The Flash
Dennis Wilcock did 9/11
Not quite the explanation I was looking for. That part is not happy sounding at all.
Iron Maiden Survivor 2013: Results Thread - Hallowed reclaims the throne!
- Thread starter Mosh
- Start date
Not quite the explanation I was looking for. That part is not happy sounding at all.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Now that you say it; it is the gloomiest sounding moment from the whole album.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
I want Edge (of Darkness!) out of the way in order to protect the IMO superior songs like e.g. Blood. Man (on the Edge!) is not my favourite either but it doesn't contains less pleasant moments, for me that is.
That's because Edge of Darkness is one of the most boring songs they've ever done. Those 6 minutes feel like an eternity.
Black Wizard
Pleb Hunter
'Edge of Darkness's brilliant! It's my second favourite Blaze-era song.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Blood on the World's Hands is once again ridiculously underrated on this forum.
This song is one big evil motherfucking riff feast. The bass intro is atmospheric and dynamic at the same time, and functions as a warning sign. Nicko's rhythm is pretty unique. The eastern flavour to some of the riffs and melodies is really grabbing me. The synth helps making it one of Maiden's most threatening songs. Actually: I don't think Maiden's music ever fitted better to its lyrics (or the other way around).
The solos belong to the best Maiden has ever done and this is also Blaze's best performance.
He tears it all open, I can see the fire burning in his eyes while listening to his menacing delivery.
He does those high notes incredibly well. Just love it! This is for me the Blaze-era song that I would like to hear live again, but I am not sure how Bruce would deliver this.
The Edge of Darkness: I do not find this a fantastic performance of Blaze. He sounds more monotone here (perhaps even offkey at times), and very repetitive (in case people disagree, I think this could be measured objectively). The same lines keep coming. I don't think that's entirely Blaze's fault. The thing is, this song is repetitive, compared to the average level of repetition on this album.
I guess, with Maiden I prefer songs with more variety, especially when they have such length.
And if there’s less variety then I need at least one or too awesome solos or melodies, or some mindblowing riffs. None of this is the case here.
I find the drumming a bit messy during the solos. The combination of the rhythm in the fast couplets and the opening guitar melody sounds like a worse version of Hallowed Be Thy Name.
The atmosphere in the strong beginning really draws me into this song, and the repetition is really not a problem. I have more problem with that aspect in the fast parts. Its energy is still a strong aspect but that's about it.
When it first came out as a b-side (before the album came out) I was more enthiousiastic, but over the years other songs have lasted better.
One year later a certain song called Virus came out. It also has a long, slow intro but the melodies in the rest of the song are way more enthralling.
This song is one big evil motherfucking riff feast. The bass intro is atmospheric and dynamic at the same time, and functions as a warning sign. Nicko's rhythm is pretty unique. The eastern flavour to some of the riffs and melodies is really grabbing me. The synth helps making it one of Maiden's most threatening songs. Actually: I don't think Maiden's music ever fitted better to its lyrics (or the other way around).
The solos belong to the best Maiden has ever done and this is also Blaze's best performance.
He tears it all open, I can see the fire burning in his eyes while listening to his menacing delivery.
He does those high notes incredibly well. Just love it! This is for me the Blaze-era song that I would like to hear live again, but I am not sure how Bruce would deliver this.
The Edge of Darkness: I do not find this a fantastic performance of Blaze. He sounds more monotone here (perhaps even offkey at times), and very repetitive (in case people disagree, I think this could be measured objectively). The same lines keep coming. I don't think that's entirely Blaze's fault. The thing is, this song is repetitive, compared to the average level of repetition on this album.
I guess, with Maiden I prefer songs with more variety, especially when they have such length.
And if there’s less variety then I need at least one or too awesome solos or melodies, or some mindblowing riffs. None of this is the case here.
I find the drumming a bit messy during the solos. The combination of the rhythm in the fast couplets and the opening guitar melody sounds like a worse version of Hallowed Be Thy Name.
The atmosphere in the strong beginning really draws me into this song, and the repetition is really not a problem. I have more problem with that aspect in the fast parts. Its energy is still a strong aspect but that's about it.
When it first came out as a b-side (before the album came out) I was more enthiousiastic, but over the years other songs have lasted better.
One year later a certain song called Virus came out. It also has a long, slow intro but the melodies in the rest of the song are way more enthralling.
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Black Wizard
Pleb Hunter
1. It's too early for me to read all that.
2. You might be an hour ahead but it's too early to write all that.
2. You might be an hour ahead but it's too early to write all that.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
I was too late because both songs are out anyway. ;-)
Now I can still hope that The Unbeliever's brilliance will get more attention in the next voting round:
The Unbeliever has one of the best instrumental parts since Rime of the Ancient Mariner. I guess I’d even put it in a top3 of post-Rime instrumental sections, together with Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.
The intro is really good, Blaze’s singing might start a bit awkward, but he delivers the goods very well in the part where Janick plays acoustic (right channel). I love the pre-chorus guitar riff which is a strong melody as well.
In the chorus we get this awesome melody (middle audio channel) and I really dig Blaze here as well. And then that stunning magical instrumental enters…
From the first dying echo of that quick guitar touch we go into some tribal groove (unique in the catalogue). The melodies and solos are very moving. Almost struggling, screams of survival. Note also the ethereal sound of Jan’s rhythm guitar, appearing some measures after Dave’s melody.
He sounds like a knight coming through the mist, in slow motion.
Then he starts soloing (tremendous amount of emotion) and Dave does his gentle accompaniment, followed by his superb lightning solo. Back to melody and Jan accompanies him with bright, slow chords.
It’s really cool that both guitarists play not only their own solos (which mark The X-Factor as a special album in that context, because this is the only album where the solos can be heard left and right channel), but also have an individual approach of the rhythm guitars. A true stereo fest.
This song is pretty different for Maiden, and quite complex. But it's done in such an excellent manner and that's why I think this song deserves a bit more appreciation.
Now I can still hope that The Unbeliever's brilliance will get more attention in the next voting round:
The Unbeliever has one of the best instrumental parts since Rime of the Ancient Mariner. I guess I’d even put it in a top3 of post-Rime instrumental sections, together with Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.
The intro is really good, Blaze’s singing might start a bit awkward, but he delivers the goods very well in the part where Janick plays acoustic (right channel). I love the pre-chorus guitar riff which is a strong melody as well.
In the chorus we get this awesome melody (middle audio channel) and I really dig Blaze here as well. And then that stunning magical instrumental enters…
From the first dying echo of that quick guitar touch we go into some tribal groove (unique in the catalogue). The melodies and solos are very moving. Almost struggling, screams of survival. Note also the ethereal sound of Jan’s rhythm guitar, appearing some measures after Dave’s melody.
He sounds like a knight coming through the mist, in slow motion.
Then he starts soloing (tremendous amount of emotion) and Dave does his gentle accompaniment, followed by his superb lightning solo. Back to melody and Jan accompanies him with bright, slow chords.
It’s really cool that both guitarists play not only their own solos (which mark The X-Factor as a special album in that context, because this is the only album where the solos can be heard left and right channel), but also have an individual approach of the rhythm guitars. A true stereo fest.
This song is pretty different for Maiden, and quite complex. But it's done in such an excellent manner and that's why I think this song deserves a bit more appreciation.
Unknown One
I see the ghost of navigators.
Evil, Clairvoyant, Man on the Edge, Fortunes of War
Moon Child
Ancient Mariner
The Unbeliever
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
Caught Somewhere in Time
The Evil That Men Do
Fortunes of War
The Edge of Darkness
The Unbeliever
The Evil That Men Do
Fortunes of War
The Edge of Darkness
The Unbeliever