So, there it is, the new Maiden ...

Meanwhile, this is also no longer a major event, but at least there's the old warriors after all these years, but is ever beautiful.
And as you can see from the many contributions, they are moving people also, in a positive or negative way.

But to the point:
In principle, I think the board not so bad and would - if I could - give 3.5 stars.
Because, unfortunately, does not work and I have to choose a side, there's only 3 star and that is because:

The "new" orientation of Maiden (I would rather more complex than progressive say) makes me to be fewer problems.
If I want to hear "The Trooper" or "Run To The Hills" I put the old disks to.
A new CD of Maiden should also include new songs, no 1: 1 copies of old classics.
Musically I would classify the new work somewhere between "7th Son ..." and "Brave New World".
Especially the keyboard accompaniment reminds me frequently on "7th Son ...", the mood on BNW.
Many sections are pretty typical Maiden gallop with guitar, Dudelparts, strong vocals and fine solos. So far so good.

But unfortunately, there are just some things that bothers me:
- The intro is not genuine. Nothing against a brief introduction to establish the mood, but the four minutes Rumgeeier build with me from the atmosphere does not occur. And the whole thing not even integrated as a separate track to skip, but in the song. Terrible! But are just 4 minutes from the entire disk and thus no reason to condemn the whole album
- The structure of the whole piece is almost always the same: slow and cautious start until then to 1.2 or 3 minutes until finally goes ahead times. This can be done once, but over time, which is a bit naff
- It clearly lacks the slightly faster and harder pieces. Almost throughout the songs are on the road only at a slow or fast pace means maximum, as I would have liked more dispersals between
- The good Bruce is far too often in higher vocal registers and go as it seems now something hard to do. He sings in more middle layers, it sounds a lot better and much less after carotid strain

And worst of all:
even after intensive listening in different places with different media at different times and moods the songs grab me just do not.
Complex pieces have Maiden have always written, eg Rime of the Ancient Mariner or Phantom of the Opera, because it can not be so.
I find something missing indefinable that makes a good song so special.
I had this feeling very often at the old records and every now and then with the newer, but it is here simply do not a. Too Bad.

Thus, as a conclusion:
Very nice drive that you can listen to good, but does not break your socks off.
Definitely nothing for people whose Maiden era ends after Powerslave.