iron maiden - the final frontier: a basic review

[markD]

i got the new maiden cd today. at first i was a little disapponited with the first song. it is 8:40 long, and like 4 minutes is this keyboard soundscape or something. then it kicks into the final frontier (still track 1). once i looked at the title of the song, it all made sense. the actual name of the first track is "satellite 51 - the final frontier". taken in context, it being a "space epic", the song was pretty good.

i am not gonna do a track by track analysis. i am still listening to it in the car. i will say that so far it seems like it has the feel of:

piece of mind (but faster)
seventh son of a seventh son
brave new world

the production is crisper than the last record, and the songs actually move a bit away from the steve harris "bass chord/quiet" beginnings. even the songs that DO start out "progressive" (as maiden would call it) build pretty quick and actually go somewhere.

the solos are awesome, and it sounds like the record featured mostly adrian smith. the leads sound put together and not too wanking. even janick sounds like a marginally competent player (more like how he played on "tatoo millionaire").

bruce's vocals are good, a little in his middle register, but when he takes off it soounds nice and smooth.

overall, i'd say the record has a very "euro-metal" feel to it. this description is going to be VERY misunderstood, but it is how i hear it.....think uli roth-era scorpions mixed with the above mentioned maiden albums.

many of you will disagree with me when you hear it, i am sure. it is certainly a NEW maiden album, not a rehash of a classic record.

i like it, and truthfully, i was expecting to hate it. so far, IMHO, "eldorado" is the crappiest song on the cd.

anyway, there's my thoughts....

[RockinJim]

I pre-ordered it. I love Eldorado and thought it was one of the strongest songs in the set when I saw them live in July. So I hope you are right. LOL

[beachjammer]

Agreed, I really like El Dorado, so if it's the worst song on the CD then I'm golden...... :O)

[DonP]

Cool beans. I look forward to getting it.

BTW, I love the Early Days DVD, have they made a 2nd DVD that continues that? Like the Middle Ages

[neilli]

If it has the feel of Piece, SS, and BNW I'll be happy, especially if Adrian is getting a lot of time on the album. I guess it's out this week...

[daisp]

Can't wait...

[markD]

part 2 of the early days is with the DVD release of "live after death".

[DonP]

part 2 of the early days is with the DVD release of "live after death".

Ok, got that.

[RockinJim]

Maiden's Final Frontier to debut #1 in the UK. Should be strong debut in the US.

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=144666

[The Rossness]

I'm listening to it now.

[neilli]

Me to. I'm trying to like it. But like the last one, first impressions ain't good. Not hearing any PoM or SS in this one....

[mraus]

I had an impression that the vocals totally don't match the music - is it just me, or they really don't? It feels like Bruce didn't know what to sing, so he kinda borrowed some vocal parts from other tracks...

In my opinion this album is all the way worse than AMOLAD, even not comparing to BNW which is a killer.

[wilkinsi]

I had a listen before I came to work. Didn't like it. And I too thought that vocals didn't match, not just the words, but the way they sat in the mix.

[mraus]

Yep, talking about sitting in the mix - I've just talked to my friend about that and he shares my opinion.

How could they record BNW or SSOASS when they can't write a song properly now...?

[salmonella]

Firstly, I am surprised no one has mentioned the artwork of Eddie riding the C*&kdragon!!!!! - see artwork before credits .centre right.

I was expecting bad things, especially when Metal Hammer gave it 8/10,. Normally maiden albums just get stamped with a 10. Ive only had the chance to listen twice so far. I agree, it is reminiscent of POM, SSOASS mixed with the flavour of the last couple of albums (dont expect the quality of SSOASS). This album is much more inventive than the last few with some good parts and a few decent songs, although there are still the predictable moments,like they cant figure out what to play at the chorus so play the usual chord pattern , tempo. . I still found myself fast forwarding through some of the excessive intro parts though, as many songs have them on this album(why). There are some moments harking back to early days e.g the alchemist. The solos are great on this album and, dare i say it, even Janicks are good. The sound doesnt seem to have the same bite in the guitars and urgency as of old (same for last few abums). Bruces vocal range is shinking with the years and IMO it sounds like a struggle just to get upper middle range. There are flickers of the greatness in this album but in general I would file it somehwere between BNW and NPFTD.. And so begins the wait for the next one.. lol .