Iron Maiden Guitar Woes

[Board]

In my opinion Steve Harris is the best songwriter in Maiden. I like their shorter kicks-ass song, but I always prefered their more epic stuff like "To tame a land", "Mother Russia", "The Rime of the ancient mariner" and so on and they're all written by Steve. I think that "Virtual IX" only had 2 good tracks or something. I think the "X factor" is better, but still not super. I agree that "No prayer for the dying" isn't a very good record and I only bought because of "Mother Russia" which is one of their best songs in my opinion. The other members has written some great stuff like "Be quick or be dead", "Powerslave" etc. "Brave new world" is their best record after "The number of the beast" and "Powerslave" in my opinion, but the last time I listened to it, it started to tire me and I think that's the biggest problem with music nowadays. I mostly listen to stuff from the 60's & 70's (like pop, rock, soul, funk, soundtracks, jazz etc.) and I think it holds much up than the music today. More or less the only thing I listen to from later than 1981 is metal, Hedningarna (swedish/finnish folk music) and Dead Can Dance and DCD has also started to tire me. When I find some non-metal stuff from the 90's and I think "Goddamn this is cool" I usually get tired of after I listen to it 10-20 times. It's not the same with with music from the 60's. It might be easy just "the music isn't as good today as was back in the day", but that is just how I feel. I can take a John Barry soundtrack from '65 and it's much better than a John Barry soundtrack from '95 even though it's the same person. I don't know if Maiden will be better of with one of those options, but as I said I just don't think that music today has the same quality-level today that it had in the 60's. Maybe it's the wrong place to write this as this is a metal forum, buteeeh....

 

[maestro_al]

Originally posted by Board
"Brave new world" is their best record after "The number of the beast" and "Powerslave" in my opinion, but the last time I listened to it, it started to tire me and I think that's the biggest problem with music nowadays.

No it's not music nowadays - it is that album. At first, people were so pleased to have Bruce and Adrian back that they overlooked the fact that 50% of that album is utter shit. If you're objective about it, BNW was a disappointment in reality.

Steve Harris is a good songwriter, but you know when a songwriter loses all inspiration when he needs to fill music time with repetitive choruses over and over and over. For example, do we really need to hear the lines "A brave new world" or "I only dream in black and white" 300 times?

I have never got bored with any maiden album up to 7th son. That's what makes an album 'classic' - it becomes timeless.

 

[Board]

In my opinion BNW is still the third best record they made. I was a big, big Maiden fan up to "The X factor" (including that), but my taste in music has changed and I don't only listen to metal anymore. The only three Maiden records I can listen to nowadays with out skipping songs is BNW, "Powerslave" & "The number of the beast", but as I said BNW has already begun to tire me a little. You're probably right that the chorus in the title track gets tiresome and repetitive. It's hard to be objective about music as it's 100% taste, but if I have to be objective the music from the 60's has tons of more quality than the music today. Just look at all those people who are looking for records from that era. In 20 years people won't be looking for Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and all that stuff from the 90's. Personaly I don't see myself listening to Marduk in 20's years when I'm 40. I think the only metal stuff I'll be listening to then would be Type O Negative and Opeth. I think I'll still be listening to Lee Hazlewood's records and I also think that Gershwin's "Summertime" will still be my favorite song. Music is extremely hard to look at objective as it's 100% taste as I said, but I'm pretty sure that I can state that The Beatles is the group who has made the music with most quality and I don't think people will ever stop looking for their records. As I said this is probably not the right place to discuss 60's music compared to 90's music as I think most people here only listen to metal.

 

[JJPLANO]

All I know is that if "Brave New World" would be a cd from a brand new band (their first cd), I would only listen to it once or twice. but is Maiden. ;-)

If Black Sabbath realese a new album and it sucks, we all are gonna buy it and really enjoy it. because it is Sabbath.

 

[JJPLANO]

All I know is that if "Brave New World" would be a cd from a brand new band (their first cd), I would only listen to it once or twice. but is Maiden. ;-)

If Black Sabbath realese a new album and it sucks, we all are gonna buy it and really enjoy it. because it is Sabbath.

 

[7 Dying Trees]

Originally posted by JayKeeley
Janick Gers. Why?

This sums up my sentiments exactly.

I don't think Janick's soloing style fits maiden, he's fast, but hasn't got "it", you know? Adrian Smith and Dave Murray are the true kings! Out with the imposter!

 

[maestro_al]

Originally posted by JJPLANO
All I know is that if "Brave New World" would be a cd from a brand new band (their first cd), I would only listen to it once or twice. but is Maiden. ;-)

If Black Sabbath realese a new album and it sucks, we all are gonna buy it and really enjoy it. because it is Sabbath.

Isn't that blind devotion though? I'm in my 30's and grew up on the days when Metallica could not be surpassed. They were my favorite band - I saw them live 9 times, but I was the first (well, perhaps not the first) to admit that Load was utter crap. It didn't matter that it was Metallica. And now I don't even recognize them.

I think I understand what you are trying to say, but I just don't agree. I don't care how "big' a band becomes, if they make shit, they make shit. It doesn't go both ways. Sometimes even the band members know it. Black Sabbath should have packed up their bags years ago (when Dio left). Mercyful Fate are so bored on stage these days. And remember how Bruce Dickinson sounded on No Prayer and FOTD? He was BORED! And then....surprise! He left.

If a band is bored, the music typically follows suit. Iron Maiden (and in particular Steve Harris) are just bored musicians these days. And I agree with the other poster earlier on - I think Bruce is better off doing solo stuff with Roy Z.

And no matter what happens to IM - Janick Gers is THE mistake that happened to Maiden IMO. Of all the bad things that happened to the band, he was, without doubt, the worst.

OK he's good at one thing: he's managed to succeed in being more hideous than the rest of the band (which I thought would never be possible), but hey, there's a first for everything.

 

[MetalMaiden1777]

I agree that BNW is not what it should have been- not what is expected of such metal majesties... I admit that I have only listened to the album 3 times all the way through -but honestly, its just not worth my time to listen to it-when I want to listen to Maiden I have 7 other options far superior. I dont think it is that Maiden is out of ideas- I just think that they needed a transition album- the next one should be up to standards.
Meanwhile, bands like Destillery have been picking up where maiden has left off- if you get a chance pick up any of their 3 cds-guaranteed to please. Basically, its Bruce solo vocally/80s era maiden musically. Great stuff!!

 

[JayKeeley]

Agreed - the next Maiden album will be better (or at least I have to hope that it will). If it isn't, I think it will be the final nail in the coffin - although they'll always be huge due to their pre-90's albums (the good ones).

Destillery eh? I'll have to check them out. There are a bunch of bands that picked up on the Maiden sound, and have since surpassed Maiden themselves. (Actually a band with any integrity would be hard pressed to create something worse than Virtual XI).

I hear Wolf, and in particular, Twisted Tower Dire are really good. And then of course, one of the greatest power metal bands today, with lots of Maiden/Helloween influence is EDGUY. The Mandrake and Avantasia albums are works of art.

Edguy at PPUSA 3.0

 

[JJPLANO]

obviusly Metallica's post black album albums are shitty enough to only hear them once or twice to know that you dont like them. it happen to me too.

i think that the last 3 maiden albums doesn't reach that level of suckness yet, so i had hear them 5 or six times minimum. if someone would borrow me "Virtual XI" and the band name would be "Steel Man", I would think "crappy Maiden imitators" and that cd would not spin in my cd player never again.

do you see my point?

Metallica reach such level that I don't expect a good album, so it would be a great surprise to hear a kick ass band on the radio and ask "whats that?" and have as reply "Metallica's last single". that would make my day.

I still have a little hope with Maiden.

 

[MetalMaiden1777]

Yeah, seems like everyone has jumped on the maiden'eske band wagon- not a complaint at all!! Yeah I have hear Twisted tower and Wolf-great bands! Destillery sound just like maiden though- in my opinion.. they are the reincarnates of yestermaiden. Please do check them out. I am in contact with the band often and they are really bummed that no one seems to be giving them a chance to play anywhere- they have been around since like 96 or so and still havent played Wacken (haha).. not funny really because once you hear them you are going to be like OMFG!!
Let me know when you check something out- interested to know what ya think : ) hails

 

[JayKeeley]

SOLD! I'll be looking for a Destillery CD now - is there more than one album?

The review of the Wolf album here on UM was awesome so I may add that to my order...heh.

@JJPLANO: I have hope for Maiden too, but like the results of this poll reflect, I really also hope that Janick Gers disappears. Or if he must stay, then Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickinson need to be able to contribute more song writing.

(And certainly Adrian Smith needs more volume in the mix - was he even on BNW?)

At the end of the day, Steve Harris needs to take some blame though. I think he's lost the plot, and thinking that songs with repetitive choruses is a good direction is such a mistake. I'm not bothered by long songs as such (Rime of the Ancient Mariner is an epic), but songs like Blood Brothers just get fucking boring. How many times do you need to sing the same line over and over?

 

[MetalMaiden1777]

Originally posted by JayKeeley
SOLD! I'll be looking for a Destillery CD now - is there more than one album?

Right on!!! Yea, they have 3 plus a "no way youre gonna find it" Demo. : P but as for the in print releases there is Immortal Sun and Behind the Mask- and their latest effort is Ferrum..but get the 2 previous releases first if you can!! Make sure to let me know
how you rate it!
Hails
Amy~

 

[maestro_al]

Well I was old enough to see Maiden in the 80's, and would therefore have no problems reminiscing by seeing someone like Wolf live!! - especially if they remind you of Maiden during the Killers era. Wow - that was a revolution of sound.

IM - Killers - NOTB - PoM - Powerslave - LaD - SiT - SSoaSS = masterpieces

Everything after that, well shit goddamn hell fuck. Is it even the same band?

It's so good to see that the poll results of having Janick Gers thrown out of Maiden has take the lead by far. And for ages I was surrounded by 19 year olds who thought No Prayer was their first album....

 

[Board]

Hammerfall was probably the most 80's stuff I've seen in the last 10 years. I saw some of their show last year at the Roskilde Festival. The music was pretty crappy and sounded hopelessly 80's, but the show was great. They know how to play a concert, whereas Tool don't!
Too bad I only saw 25 minutes or something, I had to go see Mayhem.

 

[maestro_al]

Sorry - I love old school stuff, but Hammerfall just don't do anything for me - I have Renegade and it could be one of the worst CDs in my collection....if their other stuff is as bad, then I'll pass.

 

[JayKeeley]

Originally posted by MetalMaiden1777

Originally posted by JayKeeley
SOLD! I'll be looking for a Destillery CD now - is there more than one album?

Right on!!! Yea, they have 3 plus a "no way youre gonna find it" Demo. : P but as for the in print releases there is Immortal Sun and Behind the Mask- and their latest effort is Ferrum..but get the 2 previous releases first if you can!! Make sure to let me know
how you rate it!
Hails
Amy~

Hey I just ordered Behind the Mask - found it used for $10. Cool!

I'll let you know in a few days....heh!

JK.

 

[Board]

If maestro_al is refering to my Hammerfall thread, I think they're crap too. The music they played at the concert was kind of redicilous and reminded me of mix between Twisted Sister and people playing Dungeons & Dragons. Personally I would never go buy one of their records.

 

[JayKeeley]

The first Hammerfall CD I got was Renegade and it was appalling. It will take some time before I can get over the anguish and try something else of theirs....ugh.

I'm sure their earlier stuff can't be as abysmal since they have somewhat of a following. Analogy: I can imagine that, in the same way, several people who bought Demolition before any other Priest CD were put off for life.

To be fair, I bought Renegade after reading great reviews...wow were they wrong.

 

[MetalMaiden1777]

You guys are way too harsh on Hammerfall- hahah- they are I think above average in their genre.. They are what I like to refer to as Fun Metal...normally I hate fun in most respects but somehow when I listen to Hammerfall I get a good feeling- almost h..h..happy... (looks around the room in paranoia):::Renegade is not brilliant but it is free flowing and god forbid "catchy" I will agree that their other 2 albums Legacy of Kings and Glory to the Brave are better but that is usually the way of it. It all has decent guitar(not mindblowing but not shyt by far) and the songs are like battle hymns-when I listen to Hammerfall i feel like the Metal revolution is on and I am ready to go off and slaughter some poseurs! haha- Its "Fun"(god i hate me saying that word)- I say Hail to Hammerfall and even though I have never seen them live and have not heard good things about them live- I will continue to support their studio releases because lets face it they have good intentions and good songs- which is more than can be said for a lot of bands out there.. Gotta support!!