Maiden Albums: Head to Head

[Diesel 11]

I see.

A word on "The Red and the Black": This song is one of Maiden's most interesting. The vocals on the studio version are great, but the music isn't all that well assembled (the muddy production takes its toll on it). Live, however, the music is spectacular - but the vocals aren't. Thus I'm waiting for someone to take the live version and staple the studio vocals to it, lol.

 

[Lampwick 43]

A few of these No Prayer songs are better than I remembered, but the album is still completely outmatched in almost every way here.

Voting all Souls with the exceptions of No Prayer (song), Fates Warning, and RSRD.

 

[The Flash]

Public Enema is much, much better than Red and the Black. Would be a shame if it loses out.

 

[SixesAlltheway]

The Great Unknown coming that close to No Prayer For The Dying is pretty surprising to me

 

[frus]

We need more Enema lovers!!!!

 

[Diesel 11]

I'm the only voter for Tailgunner? Huh.

 

[SixesAlltheway]

I considered it greatly....But I feel If Eternity... is one of their best songs in the last 20+ years.

 

[Diesel 11]

It is, but Tailgunner is better but just a hair.

 

[Cat Milk Supreme]

I considered it greatly....But I feel If Eternity... is one of their best songs in the last 20+ years.

Same as that

 

[desultory]

Big fan of No Prayer for the Dying.

Songs like Public Enema, Fates Warning, and The Assassin I deem in the same canon as great material like The Evil that men do, The Clairvoyant etc.

The title track, Run Silent... and Mother Russia are up there with the real classics for me. As in great songs expertly executed all the way.
Plus I feel like this was the last time Martin Birch was really involved, seems he lost most of his influence and/or interest by Fear of the Dark to me.

 

[Srogyy]

I'm glad NPftD title track got the upper hand eventually. It's also nice to see Mother Russia not being obliterated completely.

 

[Diesel 11]

I'd agree if it wasn't Empire that's facing it.

 

[Srogyy]

I still think Empire is probably the most overrated Maiden song ever.

 

[Number 6]

I still think Empire is probably the most overrated Maiden song ever.

That's "Out of the Silent Planet", for me. I still don't know how it can be that highly rated (to the point of being considered the best track on a record where it's by far the weakest cut).

 

[SixesAlltheway]

I still think Empire is probably the most overrated Maiden song ever.

I had no issue voting for Mother Russia there. Killer track. Empire is a bore.

 

[Iron Brody]

I considered it greatly....But I feel If Eternity... is one of their best songs in the last 20+ years.

That’s why I chose IESF as well.

 

[Srogyy]

That's "Out of the Silent Planet", for me. I still don't know how it can be that highly rated (to the point of being considered the best track on a record where it's by far the weakest cut).

Hm, I don't feel like Out of the Silent Planet is universally cherished, I don't see people talk about it that often.

 

[Black Wizard]

I still think Empire is probably the most overrated Maiden song ever.

I had no issue voting for Mother Russia there. Killer track. Empire is a bore.

I agree. I find 'Empire of the Clouds' to be overblown. If it were half the length I'd enjoy it a lot more. It's very representative of Iron Maiden's approach to song writing since 'A Matter of Life and Death': everything has to be long. Thirty years ago 'Empire' would have been nine minutes long, and 'The Red and the Black' six. Some self-editing would come in handy.

 

[Number 6]

Hm, I don't feel like Out of the Silent Planet is universally cherished, I don't see people talk about it that often.

They talk more than they should.

 

[Number 6]

Also, I've always thought "No Prayer For the Dying" was a bit overrated, but I never thought it could be this much (so as to win over "The Great Unknown", which I find to be considerably underrated).