I know it's impossible to challenge Perun's opinion on his own favourite Maiden tracks but apparently he wants that we talk about the music, besides posting lists only. Nothing wrong with that.
I am not sure what to say about the songs which I like immensely, but are not in my current top 10. That's difficult. They are only not in my top 10, because I find others slightly better. So, I guess I could speak up why I like others better, I guess that's allowed? The songs I clearly find weaker than others, that will be easier for me to explain. I'll see what happens when I start typing.
Perun said:
This song is my favourite song of NOTB. I do not list it in my own top 10 because I find it -apart from the vocals- worse than most live versions. It's kinda slow, and the intro seems unnaturally faster. I am not much over the moon with Adrian's leadwork on NOTB and his delivery on Hallowed I find no exception. Nonetheless this song features Bruce's best singing, some great guitar harmonies, with a strong rhythm underneath, and is still in my top 20.
Perun said:
An excellent song, one of Maiden's best singles. That bridge "Living on a razor's edge.." I find one of the best moments-with-Bruce-singing in Maiden's discography. Still this song is not going to make it into my top 10 because I like at least 3 songs from this album better, namely Infinite Dreams, SSOASS and OTGDY. I'll explain later what I like so much about these songs, in case (one of) these will end up in my top 10 which will appear at the at the bottom of this post.
Perun said:
One of the better moments from the VXI-album but there's something I dislike about it, namely a part in the instrumental piece which reminds me too much of a part in Judgement of Heaven. That is the aspect I dislike the most of it (the unoriginality) but I still like the rest of the song very much. The intro is very captivating, showing what Blaze's qualities really are.
Perun said:
I dislike the same aspect of the previous song. Again a part in the instrumental part which sounds too much like the part in Judgement of Heaven. In case people really wonder which parts I mean, I advise them to listen to all these three tracks. If still not clear, then I am willing to point out the exact moments. I also dislike the simplicity of the chorus. Brave New World's chorus is also not complex and also kinda repetitive but its melody makes up for it.
Perun said:
Really a strong song from start to finish. However I like quite some songs from the album better. The Unbeliever comes to mind and Blood on the World's Hands. Apart from Blaze's excellent vocals, these two richer songs have instrumentation which belong in my humble opinion to the best Maiden has ever produced. More about that later, in case one of them will appear in the top 10.
Perun said:
6. Caught Somewhere in Time
This song was many years in my top 10, mainly because of its unbeaten album intro, and the excellent drive. This song keeps you at the edge of your seat. Over the last years, Sea of Madness and Deja-vu have become more popular than earlier, so (one of) these might end up in my top 10.
Perun said:
I am glad I witnessed this song live, that live version is a b-side on one of The Wicker Man singles. Aggressive stuff, with one of the better Dave Murray solos. I like it less than Genghis Khan, which features (for me at least) nicer melodies, guitar work, and drums.
Perun said:
8. Two Minutes to Midnight
A song that I always saw as the lesser brother of Aces High (somehow I saw those songs as twins which could not be seperated - probably because of listening to LAD too often) and I like it less than at least 3 other Powerslave songs. Lately I started to admire the song more than in the nineties, but it's still not good enough for me to be in the top 10. Unfortunately I can only explain that when talking about other songs.
Perun said:
You guys are probably not going to believe this but this songs skips out and into my top 10, regularly. Now it's out. Currently I enjoy Rime and The Duellists more, and I have the idea that I like 8 other songs from other albums better as well. Still, nothing negative can be said about this song. The song has a suspenseful pre-chorus, I love the chorus with those haunting backing vocals, and the solos (my favourite is the slow Murray solo) are brilliant.
Perun said:
10. The Number of the Beast
Live, in concert, always a great treat, an excellent sing along song (also the intro!). This song is very powerful, has some in-the-face riffing. However, I don't think the singing is the most interesting Bruce has ever done, it's quite monotone compared to most of his other performances. And I like Hallowed Be Thy Name more. Since Hallowed is not in my top 10, Beast naturally can't be there as well.
My current top 10:
1. Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Still the best. I love the story, the way Bruce brings it, and the build-up in the middle is truly unbeaten. Climactic stuff. One of my favourite Adrian Smith solos. The riffs and the bass playing are also my favourites from the whole discography.
2. Infinite Dreams
I love the way Bruce is singing this. Very important are these vocal melodies. I find them the best vocal melodies of all Maiden songs. So catchy, when I hear these verses, it's difficult to replace them with other melodies.
Melodies, that's what Maiden is about and this song shows Steve's top songwriting.
3. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
This song projects a threatening side of the band. Its notable aspects are the heavy riffing during the couplets, the haunting melodies of Dave in the pre-chorus, the haunting melodies of Adrian in the "post"-chorus. And of course the sublime midpiece, which is one of the most atmospherical parts of the whole Maiden catalogue. The lyrics (and the way they are sung) are intruiging as well.
4. Sea of Madness
A thundering song with subtle moments in the middle. I like the pre-chorus and the chorus immensely. Vocal wise and riff wise. Adrian unfolds a beautiful solo ending very nice, when Steve starts to play an incredibly cool bass line, fitting perfectly to the rest of the music. I wonder how Steve recorded all this stuff at Nassau.. he really must have felt this song, maybe Adrian told him even what he wanted. As you guys know, the guitars were recorded later, in Holland.
5. The Duellists
One of Perun's worst songs, but I adore it because of its midpiece, full of Maiden's best harmonies and solos. I like the chorus and the rest as well, so it has to end up high. The song constantly has the same tempo, but there's much left to discover.
6. Deja-vu
My favourite Dave Murray song. Very melodic and dynamic. Nicko plays with a lot of feel here, and all other guys did their best to make this a catchy little gem.
7. Only the Good Die Young
Bruce's most poetic lyrics, and one of my favourite choruses. The first and best collaboration of Steve and Bruce, without a guitar player in the credits. I am getting repetitive, but again these melodies hit me in the heart.
8. Blood on the World's Hands
One evil riff feast. Blaze tears it all open in this song, and there's also an eastern flavour to some of the riffs and melodies. It's haunting at the same time. Just love it! This is for me
the Blaze song that I would like to hear live again, but I am not sure how Bruce would deliver this.
9. The Unbeliever
Original song with a magic instrumental part, probably containing some of my favourite moments from the nineties material. Blaze really shines on this track.
10. Genghis Khan
This music is so strong that a singer would only spoil it. Clive beats the hell out of his kit and his timing is perfect.
The riffs at the end and that lead guitar is really my style. Very dynamic. My head starts nodding, only thinking about it.
Biggest surprise for myself is Blood on the World's Hands which made a huge jump and kicked out competitors like Prowler, Powerslave and The Trooper.
