User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Senjutsu
by
Senjutsu Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 134 Ratings

  • Summary: The 17th full-length studio release for the British metal band is its first in nearly six years and was produced by Kevin Shirley.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. The Guardian
    Sep 3, 2021
    100
    Eccentric, bombastic heavy metal at its finest.
  2. Consequence
    Sep 3, 2021
    91
    The more valid question is whether Senjutsu is worthy of Iron Maiden’s illustrious catalog, and the answer is an emphatic yes. The LP stands out among the second Dickinson-era albums for its symphonic touches, memorable songs/riffs, and airtight mid-tempos.
  3. musicOMH.com
    Sep 7, 2021
    90
    Senjutsu is Iron Maiden’s strongest offering in some time, looking forward whilst occasionally peering back over its shoulder. In tone it’s the band’s darkest album, but the sheer coherence and confidence of the playing, writing and production makes it feel filled with light and positivity. There’s conflict all over the album, but this is the sound of a band firing on all cylinders.
  4. Clash Music
    Sep 1, 2021
    80
    Trend and time can’t touch them, and with ‘Senjutsu’ they’ve produced one of their best albums of the past 20 years.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    Sep 2, 2021
    80
    The powerhouse metal sound that’s earned them a religious following in every far-flung corner of the globe remains firm. But here, they take things further; ultimately letting imaginations run wild in an album that’s more confident and idea-packed than ever before.
  6. Glide Magazine
    Sep 1, 2021
    80
    Senjutsu is an album that respects the lineage and history of the band without rehashing previous works. The result is one of the best albums of the band’s entire career, one that stands tall next to Fear of the Dark and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.
  7. Mojo
    Sep 22, 2021
    60
    Never sounds less than game. [Nov 2021, p.87]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 38
  3. Negative: 2 out of 38
  1. mdelbarba
    Sep 4, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The best songs for me are in this order: "Hell on earth" (it reminds me a lot of "When the wild wind blows" in terms of atmosphere, the first time I heard it I said "this is a spectacular song")
    "The Parchment" which is full of very Maidean instrumental parts, a typical Harris epic song and "Lost in a lost world" which is another Harris masterpiece, with a touch of reminiscence of A Matter of Life and Death album. Maybe I could rank it as the best Maiden album of this century.    … Expand
  2. XsauroxGamer
    Sep 3, 2021
    10
    I really enjoyed the new album listening to it all at once. This band never disappoints me and the new sounds mixed with the classic ones areI really enjoyed the new album listening to it all at once. This band never disappoints me and the new sounds mixed with the classic ones are a big yes for me. Another great work from them!… Expand
  4. PhoenixReveiws
    Sep 10, 2021
    10
    Iron Maiden is still kicking ass with their albums. This is a great track and can't wait to see its tour. Some really strong entries in thereIron Maiden is still kicking ass with their albums. This is a great track and can't wait to see its tour. Some really strong entries in there include:

    Shenjitsu
    Stratego
    The Writing on the Wall
    Days of Future Past    … Expand
  5. Fingerss
    Sep 4, 2021
    10
    Masterpiece Their best work! Awesome Awesome Awesome!!! For a band that's been out for 40 years this album is amazing!
  6. BuildingMusic70
    Oct 3, 2021
    9
    Iron Maiden's seventeenth studio album comes without a doubt at a great time for the group. Six years after their previous album, the groupIron Maiden's seventeenth studio album comes without a doubt at a great time for the group. Six years after their previous album, the group explore Classic Metal in its finest, with breathtaking solos for songs such as The Writing On The Wall, Retro Rock styles like Stratego , and the thunderous Death Of The Celts. Iron Maiden have little to improve on, except that for a 10-track album, it is 81 minutes total, 3 tracks exceeding the 10 minute mark. The shortest song, Days Of Future Past, is still 4 minutes long. The longest being The Parchment, which is over 240% the length of Days Of Future Past, just over the 12 minute mark. My total tally says that these six guys are still going strong, and shouldn't stop with the good vibes this album gives off.

    9/10    … Expand
  7. MetalReview
    Sep 10, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The New Album For Iron Maiden Is Good Album With Heavy Metal
    The Book of Soul Is Good But Long Is Progressive Metal Vibe Is Good But Bizarre And Wierd With Band Name Iron Maiden. But Senjutsu Is Good Rock And Metal Album Senjutsu Or Tactics And Strategy
    Is Bettre With The Finel Frontier With 2010 The Book of Soul 2015 Make No Mistake This Is A Good Album But Too Long For Me But Is Good Album (I Talking Abut The Book of Soul Anyone Who Loves Progressive Metal Is As Good As Me I Love This Album) Lest Go Review (Short Message Is A Double Album But With Is Good To Taste And With Yours Who Loves Heavy Metal Is Your Album)    … Expand
  8. Runningfree
    Oct 23, 2021
    0
    From a hardcore iron maiden fan, absolutely overrated and overhyped, not good music in the slightest, songs are forced in every way andFrom a hardcore iron maiden fan, absolutely overrated and overhyped, not good music in the slightest, songs are forced in every way and unoriginal, sounds like they have just used samples from 17 albums and mashed into 1 album, songs are long just for the sake of being long and don’t even go anywhere, very very dissatisfied… Expand

See all 38 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Best Album of 2021
38
#38 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
87 Bite Down - Rosali
All Current Music »