Customer Reviews

Virtual Xi

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

I could live with X Factor, you could tell that it was an Iron Maiden album with a different lead singer. Musically, X Factor followed the Iron Maiden formula, and though not every song worked there was some enjoyable music found on the disk. But on Virtual XI you would have a hard time identifying what band it is playing this music! None of the songs have the familiar Maiden sound, and Maiden trademarks, like Steve Harris' standout bass lines, and the great back and forth between guitarists found on all other Maiden albums, the bands signature is absent. Blaze Bayley, while a competant lead singer, does not have the power or passion that Dickinson or Di'Anno had, vocals that a band like Iron Maiden requires. The songs are repetitive and Blaze's weaknesses shine on songs like "Lightning Strikes Twice" and "Angel and the Gambler". Repetitive choruses, 3 minute songs stretched to 6 minutes plus, make Virtual XI a bore to listen to. I am sure I will get slammed by a handful of Maiden loyalists who think simply because the name of the band is on the disk it rates higher than 1 star...but...as a true fan of the band, and being honest with myself, I would never recommend this disk to anyone, unless you feel you have to own every album the band produced.

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.

This album is a momumental improvement over the utterly negligable X-Factor ('94), but is still subpar coming from the genius of Steve Harris, Dave Murray and Nicko McBrain. The two tracks worthy of the Iron Maiden name are "The Clansman" and "Futureal"; the other six songs are so-so, which places them well ahead of The X-Factor album, but nowhere near the level of Somewhere in Time, Number of the Beast, Killers...well, you get the idea. Get it if you rever Harris, Murray, and McBrain as demigods as I do, otherwise wait until they get rid of Gers and Bailey (rhythm guitar; vocals) before buying another Maiden ablum.

People who hate Blaze Bayley surely are comparing his tuning to
Bruce Dickinson's. It's like setting the difference between a
humingbird and a truck.
Bayley's voice is deeper awile Bruce sings shrill. That's the true
difference. I'm sorry,but saying that Blaze is awful is a fierce
mistake.
This argument is overused to underrate x-factor and this one.
Don't be afraid of purchasing it. It isn't perfect,but there really
good tracks on. I was astonished with the 2 star average rating
that I saw one day.
I really don't agree. See my track marks:

Futureal: The fastest. The solos are blasting,cool. The bridge and the chorus are catchy.I saw the videoclip: Janick Gers slaps Eddie and he returns back(ha!ha!ha!ha!) while David does that solo challenging his own abilities(in the cd,between 1:29 and 1:48),afterwards Janick appaears "mistreating"(changing the notes almost playing) his guitar's arm.Blaze sings wearing a cap: "Can you believe what you feel?, Do you believe what you see?,Can you believe what you feel? Can you believe? What is real?.. Futureal....(bridge and chorus) 10/10.

The angel and the gambler: It could been shorter, the chorus is
repetitive.
Despite this, the song isn't so bad. Janick Gers's solo followed by David Murray's afterwards(Generally,David's guitar is trebler than Janick's.David's solo begins at 5:44, nearly)in the middle is the highlight. After the 8 minutes mark ,the chorus repetiton may be tirering, but the shift of cool guitar licks (Gers, Murray, Gers,Murray...)saves the ending from disaster.7/10

Lightning Strikes Twice: It rocks,interesting vocal notes. One of the best
in the record. 10/10

The Clansman: It reminds X-Factor, due to the slow intro. The guitars are beautiful.And these solos(from 3:34,starting with Janick,to 5:10)deserve my applause: David enters in 4:33 with his magic fingers in the guitar's arm (in that black and white Fender, probably). I love this part (8:12): Freedom -> guitar...., Freedom ->guitar
9/10

When 2 worlds collide: Excellent melody and chorus.Terrific: Ohhh! oh oh oh oh oh oh oh (4:55) I can't give it less than.
10/10

The educated fool: Yuk! Boring and badly composed. 1/10

Don't look to the eyes of a stranger: Don't to look the eyes of this
song! Too repetitive. 2/10

Como estais amigos: Looks like Gers and Bayley thought of composing
it to show that they scratch spanish. I'm kidding!
This last one is a well-fitted and sweet. The riffs and solos are neat.
It breaks the 2 prior throw-outs.
David Murray creates the way (to lo dam pun ta dun...) ,while Janick (ta nan nan num nan năn non) spreads the good melody
in the middle. Stevie Harris plays keyboards here (Yes,bass isn't his only knowledge) . I read in Iron's official site that Blaze has the habit to play this wonderful ballad ( where rock attributes were kept)in concerts with his band named Blaze, nowadays.
10/10

UP THE IRONS!!!

I believe this album had a lot of expectations from the critics, and there was a lot of hype and promotion put into this album because the record company was still worried about the loss of Bruce Dickenson in the Line up. It was undue pressure, because I believe Maiden already showed the world that life without Dickenson existed, and X Factor was great. This album is no Exception. Shorter, with only 8 songs, but full of faster songs (Angel and the Gambler and Future Real), and instant classics still in the set list today (THE CLANSMAN). This work is on par with the stuff relesed on brave new world and or Dance of Death, but some people do not give it credit because of this being Blaze. This is a great album, and was the first Maiden CD format I purchase (also my first enhanced CD), and I am very pleased. Now I own about 3 versions of this album, and it makes regular turns in my play cycle. Check this out, you will not be dissapointed.

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 !!!

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.

Blaze Bayley is the most emotional, powerful and new age force with Iron Maiden.This album and the X Factor are outstanding and anyone who says different will have to report to Eddie.Paul Di'Anno(who's vocals were the greatest,but faded with age)and Bruce Dickinson(who never was that great)are too old to supply the needed vocals for Maiden.Blaze does an impressive job and I'd love to have him sing for my band.Face it,Steve Harris made needed decisions and everone should respect that by not trashing Janick Gers or Bayley.Iron Maiden has survived for so long by changing its sound and line-up.If Bruce and Smith return,popularity will flare for one last brief moment,then Maiden will die forever.You old geezers dont want that to happen now do you? BLAZE AND JANICK ARE WELCOME

the songs sounds like metal bubblegum. only for addicted funs like me, that can't live with the though that they won't have all IRONMAIDEN albums

Blaze's voice is flat. It cannot live up to the galloping range of the guitars and the tight arrangements. The band still has the fire but you should have spent more time searching for a new singer before you came out with Virtual IX or The X Factor. Even a singer from an Iron Maiden tribute band (in the spirit of Judas Priest finding "Ripper" Owens) would have rejuvenated the band's post-Bruce performances. Bruce may be a hard act to follow, but you certainly must come up with a singer with more range than Blaze if you want to keep Maiden alive.