MovieChat Forums > Iron Maiden: Visions of the Beast (2003) Discussion > Will Maiden ever make another decent alb...

Will Maiden ever make another decent album?

posted 15 years ago by HVDONLINE
1 reply | jump to latest

Ok as a avid Maiden fan from day one in 1979, when I got hold of a copy of 'the soundhouse tapes', can I ask if I'm the only one who thinks they haven't done a decent studio album since 'seventh son of a seventh son'.

Of course I judge them by the incredibly high standards of those early albums, but with the exception of 'brave new world' I find the other albums from 1990 - date; tedious and lacking inspiration or real fire, even ploddy in parts. Am I expecting too much?

There's no doubt that Maiden are still one of the finest live metal bands on the planet, but does the recent Flight 666 movie show that the band are relying too much on the classic back catalogue because the newer material doesn't measure up in comparison. Come on 'arry, where's the fire in yer belly?

[–] CrucifaxAutumn 14 years ago

Well, first off the new album is excellent and shows their continued growth into a slightly more progressive act. Secondly, they've done tours where they play the entire album they are touring behind in its entirety and the current TFF tour is 90% material from the last 10 years.

What you are describing as "ploddy" is their new direction toward the prog metal of today as well as the prog rock like Jethro Tull that inspired Steve to start the band in the first place. Long musical interludes and multiple time changes are far more interesting for me to listen to, and as musicians I'm sure they find the challenge of these types of songs more fun at their age and with their advanced musical skills. Nothing's ever gonna beat the balance of all their sounds that exists on 7th Son and Brave New World, but they've really matured past the simpler and harder driving sounds that hooked us all in the first place. Without changing their sound they'd be in the same boat as a band like AC/DC who haven't evolved one bit since the 70s aside from becoming more "corporate".

Up the Irons Goddamnit!