They could have coasted gracefully the rest of the way and nobody would have complained. But they did push themselves like they’ve never done before, and they’ve rewarded their millions of worldwide fans with a late-career zenith.
In fairness, we have heard the duelling solos, galloping Guitar riffs and Dickinson’s operatic Rock vocals all before, in that sense there’s nothing particularly new in form of style (but that’s no bad omen). Upon The Book of Souls the band do, however, sound tighter than ever, offering a raw atmosphere that makes the album sound as though it was almost written in order to be played live.
Their 16th LP is their most challenging to date. For all the fine musicianship and vaulting ambition, though, there are lengthy longueurs. [Oct 2015, p.111]
The Book Of Souls by Iron Maiden. A german review.
Diese Scheibe ist schlicht und ergreifend eine der herausragendsten Alben der jüngstenThe Book Of Souls by Iron Maiden. A german review.
Diese Scheibe ist schlicht und ergreifend eine der herausragendsten Alben der jüngsten Musikgeschichte. Die Jungs hauen ein episches Meisterwerk nach dem anderen aus den Boxen. Dies war nach dem eher schwachen The Final Frontier nicht unbedingt zu erwarten. Besonders gut sind Empire Of The Clouds, Tears Of A Clown und der Opener If Eternity Should Fail.
Die Bewertung fällt nicht schwer: 10/10…Expand
Rolling guitars roll of the proverbial lick of a modern-classical riff's tongue, conjured by the never-ending nature of each propulsive word,Rolling guitars roll of the proverbial lick of a modern-classical riff's tongue, conjured by the never-ending nature of each propulsive word, so passionately disseminated by the timeless and undying brilliance of Bruce Dickinson, who's vocals have not seen a day of wear or tear, even with the weighing burden of cancer, his gritted teeth determination and tenacity are reflected in great light here.
Key songs for me are 'The Red and the Black' - 'Empire of the Clouds' - 'Speed of Light' and perhaps the eruptive intro, arguably the strongest ever from Maiden, 'If Eternity Should Fail'…Expand
I'm not able to describe this legacy album in just a few words, but I'll do my best.
I was expecting something similar to the relaxedI'm not able to describe this legacy album in just a few words, but I'll do my best.
I was expecting something similar to the relaxed classic heavy metal style album, like they did with the albums after Bruce's comeback.
They didn't... instead they surprised me. I'm still trying to understand how they did something so much different from their usual sound style and even more surprised on how they did this without loosing their distinct and perceivable sound style.
I didn't need a confirmation from Iron Maiden. I could say they are the fathers of heavy metal, the fathers of my childhood, even without having heard the album from X-Factor and on.
But they still leave their watermark, with every new album. And this is not a watermark. This album is a legacy for all of us.
I will not say anything about their songs. I will only comment for Bruce's voice.
Bruce is amazing. Despite his condition, and his age, he sounds great. His voice reminds me now of Balls to Picasso, but even better. Especially the "sick" touch in the Empire of Clouds epic-saga-epos, and more precisely from 10.30 and on.
If you are to listen to this album and especially if you were a bit disappointed with their previous works, listen to it with your eyes closed, out in the wind if possible or on a balcony and be relaxed when you do so. Don't judge it from the 1st time you listen. Give it a couple of rounds. Once you start feeling the magnificence of the drums on each loop, the change of every sound on every rhythm, giving you a different feeling on each loop, on every different riff, and the deep voice from Bruce, all the feelings you felt long ago, during their golden era, will come back to you.
Up the Irons!
They are our fathers forever.…Expand
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
Amazing Album. A familiar sense of speed and power, complete with longer songs and varying tempos. The ending song "Empire of the Clouds" is one of the most impressive anthems I've ever heard. The instrumental breaks complete with Dickenson's genius vocals perfectly end the album. Well done.…Expand
Excellent sound quality, never ending harmony guitar solos. Thanks for showing young musicians what is electric guitar for Iron Maiden... WhenExcellent sound quality, never ending harmony guitar solos. Thanks for showing young musicians what is electric guitar for Iron Maiden... When is the next gig?…Expand
I am a big Maiden fan and love almost all their work. I really wanted to love this record especially after reading all the glowing revuesI am a big Maiden fan and love almost all their work. I really wanted to love this record especially after reading all the glowing revues before hearing it, but truth be told I think it's an very weak album. Most of the riffs are just slight reworkings of old familiar favorites. The overall feel is that they are trying too hard to do something epic, something like their own version of Trans Siberian Orchestra, but they just fall short and the songs all song the same and lack the power and focus I am accustomed to from these true masters of the genre. Empire of the Clouds is just a long mess or over repetitive nothingness that never has a focus or build up or payoff. Rime of the Ancient Mariner it is not, and not even close. Red and Black is perhaps the best but even it has the familiar undertones of the main riff of Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
Sure Bruce sounds great as always and the musicianship is excellent, but the mixing, and overall live feel just comes off sounding less crisp, heavy and hard as I usually expect from Maiden. There's not really a single memorable song of the bunch and I don't foresee any of these songs ending up on my favorites playlist. I laud them trying to be different, but different isn't enough, it also has to be good, and I just don't feel it from this effort. Sure it's better than most of the crap that comes out from everyone else out there today, but as a Maiden album it is arguably one of my least favorite.…Expand
