The Iron Maiden Thread v. The Merge of Souls

[TAC]

Senjutsu, for the most part, is awesome.


I never thought ATG was all that special. The lyrics are clunky and the ending is flat out awkward. Seemed like a forced epic from the beginning.

[425]

...IMO, its miles and miles better than anything I've heard from Senjutsu.  Everything I've heard has been a massive snoozefest.

Outside of the band and Stadler, I don't think there are many that love that album.  (and Stadler's team will probably have an estimated 5 fewer players once the next album drops)

I love, love, love Senjutsu. It's a close challenger to AMOLAD for #2 on my Iron Maiden list now, behind only TFF.

[wolfking]

Senjutsu is top tier Maiden.

[Mosh]

Love Senjutsu. Thought it was a pretty big step up from Book of Souls which was still a solid album as well. It definitely got a mixed response among fans from what I've seen, but overall it has a lot of people who love it too.

[MirrorMask]

And Alexander did some really cool stuff.
And then he marched and marched to somewhere else.
And then he did some other cool stuff.
He was a really cool dude!

Alexander kicked some guy's ass.
And then he went and fought another guy.
And then he kicked the first guys ass again.
Whoa...what a great guy he was.

The lyrics are clunky, but it's a really cool song, and, IMO, its miles and miles better than anything I've heard from Senjutsu.  Everything I've heard has been a massive snoozefest.

You forgot "oh, and then he died" as the very last line, 'cause the song had to be wrapped up somehow  yeah, nice song (even though I can live without it) but the lyrics are kinda meh. Hell on Earth is way better 

[KevShmev]

I still need to circle back to both Book of Souls and Senjutsu, but both are so muddy-sounding that I haven't been in a hurry, as it is difficult to listen to hard rock and metal in particular when the levels are so maxed out.  It gives me ear fatigue really quickly and it all becomes a blur.

[Dream Team]

I still need to circle back to both Book of Souls and Senjutsu, but both are so muddy-sounding that I haven't been in a hurry, as it is difficult to listen to hard rock and metal in particular when the levels are so maxed out.  It gives me ear fatigue really quickly and it all becomes a blur.

This is one of the primary reasons I don't revisit those albums very often. Such a shame because a killer production would definitely elevate some of those tunes.

I would love to see how well the guys could pull off the instrumental section of ATG.

[Duetsch Dream Dates]

For myself, AMOLAD is the only re-union album that I still listen to all the way through.  I like bits and pieces of the others, but I'm not a big fan of the longer songs they've done the last few albums.

There's something different about that album, it seems like it wasn't as promoted as the rest of the reunion era albums, especially the last 3.  I have vague memories of video exclusives of "Different World" or maybe "Benjamin Breeg" on Amazon (def ahead of the game at the time), but not much else.  I think it was only 4-5 months between recording and the release date, which is also also remarkable these days.

[cramx3]

IM's socials said all of the tour dates for 2023 have been announced.  Hopefully 2024 brings the tour to the US.

[Stadler]

The lyrics to Alexander the Great are awesome when you are playing trivial pursuit and you get the question: "Where did Alexander the Great die?"

I'm pretty sceptical it will be played but it would be awesome even though I think the SiT songs will be the obvious ones..

I believe he died of fever in Babylon. 

[bosk1]

I really liked Senjutsu when it came out.  It was one of those albums that grabbed me immediately.  But then it quickly fell off a cliff.  Not much staying power there.  I mean, I don't mind it.  But it just feels like "middle of the road" Maiden to me--something to enjoy for the moment, and then probably mostly forget once the new album drops.  Feels very similar to the Neal Morse album that dropped around the same time.  Good and catchy in the short term, but probably forgettable in the long run.

[WardySI]

+1 still love Senjutsu!

Dig the title track but love Stratego, no question Days Of Future Past could've been lifted off a Bruce solo album but whatever, loves it! Even now The Parchment continues to reveal more on each listen but my biggest shouts go to the excellent Lost In A Lost World and the essential Hell On Earth!

Wear the shirt proudly (I got the Archer version very swish it is too).  Am FAR from done with this album 

[425]

I really liked Senjutsu when it came out.  It was one of those albums that grabbed me immediately.  But then it quickly fell off a cliff.  Not much staying power there.  I mean, I don't mind it.  But it just feels like "middle of the road" Maiden to me--something to enjoy for the moment, and then probably mostly forget once the new album drops.  Feels very similar to the Neal Morse album that dropped around the same time.  Good and catchy in the short term, but probably forgettable in the long run.

These are my top two albums of the 2020s so far

[DoctorAction]

Stepping in to fling some more Senjutsu love about the place.

[TAC]

Iron Maiden is about to hit the stage.
Blade Runner Theme playing..

This guy is streaming it..
https://www.facebook.com/ironmaidenfc.gr


Caught Somewhere In Time!!!!!!!!!



EDIT: The stream is down..


This one's up!
https://youtu.be/2B2ZPd3Ftlo

Stranger In A Strange Land!!

[Ben_Jamin]

The band said on their Facebook they'll be posting the setlist tonight.   

[TAC]

Now that link is down..

They were going into the Writing On The Wall.

Dammit..we're going out to dinner!


Days Of Future Past
Time Machine
The Prisoner

[devieira73]

Well, it's really nice the setlist until now and Maiden picked one from Senjutsu that I'm really happy and kind of not expecting (not one of Steve's epics).

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

There's apart of me that would've loved to see this tour indoors so the light show get the proper condition.

I just heard the intro to Alexander the great live, I can now die in peace. 

[wolfking]

Besides CSIT and ATG, they always find a way to disappoint with the setlists IMO.  Poor representation of Senjutsu IMO.

[cramx3]

As happy as I am to see them pull out new songs and old songs, there's still some head scratchers here.

[pg1067]

Based on what I've seen, I have no complaints about the non-Senjutsu songs.

[425]

Besides CSIT and ATG, they always find a way to disappoint with the setlists IMO.  Poor representation of Senjutsu IMO.

SPOILERS BELOW:



I agree that this was not a great set of choices from the album. They chose IMO the weakest song (The Time Machine) and did not include the strongest (The Parchment). I think Death of the Celts should be cool live, though.

That said, I'm glad they brought out the three great ones from SiT—CSiT, SiaSL and Alexander. And The Prisoner is so much better of a choice than many of the 80s staples that they've played a billion times. Glad they're doing it rather than the eleven thousandth playing of TNotB or 2MtM.

[The Realm]

Just watching a clip of CSiT, Bruce butchers the first verse, I guess it has been a while since it has been played live.....

As for the set list, as far as an always played live song goes I would prefer Hallowed to FoTD so I am most disappointed that it misses out. The SiT songs are the predictable ones, not that keen on the overall Senjutsu representation.

[TAC]

Here's the full setlist..

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/iron-maiden/2023/arena-stozice-ljubljana-slovenia-33b97885.html

[wolfking]

At least HOE is in there, that and CSIT along with ATG (even though I'm not that thrilled by it) makes the set a win.  I guess it's the most varied set for a long time.

[devieira73]

Despite personal preferences (for my taste, I would trade only one song from SiT and one from Senjutsu for others of each album), I think it's a great and a fair setlist with only 3/15 songs that never leave their repertoire. All Maiden guys are more than 60's and I really appreciate the effort. And the visuals look amazing!

[425]

I think it's a very good setlist; the absence of my top choice stings, but I'm really glad they're mixing it up and that they're playing all my SiT favorites, which haven't been played in decades (or ever).

[wolfking]

I guess it's no surprise DOTC was included.  I mean, Clansman has been a bit of a staple since Bruce's reform so it's an easy swap.

[KevShmev]

Interesting set list. I love seeing all of those Somewhere in Time songs, but Run to the Hills, The Number of the Beast and Hallowed... all not in there?  Wow, that is sure to cause a stir.

[wolfking]

Interesting set list. I love seeing all of those Somewhere in Time songs, but Run to the Hills, The Number of the Beast and Hallowed... all not in there?  Wow, that is sure to cause a stir.

I'm totally fine with omitting Hills and Beast.  I'd rather they dropped FOTD for Hallowed though.

[ProfessorPeart]

Interesting set list. I love seeing all of those Somewhere in Time songs, but Run to the Hills, The Number of the Beast and Hallowed... all not in there?  Wow, that is sure to cause a stir.

The stir it is causing with me is that I would kill to see this show. SIT is my favorite album of theirs and that would be a fantastic show. Hoping for some US dates at some point.

No Darkest Hour is a bit of a letdown. Only real complaint here.

[fadetoblackdude7]

I don't get all the disappointment for the Senjustu tracks. You got 2 epics and a couple of the shorter songs as well. More than satisfied by the SiT tracks. And excellent setlist.

[wolfking]

I don't get all the disappointment for the Senjustu tracks. You got 2 epics and a couple of the shorter songs as well. More than satisfied by the SiT tracks. And excellent setlist.

I commented before HOE was announced.  It's my love for The Parchment that has caused my saltiness.  I think The Time Machine is one of the weakest on the album too, same with WOTW.

I do think HCW was an opportunity to play SOM, DJV, or Runner but seeing the 5 songs represented from that album, it's definitely solid.

[Grappler]

I love it - they really changed things up and are only playing a handful of non SiT/Senjutsu songs.  Kudos to them for delivering a really unique set!  It was fun to follow along with their Facebook account this afternoon while grilling out and seeing what songs were popping up.