The X Factor

Iron Maiden | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: March 26, 2002
• Label: Sanctuary/Metal-Is
• Copyright: (P) 1998 Iron Maiden Holdings Ltd. Under Exclusive License To Sanctuary Copyrights Ltd.
• Total Length: 1:11:06
• Genres:
• ASIN: B00138D3HK
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (167 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Why is this CD so terrible?, December 13, 1999

By 

Ryan V. Abbott (Ft. Walton Beach, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: X Factor (Audio CD)

Most of these reviews say that if you like this album, you must not be a a loyal Maiden fan. Well, I am a hardcore Maiden fan and I think this album is more than exceptional. It is definitely a change from there power riff sound, but the dark overtones give it a sinister sound that sounds awesome. Even though the riffs don't sound like typical Maiden, they are still captivating. Hey, nobody likes a slave to routine. I recommend this as a good album if your a hardcore Maiden fan or just someone who enjoys heavy metal. The only setback is that Blaze Bayley, formerly of Wolfsbane, does not have the rawpower of Bruce Dickinson. At times he sounds like a cheap imitation. However the songs overcome this setback. I think perhaps most Iron Maiden fans feel an obligation to hate this CD because it doesn't have the mighty Bruce Dickinson on vocals. If you look past that, You may find that there is some great music to hear.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 Stars and I will tell you why..., January 17, 2005

By 

Scrub (The United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: X Factor (Audio CD)

Oh my god, BRUCE isn't on this album!!! *throws the CD in the trash without even listening to it* Unfortunantly a lot of Iron Maiden fans are this way.

The only reason that people don't like this album is (1) They are the fan I mentioned above or (2) They don't get into heavy metal. I'm sorry, but Bruce Dickinson was NOT Iron Maiden. Blaze Bayley brings a totally new style to the band...

The music is very dark, very doom like. Quite a few songs deal with the "War is Hell" category. It sounds like nothing Iron Maiden had ever done before. The Music sounds different, the vocals sound different(of course), and that is enough to send most Maiden fans running.

Blaze added new life to the band who were dying. Bruce Dickinson was very indulged in his solo career during No Prayer For the Dying and Fear of the Dark, and I think it shows on those albums. Sure, he does not possess the range that Bruce did, but he sure is good! Maybe he wasn't the "best" choice for Maiden, but I'm sorry, there is only ONE Bruce Dickinson. There is also only ONE Blaze Bayley. Just remeber that Bruce Dickinson was a replacement for Paul Di'Anno, and there were a lot of people unhappy by that decision too(at first anyway)...In my not so humble opinion, this was the BEST Iron Maiden album sinec Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, and one of Maiden's most UNDERRATED works.

70 minutes and 54 seconds...That is the running time of the cd. I'm impressed just to say the least. Maiden always did the "epic" the best, and with only 11 tracks, there has to be some PRETTY long song on here. That was something Maiden had moved away from on No Prayer for the Dying and Fear of the Dark.

What are my highlight tracks? I am very partial of the following...

Sign of the Cross: They open the album with an epic. This one is one great song. It should be right up there with "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" Sadly it isn't.

Fortunes of War: Accoustic opening, very solemn and packed full of emotion and maybe some hate? It picks up in a hurry and before you know it you are in the middle of a heavy metal song. The only complaint I have is one that appears on a few other songs as well. The chorus. All he says is "Fortunes of War" x3 "No Pain anymore" Every chorus gets faster and faster however and it does happen to be quite catchy. The song ends the way it started...

Blood on the World's Hand: I have no idea what it is about this song. I like the message the song gives, and it just gets stuck in my head. The chorus suffers a bit like the "Fortunes of War" chorus.

The Edge of Darkness: It starts out with a helicopter flying in, which is accompanied by some soft, almost spooky guitar work. Blaze comes in...the drums come in softly...and then "BOOM!" it just erupts into the heavy metal you know is coming. No chorus problem, because there is NO chorus! This might be my favorite song on the album. The line at the end where Blaze practically screams "Here I am the knife in my hand now I understand why the genius must die" just sends shivers down my spine everytime. Another very underrated song...

The chorus problem is not nearly as bad as it would get to be on Virtual XI. All of the other tracks are pretty solid too. I personally don't care for "Lord of the Flies". "Man on the Edge" will probably remind you of the Maiden of old, which is why it is probably on several Greatest Hits albums.

Overall, this is a VERY solid offering. If you could listen to this album with no pre-expectations or think of it as any other band other than "Iron Maiden" you will like it. Give it a chance...Just, give it a chance. Accept it for what it is.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well, I like it, November 21, 2005

By 

General Zombie (the West) - See all my reviews

This review is from: X Factor (Audio CD)

God, I've gotta stop listening to people on the internet so much, at least when it comes to giving things negative reviews. Frankly, it's pretty damn tough for a metal band that I like to make an album that I dislike. And this tendency plays out here. Hell, I even think this would be a pretty first rate IM album were it not for the 2 most notable filler tracks. ('Search for the Truth' and 'Blood on the World's Hands') And yeah it's pretty far removed from classic Maiden, but much of what we all loved about IM remains. (And don't get me started about those conceited a**holes who claim that this 'isn't Iron Maiden'. Sorry friends, but Iron Maiden determines what Iron Maiden is, not you. As a matter of fact, you haven't got a damn thing to do with it.) It's got the darker, more epic edge, which I think works well with Blaze's voice. As for Blaze himself, he's certainly not great, but I really can't find anything particularly wrong with him. Not much range, admittedly, but, again, I think it's pretty well suited for the material.

The album opens with 'Sign of the Cross', which is brilliant and among the best song IM has ever recorded. (That's a pretty damn long list, however) The intro is perhaps a bit drawn out, but it's got a fabulous chorus and an excellent, very drawn out middle section. 'Lord of the Flies' is a solid, moderately speedy rocker. Nice, catchy chorus. 'Man on the Edge' is the only speed metal song here, but it's a great one, and about as catchy as any one they've ever done. 'Fortunes of War' is very slow building and moody, but it comes to a fine climax and is effective throughout. It's a sorta descendent of the 'Children of the Damned' school of song writing. 'Aftermath' is similar, but less moody and less effective. Still a strong track, however. 'Judgment of Heaven' is one of the few relatively energetic, vaguely happy sounding songs on the album. It's got one of the stronger choruses as well. 'The Edge of Darkness' is one of the very best songs here. Again a multipart epic, pretty low key much of the time, but about as energetic as this albums gets at other parts. '2 AM' is one of the more ignored tracks, but I really like it. Again, I just really like the chorus and it's effectively depressive, considering the subject matter. 'The Unbeliever' is effective if not truly remarkable. Nice instrumentation, even if the ox are a bit lacking.

If this album were lacking those two aforementioned filler tracks it would be a lot stronger. This is particularly significant as this is a very long, often slow album, which makes it especially important that the song writing be strong throughout. Some fast thrash or death albums can get by on sheer force of personality, but not a contemplative 70 minute work like this.

Some have complained about the production, but I like it pretty well. Again, it's darker with bassier, compressed guitars and thudding powerful bass and an immediate, snappy drum sound.

Overall, a very good album. Try and give a serious, unbiased listen and you may be surprised.