X-Factor, The - Iron Maiden

Advantages: Darkest and most serious Maiden album
Disadvantages: No flair, no Bruce Dickinson

..And so Maiden continued, without their iconic and vocally brilliant figurehead. This was the first anyone heard of the 'new' Iron Maiden. And what a change. In came former Wolfsbane vocalist with the deep, masculine growl, Blaze Bayley. No high notes here. As this was Maiden's tenth studio album, there was a play on words, with the Roman numeral '10' i.e. X - with 'The X-Factor'. The artwork was astonishing. For the first time, Maiden did without ...
...form on the cover and inside. Summing up the dark nature of the album, Eddie is a monstrous ghoul on a rack. He has been sliced apart at the torso, with his intestines hanging from the gaping wound. He is bound by drills that bore into his brain, with one drill lifting the top of his skull off to expose the cerebral cortex. Another drill penetrates through either side of his mouth and between his teeth. Further drills penetrate various other areas, ... Read review

Advantages: good new sound, something different
Disadvantages: some tracks very slow/boring

This was the first album Maiden made with Blaze Bailey as the lead singer, and they went for a very different style! Before I go on here is the track listing for the album " The X Factor", 1 Sign Of The Cross 2 Lord Of The Flies 3 Man On The Edge 4 Fortunes Of War 5 Look For The Truth 6 The Aftermath 7 Judgement Of Heaven 8 Blood On the World's Hands 9 The Edge Of Darkness 10 2 A.M. 11 The Unbeliever Running Time: 70.54 Everything about ...
...lead singer to themusic style to the artwork on the album cover. The Voice As I said, this is the first of two albums with Blaze Bailey taking over from Bruce Dickinson as lead singer. His voice and style are both different, he manages to create a very dark and gloomy feel just by doing what he does- which suited this album perfectly. I have nothing against Blaze Bailey but I know a lot of Maiden fans were not impressed with the change, personnaly, ... Read review

good maiden album with some of their top songs such as sign of the cross lord of the flies and man on the edge. The one thing this album lacks is bruce dickinson.

Advantages: Newer sound to old style Maiden which makes an interesting change.
Disadvantages: Lacks some of the 'Classic Maiden' elements found in their earlier records.

When I first got my hands on a copy of the X - Factor by Iron Maiden, I had heard a lot of bad publicity about it. This was due probably too the fact that Bruce had left the band to pursue a solo career and the die hard Maiden fans where expecting another Bruce to fill his shoes. Well Blaze Baileys efforts as the Iron Maiden front man on this record are certianly to be respected. Having to take over from Bruce Dickinson was never going to be an ...
...a fairly good record. Blazes voice stays strong through the whole record, if not as Operatic as Bruces at times. The songs are of a fairly good quality with Sign of the Cross and Fortunes of War being notable. I think what struck me when listening to the album was that although it was a good record, it just didn't have that 'feel' of an Iron Maiden record. Whether it was the fact Bruce was missing or whether the bands music had changed slightly, ... Read review

Advantages: Man on the Edge, Sign of the Cross
Disadvantages: not great throughout

This album sees the first recordings made with Blaze Bayley, replacement to Bruce Dickinson. On the whole, the album is very good. The Sign of The Cross, is an excellent opener, and has become a maiden classic. Man on The Edge, is one of maidens best songs of recent times, it is fast, heavy, and catchy. Lord of The Flies, and Fortunes of War are among the highlights. The album is quite experimental, but well worth a listen. Good quality, as you'd ... Read review

Advantages: Classic Maiden
Disadvantages: Songs sound familiar, worst album cover yet

...in to the legends surrounding Montsegur. Even if you don't, they are still far superior to some of their ludicrously bad items such as "Quest for Fire". Other notable songs on the album include the honestly touching World War I themed "Paschendale" and the acoustic "Journeyman" which has a typical 'sing a long' chorus to it. Unfortunately even after I changed my minds I couldn't find myself enjoying "Gates of Tomorrow" or "New Frontier. These two filler songs in a row are frustrating, and make it seem like the album was rushed, although the four spectacular songs following make up for that. So, you ask, is it really "Classic Maiden" as I put it? Well yeah, actually it is. Iron Maiden have a habit of throwing a couple of stinkers on a fantastic album; see: "Sign of the Cross" on "The X Factor". So, "Classic Maiden" indeed. Not that I can complain... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great Comeback, one of the best albums of 2000
Disadvantages: hard to find

...Blaze Bayley did not get a good press coverage during his time in Iron Maiden, which is a shame as the X Factor and Virtual Eleven were great albums. However, the guy is back, with his new band - BLAZE. The album is called Silicon Messiah, and is brilliant. Its not quite as good as Brave New World - see iron maiden - but it is still excellent. It is a lot heavier than maiden, but still melodic, demonstrating his new band of great musicians, some of the solos are ace. It compares to Machine Head, but with good riffs, and excellent vocals. Highlights include Silicon Messiah, The Brave, Ghost in the machine and Stare at the sun. Maiden fan or not, this is one of the best metal albums this year. Defy your predudice, buy it!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: After 20+ years, they've still got it
Disadvantages: errrr none

...will get to a maiden ‘ballad’. Musically this album is just amazing, add the lyrics and you have a hell of an album. Bruce’s vocals are as strong as ever (so I’m really looking forward to December as I’m off to see Maiden live at Sheffield). Even the album cover is different, instead of having a paintwork done, this is more computer generated, and it looks quite good (the artwork on X-Factor just looked ugly, Virtual XI was better though). Iron Maiden are: Bruce Dickinson – Vocals Steve Harris – Bass Adrian Smith – Guitar Dave Murray – Guitar Janick Gers – Guitar Nicko McBrain – Drums I definitely recommend this album to you. It’s Iron Maiden at their best. Thanks for reading.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful