Listened to the new Maiden twice.
It’s really bloody good.
That intro riff to Writing on the Wall is *chef’s kiss* Great solo too.
The guitar work on Death of the Celts is also really good. I can see that one being great live. Oh, the bass too!
The Parchment is also awesome. Again, the guitar work stands out, but it’s just a really good song overall.
Stratego, Days of Future Past and The Time Machine are good too. I’m not sure if I’d say this is the best of the more modern Maiden albums, but it is a very strong effort from the band, and likely to finish near the top of my eventual albums of the year list. Perhaps at the top.
Darkest Hour is the only song here that doesn’t do anything for me.
Hell on Earth is an incredible closer. When the Wild Wind Blows, Empire of the Clouds, and now Hell on Earth is one heck of a run of closing tracks.
I feel a Maiden marathon coming on…