Search - Iron Maiden :: Virtual Xi

Just give this album a fair go!

marc milton-talbot | new zealand | 05/10/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have all Iron Maiden's/Dickinson's albums,and I think that Virtual XI aint half bad:a very enjoyable listen in fact.Lets face it:nobody is going to measure up to Bruce,so quit comparing.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."

Lack of Bruce not a disaster

Samildanach Emrys | 05/16/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'll keep this brief. Though Blaze Bayley doesn't have Bruce Dickinson's vocal range (who does?) there are some good songs on this album, and Blaze's style is completely acceptable. You just need to realise that he is simply a different kind of singer to Bruce.



My standout tracks would be basically the first four."

Enough with the attacks and butchering !! 3.5 stars

Daniel Golcher Quiros | Costa Rica | 11/07/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It is just lame how people attack either Janick, Blaze, Virtual XI and/or X Factor.

This CD holds it own against maiden's albums, yes not the best but as I said it holds its own!

After the dark X-Factor sound Blaze and the lads come back with a more maiden-esque sound.

1) Futureal: Great fast rocker, awesome solo. 7.5

2) Angel and the gambler: I have a soft spot for this one, though yes, it drags a bit. 7

3) Lightning strikes twice: Good but not my fav. great guitars again as usual ! 7

4) The clansman: Someone wrote about the lyrics being lame or something, I just don't think that way, this is just the kind of interesting maiden song and lyrics that sets them apart from the rest of today's music. On par with Bruce's live version, though the intro sounds better live. 8.5

5) When two worlds collide: Just not my fav, not bad though. 6

6) Educated fool: Love this song but it is not maiden's best, the mood it has... soft spot for me so this one is kinda subjective. 7

7) Don't look to the eyes of a stranger: Good song, the band sounds great and the melody is really interesting, but again not one of my favs 6

8) Como estais amigo: Awesome way to end the album y really like this one, no complains. 8



If you open you mind and ears you might enjoy a 26 year or so maiden catalog instead of just sticking to the 83-88 period and whining about everything since.

Blaze is great, Janick has earned his place in maiden, he brought diversity and imagination to the guitar structures and his abilities are nothing to sneeze about.

X-factor and Virtual XI are good to great albums, period !

At least in my opinion... listen to them and don't look for Bruce, just listen to the songs.

Bruce came back and we all happy, but those Bruce-less years were not a waste.

Cheers !!!"