Review: Iron Maiden 'Senjutsu'
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2021
- Join Pete Pardo for a review of the new release from heavy metal legends Iron Maiden, 'Senjutsu'. #ironmaiden #senjutsu
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I have to say, I find myself wanting to listen to it again and again. A strong album that gets stronger and stronger. Up the IRONS!
@Mike Barooshian With all due respect, why would you watch and post on this thread about a new Maiden album then?
@ThinKwiQ Yesssssss! Alot to digest but it is great. And I'm not a big fan of the later period post Brave New World, except for Book of Souls and THIS one! I'd agree that a couple of songs are a hair long, but there's some really catchy riffs and complex time/key changes. I found myself humming to myself while making my breakfast! Couldn't remember what song so I had to go back and listen to it again! Ha 😂
I have lived with this album for 6 days and I love it. And when I say lived with it, I mean that is has been on repeat for 6 straight days. I pickup my headphones and unpause it when I have another opportunity to listen. I did not even pay attention to the song titles until today - it is just nice on the ears and I consume it as a single piece so the long songs do not bother me at all. I can honestly say its my favorite since Brave New World.
Hell on Earth I can safely say is one of Maiden's top 10 greatest songs of all time. It nearly moved me to tears and Im not even exaggerating. It gets me pretty emotional.
Love in anger
The album will really grow on you with repeat listens. The Parchment is the one that has grown on me the most and really is an amazing song. Can't get enough of it.
Yes That's the one that sticking out for me.
Exactly!!!! it's a fucking master piece!!!! Meet me therrrreeeeeeee!!!!!
Same here. Some of the other songs are of course more immediately catchy, but the Parchment gets under your skin in an almost spooky way. Love it! I wouldn't cut a second of it.
I agree.
I feel this CD works best listened in sequence. It's not like SIT or Powerslave where you can pick singles out to enjoy. Taken together, only one song doesn't work after many listens. Everything else, including The Parchment reveals itself in a more deliberate way.
I agree that it sounds like Dave, Adrian and Janick stepped up in the guitar solo department, there are some fantastic leads on this album. I think it's definitely one of the better 2000s era Maiden albums at this point.
Unfortunately Dave had no songwriting credits at all on the album.
I disagree. K
Listening to older albums this is a disappointment conserning guitar playing. They have 3 guitar players and they only can do this? However I agree that this is maybe good album since 2006.
"Hell On Earth" is BY FAR the best track on the album IMO.
me too. best song they've done in many years,..
Agreed! It's my fav song from them since "Pachendale".
i hate that song.....why does everyone like it so much? so weird to me.....
I love the thunderous riff after the intro thats the best thing on the album. Pity there isnt more of that on it.
@@martymartin2894 Yeah, that's where I'm at on it. The intro takes forever, but it has an amazing payoff, leading into what is probably the best section on the whole album. Then there's the chorus part of Hell on Earth that's also really good. The rest of the song doesn't do much else that interests me. The melodic break is meh and the fade out at the end is kinda lame.
This is their best work since Brave New World. I can't understand why people are complaining about the length of the songs. The 3 longest songs are my favorites from this album. Steve Harris still got it!
I felt BOS was the best since BNW … until this… this is definitely their best since BNW… no doubt
@@ScaRy_StyX Fully agree
Dance of Death was better than this album.
I’m loving the new album! Not a weak song. I personally like the length of this, the more Maiden the better. The band is in top form. I give it a 10 out of 10. 🎸
Me to they hit out of the ball park home run .
To me, the more Maiden the better. I have listened to this more times than I can count now. This is easily the best post reunion album. It’s dark and musically a bit more adventurous. Steve pops out here and there. Very tasteful drumming. It’s the mood of the album, the darkness clicks for me. I have no problem with the length of any song because time disappears for me when I listen to this album. You can’t please everyone, no one can ever make the “perfect” album but for my money Iron Maiden gave me what I’ve been wanting. There is really no other band on the planet like Maiden. They do what they do perfectly for me…a fucking 10 out of 10!!!
I wouldn't go as far as 10/10, but 8.5/10 for me. Great album.
I love how this album has this emotional layer to it. That is definitely something new. Even though it was touched upon a bit in A Matter of Life and Death, I think this album is more of an emotional journey. While not a concept album, it feels like an epic adventure in the various moods and atmospheres delivered, and has to be listened to in full from beginning to end to really appreciate what Maiden has done here.
Be honest to yourself - this album will be forgotten in next 2 years like never happened . Its far for old Maiden quality . Love them to death but truth is one .
@@aleksandarfrick2656 Meh, too many people are simply too bias towards the classic era and act as if the new ones were not good. As a guy who is still quite young I can tell you, that I listen to to the "2000-Now" era just as much as the 80s stuff.
@@aleksandarfrick2656 Be honest with yourself, your opinion is not everybody else's.
I'm shocked by how much I like this album. In 6 days I've had a chance to listen close to a dozen times now, and although I'm not sure how I'll feel in a year or 5 or 10, right now it's easily my favorite of the post-BNW era albums and even top 5 of their entire discography. Favorite tracks: The Parchment, Darkest Hour and Senjutsu.
I'll say here what I posted elsewhere...
It’s hard to review a new Maiden album after such a short amount of time. I normally have to sit with one of their albums for at least a year. Hell, I’m still trying to digest some of Book of Souls! So maybe we should come back in 2022 and share our thoughts. I’m kidding.
But after one week, I like it. I found myself thinking at times, “I’ve heard them do a very similar thing in the past.” But, over time, I’m hoping things will start to separate in my mind and the songs will gain their own personality.
One thing I’ll add is…if you make almost every song a long epic it starts to lose its specialness. What made Rime so cool it was Maiden’s longest most-epic track at al 13:38. But, of late, that’s almost an average length for their songs. It's like this: when everything is an epic nothing seems like an epic. To be considered a true epic these days they have to record an 18 minute track (Empire of the Clouds).
Same. I would often criticize them way too soon. But then I realized that sometimes you need a decade to see and appreciate how good it is. A Matter of Life and Death is an example of that for me. A marvelous record.
agreed on everything......it used to be like one epic an album now their just afraid to throw out the shitty riffs.....
Agree! Their taken the Epic trick to far… Some songs just drags on. I hope they would dare to write shorter songs again.
They should make EVERY song an epic.
I agree
For me, most Maiden albums take repeated listening to get into my psyche...this is no exception and, after repeated listening it's really growing on me.
Exactly!!!!
This is definitely a grower, and I'm enjoying it highly.
Mr. Pardo delivered an excellent, honest review of a band he loves and that ain't easy. Huge props.
Feels for me like a very complete album. It takes you on a journey immediately from the artwork (which is amazing!) This is the first maiden album I bought when it came out. It gets better with every spin.
Yeah, I like that the music has space to breathe and develop in its own time. I know most people prefer a song/album to be compact and tight, but I often find that suffocating.
I wish you could have been there for the '80s feeding frenzy that every Maiden release was for us. I've gotten every Maiden album (except the Blaze albums) on their release date since Number of the Beast. Just couldn't deal with no Bruce in Maiden. I didn't do the Ripper Owens era of Priest either. I have gone back and listened to all of those since but, my initial trepedation was warranted. I just didn't bond with any of that stuff. Not bad albums overall. Just not Priest and Maiden to me.
Steve: guys how many solos should we have in this album?
Dave, Adrian and Janick: yes!
Their "modern era" didn't start with a Brave New World in 2000. It started with the The X Factor in 1995, of which I love. That's where the LONG moody songs with extended intros took a firm hold on the musical compositions they were crafting. The irony of The X Factor is that Blaze went on to an incredibly amazing solo career, of which his albums sound more like CLASSIC Maiden than Maiden has sounded in 30 years. The last "classic era" sounding Maiden album was Fear of the Dark (1992), even though many people unfairly write off that album (I loved it).
Well said
To me, BB is a fine singer, he's just not the singer for Iron Maiden.
@@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812 Thank you
Another home run for the band,..Hell On Earth, Lost In A Lost World, The Parchment worth the price of album alone!
My 3 favorite tracks. 👍
C Miller I agree, I love the whole album.. But they are also my 3 favourite tracks.
I would agree. Those tracks are possibly all time classics…if not already
"Piece of mind" will always be my favorite album from them.
Yes. Unfortunately no songs like Die With Your Boots in Senjutsu. Tired of the long, long, soft intros.
Το tame a land is my all time favorite maiden song ever
I remember buying the first Maiden record in 81. This is just a continuation of excellence. Long live this band !!!
Really enjoying this album. It has some weak elements, but the strengths definitely outshine them. Can’t wait to see them play this stuff live.
I am finding that the weak elements diminish over time - short half-life.
I’m enjoying the album very much.
Loving the album, been listening non-stop since release day. The Parchment is currently my favourite track. One thing I noticed is Death of the Celts sort of has a Thin Lizzy vibe. Not really celtic but more of an Irish rocker, an homage to Lizzy.
Brilliant honest review. Really enjoying the album. I definitely agree that it is slightly too long, however another strong effort.
There are no songs I would consider throwaway with my favourite being Hell On Earth!
Hell on Earth is my fav too
Like all albums since "No prayer" (1990), average to good, but nothing comes close to the first 7 great albums. I give "Senjutsu" a 7,5/10.
I agree but give it a ten in Opinion.
Steve Harris & Bruce Dickinson both big prog fan's that's all.
Yep, they are both into Jethro Tull, early Genesis and Wishbone Ash.
This is a prog album. If not entirely then like 80%.
Didn't really need to be a double album.
"Proggy" doesn't need to mean long and meandering. Disc 2 had me dozing off. Felt almost ambient towards the end.
I would have liked The Parchment to be longer.
Maiden don’t do bad albums, just varying degrees of good!
Pete’s synopsis is very fair and I agree with pretty much all that he said. I’d love to see Pete interviewing one of these guys sometime.
@@turdfurguson4451 not with Bruce
I'm really glad they split the songs on 2 cd's. Had it been a 75 min long cd, it would bore me to tears. By splitting the songs, it allows the songs, the album to breathe. I'll definitely listen more to disc 1 though! Great review!
As someone who started off listening to music in the vinyl era (the first one!) I think all long albums should be split into two CDs of about 40 mins long whether they fit onto one CD or not, long CDs drive me nuts. At least if it's a single CD of about 70-80 mins you can split it up yourself when listening, I hate 60 min albums, and don't get me started on double CDs where each one is 70-80 mins long, nobody can write that much quality material for one album. I'd like to see Pete do a show on ideal album lengths, because purely by coincidence a 33rpm vinyl enforced a perfect album length on artists and CDs kind of screwed that all up. Not to mention old double vinyls that were forced onto a single CD by dropping stuff.
Love the review, Pete. I’ve given this three spins and plan on more this weekend. I just want to add the acoustic intro with vocal harmonies in “Lost In a Lost World” reminds me of Uriah Heep.
I dig this album. The song "The Writing on the Wall" certainly has a southern rock feel with those acoustic riffs. Great song.
I agree that they haven’t gotten more progressive. Phantom of the Opera is waaaaay more Proggy than the modern stuff!
That song still blows my mind!!
I'm an iron maiden virgin. This is first LP even although I've known of them since the 80s. I love it!!!
Trust me, their first seven albums (Iron Maiden, Killers, Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere in Time, and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son) should be your introduction to Maiden, not this stuff. They haven't released a solid album in decades.
@@mournblade1066 working on it! I have 4/7 so far. I still think the new one is a jewel though.
Freaking love this album, people just complain cause they only care about their 80s stuff, Senjustu is amazing album. It grows on you the more you listen to it like BOS in my opinion. Hell on Earth, Death of the Celts, The Time Machine, and Stratego are my favorite songs.
I think there are certainly many who fall into the 80s-only camp. Personally, I love most of the Bruce reunion stuff but this one stinks for me so far. I’ll give it more listens to see if it grows on me. The first 3 reunion albums are far superior IMO.
I don't like it
though I haven't liked maiden since blaze joined
this album especially chugs way too much into nothingness
some people call modern maiden prog, I would disagree
I would call it repititive, plodding, unexciting and tired
I do somewhat like Stratego, but that's pretty much about it
Totally agree. Just because it’s long doesn’t mean it’s prog …it just means it’s long and boring !! EVery new album I’m filled with hope and excitement…only to be let down and disappointed time and time again. This will be the first Maiden album I will not be buying. If you haven’t already check out Priest’s most recent album Firepower. It’s killer!!
I disagree with Pete, it doesn't sound like an Iron Maiden album but it sounds more like a Bruce Dickinson solo album.
Can't wait to listen to this album. Loving all the people needlessly comparing it to their old albums and not giving it a fair chance.
It easily stands on its own merit. Solid Maiden and I haven't really liked much of the post Brave New World era except for this one and the last one. Bruce is still a beast on vocals!
@@ScottyKirk1 I can see the criticisms of the production, but god damn is Empire of the Clouds one of the best songs I've ever heard.
@@PitchSkullBlack Agreed. And it's about one of those UK airship disasters that everyone forgot about except Steve Harris and Bruce Dickinson. Good Maiden with historical significance, so it's a win win for me. Kind of funny, one of the morning radio shows years ago used to have a contest called "Shakespeare or Maiden" where they'd quote lines and the caller would have to guess one or the other! Always known as the thinking man's metal indeed.
@@ScottyKirk1 Goes back to how they would talk about history in their music as well.
I love the first 7 Iron maiden albums plus this one now!!! I listened to it once so far and I think it is fantastic. The whole album has a certain feel to it that I really like.
Feel the same great album.
Who got box-set do you have 2 booklets for Writing on the Wall instead of normal for album?
I really like this album, at first I felt the same but it has been growing on me, Hell On Earth is probably my favourite song, that one didn't feel too long to me, I would make The Parchment and Death of the Celts a little bit shorter though.
I love most of the songs on this album, everyone talks about how long it is well it's Iron Maiden dammit and the only issue I have with this album is that it ends
agree
"Too long" is a lazy, vague critique. Which sections make it too long? What about those sections don't you like? Why would the album work better without those sections? I think most people consider certain albums "too long" simply because they don't find certain bits interesting, which is fine, but they should say that.
@@nectarinedreams7208 well said
This album is epic. It should have been longer. The Parchment is a Maiden masterpiece.
I feel like everyone's gonna be revisiting this album and singing its praises more after some time. After many listens, I find that I'm loving it more and more.
I have listened to it about 20 times or so, it is amazing. I love these guys so much, i remeber getting their first album in 1981 as a young lad, hooked since, IRON MAIDEN!!!!
Great review Pete. I absolutely love this album. I actually lowered my expectations going into it and they were far exceeded. Bruce sounds easily the best he has since A Matter Of Life And Death. Although I really like Final Frontier & Book of Souls, his voice sounds very strained at times. I think on this release it is leaps and bounds better overall, which is impressive. As you mentioned, Nicko kills it on the drums. The guitar solos, while great on every album, really stand out to me on this album and incorporate little nuances that are different for Maiden to help make them memorable. I can see where people may get bored with the long tracks, but a song like The Parchment just sounds so cinematic and has such a calculated build up that really nails it for me. And I'd have to agree that the title track might be my favorite! It's very dark and heavy and provides so much atmosphere. The two bridge (?) sections where Bruce starts "Hear them coming, ready now we wait" is so absolutely epic and heavy. Probably my favorite section of any song on the album. I'd say this album, Brave New World and A Matter of Life and Death are the 3 best of this era of Maiden. Also- I'd love to maybe see a Hudson valley squares or some show getting the entire crew's in depth thoughts on this thing, seeing that everyone loves Maiden! Cheers!
I Agree on the Hudson Valley Squares show idea. They should make it a free for all format with someone leading off the show with something they like about the album and someone countering with something they dislike and everyone else chming in on their views. I'd sit through an hour and a half of that with Chris Alo, Butch Jones, Martin Popoff, Sidney Taylor, Nick, Ryan, Simon and Pete.
Pete, thanks for the detailed discussion and review of the album after only 4 listens. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts after you've had a bit more time with it. Perhaps you and Martin Popoff could take time to compare discussions on a Friday show in the new month or two. Fairly new to the music of this band and have been listening to some albums based on prior shows. Will give this new one a try based on your discussions and comments from other posters during this shows premier. Thanks again.
great suggestion - always interesting to hear about the impressions after a few months
Nice honest review, Pete.
Thank you, “ Pete” for your review. I gave Iron Maiden ‘Senjutsu’ a listen and think it sounds ok. 🎤🎸🎹🥁
Death of the Celts is my favorite. Vocals are standout, album is more mellow vs. the last two albums.
Love your reviews Pete. Usually spot-on.
Good thoughts, thanks for the review!
I'm really into Senjutsu. More than twenty listenings so far,!! I know it's not about rankings but probably their best album since AMOLAD. I think it will age better than BOS, this a good album but with some fillers. My favourite songs: title track, Stratego, Writing , Lost in a lost world ( great intro and outro with an amazing Bruce, in some ways quite different from what they've always done), Darkest hour ( which could easy fit in Bruce solo albums) and Harry's epics, appropriate length, above all Hell on earth, what a closing song, probably one of best Maiden songs ever, top notch
Just bought the vinyl today, the artwork is phenomenal, can't wait to get home and spin it!!
Had the boxset and normal cd since last Friday good album. Killers is my fave album as it holds memories
Hearing this album (or really any Maiden album in the 20 years or so) makes me appreciate Martin Birch that much more. Genius, even genius of Maiden's level need someone to take the reins, tighten the focus and trim the fat and Kevin Shirley is not the guy for the job. I don't know, some would say age is a big factor too but then again Priest put out the most killer album they've done in 30 years with "Firepower". Maybe it takes a few more listens..
Totally agree… with a band of the status of Maiden, stellar production should be a given and his production is mediocre at best. Makes you truly appreciate the genius that was Martin Birch
Excellent review, Pete. I haven't fully formed my opinion yet, because I've only listended to it twice (actually the second time was right before watching this). So far I like disc 1 way more but that may change.
I've had it since last Wednesday, I think it's the best they've done since A Matter of Life & Death and Brave New World, (which I love)! Excellent album, lot of great songs, if it had one downfall, I agree with Pete, they could have shaved a few minutes off the longer songs to make it a single disc. 10X better than Book of Souls and Final Frontier!
I've been concentrating on disc one to start. Loud is better for this album obviously and I take it in the car to do that. I will say those choruses do worm their way into my brain subtly to where I find myself singing them out of nowhere later. That's a good sign. Guitar solos all over these songs, no shortage there. B+
I like it. I am very impress with the songs and album art. I am proud of these legacy heroes still have gas in the tank and fire in the belly to create new music without recycling their past. The album is modern and yet retro at the same time. Great guitar works and nice arrangements.
They have some recycling, but it is tastefully done. I hear “the red and the black” and “the clansman” scattered throughout a few songs.
The title track though, is just amazing!!!
I think its a very strong album. Best since. Brawe n w. Good solos, lots of good melodies and Bruce on fire.
I wrote a review on my website and gave it a 9 out 10 of time. I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the length.
I find the album pretty boring, predictable and cliche iron maiden. Probably won't ever return to it,not for a full listen at least, maybe like 3-4 songs I might revisit here and there, but there's so much better new music that I would rather spend my time listening to. 5/10.
I tend to look at the 3 Steve Harris-penned epics at the end as a triple punch that together form a distinct identity on the album. Each one of them represent a different side of the Iron Maiden spectrum for me.
1. Death Of The Celts is the uplifting, happy-sounding song that has the potential of being a favorite live, equivalent to The Clansman.
2. The Parchment is the darker, more ominous song that reminds me of Powerslave/The Book Of Souls.
3. Hell On Earth is the tranquil, atmospherical song with a sad undertone and a tragic aura, equivalent to When The Wild Wind Blows.
Even though all these songs don't necessarily are my favorites on the album, the idea of a Harris-penned trilogy at the end makes these songs stand out from the rest, together forming the highlight of the album.
Production is awful its muffled and muddy bruces vocals are low in the mix.
@@martymartin2894 Those people are deaf.
@@martymartin2894 The only knock on the production is that Bruce is a bit low in the mix at times but, it lends an anolog feel to it that is actually very effective. I am growing to like the way he's seated in the mix more with each listen. Recordings of bands playing together in the studio are better when they aren't over processed. It sterilizes the track and you lose the magic. When you're doing live sound, there are only so, many frequencies for everyone to exist in and you have instruments and vocals bleeding together in the same sonic spectrum. I think he did an admirable job on the production and I like the way they have been pulling things together as a group in the studio. They don't lay down all the drum tracks, then cut the bass tracks and rhythm guitars. Add vocals. Then do overdubbing for the solos. This approach is more organic and it has it's challenges production wise that I think Kevin navigates well. Not a St. Anger level job worth spending too much time bellyaching about.
@@patriotpizzaman could sound much brighter in my opinion but i do like it its a very good album.
Love the album. One of my favorites of the year so far.
Where would you put this album in your ranking?
No way I can answer that after the album not even being out a week yet.
Great review as usual Pete !!
Great review Pete...I love the album, very polished.
Where would you rank this album among all their releases?
Followed Maiden since I bought the debut back in 1980. I really enjoy this album a lot. I do agree that a small amount of the 7/8/9 minute songs are a little too long but the epics are just that, in my opinion. This will feature high up in my personal ranking of their albums. Thanks Pete.
Finally, i've been waiting for pete to review this album.
Shockingly great album…..probably my fav since 7th Son. Love it!!
I think this album rank up with anything they have ever produced. And I think The Parchment and Hell on Earth are two of the best songs they have ever composed. Dealth of the Celts is killer, too ..
Nice one, Pete.
Had this album a week now, played it all week, and i love it. Every song. But it wasn’t instant. Took a few listens to properly get into it and then start appreciating it. “Death of the Celts” is the only song that i absolutely LOVED on that first listen. But all of it is loved now and the album slots in at 8th position in my all time Maiden albums. 👌👍
I’m with you, the more I listen to it, the more I’m hooked. Senjutsu and death of the celts are my favorite so far.
My first maiden cd bought in a while. I really do enjoy it 👍😁🤘
Nice review Pete! I've been waiting for your take on this. I think this is a great album for a bunch of guys in their 60s doing what they do best. I think the problem with us Maiden fans is that we tend to lose perspective of where they are in their career. They are making the music that they want to make and everyone in the band has stand-out moments on this album. Death of the Celts is my favourite at the moment but that could change over time.
Haven’t heard this yet. I’ll have to check it.
What has been your favorite release of 2021, so far?
Ironbound - The Lightbringer
I like where Maiden is right now, it is just icing on the cake anytime they put out new material as they have certainly earned a end of career playing fan and band fav sets until they decide to turn out the lights. I like to hear them stretch out on some tunes and keep some short and sweet - plenty of new concert material on this record. 10/10
Nice review, Pete. Fair, logical and and largely spot-on.
One of my favourite Maiden albums. I'm a huge fan of the early stuff, and I also appreciate the later 'proggier' albums. Senjutsu would be up there in my rankings
I'm a Dianno fan, so nothing has touched those first couple for me. I love Piece of Mind and Brave New World too. I own every single one of the newer ones, but prefer the old stuff. For a band that's been around forever, their newer albums are surprisingly good. Most legacy bands put out mediocre stuff in later years
First of all I think this was a fair assessment of Senjutsu. I’ve only heard this once so far, but I liked what I’ve heard. My favorites so far are the Title Track, Stratego, The Writing on the Wall, The Parchment, Death of the Celts, and Hell On Earth. I particularly been enjoying the longer Maiden songs as of late. I just love music period
Fair review! I would also have liked a couple more fast songs but i really dig it. Since Book of Souls i've had a new appreciation of the later Maiden albums. Really got a soft spot for them now. This one had lots of familiar moment but also definitly some new stuff. A great addition to their catalog!
Great Review! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I totally agree, is a good album 3.5 stars as you mentioned is pretty fair, I would give the same stars to this album, Brave New World still their best since Bruce came back in my opinion
Not many bands going for 40+ years that could cause the amount of interest I've seen about a new release,gotta admire the band I guess
Great review! Really enjoyable album...I'm sure the longer songs will grow on me after many more listens..happy days!
It's a fun album, takes you on another journey, it's hard after 16 other albums for the music not to remind you of something else, you wish the songs were harder, faster, put on one of the earlier albums they got plenty of them
Good fair review. I really like it and prefer the epic directions. I hear what you’re saying about shortening some tracks, but I also think that it’s worth dwelling and spending some time in a good place. If it’s good, stay there a while! 🤘
I can't stop listening to this album!! My least favorite songs are actually the singles... I do like "Stratego" much better than "Writing on the wall" now. I initially liked that song and did dig the creativity. But since the album being released I've had quite a few days to just really digest the whole thing which I think everybody should highly consider. And Writing on the wall seems out of place at this point for me. I'm sure that'll change with time, because I think the album is pretty epic.
Songs that I originally didn't think I liked that much are now my favorite! "The Parchment" I thought was too long my first few spins of the album. And "Death of the Celts" I thought was interesting but really didn't do anything for me. Now that's my favorite song! It's just amazing how it's like the perfect Tribal war song.
I agree there's a lot of things that we've kind of heard before. But if you take too much of that away, I feel like you lose what Iron Maiden is or has become. Although there are bands that can do that well.
I just enjoy the fact that in 2021 we have a new Iron Maiden album.
The first bands that got me into hard rock and metal as a kid in the late 1980s were: Anthrax, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Guns n Roses, Motorhead and Iron Maiden.
How many of those bands are still together, still relevant, hell- still alive, and still bothering to release new recent music that people care about enough to go out and buy.
Not many of them....
Good review, I am waiting to see if any Deluxe Editions are forthcoming.
Martin Popoff had a similar reaction.
I really like this album, granted it's still early days but iv listened to it 5 times and I still want to listen to it again. I agree they could've shaved a few minuets off but I can say that about all their albums released since 2000. My favourite track is Hell of Earth but Darkest Hour and Stratego are personal highlights as well.
I love the new album Pete, It’s epic. I love the new trail their burning. The complex songs, the melodic guitars. They’ve reached a new plateau as far as I’m concerned. UP THE IRONS!
Just thought I would put my 2 cents in. Like you , I just got the album a couple days ago. I have the vinyl which is on 3 records.
I absolutely love this album. The length of the songs doesn't bother me at all & the sound quality of the vinyl is very dynamic. To me it didn't seem all that long because I was enjoying it so much! I agree alot of people have to go out of their way to tell you how bad it is. I had one person who told me he bought it but will never open it or ever post anything about it. I understand alot of metal fans rather have those 5 minute songs. Well Iron Maiden isn't one of those bands. I think you will enjoy it a little better the more you listen to it. That's my opinion for what it's worth. I usually agree with you 80% of the time.
Keep up the great work! I have bought alot of albums based on your opinion. We are about the same age I think that's why I agree with you most of the time. Thanks.
Now this is a review I can stand to watch and listen to. You mentioned how the fanbase puts Maiden's work under the microscope, and I agree... but I think it happens too much. I like that you didn't spend the whole video comparing the album to' Powerslave' or 'Somewhere In Time' and wishing that they would just basically do those over again, but rather you drew details from them, for example you mentioned the synths had a somewhere in time feel and you mentioned the classic Maiden gallop, etc. I like when people appreciate a band's music for what it is, and don't constantly complain that it doesn't sound like something from 1984. Bands progress, and times change. As does the music. I like that you said "There's no right or wrong answer, we all hear these albums differently. So if you love it or you don't love it, that's okay either way is good. That's what being a lover of music is all about." (I think the guy over at 'The Rageaholic' channel could use a little of your good attitude, as he basically implied that all Maiden fans are lying to themselves and their new music isn't any good, but with a lot harsher language and attitude). Personally, I love the album and I think it is right there with 'The Book Of Souls'. Bruce is singing phenomenally. Period. Not just for a guy who is in his 60s or someone who dealt with throat cancer... he is singing phenomenally and that's that. The guitar performances are top notch as we can expect from the Three Amigos, Steve Harris is still one of the best songwriters and bass players out there in my opinion, and Nicko has some incredible drum work on this album. I love listening to Nic and Steve lock in. Unbeatable rhythm. Guitar harmonies are on point, vocal harmonies as well. Personally, I've never had a problem with Kevin Shirley's production. I think each album he produces has a particular sound that fits the album well. My favorite Maiden album happens to be an album he produced as well. We can't compare him to Martin Birch, because he is not Martin Birch. He has an entirely different way of doing things. It's okay if you don't like his production, but we can't compare him to MB. That also relates to people not liking the cover art. We can't compare this cover to the 80's covers and wonder why they don't do them anymore, because they no longer have Derek Riggs. It's that simple. However, I believe people can dislike the cover, the music, production, or whatever it may be. Because as you said, we all interpret the albums differently, and that is okay. Personally, I think this album is killer and Maiden are still strong. Killer review, Pete. Much respect!
Thanks!
Very well said. I quit listening to The Rageaholic Channel a long time ago. He’s even bashed Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles, which our main man Martin Popoff is a part of. Razorfist has no class at all and needs to take a hike.
Well said. To me, Rageaholic is the low point in the metal community on UA-cam. I haven't watched his review of Senjutsu and I have no intention to do so as I know exactly what I'm going to get. I have nothing against people disliking anything (I love Senjutsu but I have seen countless great reviewers who disagree with me), but if you insult people who like certain things and say that they're lying to themselves you really need to re-evaluate things. Watching Rageaholic rant and being as harsh, unapologetic and verbally violent as possible against a band and it's fans is not only disturbing but also kind of sad and pathetic to see. He doesn't really make a good impression and his professionalism is non-existent. I'm not liking to bash on content creators but considering Rageaholic's content and way of looking at things, I gladly criticize him. He deserves it. Luckily we have guys like Pete, Martin Popoff and many others who take their jobs seriously and treats the music and the fans with respect and dignity. When it comes to those guys, it doesn't matter if they agree with me or not. Their content will be good and fun to watch anyway.
Great review pete, well spoken
Adrian and Davey do the solos on Darkest Hour. Hate Death of the Celts. Love The Parchment. Great guitar work. Could be 1 minute less. Hell on Earth goes by really quick for me. It feels much shorter than it really is. Thanks for the review.
I'm sure that 2 minutes intro and one minute outro goes really quick...
This is a grower for me for sure. Took some time for the songs to click but once they did I started enjoying it quite a lot. Though I like The Book of Souls, the guitar work on Senjutsu feels much more focused and inspired. I also like the use of acoustics even in some of the heavier moments, not too typical for them. The only track I can't really seem to get into is Lost in a Lost World.
Favorites include the title track, The Writing on the Wall, Days of Future Past, The Time Machine, Darkest Hour, Death of the Celts, and Hell on Earth.
Agree, Adrian is a great song creator, makes a great writing combination with Bruce.
Great review Pete! This is definitely a very progressive album for Iron Maiden, even more advanced than Book of Souls, which is saying something. I really like Senjutsu, it's different than most other Maiden albums but still very strong. My favourite songs are Stratego, Writing on the Wall, The Parchment and Hell on Earth. It's definitely not an album to get into on first listen, but the more I play it, the more I enjoy it. Can't wait for Friday morning at the Fun House with Martin Popoff tomorrow! 🤩🎉
Liking the album alot , like you I have 4 listens in , now it's in the car for the foreseeable future. Favorite track ...could probably change later but I would say Senjutsu love how it opens , almost sounds like it's taiko drums. Love The writing on the wall , like the different feel ,the interplay of guitars.