Well, some 7 years after its release i think i finally really dig this album. I remember being so keen to get it back in 95, and ultimately being dissapointed with it. I think maybe cos' ive been in a bit of a negative funk lately i was more in tune with the mood of the album and it struck a chord with me.
I actually think if Steve had of let a REAL producer into the studio it might have been one of Maidens finest records. The energy in Blaze's singing and the bands playing is great. Sound wise, i love the bass & drums, nicko's bass drum for instance is not as audible as say on BNW, its further back in the mix, but it is really punchy (which is how it should be) and i like where Steve's bass sound is at. Overall the mix is really good, my only complaint is that the rythm guitars seem a bit muted, like there is no 'bite' to them. Other than that single improvement to the actual sound, a REAL producer would have picked up the flaws where Blaze's voice and the music were not happening.....oh well, what could have been eh?
There are no weak songs, but for me the best part of the album is once the first 4 songs have finished, i.e. Look For The Truth onwards is the best stuff. Dont get me wrong, i like the first 4 tracks....but i just like the rest of the tracks more.
I also think the band made a mistake leaving Judgement Day and Live My Way off the album, they are WAY too good for b-sides, and would have given the album a better balance between the prog stuff and straight forward rockers.
Anyways, Steve Harris always said it takes a while to get into it, and i guess i finally have.
So, despite some flaws...... X Factor
I actually think if Steve had of let a REAL producer into the studio it might have been one of Maidens finest records. The energy in Blaze's singing and the bands playing is great. Sound wise, i love the bass & drums, nicko's bass drum for instance is not as audible as say on BNW, its further back in the mix, but it is really punchy (which is how it should be) and i like where Steve's bass sound is at. Overall the mix is really good, my only complaint is that the rythm guitars seem a bit muted, like there is no 'bite' to them. Other than that single improvement to the actual sound, a REAL producer would have picked up the flaws where Blaze's voice and the music were not happening.....oh well, what could have been eh?
There are no weak songs, but for me the best part of the album is once the first 4 songs have finished, i.e. Look For The Truth onwards is the best stuff. Dont get me wrong, i like the first 4 tracks....but i just like the rest of the tracks more.
I also think the band made a mistake leaving Judgement Day and Live My Way off the album, they are WAY too good for b-sides, and would have given the album a better balance between the prog stuff and straight forward rockers.
Anyways, Steve Harris always said it takes a while to get into it, and i guess i finally have.
So, despite some flaws...... X Factor
