Unknown One's top 25
- Thread starter Unknown One
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mtmccox
Ancient Mariner
I'm interested what will be next, but even now I can say that I rank Still Life much much higher then Killers.
With Eagles it's probably my favourite song from POM.
The close-to-end verse when when Nicko starts bashing carelessly and Bruce's voice has such great emotion, you can feel the desperation and passion at the other side from his voice. "Now it's clear and I know what I have to do ... " Just pure and ingenious art.
(Although I don't get the intro melody much, I could imagine the song without it)
With Eagles it's probably my favourite song from POM.
The close-to-end verse when when Nicko starts bashing carelessly and Bruce's voice has such great emotion, you can feel the desperation and passion at the other side from his voice. "Now it's clear and I know what I have to do ... " Just pure and ingenious art.
(Although I don't get the intro melody much, I could imagine the song without it)
Unknown One
I see the ghost of navigators.
mtmccox said:
Forgot to mention that part in my review but that is indeed a great part of the song. There is also one my PoM song higher in my rankings, but I won't give that away just yet.
edge of darkness
Trooper
I'm very happy to see Virus in your top 25. 
Unknown One
I see the ghost of navigators.
And just when I get to the top end of this, I get a truckload on uni work all at the same time. I have no idea when I'll be able to finish this, but I definitely will when my workload is less.
Unknown One
I see the ghost of navigators.
Ok, my workload seems to be significantly less now, so looks like I can get back into this.
14. Afraid to Shoot Strangers
The only Fear of the Dark song that even comes close to making it near the top of my rankings, this is a subject matter that would be later covered by Maiden in another song later during their career, but this song is easily the better of the 2. Bruce's raspy voice that is very prevalent during this part of Maiden's career is gone, and the song benefits hugely from it. The lyrics are really superb, and Bruce really drives it home in the way he delivers it. The chorus riff is superb and the chorus, although it repeats, doesn't seem to get boring to me. My only real criticism is the way the song flows from the chorus to the solos, or lack of. It abruptly goes from a nice steady tempo to basically some freakout and I don't really think the fast tempo of the solos suits the song. I think a slower solo (ala Powerslave, SiaSL) would be much more suited for this song. That said, it doesn't drag down the song overall and the rest of the song is that great that it places in my top 15.
13. Paschendale
Yes I know for many of you this is in your top 5, but currently for me it's just not there yet (although it is slowly rising along with a few other songs). The tapping drum intro really sounds like Morse Code or something along those lines. The lyrics are really great, and can evoke many different emotions at different points during the song. The solos are really good, although I do like a couple of solos from the same album more. Everyone plays their part in making this a very memorable song. You may notice that it is only at 13th when I've been giving it a lot of praise here. Well there's nothing wrong with it, it's just that I like 12 other songs more at this current time. At this stage of the rankings there is nothing wrong with these songs, just that I like the songs above them more.
14. Afraid to Shoot Strangers
The only Fear of the Dark song that even comes close to making it near the top of my rankings, this is a subject matter that would be later covered by Maiden in another song later during their career, but this song is easily the better of the 2. Bruce's raspy voice that is very prevalent during this part of Maiden's career is gone, and the song benefits hugely from it. The lyrics are really superb, and Bruce really drives it home in the way he delivers it. The chorus riff is superb and the chorus, although it repeats, doesn't seem to get boring to me. My only real criticism is the way the song flows from the chorus to the solos, or lack of. It abruptly goes from a nice steady tempo to basically some freakout and I don't really think the fast tempo of the solos suits the song. I think a slower solo (ala Powerslave, SiaSL) would be much more suited for this song. That said, it doesn't drag down the song overall and the rest of the song is that great that it places in my top 15.
13. Paschendale
Yes I know for many of you this is in your top 5, but currently for me it's just not there yet (although it is slowly rising along with a few other songs). The tapping drum intro really sounds like Morse Code or something along those lines. The lyrics are really great, and can evoke many different emotions at different points during the song. The solos are really good, although I do like a couple of solos from the same album more. Everyone plays their part in making this a very memorable song. You may notice that it is only at 13th when I've been giving it a lot of praise here. Well there's nothing wrong with it, it's just that I like 12 other songs more at this current time. At this stage of the rankings there is nothing wrong with these songs, just that I like the songs above them more.
Unknown One
I see the ghost of navigators.
12. Blood Brothers
One of a few songs that have been shooting up the chars at a very quick rate, seeing this live last year (and with everyone singing the chorus made for some magical moments) has had a big impact on this song. This song was very probably made for crowd participation, especially with the chorus being as simple as it is. Even the studio version has a very good atmosphere to it. Great moody solos and the bridge with some of the most heartfelt lyrics really makes this song so beautiful and yet so emotional at the same time. Oh, and the vocals are brilliant, but I guess you already knew that?
11. Infinite Dreams
The song starts off with a slow and somewhat subdued intro, and gradually builds up through to about the midpoint of the song. Lots of different melodies harmonies feature prominently, especially during the section after the first lot of vocals and the scream after it. The song just kicks up into another gear with that scream. It may not be that once in a lifetime scream like The Number of the Beast one, but I think it is pretty close. I almost prefer this scream to the TNotB one, but I think that one just takes it. A couple of my most favourite Maiden riffs feature right after the scream and while the solo isn't all that memorable or special, for me it fits the song quite well. The lyrics and vocals are extremely good throughout the entire song, whether Bruce needs to sing softly during the intro or just belt it out during the later sections of the song.
Now, it will be 1 song per post from now on, hope you like my countdown so far.
One of a few songs that have been shooting up the chars at a very quick rate, seeing this live last year (and with everyone singing the chorus made for some magical moments) has had a big impact on this song. This song was very probably made for crowd participation, especially with the chorus being as simple as it is. Even the studio version has a very good atmosphere to it. Great moody solos and the bridge with some of the most heartfelt lyrics really makes this song so beautiful and yet so emotional at the same time. Oh, and the vocals are brilliant, but I guess you already knew that?
11. Infinite Dreams
The song starts off with a slow and somewhat subdued intro, and gradually builds up through to about the midpoint of the song. Lots of different melodies harmonies feature prominently, especially during the section after the first lot of vocals and the scream after it. The song just kicks up into another gear with that scream. It may not be that once in a lifetime scream like The Number of the Beast one, but I think it is pretty close. I almost prefer this scream to the TNotB one, but I think that one just takes it. A couple of my most favourite Maiden riffs feature right after the scream and while the solo isn't all that memorable or special, for me it fits the song quite well. The lyrics and vocals are extremely good throughout the entire song, whether Bruce needs to sing softly during the intro or just belt it out during the later sections of the song.
Now, it will be 1 song per post from now on, hope you like my countdown so far.
Unknown One
I see the ghost of navigators.
10. The Clansman
One of my favourite movies is Braveheart, so when I first heard this song, I instantly thought Braveheart and wondered why it wasn't on the soundtrack. I then found out later that this song was created in 1998, so that perhaps Braveheart was an inspiration for this song. I like the way that Blaze sings this song, and the lyrics are really excellent. A British band creating lyrics about Scottish independence from England? Definitely not something you hear every day. The intro is superb and definitely one of the best soft intros to any Maiden song. The solos are really great, suits the song very well and are quite melodic in nature. I know some people don't like the repeating lines during the softer interlude, but I do, and it makes me think somewhat of a medieval battle of sorts (a leader gives a speech before and then comes the fury of the battle). I was very pleased that this song made the top 10 in the last Maiden survivor.
One of my favourite movies is Braveheart, so when I first heard this song, I instantly thought Braveheart and wondered why it wasn't on the soundtrack. I then found out later that this song was created in 1998, so that perhaps Braveheart was an inspiration for this song. I like the way that Blaze sings this song, and the lyrics are really excellent. A British band creating lyrics about Scottish independence from England? Definitely not something you hear every day. The intro is superb and definitely one of the best soft intros to any Maiden song. The solos are really great, suits the song very well and are quite melodic in nature. I know some people don't like the repeating lines during the softer interlude, but I do, and it makes me think somewhat of a medieval battle of sorts (a leader gives a speech before and then comes the fury of the battle). I was very pleased that this song made the top 10 in the last Maiden survivor.
Unknown One
I see the ghost of navigators.
9. Dance of Death
Another song that has benefited hugely due to being seen live recently (although it didn't seem to be as well received by the crowd compared to Blood Brothers). "Let me tell you a story to chill the bones" fits perfectly for this song, as that is what happens to me during this song! Bruce is such a great storyteller and it's not hard to see why he is viewed by many as a brilliant frontman for Maiden. Yes, he sings the "pranced" line during this song, but he sings that line (and the rest of them) so well that the one line doesn't even matter when the rest of the song surrounds it. Steve shows once again why he is a brilliant song writer and the lyrics are superb (apart from the "pranced" line of course although it does fit the song's context). So many great harmonies and melodies feature throughout the song as well, including the brilliant main riff that starts about 3 minutes or so into the song. My favourite of the solos would definitely be the third one, although the other 2 are definitely very good as well. The solos are probably the weakest section of the song, but that's just natural as the rest of the song is so great. Steve's bass and Nicko's drumming are top notch like normal. A well deserved entrant in my top 10.
Another song that has benefited hugely due to being seen live recently (although it didn't seem to be as well received by the crowd compared to Blood Brothers). "Let me tell you a story to chill the bones" fits perfectly for this song, as that is what happens to me during this song! Bruce is such a great storyteller and it's not hard to see why he is viewed by many as a brilliant frontman for Maiden. Yes, he sings the "pranced" line during this song, but he sings that line (and the rest of them) so well that the one line doesn't even matter when the rest of the song surrounds it. Steve shows once again why he is a brilliant song writer and the lyrics are superb (apart from the "pranced" line of course although it does fit the song's context). So many great harmonies and melodies feature throughout the song as well, including the brilliant main riff that starts about 3 minutes or so into the song. My favourite of the solos would definitely be the third one, although the other 2 are definitely very good as well. The solos are probably the weakest section of the song, but that's just natural as the rest of the song is so great. Steve's bass and Nicko's drumming are top notch like normal. A well deserved entrant in my top 10.