____no5
Free Man
Curious choices for 2nd and 11th(!) places. Did you really dislike The Red And The Black that much? I admit it's a better song live.
I pretty much hate it, but I loved it live! Strange huh?
Kudos for putting Speed Of Light so high. I've always said that Shadows Of The Valley is an underrated song, but now I think When The River Runs Deep is even more so - I mean, every part of it (bar the chorus) is classic Maiden (like Death Or Glory), while the melodies are strong as always and those solo are just so brutal! One of the Maiden songs with the best solos imo.
They have both interesting elements but the end result is not convincing. Death or Glory I totally hate.
Anyway this is my updated (and upgraded) opinion of an album that has grown on me the last months due to its sound and sharp contrast with Senjutsu on that field.
Before Red & Black was at the very bottom of the list!!