Paschendale

How good is Paschendale on a scale of 1-10?

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'paschendale'

Another enriching thread. Thanks to some great minds here, I learned a lot about the battle of Passchendaele, which I hadn't heard about before.
The authentic pictures that go with the commentary are horrifying. I may have a certain feeling of the fear and pain experienced in combat. But along with the number of casualties and the fact that it was fought man against man in trenches, this just seems too dreadful.

The lyrics do a great job in conveying this. Descriptions such as
Laying low in a blood-filled trench
Killing time 'til my very own death
On my face I can feel the falling rain

In the smoke, in the mud and lead
Smell the fear and the feeling of dread
Soon be time to go over the wall
Rapid fire and the end of us all

really hit in the face, so do the philosophical bits. (I really can't agree that the lyrics are cheesy.)

Few of you commented on the music itself. As for the sound, to me this is one of the most grinding songs in the history of Maiden. It may be the effect of modern sound engineering as well, compared to the older stuff, but the energy of the sound is indeed overwhelming. And that has to do with
- typical Smith songwriting
- great vocals by Bruce
- superb drumming
- into and kick-in
- and my favourite, the one I'm waiting for, the part beginning at 4:40.

The solos in that part are a special experience to me. First smooth and writhing Dave, then Adrian kicks in, I'm blown away...
Five stars.
 
Re: 'paschendale'

First of all, I'm new to the forums and sorry for bringing back this topic.

I was looking for explications for the song "The Aftermath" and I have to disagree with what LooseCannon said. I don't know if that is what he meant, but just to be sure I'll post.

I disagree with the "As well, as we all know, Paschendael was the first battle
where mustard gas was used." I've looked around my dusty school notes and I've read that mustard gas was used for the first time in Battle of Ypres in April 1917. As you can see on Wikipedia: "Mustard gas, also called Yperite from the name of this city, was also used for the first time near Ypres in the autumn of 1917." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ypres#World_War_I) So when LooseCannon says that mustar gas was used for the first time in Paschendael, that is wrong. I also know that Paschendael was also called "Third Ypres" (Thx to Maverick ;)) so if LooseCannon was talking about that, well sorry :P
 
Re: 'paschendale'

I believe it doesn't start at 4:40. You see,

      Cruelty has a human heart
      Every man does play his part
      Terror of the men we kill
      The human heart is hungry still
      I stand my ground for the very last time
      Gun is ready as I stand in line
      Nervous wait for the whistle to blow
      Rush of blood and over we go

is one of the ballsiest, thought provoking Maiden lines I have ever laid my ears on.
Thank God for awesome creativity of Iron Maiden.

Paschendale itself is all ballsy from beginning to end, sure, the solos kick ass, but the lyrics are the one that will
grab your mind when you listen to it. To me, it's timeless, probably only surpassed by Sign Of The Cross and Powerslave.
 
Re: 'paschendale'

Sitting here right now and listening to Fear of the Dark, the album, I must say I am happy that H returned to Maiden. There is something about his songwriting that was sorely missed, and especially on the album I am listening to right now ... well, eh, this thread is about Paschendale.

The first Maiden songs I heard was some DoD songs and Hallowed ..., and this song was the one that took me the most time to come into, musically. But already from the first time I heard this one, I recognized that this band sure could write lyrics that would paint a picture on your retina. In this song, not a nice picture, but WW1 was not nice. For the music - I was new to heavy metal, which I have only been listening to for four years or so, so the only part that really stuck with me immediately was the tapped intro. Already here, Adrian shines - absolutely wonderful piece of music. Now that I have played electric guitar for a year or so, I realise it isn't that hard to play, but that doesn't matter, it sets the mood for the song. Silent before the storm.

What I really think makes this song so great is that the music illustrates so well the contrasts of a war - it is nearly silence, people waiting, knowing what is waiting for them, and then hell breaks loose, before it becomes silent again, and so on. Actually, more than once I have been on the edge of crying when the last distorted tone of the last heavy part fades out, the hi-hat comes in and then  H's guitar again.

It is such a moving song, in my opinion one of Maidens best songs in both music and lyrics, making it one of my definitive favourites.
 
Re: 'paschendale'

"Rust your bullets with his tears" <---- this line stands out to me for some reason.  Is this a cry to today's soldiers, their politicians, the people who acquiesce in the unnecessary wars that rage our globe from time to time, to remember those who died for naught in battles past, and as so, to put down our weapons...to let our bullets rust from disuse?

Is Paschendale, the song, a cautionary tale of the past that could again be the future?


I just re-read this thread...were we ever formal back in 2003!
 
Re: 'paschendale'

KindGalaxy said:
My grandfather was at the Battle of Paschendale. He was injured and was moved back here to Australia. I got his discharge papers somewheres...
I was happy to see a song for it.
A really trippy thing for me was in 1982, when I first heard Number of the Beast it was at a party on a farm called Paschendale Farm here in Australia. So yeah that song has a very special meaning for me (I actually registered to post something about Paschendale but you beat me to it.. hehe)
Click to expand...
:bigsmile:

A very meaningful and historical song!

Prance
 
Re: 'paschendale'

Dutch death metallers God Dethroned made an album entirely inspired by the same battle.
It's called Passiondale.

233967.jpg


1. The Cross of Sacrifice         
2. Under a Darkening Sky         
3. No Man's Land                    
4. Poison Fog                         
5. Drowning in Mud                  
6. Passiondale                        
7. No Survivors                       
8. Behind Enemy Lines              
9. Fallen Empires                     
10. Artifacts of the Great War  

Listen to the title track.
Beware: this is the slower song of the album, but great atmosphere and nice melodies imo!
 
Re: 'paschendale'

Forostar said:
Dutch death metallers God Dethroned made an album entirely inspired by the same battle.
It's called Passiondale.
Click to expand...

Just gave it a spin, and... wow. That's one juggernaught of an album.
 
Re: 'paschendale'

Kauha-Apina said:
Am I the only one who doesn't like this song?  :(
Click to expand...

That's strange, but your free to have your own tastes, of course.

Maybe Paschendale is the most important song of the Maiden catalog since... who knows. Sign of the Cross ? hum... maybe SSOSS album, at least.
 
Re: 'paschendale'

I just read that the last survivor of the first world war trenches has died aged 111. Harry Patch, who fought at the notorious Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, was also Britain's oldest man following the death of fellow veteran Henry Allingham, the oldest man in the world (113), one week ago.

Patch is the last World War I veteran to have served in the trenches, according to the dersdesders.free.fr website, which is regarded as an authoritative chronicle of veterans of the conflict.

Claude Choules, 108, who lives in Perth, Australia and served with the Royal Navy, now becomes the last surviving veteran of the 1914-18 conflict from the British side.

The dersdesders.free.fr website says there are three remaining Great War veterans in the world -- Choules plus Frank Buckles, 108, of the United States and John Babcock, 109, who is Canadian but also lives in the United States.

Buckles and Babcock did not see active combat, it adds.
(source)

Armistice+Day+Services+Held+Throughout+Country+A5LG6Dt8jdQl.jpg

First World War veterans 108 year old Bill Stone (R), Harry Patch, 110, and Henry Allingham, 112, (L) gather at the start of the Armistice day commemorations on November 11, 2008 in London. Veterans gathered at the Cenotaph for a ceremony that included a two-minute silence observed at 11.00am, the moment when the Armistice Treaty was signed by the Allies and Germany in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiègne, France, bringing to an end four years of conflict.
 
Re: 'paschendale'

While all focus is on TFF I thought I'd take this opportunity to give my thoughts on paschendale...thoughts that would surely be deemed punishable by death within the maidenfans forums if anyone ever read this.

Firstly, I have been a maiden fan since 86 and have been a devote follower ever since. I consider TFF and AMOLAD as fine as SIT and SSOASS.

Ok, while I found much of DOD to be classic (NML,DOD,FITS) I honestly cannot place P among the pantheon of classic maiden tracks.

I try to love the song, and it contains many incredible riffs...but I have never enjoyed the riffs at 0:29 and 1:46. Its a shame because many aspects of the song are first class, particularly at 3:19 and 4:42. And Bruces singing at 4:02 and 5:34 are two of his finest ever moments.
Despite these highlights I deem The Longest Day the superior reunion era war epic.

Sorry. I will make my way to the gallows pole now...
 
Re: 'paschendale'

The Mid-Distance Runner said:
While all focus is on TFF I thought I'd take this opportunity to give my thoughts on paschendale...thoughts that would surely be deemed punishable by death within the maidenfans forums if anyone ever read this.

Firstly, I have been a maiden fan since 86 and have been a devote follower ever since. I consider TFF and AMOLAD as fine as SIT and SSOASS.

Ok, while I found much of DOD to be classic (NML,DOD,FITS) I honestly cannot place P among the pantheon of classic maiden tracks.

I try to love the song, and it contains many incredible riffs...but I have never enjoyed the riffs at 0:29 and 1:46. Its a shame because many aspects of the song are first class, particularly at 3:19 and 4:42. And Bruces singing at 4:02 and 5:34 are two of his finest ever moments.
Despite these highlights I deem The Longest Day the superior reunion era war epic.

Sorry. I will make my way to the gallows pole now...
Click to expand...

It's not nearly 5 just yet. I think they may let you live based on your obvious insanity.
 
Re: 'paschendale'

On the Science Channel, they have a documentary called Underground War, I just watched the episode describing the dugouts they build in general and in particular the history of the Battle of Passchendaele (this is how they spell it).  Very intersting.
 
Re: 'paschendale'

I've always liked this song, but I was never really in love with it. It was "Paschendale", a great Maiden epic. I've been listening to it a lot more lately, especially the Death on the Road version, and somehow it just clicked for me a few days ago. From "Cruelty has a human heart; every man must play his part" onward, it's just perfect. Listening to it, you FEEL like you're in war-zone, but at the same time I can't imagine what it must be like to be facing that for real. Going into the trenches, fueled by adrenaline but scared for your life.

Paschen-fucking-dale is awesome. It deserves all of the praise that this forum gives it, and more.
 
Re: 'paschendale'

IMHO, Paschendale is not only Iron Maiden's greatest effort, but also the finest piece of rock n roll music ever recorded. I do not state this lightly. I personally measure songs by their ability to move me in some direction, to take me to a different place and different state of mind. Again personally, I can state unequivocally that no song in my life has ever had the effect on me as this masterpiece does. As a bit of an amateur historian (and proud Canadian) I had been aware of the horrific battles for Ypres, but Adrian and Steve's musical homage to the men in the trenches has been taking my breath away at every playing for nigh on 7 years now... this song is simply the total package. From Nicko's "morse code" opening to the fade, the lads in turn haunt, sadden, and pummel the listener. The guitars alternately attack and weep (Dave's solo is sorrowful, Adrian and Jan's are more buzzsaw). Bruce's vocal performance is second to none. The emotions that can be aroused by a piece of music astounds me. What a great drug...
 
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