Senjutsu - 3rd September 2021
- Thread starter MrKnickerbocker
- Start date
Moonwalker94
Invader
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
As for the tripple 'Arry finish:
Death of The Celts grew on me. Maybe it is The Clansman recycled, but I prefer this one. The climate really gets me, and compared to the former it feels less like an anthem for freedom, and more like a story told by the fire.
The Parchment - to me it's one of the best tracks ever but also the most difficult to understand. Reminiscent of TTAL, instantly feels like some desert-kingdom-something even before you hear the lyrics. The intro and outro could almost fit as a part of a movie soundtrack. Notice that the song speeds up a bit gradually. And the solos. And the melodies....
Hell on Earth - well, this song has everything. The tempo. The riffs. The melodies. The... LOST IN ANGER, LIFE IN DANGER... sorry it slipped through
perfect album ending and a really mature song music and lyric-wise.For now it is my #1 album, will see how it works with time, but it's the only album since AMOLAD, which doesn't tempt me to skip one or two songs. Now... waiting for ALBUM #18, and Bruce's solo album \m/
PhantomOfTheOpera
Ancient Mariner
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.
I think some of the nods are really meant to be there on purpose, I like it and it's one cool way to look to their past, showing their origins, path and past but present and the legacy that will be here..
OilyOarsome
Prowler
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!
PhantomOfTheOpera
Ancient Mariner
I agree! They indeed could play this whole album live in concert.
Alenjandro
Nomad
Senjutsu Tour setlist prediction
1. Senjutsu
2. Stratego
3. The Trooper
4. The Writing on the Wall
5. Death of the Celts
6. 2 Minutes to Midnight
7. Number of the Beast
8. Hell on Earth
9. Alexander the Great / Lost In a Lost World
10. The Parchment
11. Run to the Hills
12. Hallowed Be Thy Name
ENCORE:
13. Wasted Years
14. Iron Maiden
15. Blood Brothers
1. Senjutsu
2. Stratego
3. The Trooper
4. The Writing on the Wall
5. Death of the Celts
6. 2 Minutes to Midnight
7. Number of the Beast
8. Hell on Earth
9. Alexander the Great / Lost In a Lost World
10. The Parchment
11. Run to the Hills
12. Hallowed Be Thy Name
ENCORE:
13. Wasted Years
14. Iron Maiden
15. Blood Brothers
frus
Barbed Wire Hen
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.
Smither
Educated Fool
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.
Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
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.
srfc
Ancient Mariner
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.
I think there must be some thematic significance as well with the Art of War line in Stratego
Harold B.ThyName
Nomad
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?
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?
Meliegree
Sound of distant drums
Yes 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.
dickinson1978
Educated Fool
Sixth listen superb stratego and HELL ON EARTH. I can see the stadium only singing hell on earth and going apeshit. What a amazing song mix of maiden from late 90s and early 00s
dickinson1978
Educated Fool
Bnw and amolad are really strong,this álbum its growing next to those ones
dickinson1978
Educated Fool
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 death
Belshazzar
Yer Mum Can't Come
I love it, especially the intro, with the choir style part!
dickinson1978
Educated Fool
Time machine has the same problem. The intro is like the talismán,and then the riff of the edge of darkness
dickinson1978
Educated Fool
When the Wild wind blows