Senjutsu - 3rd September 2021
- Thread starter MrKnickerbocker
- Start date
Randalf
Ancient Mariner
The Time Machine and Death of the Celts were the songs I wasn't too sure about on the first listens...
It was so overwhelmingly Gers/Harris meme, especially with the ™Iron Maiden section and all, but it's got a brilliant vibe! Where as Celts felt like a more solid song, but also a bit dragging and it might still be the most unexciting one song for me here.
As for Darkest Hour, I love that chorus, it's so #chemicalweddingmoment that I just can't...
I do understand why it's one of the more uninteresting songs on the record for some, though! It's definitely quite standard in all departments (great solos though, as mentioned!), but I just love it.Lost in a Lost World, a bit like The Time Machine & Death of the Celts felt slightly too familiar at times and for most of the time, it doesn't exactly manage to fire on all cylinders and I don't like that chorus too much, but that one melody and especially the outro is otherwordly.
Senjutsu seems to be very resonating album for these times. Even at the time of the release, there were very dark clouds on the horizon for Europe. Somehow, songs like Hell on Earth and Lost in a Lost World manage to resonate for these days. Of course, there's always been horrible shit happening in the world, but it's very different when it comes so near to you as it now has for many Europeans. Let alone those, who're actually there...
Naturally, I can't speak for the Ukrainian fans and I can't even think of how tough time they're all going through there, but I imagine that the outro fo Lost in a Lost World, if they ever get to play it in Ukraine, might hit hard for many fans there. Just a thought.
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srfc
Ancient Mariner
I really like what the do in the verse with the layering of the guitar melodies and the vocal lines.
Ascendingthethrone
Ancient Mariner
Is this the second time you have ‘memed’ (is that a verb?) me with a quote from Time Machine?
Bruce was asked about this in an interview.
He just answered that there's not much he could say about it. Sometimes Dave contributes, sometimes not.
Diesel 11
As you scream into the web of silence...
Yeah, and I can keep putting you to the sword with my impish whim, just watch me.
Trevoire
Ancient Mariner
I think if you cut down Senjutsu by about 3 mins, remove LIALW, Time Machine and Darkest Hour you have a much shorter but stronger album overall:
Senjutsu
Stratego
Writing on the Wall
Days of Future Past
Death of the Celts
The Parchment
Hell on Earth
Ruflux
Ancient Marinade
That'd honestly be a pretty weak album. Three great tracks to open with, a middling short rocker, a pretty poor Harris epic followed by two good ones is not my idea of a Maiden "album". It would be quite literally missing pieces and feel way too short. Plus losing out on TTM would be ridiculous since it's a far better track than Death of the Celts or Days of Future Past.
Iron Lurker
Apologist Maidentard
Don’t mess with it. It’s fine as is 
ChrisDeBurgh
Educated Fool
It's probably my favourite cut from the LP. The 6/8 instrumental section is pure Transylvania.
GhostofCain
Ancient Mariner
Great song (and miles better than the massively overrated The Clansman).
Ascendingthethrone
Ancient Mariner
Judging from this forum and other media sources, I would say this is the most divisive album since TXF. The fan base seems really split on it.
Iron Lurker
Apologist Maidentard
Well, I would say most here like or love the album but favorite songs vary - someone's best is someone else's worst. And it seems the more casual fan is still stuck in the 80's and wants Aces High/Run to the Hills type of stuff.
DJMayes
Ancient Mariner
Perhaps, but I've also seen at least ten different attempts to "fix" the album by classics fans who've decided they know better than the band. It's certainly a contentious album.
AncientMariner_Essex
Ancient Mariner
I don’t know about anyone else but as a 45 year old Maiden fan who’s been along for the ride since 1991 I think Senjutsu is amazing.
I’m not someone who will blindly love anything Maiden does but something about this album has totally resonated with me. Not a bad song on the album and could possibly top a matter of life and death as the best reunion album
I’m not someone who will blindly love anything Maiden does but something about this album has totally resonated with me. Not a bad song on the album and could possibly top a matter of life and death as the best reunion album
Yes sir I think Senjutsu is brilliant - top 3 for me along with Somewhere in Time and Piece of Mind.
I was a fan briefly in the 80s and then went on to other genres but I’ve spent the last 2 years learning the entire IM discography and I think Senjutsu stands up well with any of their older material.
I was a fan briefly in the 80s and then went on to other genres but I’ve spent the last 2 years learning the entire IM discography and I think Senjutsu stands up well with any of their older material.
Iron Lurker
Apologist Maidentard
Oh no doubt. I've also seen plenty posts outside this forum by people who claim Maiden haven't made a decent album since the 80's
chaosapiant
Ancient Marinade
Senjutsu is the pinnacle of post reunion Maiden, in the same way that 7th Son is the pinnacle of 80s Maiden. Not a wasted second on either album.
We now have official proof that it's a very good song.
Traditionally, I listen to "Stratego" on the last 5 minute walk to the beach. But I couldn't bear stopping "Death of the Celts" that was playing.
To me, their songwriting and arranging skills are at a new high in their career.
Maybe it's just a sound bite that only the 80s albums were good? Maybe these fans haven't found the time yet to listen to the later albums?
Just kidding but as you can see, I personally haven't managed to understand their reasoning.
____no5
Free Man
Maybe not for the whole reunion period due to a some wasted minutes here and there, but it's certainly the pinnacle of the '20s so far!