I have the album since release and I've that complete the following weekend with nothing but busy. Now I have time and inclination to submit a review.
So then:
Satelite 15 'The Final Frontier
Is first surprising since the intro is sold here as part of the first song.
I initially bothered me because since the break for The Final Frontier part of (almost) Neunminüters fails but very hard, I like it very much now because the tension built up wonderfully leads on to the actual opener.
The Final Frontier self confident as a simple, straightforward rockers. Maybe not quite what you'd expect from Maiden, but you will be surprised, too.
El Dorado
Is most known anyway, because it is offered as a download single.
The beginning is a bit unusual, because one is not such a 'noise-Parts' of Maiden used to. However, the song itself is convincing and at the latest when you have the first time the transition from the bridge is part of the chorus you know that you have a live classic in the making before with familiar galloping rhythm.
Mother of Mercy
Reminiscent of the mood strongly of A Matter Of Life And Death, in my opinion can not quite match the almost consistently strong songs but after. Intro and verses are properly and the instrumental work is already great, but Bruce Dickinson's vocals in the chorus wavers at times. Later songs show that he definitely still hits the high notes, therefore stands to reason that it is this is a conscious decision, in my opinion, however, does the song no good.
Apart from the mentioned weakness in the chorus, but this piece has fully earned its place on the album.
Coming Home
Clearly Bruce's song. From guitar sound forth it calls me awake memories of Aces High and The Trooper, but what else is completely different. It is in fact on a typical Dickinson ballad that is not the same. Especially the chorus leaves the Höhrer a shiver down your spine. The transitions between the individual parts are soft and not later than the tremendously good solo work (Smith / Murray I would guess) reigns supreme.
The Alchemist
Reminded me concerning the sound to start the Blaze Bayley phase, even if I can not even tell what song I especially mean. Therefore was the song for me at the beginning of 'X-Factor when Bruce would not have gone'. However, over time you realize that you probably have here the song in front of him, that's the most likely what you'd expect from Maiden. Catchy Parts, lyrics and vocals that are full of only so of coolness and magnificent solos. Maiden Pur.
Isle Of Avalon
Is a monster, but a tremendously good. The intro builds tension wherever possible, Drums, reminiscent of Paschendale, the bass that has plus almost whispering vocals of Bruce somehow what of Drifter (!). The following transition is so sudden as it is ingenious. If the tension built up in the last 2:40 minutes, so it discharges now in a brilliant explosion that definitely represents one of the highlights of the album. In the following part you feel at the Seventh Son remembers back plate, just one more time on the design of the yet to be carved the first part of the song is determined by the socks.
Starblind
First and foremost, let me say that Starblind is the song with which I so far the least could make friends, making bad but not in.
Another quiet intro accompanied by Bruce's voice turns into a very progressive part, which however retains the vocal melody of the intro. The Chorus acts a little labored for me, the part of the other hand, it directly follows both lyrically and musically very good. After listening to this Part for the second time following a surprising, but good solo break at the end can also overlook the Maiden typical fiddle parts.
The Talisman.
Welcomes the fortuitous with an acoustic intro and therefore reminds the beginning strongly to The Legacy from the previous album.
When it get going, things really get going. Bruce provides the best performance from my opinion on this album and songwriting Technically wins The Talisman by the fact that each part only gradually to come and so will never get bored. In addition, the melody of the instrumental bridge and the extremely strong sung chorus are very catchy. I'm looking forward to hearing this song live once.
The Man Who Would Be King
The intro flows melancholy almost entirely. The Maiden-typical 'tooting' accompanied the transition to verse forms the prelude to an especially content extremely challenging song, but knows how to convince on a musical level, particularly here the post-chorus parts are to be mentioned in which a guitar from Feeling plays her displaced, while another grandiose solos are the best, unfortunately, is the third guitar at these points a little to hear. Later the song has some what you would probably call 'typical Maiden', however it is built less around it, as these parts are interspersed sent.
When The Wild Wind Blows
This song won me over at the first hearing. The moody intro, which converts the mood of the original grand into the musical, as well as the enormously catchy vocals at this point alone make the first part of the song worthy of attention. The transition to the night part, which still sounds similar but already a lot harder (desperate?) Sound is suddenly well implemented. From there the song gets better and better, increasing endlessly, until the explosion of the bomb (It's all in the end to the British 'Protect and Survive' program to protect against a nuclear attack or its consequences) and then the outro that course as the intro sounds, after all, is a Steve Harris song to be incredibly melancholic. Also a song that can be heard live, I can not wait.
In conclusion remains to say that the album has in common with the magnificent milestones of the eighties is not much, but it continues the path that was taken after the return of Bruce and Adrian excellent. Those who could not do anything with the previous albums probably will not here happy, everyone else I rate but to buy and above all to the album to give time to unfold.
