Search - Iron Maiden :: X Factor

Outstanding Maiden- Much Darker Than Usual- Very Good Vocals

Dddd | 08/03/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must applaud all of the true maiden fans out there that have reviewed this album with an honest eye, and ear, and not dismissively, as other so-called Maiden fans due to the fact that Blaze had vocal duties on this album. In my opinion, X-Factor is one of the top Maiden Albums, and I believe it boasts at least 4-6 legendary tracks, including Sign of the Cross (spectacualr epic anthem), Lord of the Flies, Fortunes of War, 2 AM (another spectaculr song), the Edge of Darkness (All time classic), and The unBeliever. And the other songs are terrific as well.



The Sound of X Factor is darker and heavier, a little bit grittier with the Drums getting much more prominence in the overall sound (long overdue I believe). The themes on the album are serious, dark and introspective. I have been a Maiden for near on 21 years, and have every album plus remaster, plus b-side, and this album is outstanding in its own right. Just to give you idea, IM's finest are in my opinion in the following order: Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind, Somewhere in Time/Powerslave (tied), Seventh Son/X-Factor (tied), Killers, Brave New World/MAtter of Life & Death (Tied) Iron Maiden, Dance of Death, Fear of the Dark, and then Prayer for the Dying, followed by their weakest effort, Virtual XI (which I do not blame Blaze for but rather a bad change in mmusical direction by Harris). I believe that X-Factor rightly earns its place as an outstanding piece of Maiden heaven.



As far as Blaze's vocals, I thought they were very good. He does not have vocal range that Dickinson has but he has a very good voice, and I thoroughly enjoyed his contributions. I am pretty appalled at the disrespect that he has gotten from so-called Maiden fans. I actually really liked Blaze's vocals on this album. I appreciate the grittiness of the sound and the earnestness of his singing. ANd I am a huge fan of Dickinson as well as his solo music ( moreso in some instances then some Maiden albums).



At the time X-Factor came out in 1995, the music was mostly grunge/nu metal, with Tool and a couple of other bands like Staind and Korn beginning to assert their supremacy in the Rock realm. X-Factor gave me a real jolt of life, and I listened to it repeatedly for months. It is an outstanding album, and I believe for the thinking Maiden fan, a really terrific album. Even listening to it nowadays, it is a complex textured piece of metal- very brooding and good.



This is my opinion. Opinions are what they are.. but I believe they must be fair and accurate. The negative reviews for this album are nonsense.



DO Yourself a favor. IMmerse yourself in X-Factor, and enjoy the grittier slowed down darker Maiden that really provides a sonic blast of signature metal.



Thanks for reading."

Blaze introduction

MRT | 05/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"always liked this cd. do wish it had been PRODUCED by martin birch or kevin shirley not a bass player trying to produce. just look at how harris multilates every maiden dvd( rock in rio 2001 and death on the road) with his lightning fast editing. one of the world's best bass players and one hell of a songwriter., but no producer"