Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

  I loved Virus for a spell as well but the shine is off the apple now.  I would have it in the middle of the Blaze pack in the back end of the catalog.  Amazing difference of opinions abound.  I do love the guitar arrangement around the 4:25 mark, with the "AHHHHH  AHHHH in the back.  A cool song. 
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

Forostar said:
I am sorry to say that it will probably go slower from now on. It's getting more difficult.
Click to expand...

More difficult you say? --to get you out of the 90's maybe; for us fans of decent Maiden tracks, it certainly seems like it might be getting more difficult, to read on. Could you not have found it a little more difficult, and conveniently forgotten about this song?  :D

No. 27 - Virus
(Harris/Gers/Murray/Bayley, 1996 -> on stage-status: never played)

Maiden's stand alone song with its own independent message in the whole discography.
Click to expand...

Now, one shouldn't let the "unique" tag sway ones critical judgement Forostar...

I do not mind it's not on a regular studio album (and it wouldn't make sense either). It makes this gem (and Best of the Beast!) even more special.
Click to expand...

No, it doesn't.

You're countdown was highly appealing until the arrival of Virus.  :D
Seriously: #27 --in Maiden's entire discography?!
Nah, cannot agree. I think this is a decidedly mediocre, Maiden, track.

But I'm now, admittedly, keenly anticipating number 26...
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

I really loved virus the first time i heard it and now it stands as a unique and good song that doesnt fit the norm and has a bursting guitar melody reminiscent of ATSS
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

@CriedWhenBruceLeft:

I am really not only hoping to see people who agree with me, and when people think a song shouldn't have a high ranking, I always appreciate their story behind that opinion.

But you constantly phrase your reactions in a very personal way. You use smileys but sometimes you don't.
Actually, I honestly don't get your real intentions here. Are you interested in the songs and the stories I post, or are you interested in continuously fedding me up with your comments which seem rather focused on my person instead of focused on the song?

Take this for example:

CriedWhenBrucieLeft said:
Now, one shouldn't let the "unique" tag sway ones critical judgement Forostar...
Click to expand...

Now why on earth are you mixing up your judgement criteria with mine? My judgement is mine, yours is yours.
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

I'm not a big fan of Virus personally. Didn't really strike me as a standout the first time I heard it. It's placing here HAS inspired me to go back and give it another listen however, and I'm definitely curious to see what's next.
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

bornless1 said:
I do love the guitar arrangement around the 4:25 mark, with the "AHHHHH  AHHHH in the back.
Click to expand...

I think that part makes the entire song...it's cool but at the end of the day listening to the entire song just for that part isn't really merited, it's almost better to just skip to it. I can get very obsessed with certain melodies and progressions so I think this was why I loved the song for a long time. Now that some time has passed, however, I have a more objective view of the work in its entirety, not just this one part.
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

No. 26 - Ghost of the Navigator
(Gers/Harris/Dickinson, 2000 -> on stage-status: last time in 2010)

This song has a mighty beginning, raising the hairs on many backs as soon as the gentle guitars spread over the concert venue. The studio version has the same effect: what a great tension, creating a feeling of mystery.

Then, when the drums kick in, the tension gets even more exciting and the journey begins. The mid piece is one of the heaviest Maiden moments, due to the insane bass drum work by Nicko. Awesome.

I shouldn't forget to mention that it has one of my favourite Janick Gers solos, with its sharp and moving tones, piercing straight through the heart.
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

Good song, but the chorus is rather strange, and too long. I've always considered it one of the less brilliant songs of BNW, far below The Nomad, Bllod Brothers or Dream of Mirrors. But I shall listen to it again and again to try and get your point.
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

Never warmed to Virus. Always found the backing vocals to be awful and while I do enjoy some of the riffage, it just petered out badly in the end.
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

I agree entirely with you on this one Foro, Ghost of the Navigator is definitely in my top three from BNW, which I consider an exceptionally strong album.
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

Forostar said:
No. 26 - Ghost of the Navigator
(Gers/Harris/Dickinson, 2000 -> on stage-status: last time in 2010)

This song has a mighty beginning, raising the hairs on many backs as soon as the gentle guitars spread over the concert venue. The studio version has the same effect: what a great tension, creating a feeling of mystery.

Then, when the drums kick in, the tension gets even more exciting and the journey begins. The mid piece is one of the heaviest Maiden moments, due to the insane bass drum work by Nicko. Awesome.

I shouldn't forget to mention that it has one of my favourite Janick Gers solos, with its sharp and moving tones, piercing straight through the heart.
Click to expand...

Great song, definitely in my top 30 as well, and it's part of what is currently my favourite 3-in-a-row combination of songs from any Maiden album (with Brave New World and Blood Brothers).
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

I agree the beginning is very good. All the tempo changes are all pretty flawless too (they could've not worked) --& Nicko's drumming is fine stuff.

That said, I think there's very little variation for what is quite a long song, certainly for my liking anyway. The lyrics & melody certainly make it, but I can't say I think the guitar work is up there with Maiden's best. Not sure. I don't think I'd have it this high. Also, your favourite Janick solo!? I'm no Janick-basher, but this is pretty routine Janick --do you like most of Janick's solo stuff?, as this doesn't seem much of highlight, to me.

But overall, yes, it's pretty damn good. I'm not a massive fan of the sound of BNW, but I suppose the writing itself is better than I give it credit for. I shall have a good re-listen...
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

In the context of the rest of the album, it fits in perfectly. However its not a favorite when I listen to it on its own. For some reason I just feel it needs the songs that come both before and after it on BNW for it to reach its full potential.
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

harrisdevot said:
Good song, but the chorus is rather strange, and too long. I've always considered it one of the less brilliant songs of BNW, far below The Nomad, Bllod Brothers or Dream of Mirrors. But I shall listen to it again and again to try and get your point.
Click to expand...

I agree with you about the chorus not being the strongest part of the song. But the rest makes up for it imo.

CriedWhenBrucieLeft said:
Also, your favourite Janick solo!?
Click to expand...

One of my favourites. I also like his solo in e.g. The Pilgrim, The Legacy & The Clansman very much.

CriedWhenBrucieLeft said:
--do you like most of Janick's solo stuff?
Click to expand...

I like quite some of his stuff yes. There are more nice ones indeed.

Natalie said:
In the context of the rest of the album, it fits in perfectly. However its not a favorite when I listen to it on its own. For some reason I just feel it needs the songs that come both before and after it on BNW for it to reach its full potential.
Click to expand...

Well, it's not forbidden to (imagine that you) play this song in the context of the rest of the album. You can wonder how cool you find it at that very moment, and then rank it.
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

Ghost of the Navigator would rank similarly for me, maybe a little higher. Great description of Jan`s solo... it does pierce my heart... one of my Gers favourites as well...
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

  Perfect description of Ghost and its effect live.  What a powerful rocking start and the trademark  Maiden galloping  pace throughout, unbelievable.  It's early spot in the set list during leg one of Final Frontier was masterful.  Completely blew me away and gave me new respect for a song I already loved.  GOTN sometimes reminds me of a condensed {and slightly less remarkable} ROTAM.  Certainly a top 20 reunion song for me, and top 30  all time.  Nice selection Foro.
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

Navigator is not in my top 30, but I can fully see being it other people's.
The first 35 seconds of this song are magical and should have been reprised after the instrumental break. It's a good song with great musical imagery, and solid metaphorical lyrics. My main complaint is it starts so perfectly that the rest of the song (which is still good) pales in comparison. Number 53 for me.
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

Forostar: full & unreserved apology.  :(

Forostar said:
@CriedWhenBruceLeft:

I am really not only hoping to see people who agree with me, and when people think a song shouldn't have a high ranking, I always appreciate their story behind that opinion.

But you constantly phrase your reactions in a very personal way. You use smileys but sometimes you don't.
Actually, I honestly don't get your real intentions here. Are you interested in the songs and the stories I post, or are you interested in continuously fedding me up with your comments which seem rather focused on my person instead of focused on the song?

Take this for example:

Now why on earth are you mixing up your judgement criteria with mine? My judgement is mine, yours is yours.
Click to expand...

I didn't notice this post when I posted regarding Navigator; you possibly edited it while I was typing, or perhaps I carelessly didn't read it properly... I genuinely don't mean to cause offence, and perhaps I should append all my sentences with smiley faces, as almost all of them are tongue firmly in cheek. Yes, they are personal --it's your chart. And, I like personal comments. But they're meant to make you smirk (not frown), and my probably overbearing dry/sarcastic sense of humour perhaps doesn't (ever?) translate in type. My Now, one shouldn't let the "unique" tag sway ones critical judgement Forostar... comment, for example, was over-coloured, bombastic, and deliberately pompous; ridiculing myself more than you. So, without hogging any more of your thread, please accept my apologies; and do pick me up on it should I slide in this direction again.

Back to your thread --don't you notice that all Janick's solos in songs he writes or co-writes are generally pretty good?
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

Nice to read all your takes on this song, people!

@CriedWhenBrucieLeft
Thanks for that reaction! Accepted of course! Actually, your Navigator post was entirely different. First I thought you did that because you did read my comment. :)

CriedWhenBrucieLeft said:
--don't you notice that all Janick's solos in songs he writes or co-writes are generally pretty good?
Click to expand...

Often yes, but he needs to be careful that he doesn't repeat himself a bit too often. When I compare his solo in Wasting Love, 2 AM and Como Estais Amigos, I find some parts a bit too similar. So I rather like his more original (or sudden) choices.

@Mckindog, I disagree that the aggressive mid part pales in comparison to the beginning. This is really heavy stuff, even for Maiden standards.

Well, this was the bottom half of my top 50. Beware for some more irregular choices.
 
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs

No. 25 - Dance of Death
(Gers/Harris, 2003 -> on stage-status: last time in 2011)

The best track of the album its on, and in my humble opinion the song has extra status because it belongs to the two best songs Gers has ever co-written. The quality of the melodies and the quick pace they are played with are astounding. The melodies are turned into riffs, or as you wish: the riffs are incredibly melodic!

The solo section is the best from the whole album, especially Adrian and Dave reach their highest summit. Love the way Dave's section is in a different modus.

I have special memories of the first time I saw this song performed. Adrian and Steve stood about 2 or 3 meter away from me, on the edge of the stage, Adrian "swinging" in his typical shuffling/stepping way. Not sure if you know what I mean, but you can see from his body language when he's really into a certain Maiden part. Anyway, there was a plastic cup and H kicked it into the crowd (without deviating from his rhythm) and he and Steve burst into laughter about it. Not a big deal, anyway, I liked it.

The build-up is sublime. The song becomes harder at a moment when Wrathchild would already be finished, but these short 3 minutes alone are much more captivating than the Killers standard.


No. 24 - Hallowed Be Thy Name
(Harris, 1982 -> on stage-status: last time in 2011)

I do not list this epic stage monument in my own top 10 of Maiden songs because I find it -apart from the vocals- worse than most live versions. It's kinda slow, and the intro seems unnaturally faster. I am not much over the moon with Adrian's leadwork on The Number of the Beast and his delivery on Hallowed I find no exception. Nonetheless this song features Bruce's best singing, we get some great guitar harmonies with a strong rhythm underneath.

*runs to evade rotten apples*
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top