Metal Reviews

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Scion · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:37 pm Post subject:

Great pick! Unlike you I don't see a problem with the production as i think it suits the album well, and i would add "Judgement of Heaven" as a killer song, but otherwise it was a good review, i feel you summed it up quite well. This is a darker and more serious album and it different for Maiden, but it still suites them i think. They've always had a more serious side to them and here was an opportunity for them to explore that side further, and it works well. I'd take this album over Fear of the Dark and No Prayer any day, and even over some of the early albums too.

Bad points of the album is that some songs like you mentioned lack some of the sincerity of the other songs, and it becomes a bit embarrassing to listen to them. Other songs towards the end are kind of slow, but i actually appreciate all the songs on here. I guess it might be an aquired taste.

Kathaarian · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:10 pm Post subject:

I agree with the reviewer. Neither this nor Virtual XI were bad albums by any means, in fact they are very good. It's easy to understand people's frustration though and I could have felt the same way back then.

Thomas · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:35 pm Post subject:

wellwell, this is maidens downpoint in my opinion...but that does not nescesarilly mean it is a bad album... i enjoy listen to this... virtual XI is better though

Caligula_K · Karma Whore Joined: 22 Nov 2004 Posts: 4214

I agree with the general sentiment in this review- this is an excellent, underrated album and a nice dark style for Maiden. Virtual XI sucks balls, but this one's a winner and better than No Prayer and Fear- and Blaze does a damn good job.

Tlaloc · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject:

Best Maiden album ever. I'd elaborate, but it's 2:56am.

Eternal Idol · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:38 pm Post subject:

This is the first Maiden album I ever bought, way back when it first came out. I loved the dark tone of it. There's a few stinkers to be found, like, Blood on the World's Hands, The Unbeliever, and Fortunes of War grates on my nerves at the end. The rest of the album is truly great, and I'll agree that it's better than FOTD and NPFTD. Blaze, while a good singer, really was an odd choice for the band and I can see why many rejected him at first. An underrated album to be sure, and if you wrote this off the first time around you really should give it a second chance. Virtual XI blows massive amounts of ass indeed though.

AlterEgo · Svartalfar Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

FINALLY some justice for this wonderful underrated masterpiece!!

best album of nineties
best since senveth son
best metal album of that horrid time when the genre almost died

Lebleu · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:44 pm Post subject:

Facts first:
- Blaze is no Bruce, never will be....nor should he.

- This album and AMOLAD go hand in hand.

- The lyrics are awesome.

- The production is REALLY weak.

- Virtual XI sucks

The X Factor is pretty much the most underrated album of the Maiden catalog in my opinion (along with Dance of Death). At the time it came out, I understand why people were pissed off. Blaze style is so different than Bruce's, and since Bruce is a god, the shoes were impossible to fill.

That's not to say Blaze is a bad singer by any means. But, you just can't replace Bruce Dickinson. The only way it could have worked was if you would replace him with another icon (ex: Halford).

Anyway, back to the point. This album never got the credit it deserves. It's not an album where you can pick classics. It's not an album you put in the background. It's an album that needs you to imerge yourself in it. Put the headphones, take the booklets and read the lyrics. That's really the strong point here. That's the only way you can understand what The X Factor is all about.

The major problem is the production and the playing. As with Virtual Xi and AMOLAD, you don't feel the instruments. The guitars are weak and in the back of the mix...as if the guys were on a hangover playing with not much energy. Just pick Brave New World a second and listen to the first chords...BAM !! In your face ! Passion and energy !! But, who can blame the guys at that point in their careers. Classic Heavy Music was dead at this point in the 90's.

Bottom line, don't let th eproduction turn you off. Pick the album and give it another spin ! You'll love it.

8/10

scud · Metal Lord Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 640

Had it's moments was this cd cd where most songs sounded the same at the start?

Trooper Of Steel · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject:

This review is easily the best and most accurate description of this underrated album. I couldnt have said it better myself.

So Bruce wasnt in the band at the time....boohoo. This album was basically written to suit Blaze's deeper and darker voice, and it worked perfectly. Even now when Bruce sings any songs from the Blaze era, they just dont sound right.

And I am one who thinks Virtual XI does not suck balls, infact it is just as good as the X-Factor, if not better. Remember, X-Factor does have those 2 very average songs at the end, and a poor way to end the album. Virtual XI however, does not have any songs which are as bad as those last 2.

Eternal Idol · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:40 pm Post subject:

Kathaarian · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:41 pm Post subject:

And as far as stuff with Blaze go, Virus was a goddamned great single. That song just kicks ass.

Caligula_K · Karma Whore Joined: 22 Nov 2004 Posts: 4214

VinnieVincentInvaded · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:21 pm Post subject:

Wow, so much love for The X Factor around here. I agree with just about everything said in this topic thus far. This is fast becoming my favorite metal forum on the web.

Raven · Einherjar Joined: 15 Jan 2007 Posts: 1963

These two CD's spawned two of Iron Maiden's greatest songs:

"The Clansman" and "Sign Of The Cross".

Was I personally happy with the departure of Bruce Dickinson? No, I wasn't. Blaze was in an impossible situation. How do you ever fill the shoes of someone like Bruce Dickinson? You don't. Blaze came in and gave it his own personal approach. That's all Steve Harris asked him to do or could expect Blaze to do.

I think that musically and lyrically the Blaze era was great. Did I miss Bruce? Of course I did. I also really missed the guitar work of Adrian Smith and his writing ability. However, I appreciate the Blaze era for what it was. Iron Maiden will always rule for me.

Thy Serpent · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:50 am Post subject:

Good to see this album getting a high score. I would give it a score of 75/100. Man On The Edge and Sign Of The Cross are killer tracks. It also has one of my fav solo sections, the one in The Unbeliever. Amazing.

Thy Serpent · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:54 am Post subject:

Thomas · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:23 pm Post subject:

como estais amigo? blah, cant stand it

Scion · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:19 pm Post subject: