The X-Factor or Virtual XI

[Gk1]

Sorry.....but this is how I feel about it.

 

[Night Prowler]

You really haven't heard many albums if you think VXI is one of the worst albums ever.

 

[Gk1]

Come again??!!!! I said TXF is one of the worse ones!

 

[Number 6]

The X Factor, definitely. It's a difficult listen, but, in the end, it's also a brilliant effort. Virtual XI, although enjoyable enough and featuring some brilliant deep cuts, is Maiden's weakest by a mile.

 

[Night Prowler]

Come again??!!!! I said TXF is one of the worse ones!

Yeah, I mistyped the abbreviation but the point still stands.

 

[Diesel 11]

Both The X Factor and Virtual XI are crucial to Maiden history and stand on their own among the titans the band has cranked out. Both have not a single song I would not want to hear, it's just a matter of how good said songs are. Overall though, as an album I find The X Factor to be the better of the two. Dark, gloomy, it's an epic Harris creation.

 

[Number 6]

Both The X Factor and Virtual XI are crucial to Maiden history

This. Totally agree. I think all Maiden albums are crucial to their history, actually. Like, I've seen some say that there's "that album" or "that song" that should've never been recorded, but for me, I see each and every one of them as necessary steps in the band's progression and maturity process. There's no "unnecessary" in Maiden's catalog.

 

[Lightbrigade1]

Virtual XI gets My vote

 

[karljant]

The X Factor is my 6th favorite Maiden record (tied with Killers). Virtual XI is second to last (only bests the utter disaster that is Fear Of the Dark). IMO this isn't even a fair comparison.

 

[Kalata]

I like both albums.

My vote will be for Virtual XI - love this album.

 

[GhostofCain]

The X Factor. Although bloated and lumbering, it is miles better than the embarrassment of riches that is Virtual XI.

 

[KidInTheDark666]

Both of them are great but I'll give the edge narrowly to Virtual XI.