Review Summary: Comically overhated, criminally underrated. Doesn't deserve any of the hate.
Now, if you've seen pretty much any of my lists, you'll know I have quite a few... unpopular opinions. For example, pretty much every placement in my ranking of Iron Maiden's albums. In which Virtual XI is third behind X Factor and A Matter of Life and Death.
They're all completely honest opinions though. I wouldn't share them if they weren't.
So, here's my opinions on Virtual XI:
It's a more upbeat album than the dark and introspective X Factor. It's got more energy to it. The production is alright, but then all I need from production is to be able to hear every instrument and a clean mix, in which Virtual XI ticks both boxes. Metal generally doesn't have great production in the first place, though. Rough production is part of what makes metal metal, or at least it was when metal first became a thing, going into the NWOBHM era. Virtual XI is still a mostly dark album, but not as dark as X Factor.
Futureal- Short, energetic opener. Great lyrics/riffs/solo. 5.0
The Angel and the Gambler- The songs flies by for me, the repetition doesn't bother me. It's my most listened song on Spotify 2 years in a row and well on the way to a third. I find every bit of it amazing. 5.0
For context, my liked songs playlist has in the region of 9,000 to 10,000 songs in it, and my playlist with my favourite songs of all time (including Angel) has almost 6,000 songs. Angel has a lot to do to even come close to being my most listened song for one year, never mind it's current two in a row, never mind the third it's on track for.
It's nowhere near as bad as people say it is. Neither is the album.
If that doesn't tell you how much I love it...
Lightning Strikes Twice- I massively relate to it. Very energetic, amazing riffs and solos. Brilliant lyrics. 5.0
The Clansman- Amazing song, although it took hearing it on vinyl to click with me. The outro gives me chills. 5.0
When Two Worlds Collide- Energetic, has great riffs and lyrics and amazing solos. 5.0
The Educated Fool- Great riffs, amazing lyrics and solos. Another song I massively relate to. 5.0
Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger- Took hearing it on vinyl to click with me, every bit of it's amazing. Especially the solos. Very energetic. 5.0
Como Estais Amigos- A heart-wrenching tribute to those who died in the Falklands War. Every bit of it is amazing. I struggle not to cry every time I hear it. 5.0
Overall, a consistently amazing album that deserves none of the hate and disrespect. It deserves more respect. It's comically overhated and criminally underrated. In all honesty, it's one of my favourite albums of all time and nowhere near Maiden's worst.
Favourite songs:
Angel and the Gambler
Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger
Como Estais Amigos
The Educated Fool
