The Mercenary

[Gk1]

I rhink that the solos combo by H and Davey lift the song. the main riff is quite cool too. I understand that the chorus is Steve's cause it is simply horrible and repetitive. It just kills the momentum.

 

[Edington]

Adrian doesn't have a solo in The Nomad, the first solo is Janick, then Dave.

The solo at 2:55 is Adrian, is it not? It does sound fairly atypical for his style, but I think it's quite distinctive from Jan's solo at 3:19.

 

[TheTalisman]

Yes, of course it is played Adrian. I forgot about that part! My bad.

Correct order:
1. Adrian
2. Janick
3. Dave

 

[Azas]

Imo, filler song.

 

[Yax]

Killer song, 8/10 with particularly nice guitar solos. I remember being completely amazed by Dave's solo around the time I started noodling around on the guitar myself. I could easily picture this song fit in on Piece of Mind.

 

[naikon]

Is the guitar/bass break at 3:56 unique in the Maiden catalogue? Cant recall any other songs with similar sudden stop but with continuing drums/vocals

 

[Yax]

Is the guitar/bass break at 3:56 unique in the Maiden catalogue? Cant recall any other songs with similar sudden stop but with continuing drums/vocals

I think you're right there. Interesting.

 

[TheTalisman]

Listening to this track with studio headhones at the moment, and I can hear that there's a keyboard added in the background during the pre-chorus and chorus, just a nice little detail. It gives a different texture to the sound.

It kicks in at 0:34 after the first verse ends.

 

[Mega]

One of Maiden's songs that I'm always surprised is only 4:42. It always feels like more. Some unnecessary repetition but overall a good song. 6.

 

[MindRuler]

Are we rating forum members? How unwoke.
Oh...the song!
8

 

[Spaldy]

I'm willing to bet this was written with Blaze in mind. The vocal range is in his wheelhouse.

 

[Murder of Rue Morgue]

Considering this is one of the songs originally written during the VXI sessions and discarded, it definitely was written with Blaze in mind.

 

[Spaldy]

Considering this is one of the songs originally written during the VXI sessions and discarded, it definitely was written with Blaze in mind.

Imagine discarding that but leaving in Don't Look into the Eyes of a Stranger.

 

[Kalata]

Imagine discarding that but leaving in Don't Look into the Eyes of a Stranger.

It's a matter if you prefer a fast short rocker with repetitive parts or a slower&faster longer song with also repetitive but different parts, dynamic and more layers. Both are fitting for the album, but ''The Mercenary'' would have indeed been a great addition for it, especially with its energy, which is not lacking on the album. I like both songs a lot, but ''Don't Look'' has a special vibe for me.

The other BNW songs written for VXI are good as they are. Despite some not so good decisions (''Angel And Gambler''!), I think VXI is good as it is.