Close to 30 years I've been a Maiden fan, and a dedicated one at that, but unfortunately after 2000's "Brave New World", "Dance of Death", "Matter of Life And Death", and now "The Final Frontier", with each album my excitement for the release hitting the stores declines. And it's not because the music is bad, it's because Maiden have totally lost the edge, riffing, and punch from previous albums (and I'm not even expecting them to go as far back as "Number Of The Beast" or even "Killers"), but at least "Peace of Mind", the captivating power of "Powerslave", to the grace of "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son" and the memorable choruses. Maybe it's just me, am I expecting too much?, is it because the songs are too proggy at times, or am I setting the benchmark too high at this stage in their career? And I miss the straight ahead arrangements and catchy hooks of tunes like '2 minutes To Midnight', 'Wasted Years', 'Flight of Icarus', and 'The Prisoner'. Whatever it is, I do enjoy the post-"Brave New World" albums, but they do not warrant repeat listens all that often compared to the debut up through "Seventh Son", and then "Brave New World"... can't believe I just said that, but it's true.

'Satellite 15' is different for Maiden, the instrumental builds (and is rather repetitive and would be more effective shorter) with a SciFi sound and feel, at the 2:30 mark singer Bruce Dickinson is introduced with the guitars, segueing into the spirited second single/video 'The Final Frontier'. 'El Dorado' is what I was talking about earlier and looking for with its big opening and meaty riff that brings me back to the classic albums from the 80s. 'Mother Of Mercy' (an Adrian Smith/Steve Harris tune) recalls the glory of "Stranger In A Strange Land" and 'Coming Home' (Smith/Harris/Dickinson) feature my two favorite collaborative songwriting credits. Janick (Gers, guitar) co-wrote 'The Alchemist', a solid more energetic one with a solo that is all him, and does reflect Maiden's "No Prayer For The Dying"/"Fear Of The Dark" period.

Tracks 6-10 is where my issues arise because Maiden get into the mode begun on "The X Factor", one that has carried into the present, and every album in between. Too many songs on one album, in a row, that open and build with clean and/or acoustic guitars, bass, and vocals, with slower mid paced rhythms. Its fine for maybe two or three songs per album, but five in a row? Now you've lost me. 'Isle Of Aurlon' (again, Smith/Harris) takes over 2 minutes to get going, once it does it's not too bad. 'Starblind' has only a 50 sec subtle beginning but then sadly (because it's a Smith/Dickinson/Harris tune) when the riff and arrangement does kick in falls flat on its face and goes nowhere. If you lose the 2:20 boring beginning to 'The Talisman' it's a pretty solid up tempo rocker. Ugghh...another 1:30 seconds of unnecessary boredom starts 'The Man Who Would Become King', the one time it's a Murray/Harris credit, keeps the listener interested with a couple creative changes (via the riff and vocals) mid way. Ten minute epic 'When The Wind Blows' closes the album and shows Maiden's likeness for their albums of the last ten years.

Oh...and I hate the artwork. No one can hold a candle to Derek Riggs, he is the only one who can draw Eddie the right way and capture his soul.

Even though I'm not terribly happy with Maiden's albums post-"Brave New World" (along with "The X Factor" and "Virtual XI"), I still love em and its not even a debate whether they continue to be one of the most important heavy metal bands ever. Shit, "The Final Frontier" debuted at #4 on the American Billboard Top 200 and topped other charts in 21 other countries. Not many can do that after 30 years of making music. I'm not (and few are) worthy!