So I've heard the new Iron Maiden album and...

[Mr Toast]

Hey all!

One of the vendors here at ProgPower IV had copies of the new Dance Of Death Maiden album available, and we've given it a spin when hanging out at the hotel...

It definitely sounds different from the last album (vocals are a lot more in depth this time around), and the musicianship is more evident this time around.

I can't say it grabbed me on the first listen though. Of course, when people are carrying on conversations in the room while the CD is spinning, this tends to lessen the impact. If I hear more of it I'll post again (Ruined Luna, who is with our group, also scored a copy).

I dislike the cover (but this has been discussed thoroughly on the Maiden board already so no sense rehashing it here). I like the artwork inside the jacket though.

 

[Mr Toast]

OK, I've been able to listen to the whole disc front to back without interruption. Without giving any major spoilers, here's my impressions:


small




spoilers




below



read



at





own




risk





When I put it into my computer, it prompted me with a message informing me that I would need to install some new software in order to listen to it, and would I like to do that now. Gotta luv new copy protection schemes...

So I grabbed my personal Philips CD player and listened to it on that (I wanted to do stuff on my PC anyways). I did notice a couple of silent moments (not sure if this was due to dust, etc. on the disc or due to the copy protection), but this only happened twice on the CD...

The album clocks in at 68 minutes with 11 songs. Those looking for a return to the glory days of Powerslave/Piece Of Mind may be disappointed. This album reminds me more of X Factor/Virtual X1 in many places, and the last song actually also invoked The Chemical Wedding in my mind as well. Songs I particularly enjoyed were Paschendale and Journeyman (the closing song). Many of the songs clock in at over six minutes.

Overall I am liking this, and the musicianship is excellent. I don't think this is the best album for parties (energy level doesn't go that direction), but it is definitely a good listen when you have time to just put it in and enjoy it.

The opening threw me for a second...

 

[omarDL]

I got a copy of the new iron maiden album at propower as well.
I guess I'm going to have to listen to it a few times before it sinks in.
I couldn't get into many of the songs on the first listen, but I know I will
like it more as I give it a few more spins. When I first put the maiden CD
on my computer I didn't get any message about it being copy protected.


PS. what's up with the actual CD not having a maiden logo on it. When I
first opened it I thought I got cheated and someone put the wrong cd in there.

 

[smylex]

PS. what's up with the actual CD not having a maiden logo on it. When I
first opened it I thought I got cheated and someone put the wrong cd in there.

Maybe they're being clever with the packaging or just trying for something new?

I'm looking forward to hearing this disc. Michael Kenney (Kinney? How do you spell his last name, anyway?) said the musicianship on this album blows BNW out of the water and also said that he's really gonna have to work on his keyboard parts for the upcoming tour.