It's nigh impossible to limit the superlatives when talking Iron Maiden. There's really no precedent of a band who has remained true to their sound for 41+ years and continues to evolve and grow in a positive manner. These guys are well into their 60s now, and every album they release is as if they were still in the middle 1980s pushing the boundaries of what heavy metal can potentially be. Most groups with the stature of Iron Maiden would go onto to release a perfunctory new album with ten forgettable 3 to 4 minute run throughs, then hit the road, and play all the fan favorites from 35 years ago. Not Iron Maiden. How about a triple album with 10 minute plus involved tracks with fun light reading names such as 'Death of the Celts' and 'The Parchment'? And they're so spoiled they have everybody do things for them. Ya know, like singer Bruce Dickinson flying their own 747 around the globe. Who does these things? Whatever the question or challenge, Iron Maiden wins. And yet on forums such as RYM, Iron Maiden is put through the ringer by those much younger with zero perspective. Yes, of course Iron Maiden were never the heaviest - or fastest - or most complex band ever. They are just simply the best at what they did (and do). They are legends in their own time, and that will only grow as the centuries roll on.
As for their 17th album Senjutsu, Iron Maiden continues to bring it. This isn't easy listening metal. And no there isn't anything particularly catchy about it. No different than the prog albums we adore and champion. Iron Maiden is not the latter, but is clearly influenced by the genre, and they make no bones about it either. 82 minutes is a lot to absorb, but if in a patient mood, the listener is rewarded (i.e. I've had this album sitting in the new arrivals box for over 6 months and just now getting to it). These are albums that are designed to outlive the band. 50 years from now, new serious young minds will want to go beyond whatever is their pop du jour, and tackle something more challenging. Iron Maiden will be one of the early bands they will learn about. On my first listen to the album, I played the first 2 LPs, and then flipped the 3rd one back and forth for three listens each. Not that I liked it any more than the prior material, it just seemed like a good way to appreciate the album. Honestly I couldn't tell you too much about their Version 3.0 albums starting with Brave New World (2000). This era of the band has far outlasted any other, and all their albums are consistently great. I know their 80s work far better, because I grew up with them - listened to the albums constantly - saw them live a few times - even played soccer with them. They were a huge part of my high school and college years. A soundtrack perhaps. My life post-2000 has been completely different, so I don't relate to Iron Maiden's new music in the same way. But what I do know is that every revisit will seem like I'm hearing a brand new excellent album by Iron Maiden. And that's the exciting part of music such as this.
Ownership: LP: 2021 BMG. 3xLP. Triple gatefold. Red and black marble vinyl. Used trade credit from a local store. I think if I were to buy the album, I would have stuck with the CD, but since it was essentially free (though lots of hustle via Purple Peak Records), I couldn't resist. It's just a ridiculously beautiful package. These colored LPs don't sound that great to my ears though. I would have liked they'd thrown in a pressed CD for the road, but not a big deal. Interesting to note that this is the first Iron Maiden for me to buy on vinyl since No Prayer for the Dying (1990). I sold that (wish I hadn't but understand why I did - I still don't own it), but fortunately kept the first 7 just as is - same copies I bought in my youth. Today they are all treasures of the collection.
9/4/22 (new entry)
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