Iron Maiden
The X Factor

THE REVIEW

The album I am about to review is the tenth work in the Maiden discography.
The first thing that strikes the ear is the dramatic change of pace imposed on the sound by the English band, which has always accustomed us to frenetic rhythms, but also to pleasant ballads. Well, here the songs are almost all mid-tempos, a big novelty for Maiden fans. Another worrying novelty is the change of vocalist: Bruce Dickinson, in my opinion the best and most complete singer in the Metal scene, is fully dedicated to his solo career and is replaced by the mediocre Blaze Bailey, with a flat and monotonous voice.
Having said this, there is nothing left to do but illustrate the album in question: it's quite evident that all the songs are tailor-made for the phenomenal bassist Steve Harris, and from this point of view, the tracks are not bad, thanks mainly to his work; but what has been lost compared to our previous works (with the exception of the dreadful No Prayer For The Dying) is the incisiveness, the compelling rhythm of the riffs, the engaging solos, Dickinson's interpretive singing... all characteristics that have made this band great and unique.
It's mostly pointless to talk about the individual tracks, given that they almost all resemble each other and are built, as mentioned, on Harris's bass and mid-tempos. The only ones worth noting, for which it's worth spending money on the album are: the excellent and very long The Sign Of The Cross, introduced by chants of medieval monks, Lord Of The Flies, Man On The Edge, the only one reminiscent of the old sound, and the best: Judgement Of Heaven, which starts with a calm rhythm and continues in a crescendo of very fitting riffs and solos.

In conclusion, an album that is more than sufficient but nothing more. Too few, four excellent tracks for a band like Maiden, from whom we always expect only the best. The change of pace is not convincing, too moderate and syncopated, and the absence of a certain Bruce Dickinson is sorely felt.