Senjutsu

[frus]

You summon the Big Eddie by playing the IM riff, and he appears above the wall

 

[RK800]

The heaviest song Maiden have ever done. What a spectacle! What an atmosphere and drama! I was very perplexed at first. Then the chorus in conjunction with the guitar hit me directly! And they need everyone at the Waaal dededee. Nicko's drumming is insane. The sound bombastic. I would never have expected Maiden to come around the corner with something so new. Very brave to take such a heavy song as an opener. But it works great. I imagine Eddie in battle, helping to defend the wall.

Let me just say playing Ghost of Tsushima with this song acting as the soundtrack is fucking insane!!!

 

[Donner]

Senjutsu- 8.5/10 - Really cool idea for a song but kind of puzzling as an album opener. This would have been a 10 if it sped up at all. I love love love the chorus melody - this again kind of reminds me of a slightly more rounded out version of The Longest Day but with a less jarring chorus. I kind of wish it sounded a bit more Japanese and I know it's about a defending a wall but I feel there is a disconnect between the song lyrics and the album art somehow. It seems silly to note, but I'm glad the intro actually isn't super long either. Killer tune!

 

[srfc]

I kind of wish it sounded a bit more Japanese and I know it's about a defending a wall but I feel there is a disconnect between the song lyrics and the album art somehow.

It's absolutely about China

They obviously just thought Japan had better imagery when they decided it would be the title track, as it was originally called The Great Wall.

Japan is an island country, how can invaders ride in

 

[Donner]

I assume there are walls in feudal era Japan that could have been breached by invaders from the north? It's been so long since my Japanese history class in college I really don't know.

You say Great Wall (and I know this was the working title based on Kevin's document he posted to Facebook) and I only think China. It's....weird lol.

 

[Severian]

I assume there are walls in feudal era Japan that could have been breached by invaders from the north? It's been so long since my Japanese history class in college I really don't know.

You say Great Wall (and I know this was the working title based on Kevin's document he posted to Facebook) and I only think China. It's....weird lol.

Famously the Mongolians found it impossible to invade Japan even after conquering most of asia

 

[mckindog]

While I admire the different approach artistically, I‘ve come to the conclusion it was a mistake not to include a traditional Maiden rhythm section approach in this song.

 

[giratina]

In the song do the nomad invaders come from the north or the south ? From what I understand they come from the south.

 

[Gk1]

I think that this song has the maximum effect due to Steve's lack of measure when doing the arrangement. H's riffs, melodies, solos etc are top notch. I understand that the lyrics and the arrangement was done by Steve. So Steve of course made this at lease 2-3 minutes longer than it should have been, However -for me- and as I can tell by accident- this dragging of the riffs and the stable rythm create a very sick, gloomy and dark song. I feel discomfort everytime I listen to it. And I mean that in a good way. It creates a very dark atmosphere (maybe even the produciton/mix shortcoming work in favor of the song after all). I freaking adore it! And this is what this album is for me after all. Even with the extra fat the songs create emotions!! It's been quite some time since I felt that while listening to Maiden.

 

[Spambot]

While I admire the different approach artistically, I‘ve come to the conclusion it was a mistake not to include a traditional Maiden rhythm section approach in this song.

 

[Spaldy]

It's tied with Hell On Earth as the best song on the album and will make an epic set opener. I just love the Toolesque rhythm to it.

 

[jazz from hell]

It's absolutely about China

They obviously just thought Japan had better imagery when they decided it would be the title track, as it was originally called The Great Wall.

Japan is an island country, how can invaders ride in

It‘s related to the writing on the wall too, though, isn‘t it? A connections between songs.

 

[Severian]

Honestly I think the whole album could be seen as a SSOASS or AMOLAD type of concept album

 

[Kalata]

Honestly I think the whole album could be seen as a SSOASS or AMOLAD type of concept album

Bruce said that it's not a concept album at all, but I agree that the whole feel of the songs is like in AMOLAD (again, not a concept album)... even the song titles in Senjutsu makes me think of a shared story.

 

[Travis The Dragon]

I actually hear Tool's style a bit in this amazing opening track. 10/10