The Dance Of Death discussion thread.

[weetbix]

Yeah - what he said

And a 3 guitar band, can sound bloody amazing. Of course 3 things that help a lot are the songwriting, the mix, and the skill of the players. IMHO Lynyrd Skynyrd have it down pat (especially if you see them play live) - but then they have had 30 years practice...

 

[Goreripper]

Perhaps I should add Gary Rossington to the guitarist poll, even if you are the only one who votes for him.

 

[Wrathchild]

Got it on Monday for $26 and have finally listened to it enough times to add my two cents to this little discussion.

First listen didn't do much at all for me. I didn't hate it by any means, but nothing really stood out either.

Second time was much better, perhaps because I concentrated on the songs rather than doing crosswords. I really got into the vibe of the title track and No More Lies, found myself enjoying Wildest Dreams a lot more than on MP3, and wishing I could hear Rainmaker live as soon as possible.

Repeated listening brought out the best in Paschendale, Gates of Tomorrow and Age of Innocence, though 'Arry would be a much better social commentator if his lyrics weren't quite as awkward. This is a problem that seems to have plagued him ever since the XF days, but he's improving .

Is it better than SIT, 7th Son or BNW? Not in this this little black duck's opinion. It is, however, a very good album that grows on you the more you hear it. One and a half thumbs up because some of the tracks are still longer than they need to be.

There doesn't seem to be much info on the inside sleeve about credits, which leaves me wondering who played keyboards, who did the orchestration and who's responsible for the cover art? Maybe they don't want us to know that last one, in case he gets put on fan hitlists all over the world for drawing something exceedingly silly.

W

 

[Gavin]

Yes
They have really got it right this time. This album it defiantly one of there best. The only album since seventh son that comes close is TXF.
It has elements of a lot of there previous best work.
This album makes the Classic 80's albums sound so dated and old. Whilst i love those old albums I think its a very good thing!!!
It is a pity bruce's voice is starting to wear out a little bit but its still one of the best voices in the business!!

This is the first time in a long time that I have got a new maiden album home and been totally stoked with it straight away!

:hotjump:

 

[Goreripper]

This is the first time in a long time that I have got a new maiden album home and been totally stoked with it straight away!

:hotjump:

Agreed. After I heard it, I went straight back and put it on again. I haven't done that with any album in years. Not since BNW, in fact, and this is better than that.

 

[spawn]

Its Pashendale no Paskendale. So there you go. Dont like this immediately like I did with BNW, seems quite good so far though The intro to No More Lies is fantastic!

 

[Spruce Goose]

The whole album rules. Period. I love it. I got it Sunday, and havnt stopped listening to it yet.

I have heard people say that the last 3 songs on the album are the weakest, but I think they are just as strong as the rest of them.

The 3 big epics, No More Lies, Pashendale, and Dance of Death are fuckin brilliant, especially Pashachippendale. Awsome song. Can only imahine what it would be like live with some theatrics.

I got an email from an online Australian music mag that I subscribe to, and they gave the new Maiden album a big plug and at the bottom of the email it said:

IRON MAIDEN, SET TO TOUR AUSTRALIA EARLY 2004

 

[Goreripper]

IRON MAIDEN, SET TO TOUR AUSTRALIA EARLY 2004

Sure.

 

[spawn]

Maybe they mean the 2004 once the year odometer rolls around and gets back to zero.

 

[Nightwing]

Fuck, i think this album sounds tired and dated friends........BNW certainly sounder a lot more 'crisp'......I like about four songs off it so far, but that may grow.
There is nothing wrong with Bruce's voice, the simple fact is there is not one aspect of the production that helps his voice at all - he is lost in a mush of guitars and bass.
At the moment, I rank this behind SSOASS, SIT, PS, POM, NOTB, and BNW.

The other thing that worries me is I can hear echoes of 'Blood Brothers', 'The Duellists' and 'Clansman' here......are they running out of inspiration?
Just like to say I am 41 years old, and have loved the band for the best part of 22 years, I'm not a young punk.

 

[spawn]

I hear X-Factor and The Clansman influences all over the place, but thats a good thing IMHO

 

[Arcane]

I have heard people say that the last 3 songs on the album are the weakest, but I think they are just as strong as the rest of them.

After about 20 listens i actually think that those 3 fit really well together and is actually close to the best part of the album. Of course add Paschendale to those 3 and you probably have the best 4 songs in a row of any maiden album.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I am a young punk, and I think it is a great album, and probably in their top 5, which is a brilliant effort considering all the awesome albums to their name.

 

[spawn]

I quite like it, ive only given it one listen, but I think it will be one of my favourites of theirs, the acoustic stuff was great as well, a nice addition

 

[JonBonJovi]

I quite like it, ive only given it one listen, but I think it will be one of my favourites of theirs, the acoustic stuff was great as well, a nice addition

normal people listen to cd's that they quite like more than once~

 

[spawn]

Perhaps you should just start one thread to pile your shit?

 

[JonBonJovi]

Perhaps you should just start one thread to pile your shit?

:hotjump: hot dang well maybe I will so ner!...today is official pile shit day on anyone who leaves themselves open to such events!

 

[The_Prisoner]

Maybe they mean the 2004 once the year odometer rolls around and gets back to zero.

Well I just had the chance to really crank it for the first time, probably the tenth time i've listened to it, but the first time that I could really play it LOUD.

Great album, don't feel the need the skip any tracks, they are all growing on me - I think it's better than BNW, and while I don't have an actual 'favourite' Maiden album (it depends on my mood) - I can tell Dance Of Death is going to be listened to as often as what is regarded as their best - TNOTB, POM, PS.

The only track now that I have a bit of trouble getting into is Age Of Innocence, but I love the part at the 4.11 mark where it changes pace and gets heavy and Bruce sings "You can't protect yourselves even in your own home......" they should have splashed that riff in a couple more times into the song and it would have been much better.

And on Montsegur, when they play that second chorus "As we kill them all so god will know his own....." that melody, it sounds a bit....odd, whenever I hear it I feel like I should be doing some sort of Celtic Jig.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I am giving it another listen now after giving it a rest for a day or so, and I must say, it has to be one of their most consistent albums to date. Consistencey wise, I would probably rate it equally high with NOTB, POM and Powerslave.

 

[Gavin]

IMO DOD is more consitant than TNOTB and POM
[bracing myself]