Iron Maiden, The X-Factor

Iron Maiden, The X-Factor - Blaze sings very good. His voice is strong and dark and fits the album perfectly.

All the songs are good, the best are:

The Aftermath, Blood on the Worlds hands, sign of the cross, the edge of darkness, Fortunes of war

Sign of the Cross = 10/10

Lord of the Flies = 8/10

Man on the Edge = 9/10

Fortunes of War = 10/10

Look for the Truth = 7/10

The Aftermath = 10/10

Judgement of Heaven = 8/10

Blood on the Worlds Hands = 10/10

The Edge of Darkness = 10/10

2 AM = 9/10

The Unbeliever = 8/10

Iron Maiden, The X-Factor - Blaze always gets a slating, but I cant find much good in his singing. Buts its more than that, there is no real dimension in these songs, they all have a few different movements, slow bits, fast bits, but nothing we haven't heard before from the guys, and quite frankly its like they tried stuff out and just made do with half hearted results. I am convinced it didn't help that Steve Harris co produced it.... stick to what you are good at springs to mind. Dave and Janick really don't cut it like Dave and Adrian did. Dave is doing nothing inventive here.... I think he should have had a break from the band as well, he's stuck in a rut on this and the next couple of albums...real same, not like his playing on stuff like run to the hills... now thats a Dave Murray solo! The guitaring on this is very tame, and the dual attack just doesn't attack. So although I do go along with those who give Blaze a hard time, he is not the only villain on this album. This album actually ended my Maiden craze, although it had been waning since No Prayer. I am happy to say that Dance of Death reignighted the flame, and MOLAD...well, I think now I love 'em more that I ever did!!! up the Irons... at last!