So as the Iron Maiden fans on vgchartz know (and should be asshamed if they did not), the long awaited album of Iron Maiden, the book of souls had finally arrived, a bit delayed because Bruce had a tumor at the back of his tongue. It's a god given he's cured and can still perform, because holy mother of god the new album of Maiden is the best sounding album for me since while I can't really remember such an awesome album, let alone a double album. The album the book of souls which I had pre-ordered for quite a while (like any Maiden fan would have). I had high expectations, I wasn't dissapointed with the single like many others because I gave the tracklist a look and with so many prog songs and epics a simple song is always welcome (something DT and others don't always get). But after hearing the first disc I was sure this was the best album since Brave new world from Iron Maiden. When I inserted disc 2 the magic keeps going on and soley by duration for me it already was the best post 2000 album, with the red an black as highlight. And after a few more very awesome songs the Empire of clouds came, while I already knew this song would be one of the greatest Maiden songs, due to the use of various instruments like Piano, I couldn't imagine it was so extremely well done and in my opinion it's the best (Iron Maiden) song ever produced.

It starts off with a wonderfull piano solo, which does something the wild wind blows failed, it had a certain beauty to it like nothing else matters from metallica call it the songs X factor. So when the piano intro which takes about 5 minutes ends you know you're in for a threat since the song is about an aircraftdissaster and Bruce being pilot you know this song is pure love. The guitars take a more active rol in the song and at minute 7 they kick in really hard with Nicko's help and that's where there is a huge orgy of solo's and riffs come together. Eventually the song goes back to the more epic scala with a bit more classical input to end with the pianoo and bruce singing and playing the last note's, which is the same how the song started and you're leaved with the feeling how on earth does a band which has been around for so long produce this song or this double album. I don't how they did it but I think this is the best hardrock/progrock/heavy album ever made or at least one of the greatest with the Empire of the clouds as absolute high if Maiden decides this is their last album, and I am almost praying it isn't they defenitly gone out with a supernova. Of course feel free to listen this product of magic and share you thoughts on the new Iron Maiden album, or this song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPStKWtFO2I

(Due to copyright Bruce voice's slowed and lowered, but most Maiden fans already heard the album version anyway)

It's a nice song, very melodic. This is not one of Maiden's more in-your-face songs, so those who prefer that kind of Maiden may not be that enthusiastic about it. But it has very memorable melodies in there indeed.

I like the lower vocals from Bruce.

I think I read Bruce saying he wants to make another record.

Interestingly enough, I was watching and listening to this when I saw this thread:

https://youtu.be/-PTXpYT0D3Y?t=1m41s

Haha epic I knew there was a female cover band of Maiden, and I think they're pretty awesome. Maiden has 2 maintype of songs, it's either the short in your face songs like the trooper, number of the beast aces high, can I play with madness which I love as well. Or the Epics like hallowed be thy name, rime of the acient marinier, seventh son of a seventh son, caught somewhere in time etc. which I think is the best type of Maiden songs. Well I sure hope that's the case because if the album is anywhere near this album in therms of quality :D and while they are at it they must come to the Netherlands one more time.

The Maiden fans you named are not enthousiastic at any album since Seventh son of a seventh son, such a shame they can not enjoy this type of songs, since they are delightfully complex and most hate or at least dislike speed of light for some reason. 

The Iron Maidens are tight. Steve Harris himself went to see them live and he loved them. Shame that that concert I linked doesn't have Nita Strauss which would make the experience even more pleasant to look at, she is currently (or was recently) touring with Alice Cooper:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz9VyggeSbA

I think that Iron Maiden at their less stellar are still above average. To me Iron Maiden at their less stellar is when guitars are just jamming behind Bruce's voice and when the chorus are mainly the repetition of a single verse.

I can relate to what you mean, especially the repeat of the verses is at times a bit overused but I love the jamming parts on the Empire of clouds and on the Red an the Black, but some songs are a tad too long. I love the points where the riffs in the songs are repeated a few times and then erupt in one of the many guitar solo's.

About the Iron Maidens she's pretty hot and I think the Iron Maidens should be more regonised for doing what they do, I mean how many times you see an all female band playing metal or hardrock and being totally awesome while they are at it. Although I would like to see them write some songs on their own or even better make an entire album, they have the funds and skills to do so. I would buy that album as long as it keeps the medolic guitairs any day.

I literally just started listening to the album the same second I saw your thread, started up Empire of the Clouds. Was blown away. Iron Maiden still got that magic and cancer somehow made Dickinson even more soulful as a vocalist and writer.
Goosebumps, absolute goosebumps.

well we will see if it holds on for years like the other maiden songs or not.
but I had a giant boner after hearing it the first time, thats a good sign i guess

I was practically raised on Maiden back in 80s, but stopped listening them actively around Seventh Son. Honestly, not really sure this song is anyway near their best work from that period.

Well, my first impression is that it's better than the last albums, but nothing special if you compare it to their 80s stuff.

One of my favourite albums of all time is Seventh Son of a Seventh Son btw

episteme said: Well, my first impression is that it's better than the last albums, but nothing special if you compare it to their 80s stuff. One of my favourite albums of all time is Seventh Son of a Seventh Son btw

A very good album indeed like all the eighty albums actually especially the title track is awesome. With the slower instrumental part that erupts into many solos