I actually like that album a lot funnily enough! As an old school fan since '84 I haven't loved the newer albums as I do the early stuff but, it's crazy to assume a band full of great musicians would want to stay in the same formula album after album. If Maiden had never chosen to change course musically, they would have been done when Bruce left. That formula was played out. More on that at the end of this post.
It holds it's place obviously & not that they can't achieve that type of music anymore but, it's obvious they don't want to. People not liking the new stuff simply cause it ain't the old stuff are just trolls & haters. In bits & pieces Maiden does offer it however. In the TRATB, IESF & TBOS, I hear vintage Maiden. Great Maiden. Stuff that ranks up there with their very best.
The rest is the new formula. Some vintage Maiden sounds but, much less speed, edge & aggressiveness. They offer 2-3 truly great Maiden metal tracks per album but, the majority of new stuff is a new formula & it's worked for them.
The days of Maiden being a straight ahead Metal band are over sadly. TMOS, TOAC & WTRRD are just wasted track imho. There is zero energy or passion to them. They are average at best tracks for ordinary artists. For Maiden they are substandard to me. Even songs like DOG, SOL & SOTV, which have that Maiden feel to them but, they music isn't what it should be. Bruce saves a lot of this album imho. Those 3 songs in particular could have been AMAZING with more Maiden-esque riffage.
I find a lot of this album enjoyable but, far less Metal than I've ever heard from Maiden before & that's what I do not like. I think this should be the last one in all honesty. Even this formula seems to have run it's course over the years. They've been at it this way, longer than the golden years actually. Both styles are played out. It's a solid 7.5 outta 10 for me so, it would be a fine time to walk away. I'd hate to see them put out a really lousy album trying to cling to greatness like some other bands.
