs titles ever.
Hands down and a deep bow!!!!
10/10.
