Without Factor X & Virtual XI

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Maiden wouln't be complite... I believe they added (not exactly added but something like "finally made it a part of their music") the progresive element on those albums and I also believe they went in that direction (having crescendos the "prog" way) because on Blaze's voice and because of what Steve was going through too, but I'm pretty sure Blaze was part of it.

I couldn't imagine a jump from Fear of the Dark to Brave New World

FX and VXI with Bruce instead of Blaze? Well assuming Bruce would have done it, he most likely would have pulled it, 'cause it's Bruce you know? But Blaze's voice went pretty well with the whole thing, X Factor it's one of their darkest albums (if not the darkest) and Blaze's voice pretty much expresses that and hast a lot of power in it.

Why am I saying all of this? Well 'cause I really think Blaze haters are wrong and I was listening to Virtual XI and I really can't believe some people that don't like it, it's a great album, when it came out I remember listening to Futureal and Lightning Strikes Twice provably 200 times each.

Up the Irons!
 
I would say the majority of us at Maidenfans agree with you here ;)
 
I hate The X Factor and Virtual XI. TXF is much too dark and too slow. The songs are too deep and have too much meaning. Virtual XI, on the other hand, would only be half as bad if Nicko would be drumming. The songs on it are also too melodic and the vocals are too deep for me. They are Maiden's worst albums.

The above is sarcasm. That means, I basically said the opposite of what I think. Most people here will know that The X Factor is my favourite Maiden album (as a matter of fact, it's my favourite album in general), and I also have an irrational love for Virtual XI.

Ah, damnit, I really dread the replies...
 
Yeah, I don't know what Maiden was thinking when they went for another drummer on Virtual XI! And The X factor is way to gloomy, I like my metal Happy, the way metal was meant to be.
 
VXI is alright, and TXF is a good idea horribly realised, it feels like a great album being smothered under a pillow, killing all the energy because of the shite production. Just compare Sign of the cross from the album and Rock in rio.
 
THe X-Factor is a very deep album.  It's not made for that casual listener.  It's quite introspective, forces the listener to actually listen closer to the album to understand it, not just have it on in the background while headbanging.  Unfortunately, this gave most people a low opinion of the album.  It shows a side of Maiden we will probably never see again.

Virtual XI, on the other hand, is more of an album you can listen to in the background and rock out to.  This in no way detracts from the album.  As much as people hate The Angel and the Gambler, there has been many a time I can just sit back and drive to the whole "Don't you think I could save your life" part.  To me, that section is actually a relaxing part in the song that just fits, even if it is long.  Also, Futureal is an extremely strong opener, and Two Worlds Collide was easily one of the strongest Maiden songs ever, one that really needs put back in the set list.
 
The X-Factor is just a rarity on this planet. One of the best album by any band. Now, 11 years after its release and after having listened to 'Benjamin Breeg', I'm still hoping Maiden can pull this kind of album off (even though the best albums had a tendency to be made in hard times: first album, NOTB with singer change, POM with drummer change, SSOASS when Maiden has nothing to prove and TXF when Maiden had everything to prove, BNW when they had to prove they could reignite the machine once more).

VXI was a let down for me. Some songs are really nice, but it's too forced. Steve thought about recording this with an audience (to have the sing alongs recorded) and it shows. Albums shouldn't be created like that.

Cheers
 
Personally love The X-Factor...one of my fav albums not just by Maiden, but of all time.  Virtual XI wasn't bad either but in my opinion it's nowhere near as good as X-Factor
 
The Saint said:
even though the best albums had a tendency to be made in hard times...
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You could mention any album and make up a reason for why it was "hard times" for Maiden :rolleyes:
 
Conor said:
The Saint seems not to think that way :grumble:
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Well that is where the Saint and I disagree... How can having nothing to prove be "hard times"? Can you really see the band coming together to write their next album and say, "Gee guys, I'm so nervous, the pressure is so much! I mean, we have nothing to prove! We can do whatever we want and people will like it... oh my God whatever shall we do next?!".... Cause I can't.

But DS is right to point out the Music Biz is hard, few bands reach Maiden's notoriaty.
 
Onhell said:
But DS is right to point out the Music Biz is hard, few bands reach Maiden's notoriaty.
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Specially for a Metal band, I've seen lots of metal haters cheer for the Irons

Up the Irons!
 
It's true that releasing any album is hard. And I guess you could find special circumstances for every album Maiden did release.

Now, I still think pressure can be a good thing and reveals great bands. Having to switch singers is always a great pressure, that's for certain. Not being relevant anymore (like in 1995 for instance) can also be stressing.

As for SSOASS (well I think that's the album you were referrring to, Onhell),

Onhell said:
Well that is where the Saint and I disagree... How can having nothing to prove be "hard times"? Can you really see the band coming together to write their next album and say, "Gee guys, I'm so nervous, the pressure is so much! I mean, we have nothing to prove! We can do whatever we want and people will like it... oh my God whatever shall we do next?!".... Cause I can't.
Click to expand...

I completely understand your point of view. I'm not saying that it was horrid times or anything, but more that Maiden seemed to have reach the end of a cycle. SIT had already been critized much more than any Maiden record in the past, so what could offer without repeating itself ? That's the kind of artistic pressure I was mentionning when I talked about SSOASS. I clearly remember those years as both successful but also with so many people (fans and not fans) feeling the winds of change or willing to bury Maiden.

Well, Maiden did a bold step and, boy, it created a divide. When I talk about SSOASS nowadays, it seems pretty much everyboy likes the album. But back in 1988, the early fans were battling over what to think about it. And it was gruesome  -_-

At the same time, it also attracted younger fans (yeah, already then there was talk about that, I was certainly part of these younger fans having discovered Maiden around 86), so it was another win for Maiden.  ;)

The "end of the cycle" feeling might also explain the NPFTD approach Maiden took afterwards.

Anyway, I'm not holding any truth. It's just my personal view on Maiden's history.

I'm just hoping that they will be able to blow me away again like they did in 1988 and 1995. This time may be the charm.

Cheers
 
Well, TXF is gloomy beacause 'Arry had some shit going on in his life, he was in a divorce at the time!! You can't blame him for writing sader songs then!! I don't like the album... VXI wasn't good at all! I think the albums after SSOASS until BNW are shit...
 
Well, shit is the wrong word, but I just don't like them!! It isen't Maiden exactly!
 
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