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Review Summary: The legend lives on... for now Iron Maiden has consistently defied expectations and pushed boundaries throughout their remarkable four-decade career. With their latest album, Senjutsu, they once again prove why they are hailed as pioneers of the genre. While the album showcases their enduring passion for metal, it also provides a glimpse into the band's evolution and hints at a need for reflection on the part of the iconic frontman, Bruce Dickinson.
Senjutsu is a sprawling epic, clocking in at 81 minutes, which some might consider excessive. However, this extended runtime allows Iron Maiden to fully explore their musical ideas and take listeners on an immersive journey through their rich sonic landscape. The band's signature twin guitar harmonies, thundering bass lines, and intricate drumming are on full display, reminding us why they have become a force to be reckoned with in the world of heavy metal. The final three songs on the album, "Death of the Celts," "The Parchment," and "Hell On Earth," are the crown jewels of the album. These tracks exemplify Iron Maiden's ability to craft epic, atmospheric compositions that transport listeners to another realm. From the haunting melodies and intricate guitar solos of "Death of the Celts" to the captivating storytelling of "The Parchment" and the apocalyptic intensity of "Hell On Earth," these songs showcase the band's musical prowess and their ability to create a captivating sonic experience.
While Bruce Dickinson's vocal performance throughout the album is commendable, it is evident that the years have taken a toll on his voice. Songs like "The Writing on the Wall" show signs of weariness, with Bruce sounding a bit tired. It might be time for the legendary frontman to consider winding down his illustrious career and focus on preserving his health. Despite this, Bruce Dickinson's voice still possesses a distinct power and charisma that sets him apart from many others in the genre. Even in moments where he may seem fatigued, his delivery remains miles better than most, proving his irreplaceable presence within Iron Maiden.
Senjutsu stands as a testament to their longevity and unwavering commitment to their craft. The album showcases their ability to stay relevant and produce music that continues to captivate fans old and new. While the extended runtime may test the patience of some listeners, it allows Iron Maiden to explore their musicality fully. It is a testament to their artistic ambition and their refusal to be confined by traditional song structures.
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Album Rating: 3.0
"It might be time for the legendary frontman to consider winding down his illustrious career and focus on preserving his health."
The bloke is 64, survived throat cancer, still has all his hair (unless its a wig), and still fronts one of the most legendary metal bands in history. I think he'll rock till he drops. Pos'ed anyway.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Yeah, Bruce has that Bobby Blitz fortitude. Pretty sure death itself is the only thing that'll actually take him out at this point, and I really admire him for that
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Hell On Earth is still one of the best songs they have released in the 2000s. Great review btw, pos’d!
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Keep the reviews comin
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Agree with menawati up there.
Iron Maiden is the heart that pumps Bruce's blood, if he was to stop he would wither away in less than a year.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off
He sounds like ass on this album tbh he's never been my favorite singer but other than Darkest Hour he sounds really annoying and bad here. Plus for the sake of his health (i mean, throat cancer...damn) I wonder if the hectic touring life is meant for him still.
Still better than Axl and modern Vince Neil tho.
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I'm watching videos of the Future Past tour daily and he sounds great every night, all things considered.
A constipated frog sounds better than Vince Neil nowadays, that we can agree.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Sound wise this a close relation to the X factor more than anything else. Great great album
| | | Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off
"I'm watching videos of the Future Past tour daily and he sounds great every night, all things considered.
A constipated frog sounds better than Vince Neil nowadays, that we can agree." lol good point about vince but man i don't know WHAT happened with the vocals on this album. is it the mixing? because that lead single sounded absolutely terrible and not a lot here changed my mind although it wasn't quite as bad.
"Sound wise this a close relation to the X factor more than anything else. Great great album"
Tbh I feel like I should like this more if that's the similarity, I kinda find the Bayley era underrated. Sure he's not as technically gifted as Bruce but I find him less annoying.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Its the synths, darker atmosphere and the thicker guitar strings used in the intros and outros that drew the comparison
| | | Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off
Hmmm I can kind of see it. There's a part of me that would've at least 3'd this if it was at least 20-30 minutes shorter. Sick of these albums being forever long. Take like one of the 10-minute epics off and cut some of the fat earlier on and you've got an okay 45-50 minute album.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
I thought the same for book of souls but this one had license to go on a bit imo
| | | Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off
to be fair I was never huge on Maiden like, you have this rated higher than I have their peak era stuff, but i did the discog run anyway because, well, they're one of the most acclaimed and celebrated so they must be the best right? and i figured it was worth informing myself on their stuff even if it's...really, not what I go to metal for at all.
but like, this is probably my least favorite Maiden album period. i just can't get over how bad Bruce sounds at times.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
I've been listening to Maiden since 1992 and know them inside out. I rate this highly. All maiden fans have their favs and no so favs. Funnily I'm not the biggest fan of number of the beast and powerslave except for the well known songs in those albums and of course rime of the ancient mariner.
Bruce on this sounds weathered /gruff at times but that goes with the territory and suits the battle hardened warrior persona iykwim
| | | Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off
quite honestly i havent rated anything of theirs above a 3.5, and only did that once for Judas Priest.
| | | Album Rating: 1.5 | Sound Off
The only Maiden album I absolutely hate. Utter dogshit.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
"quite honestly i havent rated anything of theirs above a 3.5, and only did that once for Judas Priest"
Yes, we get it, you don't like traditional metal
| | | Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off
honestly i can't hate it because i get some of the praises, but i've found this discog pretty overrated overall save for a couple records
@koris: i'm more disappointed that trad didn't do more to expand on the early Sabbath style apart from trad doom tbh
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
I come from a traditional heavy metal background so the classics are (mainly) always gonna rate high with me. Inc. Pantera who are classic for 90's metal fans like mys
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Well traditional metal is a very wide concept, and Maiden are just a very particular case cause there's absolutely no other band like them. If you don't dig Maiden, which i can understand because Bruce's vocals are an acquired taste, there's plenty other bands that are not Black Sabbath that you could enjoy.
Have you heard Helloween? or Scorpions? or I don't know... King Diamond?
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