karljant
Ancient Mariner
Invasion: Ok, it's not a song from the album per se but IMO it should be (like Sanctuary, another excellent cut that gets lots of flak). Fast and aggressive early Maiden was certified gold and this one's not an exception. I simply can't understand all the hatred on this track.
Prodigal Son: On the other hand, I consider Killers' calmest song to be a unique jewel. Based upon acoustic strumming guitars - a structure the band only tried once again more than two decades later - The track is filled with excellent guitar solos. A calmer moment within a heavy as hell album.
Invaders: Yes, the chorus is awful. And as I stated before both of them add up to 18 seconds. As for the rest I consider this track to be absolutely amazing, especially Steve's bass line.
To Tame A Land: Now, it's not that I think many people dislike this one. It's just that I consider it to be underrated as hell, rarely mentioned among Maiden's best tracks (which is where I think it belongs). IMO easily a top 5 all time lengthy epic Iron Maiden tune.
Losfer Words (Big 'Orra): When compared with other instrumentals, Powerslave's third track is often described as a black sheep. I personally don't understand why. Excellent song.
The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner: Once again it's not like I think most fans dislike this one. It is, however, normally regarded as second rate when compared with other Somewhere In Time songs. And while I'm aware this is an album featuring nothing but bangers, it is my favorite track here - alongside Wasted Years - and top ten all time Maiden material.
The Prophecy: Very similar case to the previous one. Normally portrayed as an afterthought - even a filler - while being part of an excellent album with nothing but classics, this track is my favorite from the lot and another top ten all time. I could also pick Can I Play With Madness, since I can't understand the hate some fans have for this song. High quality "commercial" song IMO.
Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter: I could pick some quality tunes like Fates Warning or Run Silent Run Deep, yet these are songs most fans don't even pay attention to. IMO they're great tunes but fact is many even seem to acknowledge they exist. I know No Prayer is far from being the band's best effort but the level of indifference towards it is excessive to say the least. On the other hand, Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter is way more polarizing: like Can I Play With Madness, this is what I call quality "commercial" Maiden and, despite its corny lyrics, one hell of a song.
Childhood's End: This is IMO a really cool tune that is forgotten by the majority of Maiden's fandom. And while it's far from top tier quality (also falling short to what arguably are Fear Of The Dark's best three tracks), I think it should be more cherished, since both this song and Judas Be My Guide are surrounded by what IMO is a sea of fillers and stinkers. And while the latter still has its fans, Childhood's End is criminally forgotten.
Fortunes Of War: If there's a track I think bears the "underrated" tag above any other this is the one. Filled with excellent guitar harmonies that give way to simple yet crushing slow riffs, this song represents a lot of what I love about The X Factor. Recovering the epic flavor that was gone in the band's prior two albums, this somber post war chronicle is pure class as far as I'm concerned, one of the songs that started to put Maiden back on the right track again.
The Educated Fool: While not being on par with Futureal or The Clansman, I think this is easily the album's best third tune. Could be a tad bit shorter but even so it's quite enjoyable and emotional stuff.
Blood Brothers: Noticeably loved by the band (especially Steve), I think this is a superb tune. So, it was with surprise I came to the conclusion it is one of the least popular tunes from the album among fans. I utterly disagree. Easily a high point alongside The Wicker Man, The Thin Line Between Love And Hate and even Out Of The Silent Planet.
Montségur: Easily among my top 5 post reunion songs, this is a rare breed regarding that period: a fast, short, discharge of quality heavy metal featuring some folk sparkles that combine perfectly with its thematic. That being said, it is a riddle to me why some people hate this tune.
These Colors Don't Run: I believe that, overall, this is an appreciated song, yet I still feel like it's somewhat underrated. As far as I'm concerned this is A Matter Of Life And Death's best tune, and that's saying a lot, since IMO this is a superb album devoid of fillers, featuring a handful of monster tracks.
Mother Of Mercy: Now, if there's a track I believe gets an unjustifiable amount of crap this is the one. While not being top tier quality, IMO this is a quality rock-solid dramatic war themed tune. I really don't understand the disdain it gets.
When The River Runs Deep: Great uptempo tune that's seldom forgotten. Once again not top tier material but a great boost of energy within the album.
Lost In A Lost World: With the exception of the excessive repetition of the post chorus section, IMO everything in this tune is filled with quality: soothing intro, thundering verses, melodic bridge, incisive chorus, great harmonies... you name it. While most tracks from Senjutsu lost some of their glitter with the passing of time (with the exception of The Writing On The Wall and Stratego), I love this song as much as the first time I listened to it. Yet it is normally portrayed as the worst cut from the pack, something that simply puzzles me.
Prodigal Son: On the other hand, I consider Killers' calmest song to be a unique jewel. Based upon acoustic strumming guitars - a structure the band only tried once again more than two decades later - The track is filled with excellent guitar solos. A calmer moment within a heavy as hell album.
Invaders: Yes, the chorus is awful. And as I stated before both of them add up to 18 seconds. As for the rest I consider this track to be absolutely amazing, especially Steve's bass line.
To Tame A Land: Now, it's not that I think many people dislike this one. It's just that I consider it to be underrated as hell, rarely mentioned among Maiden's best tracks (which is where I think it belongs). IMO easily a top 5 all time lengthy epic Iron Maiden tune.
Losfer Words (Big 'Orra): When compared with other instrumentals, Powerslave's third track is often described as a black sheep. I personally don't understand why. Excellent song.
The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner: Once again it's not like I think most fans dislike this one. It is, however, normally regarded as second rate when compared with other Somewhere In Time songs. And while I'm aware this is an album featuring nothing but bangers, it is my favorite track here - alongside Wasted Years - and top ten all time Maiden material.
The Prophecy: Very similar case to the previous one. Normally portrayed as an afterthought - even a filler - while being part of an excellent album with nothing but classics, this track is my favorite from the lot and another top ten all time. I could also pick Can I Play With Madness, since I can't understand the hate some fans have for this song. High quality "commercial" song IMO.
Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter: I could pick some quality tunes like Fates Warning or Run Silent Run Deep, yet these are songs most fans don't even pay attention to. IMO they're great tunes but fact is many even seem to acknowledge they exist. I know No Prayer is far from being the band's best effort but the level of indifference towards it is excessive to say the least. On the other hand, Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter is way more polarizing: like Can I Play With Madness, this is what I call quality "commercial" Maiden and, despite its corny lyrics, one hell of a song.
Childhood's End: This is IMO a really cool tune that is forgotten by the majority of Maiden's fandom. And while it's far from top tier quality (also falling short to what arguably are Fear Of The Dark's best three tracks), I think it should be more cherished, since both this song and Judas Be My Guide are surrounded by what IMO is a sea of fillers and stinkers. And while the latter still has its fans, Childhood's End is criminally forgotten.
Fortunes Of War: If there's a track I think bears the "underrated" tag above any other this is the one. Filled with excellent guitar harmonies that give way to simple yet crushing slow riffs, this song represents a lot of what I love about The X Factor. Recovering the epic flavor that was gone in the band's prior two albums, this somber post war chronicle is pure class as far as I'm concerned, one of the songs that started to put Maiden back on the right track again.
The Educated Fool: While not being on par with Futureal or The Clansman, I think this is easily the album's best third tune. Could be a tad bit shorter but even so it's quite enjoyable and emotional stuff.
Blood Brothers: Noticeably loved by the band (especially Steve), I think this is a superb tune. So, it was with surprise I came to the conclusion it is one of the least popular tunes from the album among fans. I utterly disagree. Easily a high point alongside The Wicker Man, The Thin Line Between Love And Hate and even Out Of The Silent Planet.
Montségur: Easily among my top 5 post reunion songs, this is a rare breed regarding that period: a fast, short, discharge of quality heavy metal featuring some folk sparkles that combine perfectly with its thematic. That being said, it is a riddle to me why some people hate this tune.
These Colors Don't Run: I believe that, overall, this is an appreciated song, yet I still feel like it's somewhat underrated. As far as I'm concerned this is A Matter Of Life And Death's best tune, and that's saying a lot, since IMO this is a superb album devoid of fillers, featuring a handful of monster tracks.
Mother Of Mercy: Now, if there's a track I believe gets an unjustifiable amount of crap this is the one. While not being top tier quality, IMO this is a quality rock-solid dramatic war themed tune. I really don't understand the disdain it gets.
When The River Runs Deep: Great uptempo tune that's seldom forgotten. Once again not top tier material but a great boost of energy within the album.
Lost In A Lost World: With the exception of the excessive repetition of the post chorus section, IMO everything in this tune is filled with quality: soothing intro, thundering verses, melodic bridge, incisive chorus, great harmonies... you name it. While most tracks from Senjutsu lost some of their glitter with the passing of time (with the exception of The Writing On The Wall and Stratego), I love this song as much as the first time I listened to it. Yet it is normally portrayed as the worst cut from the pack, something that simply puzzles me.
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