On March 2020, the pandemic Covid-19 spread all over the world. Most of the countries were under lockdown. The period saw retreat of labourers and the working class, back to their hometowns in scorching heat. Offices, schools, colleges, industries, shops, public vehicles all closed and the people were worried about their bread and butter. The entire world was under the terrible fear of the pandemic. The worst occurred around March/April 2021 when the delta wave struck, leading to even greater mortality rates. People hurling around the streets for oxygen cylinders which had pretty much become a luxury. The world saw one of the worst disasters in the form of Covid-19.
Soon after the wave died down, a moment of relief occurred, as if the will to survive is the greatest trait evolution has given to mankind. Personally speaking, when
The Writing On The Wall was released on mid-July '21, it felt like drizzling rain in a desert, in those troubled times. While the band has been in the studio since 2019 for recording the album, the emotions of pain and hardships of the pandemic period does strike at times of listening and in it's songwriting, maybe its just the listener wanting to connect with something or they were intentionally captured in the album.
Talking about the songs, the very first released was
The Writing On The Wall. Definitely a very unique song for the band. The guitar riffs with a tinge of a blues-based flair totally sets up the atmosphere. Adrian's solo is one his best from the modern era. Not to mention the music video is totally awesome! Only reason which stops it from breaking into my top Maiden songs is that I feel like the drums could have had more dynamics to get it going but anyway, I still consider it one of the highlights from the album, I personally consider it more of a grower. For those who still can't get enough of the band's classic era, the songs
Stratego and
Days Of Future Past does the job.
Stratego sounds something straight out of
Piece Of Mind, the signature galloping riffs, great vocals, guitar solos and Nicko back with his ferocious skin-bashing, everything I love about Maiden!
Days Of Future Past has a perfect combination of epicness and brutality, a piece they would have written in the late-80s. I particularly like the guitar tone very much in the main riff, its just so crisp and has a grit in it, the lead harmony, particularly during the intro/outro is memorable. Special mention must be given to
Death Of The Celts! The song completely utilizes its time-length. The intro, I will say, is one of the best Iron Maiden intros! Really unique. The galloping riffs and change in tempos definitely makes it a highlight of the album. To those asking why Judas Priest or Saxon aren't as popular as Maiden, THIS is the friggin' reason, you brats! Haha..
Lost In A Lost World, while also starting with an engaging intro, ultimately gets it's kick around the 3:12 mark with it's galloping part more similar to
Hallowed Be Thy Name and
The Edge Of Darkness. Lyrics are melancholic and the the instrumental parts give hints of a number of previous songs. It is the only song which I feel could have been shorter for the better part. I particulary have mixed reactions for the opener, the title-track
Senjutsu. While I must say, it does capture the overall feel of the album, the sound the band was going for, some of the best ideas are present in this song and music-wise the solos are really good and the 'tribal drumming' is again something unique for the band, I just feel like the final mix lacks a punch somewhere. But again, it may grow on me as the rest of the album did! I consider
Darkest Hour as the album's 'power-ballad' but as the the title suggests, the lyrical themes are rather dark, specially the opening lines. The clean parts are soothing and really good harmonies throughout. Credits to
The Time Machine and the previously mentioned
Days Of Future Past for giving the album 'a time-traveling vibe' making the Days Of Future Past Tour match with similar themes form
Somewhere In Time. Again, the highlight of the song being the galloping part that comes in the mid-section and the vocal lines are pretty unconventional but Bruce pulls them out very well. Coming to the epics,
Hell On Earth and
The Parchment are the album's peak points. The former, i.e. the album closer
Hell On Earth, being my favourite! One of the best closer by the band. The intro, though being lengthy, actually maintains the atmosphere and the lead harmony/riff being the most memorable part of the song or should I say, of the entire album. Presenting a cautionary scenario for the planet and where it's people are leading it towards, it totally captures the reunion-era's sound of the band. While
The Parchment keeps the affairs more akin to
To Tame A Land and
Rime Of The Ancient Mariner rather than being heavy on the rhythm. Again, very great atmosphere throughout the song, the instrumentals are engaging and thanks for adding a new word to my vocabulary.
Overall, I'm glad Iron Maiden came out with an album in the newer decade and hope they will be back with another soon. The album has been a grower for me. Definitely a natural progression in the line of the reunion albums. Bruce's vocals are on point, considering the physical constraints he went through previously and even still recorded
The Book Of Souls in that condition. Hats Off! The songs ending with quiet intros in clean tuning, continuing with the vocals make them special. The guitar solos are soaring, I must say. Shows, the band has a lot of potential in them. My wish is that the next album better have a perfect mix of the ferocity of the classic era and the sophistication of the reunion period with major focus on the former.
Thanks for reading. Up The Irons!
(for my other album reviews -
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