Iron Maiden Album: “Virtual XI [Japan]”

The good news is that this is a hundred times better than the X-Factor. That's not saying much.

The bad news is that Janick Gers still flails worthlessly, "producer" Steve Harris still hasn't found the knob to turn up the guitars, and Blaze Bayley still hasn't sprouted a pair.

A couple of the songs should be OK, but the vocals are ruinous. And the boppy keyboards on "Angel and the Gambler" are the most putrid thing I've ever heard. The lyrics aren't that great either. For my money, the best track is Como Estais Amigos, which Gers cowrote.

I have no idea why these guys are putzing around like a bunch of weary old men while Dickinson is tearing up like he's still 18 on The Chemical Wedding. Oh, what I wouldn't give for a new IM album produced by Martin "Not Steve Harris" Birch.

Iron Maiden release a new album, which is very good. Good music and great solo. The lyrics aren't so much awesome, but it's a great job. Blaze Bayley isn't so good as Dickinson, but he is a good singer. FUTUREAL and THE EDUCATED FOOL are SUPERTRACKS and unique. This CD is heavy metal, but not heavy as Powerslave(a weak album) or The Number Of The Beast(a great album). It's worth buying. Buy it!

I have been an Iron Maiden fan for almost 21 years. My first album was number of the beast which I bought in 1983 when I was thirteen. Sure this album doesn't feature Dickinson, but it is a great listen and well worth getting, one of my favorites.

Many people say Blaze Bayley isn't a good vocalist, but I think he fits Maiden's style perfectly. The bonus tracks on this album are well worth the extra money the live versions are great that are bonus tracks are excellent and the rest of the album is great as well.

I thought all hope was gone, when I heard Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith returned to Iron Maiden. This CD is the second with awful singer Blaze Bayley, and it has Janick Gers (the man who can't write one really pretty, harmonic or melodic guitar-solo, nor can repeat them twice!!) on guitar also. With this formation, Iron Maiden couldn't get anywhere. It's not their fault, only. The compositions by Harris, with Mi, Re and Do major all the time, are outclassed and boring. Maiden finished after "Seventh SOn of A Seventh Son". I hope they come back with their next album.