Update after a few more listens - I love the melancholy of LIALW.Blasting it since 0:00 local time, it's 3 times right now and I love it, though I still did not come to appreciate Death of The Celts. Overall the album has very dark climate, probably the heaviest in Maiden history. Some parts are very reminiscent of TXF which is great, in several places I heard BNW vibes.
Senjutsu is an awesome opener, the drums are relentless and unsettling, as soon as guitar comes in a big grin appeares on my face and does not leave it for a long time. Even with the track being quite long it does not get boring.
Stratego and WOTW - well, everything has already been said about it. I love both tracks and how they are different from each other.
Lost in a Lost World - definitely a grower, after first listening of the first disk I thought it's the weakest track in there, but it keeps getting better each time and now I got on par with the others.
Days of Future Past - holy cow, that riff after the intro... Instant hit.
The Time Machine - a highlight of Janick's writing, loaded with guitar melodies, intro a bit reminiscent of The Talisman, but better. Gets in your head quickly.
Darkest Hour - reminds me of Children of The Damned somehow. Highlight of Bruce's new vocal abilities. And that instrumental section... feels like we're Somewhere (Back) in Time...
Even with that recycled lick in Daveys solo
All 'Arry' s epics need more time to digest, thought the only i liked straight away was Hell on Earth, the Parchment grew on me with the layered guitar riffs, and I still can't get to like Death of the Celts on par with the rest of the songs.
Overall a very diverse album. I love Bruce's lower vocals, and even in higher parts he sounds best since BNW. As for the other standout feature... Adrian is a bloody guitar god, but that we already knew
I also feels that this is total absolute masterpiece, one of their best albums (atleast from the current lineup)..but there's hardly anything really to criticize like you said. The songs flow really well, great solos and riffs, Bruce sounds so great through the album. I wouldn't change anything on this album. It's pristine and immaculate for me. 17th album and some other bands wouldn't surely be able to pull album like this and nail it like Maiden did.After countless spins this weekend, I must say... I currently think this album is the best since SSOASS. It is, as I said before, a masterpiece. I can't find anything to criticize. I hope this assessment stands the test of time - but I have a much better feeling than after hearing BoS the first time.
Also, do you guys think the nods to old songs (in particular songs set in ancient lore/history) in The Time Machine was on purpose? It would certainly fit the title. I can hear the The Talisman in the intro, the Book of Souls (song) in some of the verses, and there are several other parts I can recognize some similarity, but which I cannot place right now...
I thought this - definitely deliberate. Mr Gers referencing his greatest hits on his last song on what might be their last album. It wouldn’t be accidental - the title gives the game away!After countless spins this weekend, I must say... I currently think this album is the best since SSOASS. It is, as I said before, a masterpiece. I can't find anything to criticize. I hope this assessment stands the test of time - but I have a much better feeling than after hearing BoS the first time.
Also, do you guys think the nods to old songs (in particular songs set in ancient lore/history) in The Time Machine was on purpose? It would certainly fit the title. I can hear the The Talisman in the intro, the Book of Souls (song) in some of the verses, and there are several other parts I can recognize some similarity, but which I cannot place right now...
I agree! They indeed could play this whole album live in concert.Every song from this album will be great to hear live.
Maybe the Time Machine explains all the other songs on this album, Mr Just-a-man revisits critical historical moments and personages, like defending the great wall, Napoleon, Churchill, Babylon, Celts, Indians, Pakrement is also evidently about some war, etc.Also, do you guys think the nods to old songs (in particular songs set in ancient lore/history) in The Time Machine was on purpose?
I get that feeling too, I remember I was really excited when TBOS came out but I didn't think "this should be played live entirely" back then. This album feels live ready and I love it.Every song from this album will be great to hear live.
I like it a lot too. The album is all killer, no filler! The songs are so good and that's why LIALW is not high in some people's rankings (mine, for example) - the song is great, but it's just that some of the other songs are really strong/instant classics.And boy.... I anticipated that Lost in a Lost World will be bottom song on this album. No f* way. I like it very much!
Move to 13:14 for the error everyone talks about!
After my first real spin of disc 1 I can say: Stratego fits just perfect after Senjutsu!
It´s like the transition The Final Frontier/El Dorado.
Yes and no. He recycled bits from Nomad. He has right to do that I guess.Havent read the whole thread but has anyone mentioned the similarities between The Parchment and The Nomad?
I know its not unusual for Steve to recycle things from earlier songs but when its a track you got sued over its either a ballsy move or asking for trouble isnt it?
Bnw and amolad are really strong,this álbum its growing next to those onesYes and no. He recycled bits from Nomad. He has right to do that I guess.
Album is amazing. No weak points. Even bad songs are quite good and you could put them on AMOLAD or BNW.
For me lost in a lost world and days of future past are the worst songs,but i dont skip it like 65% of dance of deathI like it a lot too. The album is all killer, no filler! The songs are so good and that's why LIALW is not high in some people's rankings (mine, for example) - the song is great, but it's just that some of the other songs are really strong/instant classics.
I think my least favorite song from the album is TWOTW.
I love it, especially the intro, with the choir style part!I like it a lot too. The album is all killer, no filler! The songs are so good and that's why LIALW is not high in some people's rankings (mine, for example) - the song is great, but it's just that some of the other songs are really strong/instant classics.
I think my least favorite song from the album is TWOTW.
Time machine has the same problem. The intro is like the talismán,and then the riff of the edge of darknessHavent read the whole thread but has anyone mentioned the similarities between The Parchment and The Nomad?
I know its not unusual for Steve to recycle things from earlier songs but when its a track you got sued over its either a ballsy move or asking for trouble isnt it?
When the Wild wind blowsJust as listening again here, I will ask you one more question:
The part at around 1:08 on "Hell On Earth" does it remind you of some else song or theme?
I think it's one of the instances on the album that takes me somewhere, some other have nods to Maiden's own past and songs..