Dance of Death - hit or miss? A review...

[JayKeeley]

I added my review of Dance of Death to the site.

:Spin:

 

[Erik]

And to those who think Bruce sounds tired, I say ‘poppycock’. Want to know what 'tired' sounds like? Try No Prayer for the Dying, or worse still, Fear of the Dark. There is just no comparison.

True, but on the other side, compare his performance on "Dance of Death" to that of "The Chemical Wedding" or "Accident of Birth..." There's just no comparison.

 

[Demonspell]

Good review, and I especially agree with your assessment of Age Of Innocence...that chorus brings down the whole song. I also agree that Paschendale is a must for the next tour.

 

[JayKeeley]

True, but on the other side, compare his performance on "Dance of Death" to that of "The Chemical Wedding" or "Accident of Birth..." There's just no comparison.

Sure - different songs, different timeframe, but my only point was that Bruce does not sound bad. Yeah, of course he's sounded better, but his vocals on this are fine with me.

If anything, it's the production that gets me though. And it surprised me because Steve Harris is such a perfectionist - look how long he too with Rock in Rio for example.

Overall, what do you think? of DoD Anything that you would agree/disagree with the review?

 

[JayKeeley]

Good review, and I especially agree with your assessment of Age Of Innocence...that chorus brings down the whole song. I also agree that Paschendale is a must for the next tour.

Thanks. I think it's pretty obvious that Bruce was allowed to contribute a little more this time, for better or for worse.

You just know that some of this material from DoD is going to work better in a live environment.

By the way, does anyone know how much of BNW was written before Smith and Dickinson actually came back in full-time? I mean, I know they contributed to some songs, but were the base structures to even those songs already written?

 

[Ayeka]

No idea, mate ^_^

Secondly, Dance of Death has an unfortunate muddy production for my liking – I always thought the ‘cleanliness’ of Powerslave through Seventh Son of a Seventh Son enhanced the MAIDEN playing trademarks, but ever since No Prayer for the Dying, the production values on subsequent albums have been sub-par to say the least. Most MAIDEN fans will no doubt disagree, but I think it’s time Kevin Shirley move on to pastures anew. Since Harris co-produces, he might want to experiment with folks beyond just his close circle of friends. I’m amazed that, for the most part, a band with three guitarists still manages to sound as if they have only two.

I agree wholeheartedly

“Dance of Death” shows how MAIDEN continue in the tradition of making sure the title track always qualifies as one of the better songs on their albums. The quick mid-interlude has a nice Celtic feel to it, you can almost imagine Bruce doing the Riverdance now, heh. The use of a string-section is phenomenal and obviously accentuates the song overall. Murray plays the best solo on the album, to be followed by Smith’s technical excellence…and again, Janick Gers ends up looking like a three-legged mule. His solo (the third of the three here in case you can’t pick him out yet) is so aimless, it’s laughable. This man is the loud fart during a quiet, emotional wedding kiss. Just an interruption to the ceremony.

With regards to Gers, I disagree wholeheartedly I think you might've been a tad too harsh on him in this review. This particular solo is one of my favourites off the album, and I think my mates share my opinion. I like to cite this particular song also because I think it really brings out the differing soloing styles of the boys, real cool stuff And it's by far my most favourite song off the album!

“Journeyman” closes the album out and although not bad, it’s just not what I expect from MAIDEN. I applaud them for wanting to try something new, and I do like the use of the acoustic guitar, but it’s like asking a 90 year old man dying of lung cancer to give up smoking. It’s not really worth it at that point in his life so why bother? Well, if anything, the song reminds me a little of “Jerusalem” from The Chemical Wedding, so it’s not a huge departure from something Bruce could have written on his own.

Funny you should say Face In The sand sounds like Blood Brother 2...in the evening of the day DoD was released, me and my mate were sat down the park listening to Journeyman. I made noises for the bass of Blood Brothers while he 'sang', and we were both unbelievably surprised at how they both fitted the song perfectly! It's like listening to Dreams Come True by Hammerfall and singing Always Will Be over the top of it!

While I don't think there's much point hyping this song as something drastically innovative for Maiden, I think it's a welcome novelty and a bloody nice song. Nyar

Nice review guv'nor.

 

[JayKeeley]

With regards to Gers, I disagree wholeheartedly I think you might've been a tad too harsh on him in this review.

I actually held back. I was going to write this about him:

"If Harris is the backbone of the band, then Dickinson is the legs. McBrain is the arms, and Smith & Murray take brain space - probably left and right respectively. Gers meanwhile is the buttcrack".

I'd like to have given him more credit for song writing contributions, but it's difficult to determine just how much he wrote. Track record suggests that Maiden can write well without him either way, so I'm not about to offer him my firstborn sacrifice just yet.

I like to cite this particular song also because I think it really brings out the differing soloing styles of the boys, real cool stuff And it's by far my most favourite song off the album!

That's cool. It does bring out the differing solo techniques, I agree, I just think Gers sounds so lame compared to the other two. I mean, he's not even in the same league. But I'm glad it works for you - I envy that. I wish I could like him, I really do.

Funny you should say Face In The sand sounds like Blood Brother 2...in the evening of the day DoD was released, me and my mate were sat down the park listening to Journeyman. I made noises for the bass of Blood Brothers while he 'sang', and we were both unbelievably surprised at how they both fitted the song perfectly!

Sweet! You can do that all over the album in fact. There are several moments that could have been variations of a previous theme from either a Maiden or Bruce album. Within the world of Maiden, DoD has this air of familiarity about it without sounding too rehashed.

While I don't think there's much point hyping this song as something drastically innovative for Maiden, I think it's a welcome novelty and a bloody nice song. Nyar

Yeah sure, there isn't really a complete dud on the entire album like there was on BNW (e.g. I detest Thin Line Between Love and Hate), but there are certainly better songs than others.

Nice review guv'nor.

 

[General Zod]

Your review reads like that of a fan desperately trying to find value, where in truth, little exists. Mind you, I haven't heard the CD yet. But I got the impression, that your desire to like this CD may have got the best of you. I'll be curious to hear what you think about it six months from now.

GZ

 

[JayKeeley]

Your review reads like that of a fan desperately trying to find value, where in truth, little exists. Mind you, I haven't heard the CD yet. But I got the impression, that your desire to like this CD may have got the best of you. I'll be curious to hear what you think about it six months from now.

GZ

In summary, DoD has some tracks which are superb: Montsegur, Paschendale, Dance of Death. These are Maiden on top form (since 7th Son). Some tracks are standard Maiden, i.e. most of the rest of the album.

I don't find anything particularly 'catchy' on the album, except for maybe Wildest Dreams and Montsegur. Most songs are an average of 7 minutes long.

Interestingly enough, no songs are particularly horrible, unlike on other Maiden albums which might have some right stinkers (Quest for Fire, Thin Line Between Love and Hate, most of Fear of the Dark etc).

Bad Points: The production is sub-par for my liking, and I'll never like the style of Janick's playing.

And as I pointed out, the album takes several listens - nothing on it is as immediate as, say, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (which has actually become my least played album from the 'good Maiden' catalog). Nothing on DoD screams "Can I Play with Madness" or, say, "Wasted Years". There are no 'hits' on this album - it's a bit more off beat, in the way Killers was.

 

[Papa Josh]

SATAN'S ADVOCATE HAS ARRIVED.

I have to say that this album isn't even as immediate as BNW, so to write a review only after a week of owning it at best, seems pointless to me. Dance Of Death is a cd that you truly must wrap your head around, say like 7th Son... I know for me personally, it is a grower. I like the songs the more I play them.

And how in the hell do you know who's solos are who's?

Until the end of time I will call you a bully in regards to Mr. Janick Gers, who helped keep the band alive, even when Bruce bailed. Interesting, when you consider that Gers came in w/ Dickinson after Tattooed Millionaire.

The three guitar sound shines a bit more on certain songs, it's a darker record, for sure. And Gers songwriting credits on here are noticeably on really STRONG songs. He's put more into this band than Murray has in some time.

He's fuckin cool, in my book!
I got yer back, Gers!!

 

[JayKeeley]

Dance Of Death is a cd that you truly must wrap your head around, say like 7th Son...

Are you sure you meant 7th Son!!?...probably the most accessible Maiden album in their entire catalog (other than the title track perhaps)?

I know for me personally, it is a grower. I like the songs the more I play them.

Agreed - I actually like the album more now than I did when I reviewed it.

And how in the hell do you know who's solos are who's?

You're not serious are ya?

Until the end of time I will call you a bully in regards to Mr. Janick Gers, who helped keep the band alive, even when Bruce bailed.

Wait - you make it sound like Maiden would have come to an end had Gers not come in to save the day...

Interesting, when you consider that Gers came in w/ Dickinson after Tattooed Millionaire.

What's interesting? That Gers rode in on someone elses coat tails? The problem lies with Steve Harris not being able to segregate personal friendships with what's best for the band (musically). He could have found a much better guitarist to replace Smith, and he could have easily found a better suited vocalist than Bailey (e.g. Edu Fulaschi). And hell, Harris would have even realized by now what a shit job Kevin Shirley does. What do you think of the production by the way?

And Gers songwriting credits on here are noticeably on really STRONG songs. He's put more into this band than Murray has in some time.

Yes - but although I can tell who plays which solo, I cannot tell who wrote what exactly. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt though.

He's fuckin cool, in my book!
I got yer back, Gers!!

He is Yoko Ono to Murray and Smith. Look, I wish I could like his playing, but I don't. I have nothing against him personally...well, not much anyway, heh.

 

[Papa Josh]

Are you sure you meant 7th Son!!?...probably the most accessible Maiden album in their entire catalog (other than the title track perhaps)?

I beg to differ. "Can I Play.." accessible, but the rest was deep in prog waters, which is a big reason why a lot of fans did not like Somewhere In Time & 7th Son.

You're not serious are ya?

I'm not a guitarist... that and I haven't analyzed their playing to the point of sterility. Drink a beer and go for broke, that's what Gers playing means to me. Hell, the whole band does that to an extent. But, no, a lot of times I have no idea who's soloing, without watching on dvd, of course! If only every cd came w/ a dvd!

Wait - you make it sound like Maiden would have come to an end had Gers not come in to save the day...

No, but Dickinson brought Gers to the table and let's not forget that. I was just saying that I found it interesting that Gers stayed w/ Maiden instead of going with Bruce. But that's me overanalyzing too much! I just think he has played a vital part in the history of IRON MAIDEN and I think you are a bit rough on him some times... so much pent up anger, frustration....

What's interesting? That Gers rode in on someone elses coat tails? The problem lies with Steve Harris not being able to segregate personal friendships with what's best for the band (musically). He could have found a much better guitarist to replace Smith, and he could have easily found a better suited vocalist than Bailey (e.g. Edu Fulaschi). And hell, Harris would have even realized by now what a shit job Kevin Shirley does. What do you think of the production by the way?

I can't say that I agree with you in regards to guitarists, as I don't have a problem with him, but I'm with you on the vocal department. I think The X Factor was written with Bruce in mind and should've been executed with a vocalist of that range. When you go back and look, sure JUDAS PRIEST got a lot of flack for Ripper sounding like Halford, but at least Jugulator was one hell of a release. They could've at least given us that... as far as the production goes, I'm biased in that I'm not 100% happy with any Maiden release unless it has Martin Birch behind the boards. That being said, I haven't listened to the album on headphones yet, which is the true test.

Yes - but although I can tell who plays which solo, I cannot tell who wrote what exactly. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt though.

God! I treat it like I would if I saw Smith or Murray's name up there next to Dickinson or Harris.

I have nothing against him personally...well, not much anyway, heh.

 

[JayKeeley]

I beg to differ. "Can I Play.." accessible, but the rest was deep in prog waters, which is a big reason why a lot of fans did not like Somewhere In Time & 7th Son.

Yeah perhaps, but how many hit singles came out of 7th Son? Can I play with Madness, Infinite Dreams, Evil that Men Do, Clairvoyant. Personally, I find the songs on 7th Son to be very accessible, but I wholly agree with you on SiT. Fans also disliked the use of guitar synths.

Drink a beer and go for broke, that's what Gers playing means to me.

That's exactly the thing I hate - it's 'on the spot' spontaneous soloing, and I like my solos to be constructive. If you take the Wickerman solo, you could tell within nanoseconds that it was Adrian Smith. Constructive intro, middle passage played with accuracy and feeling, and then constructive outro reprise. And it works so well live. Randy Rhoads spent days working on solos.

I found it interesting that Gers stayed w/ Maiden instead of going with Bruce.

It's called $$. He may be a crap soloist, but he's not stupid. I tell you what is interesting from a musical standpoint - how much BETTER the solo Bruce material is with Adrian Smith playing on the album.

I think you are a bit rough on him some times... so much pent up anger, frustration....

I know, I'm a complete wanker about him. I'm overly harsh, but it's just because I have SO much love for the band. I want everything about them to spell perfection, and I honestly think that he should just stop soloing altogether. Worse still, they don't even use him for the third harmony enough. Talk about squandering a golden opportunity.

When you go back and look, sure JUDAS PRIEST got a lot of flack for Ripper sounding like Halford, but at least Jugulator was one hell of a release. They could've at least given us that...

Agreed. Ripper was a viable replacement. Bailey was a poor choice, and he's such a good bloke that he's very humble about the ordeal. I'm so glad that Silicon Messiah was succesfull, and well deserved. And in his defence, and Janick's too for that matter, who would turn down a gig with Maiden?

Hey did anyone hear the rumour about Maiden touring South America with the re-formed Judas Priest supporting? I heard it on the radio this morning.

 

[Ayeka]

And how in the hell do you know who's solos are who's?

I must admit, unless they're all playing back to back I only very rarely know who is playing what

 

[JayKeeley]

I must admit, unless they're all playing back to back I only very rarely know who is playing what

Gers is the one out of tune. I'm sorry, but it was just too easy...

 

[Shakermaker]

the quality of DoD really surprised me, i hadn't expected something like that. in my book, it's up there with their top stuff. in comparison to BNW the songs are "slimmer" now (no "i only dream in black & white" x 1000), there's more diversity (for example the acoustic guitars) and bruce and adrian contributed more to the writing... it really shows. the production may not be perfect, but for me it's a lot better than the one on BNW. the guitar sound seems crispier, the three guitars are more distinguishable now... the drums don't come across so well though, and the bass could be louder at times.
in conclusion, DoD is probably one of my favourite maiden albums. no really bad songs, but a lot of killers and their best epic since the eighties (PASCHENDAAAAAALE!!).

 

[Papa Josh]

in comparison to BNW the songs are "slimmer" now (no "i only dream in black & white" x 1000)

No, now we get "No more lies, no more lies, no more lies, no more lies, no more lies, no more lies, no more lies, no more lies...."

That was toooo easy.

 

[Shakermaker]

No, now we get "No more lies, no more lies, no more lies, no more lies, no more lies, no more lies, no more lies, no more lies...."

That was toooo easy.

ah come on, there's NO comparison... that chorus didn't bother me a bit, it IS repeated quite a few times, but... yeah, no comparison.

 

[bloodfiredeath]

Am I the only one who really likes the chorus on Dream Of Mirrors?

 

[Demonspell]

I don't have any significant problem with it, although I think the song is overlong by about two to three minutes. As for No More Lies, at least the delivery and the music behind it have some power, unlike say Gates Of Tomorrow, which does come across as repetitive at least to me.