Audio CD review:
Iron Maiden - Virtual XI

Iron Maiden - Virtual XI

Band: Iron Maiden Title: Virtual XI Rating: Release Date: 24 March, 1998 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Futureal 2: The Angel And The Gambler 3: Lightning Strikes Twice 4: The Clansman 5: When Two Worlds Collide 6: The Educated Fool 7: Don't Look To The Eyes Of A Stranger 8: Como Estais Amigos

Customer Reviews Second Album By This Line Up, Great Follow up Album It was undue pressure, because I believe Maiden already showed the world that life without Dickenson existed, and X Factor was great. I believe this album had a lot of expectations from the critics, and there was a lot of hype and promotion put into this album because the record company was still worried about the loss of Bruce Dickenson in the Line up. This album is no Exception. Shorter, with only 8 songs, but full of faster songs (Angel and the Gambler and Future Real), and instant classics still in the set list today (THE CLANSMAN). This work is on par with the stuff relesed on brave new world and or Dance of Death, but some people do not give it credit because of this being Blaze. This is a great album, and was the first Maiden CD format I purchase (also my first enhanced CD), and I am very pleased. Now I own about 3 versions of this album, and it makes regular turns in my play cycle. Check this out, you will not be dissapointed. Just give this album a fair go! Lets face it:nobody is going to measure up to Bruce,so quit comparing. I have all Iron Maiden's/Dickinson's albums,and I think that Virtual XI aint half bad:a very enjoyable listen in fact. Anyway,if Blaze is so bad,why are the prices for new and used here holding up so well. It's all about supply and demand after all. I see Bruce's albums aren't holding up so well in some cases as regards price. Blaze's voice here is an improvement on The X Factor which wasn't as bad as it was painted either. In my humble opinion,Maiden's worst album was Killers:Paul Di Anno[Originally Andrews. What's in a name huh?]had an atrocious voice. I'd rather listen to Blaze Bayley anytime thanks. Obviously,if you listen to Blaze straight after a Bruce album you will need to adjust;but if you play one when you haven't listened to Bruce for a time,it sounds great. I think that The X Factor got such a bad press that hardly anybody bothered to hear it or Virtual XI for themselves before damning them. You have to make up your own mind up and not take the "experts" word for it. You're missing out on an underated Maiden album whose musicianship and music are still first class Maiden. Better than 'X Factor'... . . which isn't saying much. At least with this album, someone told Blaze to sing on key. I felt the songs were much more powerful and meaningful on 'X' even if they were badly sung. But there are some of the songs that are just as powerful (See 'The Clansman' especially on the Rock in Rio). . You can see a complete list of all Iron Maiden discography, or go back to the Iron Maiden tabs