The Official Maidenfans.com Rankings results (2004-2016)

[Mosh]

The fact that they're able to drop Run To the Hills from the setlist on a regular basis with minimal outrage proves it's not the be all end all of Maiden and that there are at least 20 songs that are more worthy. Imagine if other bands did that with their most famous songs.

 

[Diesel 11]

I was about to comment that TRATB was raised too low, until I say Run To The Hills, so I'm gonna go with that.

RTTH IS TOO GODDAMN LOW PEOPLE.

I just realized how badly I typed this post. Goddamn mobile, you've done it again.

 

[Connor19]

Prophecy and TRATB are a bit too low for my liking.

Prophecy doesn't get enough love, which I'm not surprised by as it is wedged in the middle of a phenomenal album with massively powerful songs. I love the vocal panning during the pre-chorus. Like stated in the OP it gives a perfect "angel on the right, devil on the left" feel. The beautiful work in the intro/outro goes without saying.

As for TRATB, this was one of 2 songs on TBOS that I needed to give a bit of time to grow on me. Was hard to get into at first but in the last few months I've had a reawakening into how good this song is. The very first vocal melody that matches with the lead guitar part is so unexpected, which makes it such a badass delivery from Bruce. Some may think the "woah oh's" in this one are a bit forced, which I admit they are a tad forced, but it doesn't take away enough from this one. Top 3 TBOS song for me.

 

[Black Wizard]

'Run to the Hills' still is, and always will be, a great song.

 

[SirRobbins]

Caught Somewhere in Time
Alexander the Great
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
Fear of the Dark


likely the top 5 songs not in order but that'd be my order

 

[Mosh]

I'll be surprised if any of those (minus Hallowed) are in the top ten.

 

[matic22]

I'll be surprised if any of those (minus Hallowed) are in the top ten.

Me too. I'd say SSOASS maybe, but the others almost surely not.

 

[Operations666]

A quick glance at the ratings tells me that Hallowed, Rime, Powerslave, and Seventh Son are probably going to be in our top 5. FotD and Infinte Dreams will also be very high. The top 10 shouldn't have a lot of surprises.

 

[LooseCannon]

A quick glance at the ratings tells me that Hallowed, Rime, Powerslave, and Seventh Son are probably going to be in our top 5. FotD and Infinte Dreams will also be very high. The top 10 shouldn't have a lot of surprises.

Prepare to be surprised.

 

[LooseCannon]

T80: No Prayer For the Dying - No Prayer For the Dying (Harris)
Average score: 7.98/10 Deviation: 1.03
No Prayer For the Dying 9/10
Top 50: 2004, 2012
Top 100: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016

The penultimate track from No Prayer For the Dying (and the first album to reach that mark), this track has been fairly stable, with the exception of the first year rankings were kept, and the last year. Both of those years have half-point swings, otherwise this one would have a very narrow deviation. Many people compliment this song and I didn't see anyone who hates it, and it is by consensus one of the best on No Prayer For the Dying. That being said, it seems few people truly love it, most placing it in the "good" range. This very narrow spot at the top of the "good" band has another tie, with four songs within 0.02 points - obviously, we are in the crowded area, ratings wise, at this point.

Choice comments:

steve harris in an interview said he was influenced by the film or the book called "a prayer for the dying". the problem is that the book and the film have totally different storylines, and i can't tell which one steve took his inspiration from. i remember he characteristically said that he changed the title from "a prayer..." to "no prayer..." because "Eddie wouldn't give a single prayer!" in his words.

I find this song rather mystical. Lyrics are very hmm...general, but they seem extremely sincere, music is completely pinned down to the whole meaning of the song, with melancholic start, and then the blast going into one of the best Maiden build-ups.

Quite a good song. Really good music, I love the airy sounds it creates, and Bruce sings very well on this track. A hint of rasp works well here. Had he sung it like Tailgunner, it may not have been so good.

In my opinion, this is where the album starts to become good. It's got a beautiful melody and a great atmosphere. I know Foro is going to want to stone me for this, but I think this is the only song from the album that lives up to the classics, old or new

It's a great song, and I really do like the riffs and the instrumental parts, but there's something about it that makes you feel like you're not listening to calssic Maiden anymore, and that brings it down a couple of notches.
A really great song in 90's standarts though.

I have a funny feeling that had this song been released in the 2000s it would have been twice as long as it bears the structure of reunion era Maiden to a T, but that's part of the originals charm. They pack a lot into a shorter song. And still manages to make it feel cinematic and big

I love those melodies as well. When done live, Bruce always did some extra non-word vocals: "yeaahhhh, ohhhh etc..." , something that felt as a pretty good addition (and sounded way better than how I just wrote it ).

What drags the grade down for me, is the fast mid-part which I find a bit too wild, even messy. It feels it doesn't fit that excellent.

Feels kind of strange to have such a calm song, a semi-ballad almost, as a title track, but I think it works.
The lyrics feels very simple, especially after the complex Seventh Son, but Bruce sings it with such emotion and makes it work.
The solos are more sloppyish played then the perfectly executed solos we've heard earlier albums, but at this point it seems fresh still.

The way the ballad and the fast middle part are connected, Bruce's performance... This is one of the reasons to buy the album. I never get tired listening to this one.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.60; 44/123
2005: 7.84 -0.76; 81/124 -37
2006: 8.00 +0.16; 73/124 +8
2008: 8.28 +0.28; 74/134 -1
2011: 7.98 -0.30; 64/144 +10
2012: 46/144 +18
2014: 7.97 -0.01; 72/144 -26
2015: 8.02 +0.05; 66/144 +6
2016: 7.57 -0.45; 87/155 -21

Overall

Spoiler

80 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
82 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
82 - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
84 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
85 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
86 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
87 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
87 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
89 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
89 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
91 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
92 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
93 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
94 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
95 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
96 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
97 - Purgatory (Killers)
98 - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
99 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
99 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
101 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
102 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
102 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
102 - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
105 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
106 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
107 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
108 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
109 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
110 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
111 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
112 - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
113 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
114 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
115 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
116 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
116 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
118 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
119 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
120 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
121 - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)
122 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
123 - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
124 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
125 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
126 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
126 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
128 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
129 - Drifter (Killers)
130 - Another Life (Killers)
131 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
132 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
132 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
134 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
135 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
136 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
137 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
138 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
139 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
140 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
141 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
142 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
143 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
143 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
145 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
146 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
147 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
148 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
149 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
150 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
151 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
152 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
153 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
153 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
155 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

0.26 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
0.27 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
0.34 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
0.66 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.70 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
0.70 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
0.80 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
1.02 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
1.03 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.04 - Purgatory (Killers)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
1.83 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.84 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
1.86 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
1.86 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
1.87 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
1.94 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.94 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.04 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
2.20 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
2.20 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.26 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
2.27 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.93 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.94 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.04 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
3.32 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
3.34 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
3.76 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
3.81 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
3.90 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.95 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
n/a - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
n/a - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 12
Killers 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 5 Top 100: 24
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 3/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 10
Powerslave 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 3 Top 100: 14
Somewhere in Time 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 13
No Prayer For the Dying 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 18
Fear of the Dark 9/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 20
The X Factor 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 32
Virtual XI 5/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 12
Brave New World 2/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4
Dance of Death 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 22
A Matter of Life and Death 2/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 9
The Final Frontier 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 24
The Book of Souls 5/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4

 

[LooseCannon]

T80: Different World - A Matter of Life and Death (Smith, Harris)
Average score: 7.98/10 Deviation: 0.26
A Matter of Life and Death 3/10
Top 100: 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016

A lot of comparisons on this one to the immediate predecessor, Wildest Dreams, which are generally favourable. A few people really like this track and a few people think it's more average than good. In the end, this song seems to be at that cusp of good. A lot of questions about the lyrics and a few people find they reflect very personally for them, while others don't seem to be so affected. This has a really snug deviation, even for a song that's only been out since 2008, and I don't think it's going to change.

Choice comments:

as the chorus tells us we should learn from this and appreciate what we've learned. Seize the day, again! So the future was not what we'd thought it'd be. If we are unsure about our education/work can we reach fulfilment? There is a certain cycle in this. We change again to someting new and try again.

Great rocker with a beautifully melodic chorus and a lot of positive energy. It may not be the most original or even the most memorable song ever, but it does what it is supposed to do.

t's a good song, but it feels like I've heard it before. It felt like Maiden wanted to go safe and open with a short song just for the sake of it. Good solo.

My Indian-Canadian (the Hindu kind) friend has stated that he liked this song as soon as he heard it. One day this week after movies, the song came on in my car and he immediately liked it and asked about it. I told him. The next few days he listened to it and now he praises the song. Coming from a guy who seemingly only listens to Anime soundtracks, this surprised me a lot. On another note, he downloaded all the "World" songs from the Maiden repertoire, as he could not recall the name and now enjoys Brave New World, as well.

It's similar to Wildest Dreams, but also far better. More interesting riff, a great melodic chorus, that great Thin Lizzy harmony section (where the melody is a bit too similar to Face in in the Sand for my liking but it's still good), and an amazingly tasteful solo by Adrian.

A good rocker, but easy to overlook in comparison to the rest of the album. I agree that the band might have played it a little too safe with this tune, but I still listen to it a lot, because as a rule, I play AMOLAD from start to finish every time. I've always liked the guitars on this one.

I'm inclined to suggest it may be riskier for Maiden in some ways to attempt a good hooky rock song simply because there is a formula and a fan base that expects the band to avoid it.
Their chances of being considered bland and unexceptional are higher if they don't nail it — I submit Wildest Dreams as exhibit A.

Starts the album with a bang! Quite similar to the other Smith/Harris opening tracks, rocking and to the point. It is better then Wildest Dreams but not as good as The Wickerman.

As we can clearly see on Making Of A Matter Of Life And Death, Adrian says that he wrote the riff in 7/4 as a part of "bigger" song. If we dissect parts, we only have few - the main riff, the simple chords behind the verses/chorus and the pre-solo harmony. Therefore and IMHO, Harris is responsible for the typical opener form of this track.

Different World is engaging, typical Maiden with a cool verse, guitar unison and great Adrian solo, but it ultimately feels like a retread of Wildest Dreams. Clearly a song written for the sole purpose of releasing a proper single as it shares virtually nothing in common with the sound or theme of the rest of the album. There’s nothing wrong with Different World, but it’s paint-by-numbers Maiden.

One of my favourite short Maiden songs. The true son of Rainmaker. H's solo is not only one of his best solos, but one of the best Maiden solos, full stop. And that's coming from me, the Janickist.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2008: 8.14; 81/134
2011: 7.88 -0.26; 70/144 +11
2012: 85/144 -15
2014: 8.02 +0.14; 66/144 +19
2015: 7.92 -0.10; 73/144 -7
2016: 8.00 +0.08; 63/155 +10

Overall

Spoiler

80 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
80 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
82 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
82 - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
84 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
85 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
86 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
87 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
87 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
89 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
89 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
91 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
92 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
93 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
94 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
95 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
96 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
97 - Purgatory (Killers)
98 - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
99 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
99 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
101 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
102 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
102 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
102 - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
105 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
106 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
107 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
108 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
109 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
110 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
111 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
112 - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
113 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
114 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
115 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
116 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
116 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
118 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
119 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
120 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
121 - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)
122 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
123 - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
124 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
125 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
126 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
126 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
128 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
129 - Drifter (Killers)
130 - Another Life (Killers)
131 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
132 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
132 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
134 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
135 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
136 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
137 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
138 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
139 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
140 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
141 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
142 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
143 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
143 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
145 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
146 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
147 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
148 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
149 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
150 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
151 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
152 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
153 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
153 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
155 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

0.26 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.26 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
0.27 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
0.34 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
0.66 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.70 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
0.70 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
0.80 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
1.02 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
1.03 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.04 - Purgatory (Killers)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
1.83 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.84 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
1.86 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
1.86 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
1.87 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
1.94 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.94 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.04 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
2.20 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
2.20 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.26 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
2.27 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.93 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.94 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.04 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
3.32 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
3.34 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
3.76 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
3.81 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
3.90 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.95 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
n/a - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
n/a - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 12
Killers 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 5 Top 100: 24
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 3/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 10
Powerslave 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 3 Top 100: 14
Somewhere in Time 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 13
No Prayer For the Dying 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 18
Fear of the Dark 9/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 20
The X Factor 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 32
Virtual XI 5/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 12
Brave New World 2/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4
Dance of Death 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 22
A Matter of Life and Death 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
The Final Frontier 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 24
The Book of Souls 5/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4

 

[Black Wizard]

First Maiden song I ever saw live.

 

[Magnus]

First Maiden song I ever saw live.

Late for the gig?
Edit: oops, my mistake, sorry

 

[Deleted member 7164]

I like this song a lot. I think Bruce does the calm part of the chorus better live, the other part is better on record. Immense solo.

 

[Deleted member 7164]

Late for the gig?
Edit: oops, my mistake, sorry

That's one good lapsus brainae.

 

[bornless1]

Ah-ahYee!! I recall being a little disappointed with different world at first. " how dare this mediocrity follow the great Dance of Death?"

But as the listens piled up and seeing it live, I've sure learned to love it. Doesn't really ignite the dynamite, but a fun rocker with a wicked emotional solo section. Probably a 80/85th song on my list....

 

[LooseCannon]

79: Futureal - Virtual XI (Harris, Bayley)
Average score: 7.99/10 Deviation: 1.31
Virtual XI 6/8
Top 50: 2004, 2012
Top 100: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016

Some BRS on this particular track, especially in the most recent year, which had a 0.82 point drop. Which is too bad, as this one seems to be very popular for most of our history. This one has two Top 50 entries and has hit the Top 100 most years. I worry it might slip further as it dropped down, but only time will tell of 2016 is a true representation of Maidenfans opinions on this song or if we'll see a return to around the 8.00 range in future years. Lots of people like the energy on this short track, proof Maiden was still able to make in-your-face rock songs before the return of Bruce and Adrian.

Choice comments:

Blaze's singing and tone is bad in this song, it's fast, it's in your face, but it doesn't knock you back, don't like the chorus (one of Maiden's worst), but the solo and the melody after the solo are brilliant, live, it worked a lot better and Bruce doesn't butcher it live, it's that the song isn't that good, indeed.

I also would like to point out my favourite part, namely the guitar section right after the solo. An incredibly energetic moment. This album has several of such strong moments where Janick and Dave do not form a harmony. Instead they play the same, with no accompaniment of rhythm guitars. This formula provides lots of space for the thundering rhythm section. Those accents are fantastic.

Great opener for a very underrated album.

A no bull, straight to the point track, great opener, full of energy, great performances, it is now my favourite track on the album.

I've never seen anything special about this one. Musically, I'm not too impressed, and the vocals don't do much for me either. It works as a good opener and has some good lyrics though.

A nice, lighthearted, straight to the point song after all the darkness and epicness on The X Factor.
The riff is fun and Blaze sings okay on the verses and great on the pre-chorus and chorus.
Like many of you said the guitar lick on the chorus is hot. The solos are good and accomplishes the song in a natural way.

Futureal is the best album opener since Moonchild. It’s a three minute burst of classic riffing, as if to prove to all of those who hated The X Factor that the band could still write an upbeat rocker. Dave Murray is back in top form from the get-go with a furious solo of legato runs and melodic bends.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.61; 43/123
2005: 7.96 -0.65; 71/124 -28
2006: 8.02 +0.06; 64/124 +13
2008: 8.22 +0.20; 76/134 +12
2011: 8.06 -0.16; 62/144 +14
2012: 40/144 +22
2014: 8.10 +0.04; 65/144 -25
2015: 8.12 +0.02; 64/144 +1
2016: 7.30 -0.82; 98/155 -34

Overall

Spoiler

79 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
80 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
80 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
82 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
82 - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
84 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
85 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
86 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
87 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
87 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
89 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
89 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
91 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
92 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
93 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
94 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
95 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
96 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
97 - Purgatory (Killers)
98 - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
99 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
99 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
101 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
102 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
102 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
102 - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
105 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
106 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
107 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
108 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
109 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
110 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
111 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
112 - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
113 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
114 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
115 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
116 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
116 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
118 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
119 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
120 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
121 - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)
122 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
123 - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
124 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
125 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
126 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
126 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
128 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
129 - Drifter (Killers)
130 - Another Life (Killers)
131 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
132 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
132 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
134 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
135 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
136 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
137 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
138 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
139 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
140 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
141 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
142 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
143 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
143 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
145 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
146 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
147 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
148 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
149 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
150 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
151 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
152 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
153 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
153 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
155 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

0.26 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.26 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
0.27 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
0.34 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
0.66 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.70 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
0.70 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
0.80 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
1.02 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
1.03 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.04 - Purgatory (Killers)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
1.83 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.84 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
1.86 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
1.86 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
1.87 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
1.94 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.94 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.04 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
2.20 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
2.20 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.26 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
2.27 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.93 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.94 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.04 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
3.32 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
3.34 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
3.76 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
3.81 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
3.90 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.95 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
n/a - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
n/a - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 12
Killers 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 5 Top 100: 24
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 3/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 10
Powerslave 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 3 Top 100: 14
Somewhere in Time 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 13
No Prayer For the Dying 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 18
Fear of the Dark 9/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 20
The X Factor 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 32
Virtual XI 6/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 6 Top 100: 19
Brave New World 2/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4
Dance of Death 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 22
A Matter of Life and Death 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
The Final Frontier 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 24
The Book of Souls 5/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4

 

[Diesel 11]

Can you believe what you see? Futureal at 79? Higher than I expected but worthy of it!

 

[Whooten]

What is real?

Almost 20 years later it has become an anthem of our times.

 

[Magnus]

That's one good lapsus brainae.

Massive brain fart, друже Zare.
Come to think of it, my first as well, current lineup. First ever must have been Man On The Edge with Blaze, Sofia 1995.