Iron Maiden
The X Factor

THE REVIEW

The X Factor, Iron Maiden. Let me clarify this right away: my favorite Maiden album. Why is Ed on the cover being sadistically tortured? We don’t know, but one could almost say that he symbolically represents Iron Maiden, who receive special treatment to forget the dominant and overwhelming figure of Dickinson. They emerge from their very own clinic with different faces. They are no longer the rockers from Fear of the Dark, the treatment has worked. This is how they tell us about their post-treatment world with a journey into their world and their minds in search of the X Factor, "The X Factor". They start accompanied by monks in black, who influence them. Who is in Mr. Dickinson’s place? Brother Bayley. His deep voice similar to that of the monks makes us define him this way.

In "The Sign Of The Cross" he takes us to the Middle Ages, perhaps that stage of the journey was intended for Dickinson, but Brother Bayley adds a darkness to the sound that Dickinson did not know how to give. It’s wonderful, as a stage. Then we are catapulted to a deserted island in the company of guitars soaring high, free and light in a crystalline sky, we are in front of the "Lord of the Flies". After which Bayley takes us by the hand again, showing us a "Man on the Edge" that reminds us of Dickinson in style, but does not make us miss him. A flash, and we are in a city after a war, skillfully guided by Harris to see the "Fortunes of War" with a bass and guitar intro that feels new and exalts. For "Look For The Truth" we end up in the minds of Bayley, Gers, and Harris, something that will happen to us quite often in this journey in search of the X Factor. Again, an experience that feels fresh, but does not disappoint, indeed, it surprises and moves.
This time the group loads us with a rifle and camouflage suit, and we find ourselves in the midst of a war in "Aftermath", where McBrain shows us with his sticks what rifle shots are... Just in time to escape the enemies, we return to Harris’s mind for "Judgement of Heaven". A splendid adventure, crowned by solos and bridges that fit perfectly, like the songs of this album. This time we don’t move, we stay with Harris and hear his opinions regarding "Blood on the World’s Hands". The guest welcomes us with an amazing bass line and continues undeterred to show his skill. We return to war with "The Edge of Darkness", always at a very rhythmic pace and with McBrain at the forefront. Finally, the final stages of our adventure: "2 A.M." and "The Unbeliever", splendid, dark, and introspective as the whole journey has been.

Have Iron Maiden finally found the X Factor? Without a doubt. But then they moved to a Brave New World, losing a pinch of the Factor on the way there; who knows, maybe there will be a return journey to find it again.