March 23, 1998 - Virtual XI

Two weeks after my last release and two and a half years since "The X Factor", Iron Maiden released their eleventh album, aptly titled "Virtual XI" on March 23, 1998. It's the same line-up as their last album, with Blaze Bayley still on lead vocals, and Iron Maiden certainly aren't rewriting the book on this album, it's some more classic metal. Bassist and songwriter Steve Harris does play some more keyboards on this album and it's not quite as dark and depressing as "The X Factor" was. Let's see what the latest Maiden is all about!

The album kicks off with "Futureal" and it's got a decently catchy main guitar riff and Harris plays some solid bass as well. Bayley sounds alright on this first track (as good as he can sound I guess) but of course it's the guitar that steals the show. I'm not sure if it's Dave Murray or Janick Gers, but there's a short and pretty sweet solo before they predictably wrap things up. A solid opener for this line-up. Up next is the ten minute "The Angel And The Gambler" and it's driven by a fairly simple main guitar riff and Harris's keyboards sound pretty lame and really don't add much. The chorus is even simpler with some very average music for these talented guys and Bayley's voice isn't good enough to lead the way for me. The "don't you think I'm a saviour? part goes on for way, way too long and it lulls immensely in the slow middle part. It eventually does build up to solo time and Murray and Gers each get a chance to show off a bit in this longer solo. It's not enough to save this one though, as it's way too long and not nearly enough happening to justify a ten minute song. It's so repetitive and uncreative! Track 3 is "Lightning Strikes Twice" and it's got an epic opening with some cool guitar and some better keyboards from Harris. It eventually turns into a heavier version of the same riff, which sounds solid, but Bayley's vocals continue to be this false epic style that just fals flat for me. The guitar solo is pretty good, but the repetitive chorus and lighter parts make it not their greatest song. The next track is the nine minute "The Clansman" and Harris plays some pretty cool bass throughout, starting with a quiet intro. The first verse is quieter and nicely done but the chorus is another repetitive one that is just "freedom!" over and over. They go into typical Maiden metal for the rest of the song, and Murray and Gers get another double solo that has some cool stuff from both guitarists. When there's no vocals, this song is solid, but Bayley turns it into an average song for me, he is certainly no Bruce Dickinson. A long section of him just "oh oh ohhhhh"ing is not good at all but they shift nicely into a final verse and chorus before they end it as it began with Harris playing some cool bass. Track 5 is "When Two Worlds Collide" and it starts off a little slow, but rampa into a pretty typical Maiden riff with some fast guitars. Bayley sounds like his average self, definitively not helping things, especially in a fairly bland chorus. T

Murray and Gers each get a shot at a decently lengthy solo, and whoever plays the first solo does a pretty wicked job. The second solo? Not so much. Then it's off to a boring "whoa oh-oh" part before they predictably jam out a final verse and chorus. Aside from the one solo, a pretty average Maiden tune. Up next is "The Educated Fool" and Harris and the guitarists combine for a quiet but epic opening that Bayley only slightly ruins. They play a metal version of the same riff for the main riff, but I actually like the quiet epic opening better. Murray and Gers each play a cool solo midway through, but this song is nearly seven minutes long and most of it isn't all that exciting. I certainly expect more from these legends of metal, and this is just another song that isn't awful, but it's just so bland and dry. Track 7 is the eight minute "Don't Look To The Eyes Of A Stranger" and Harris plays some synths that add to an interesting little opening that also includes some strings. Bayley's quiet singing is alright, but when he does his usual false epic voice it always falls flat. The guitars are pretty cool though as they combine for a catchy main riff. They shift to a new riff a few minutes in and the instruments all sound pretty epic, but all Bayley does is repeat the name of the song over and over and over, he's so unnecessary to what's going on. They pick up the pace and set the stage nicely for solo time and we are treated to two pretty awesome solos that are definitely the highlight. Funny how whenever Bayley shuts up, things sound pretty cool! But here he comes again for the chorus that just keeps repeating. The final track on the album is "Como Estais Amigos" and it is a very light and fluffy ballad with some light guitars, no drums, and lots of synths in a very uncharacteristic Maiden riff that is not my favourite. Eventually the drums and bass do join in, but things sound like a classic rock ballad, and while Bayley may be eight at home, it's not where i wanna be! The solo is also pretty light and fluffy and this is just such a fitting end to this very sub-par Maiden album.

That is the end of "Virtual XI" and I thought it was a pretty poor album honestly. Blaze Bayley is just not a good singer and Iron Maiden needs that powerful voice. There's still some cool guitar and bass in spots, but largely it was another disappointing album from this line-up. I don't even think it surpasses their last album, and that's really saying something! A new bottom rung for Iron Maiden! Can they dig themselves out of this hole?