I've never imagine an opening song like Senjutsu. But If Eternity Should Fail were also kinda different from all the previous opening songs and I loved it! Senjutsu is gonna be theatrically beautiful!
Senjutsu and When The Wild Wind Blows are the two most threatening songs Iron Maiden have in my opinion, and both have a relentless rhythm in common that drives you towards the inevitable.
This really is one of the more ominous as well emotional songs from their discography, and they really manage to capture essence of lyrics and imagery through their music, it's as if you aren't just listening to the song, but present in the battlefield and that dark setting of the lyrics/story, truly an ecstatic experience. Definitely setting the tone of album.
Man, what a track. Probably top 3 of the record for me. Depending on the mood even No. 1. Bruce's interlude vocals after Janick's solo being sung on top of the main riff is pure genius. Great breakdown!!
You went deep with this one didn't you? I think it's a Testament as you pointed out to how well they've crafted the art of structure in their songs now. They've really taken the three guitar lineup and built on it with every release in terms of layering to build atmosphere and tension. I know I've said it before when it comes to this album, but, seeing as you mentioned it with Jan's solo I think its worth reiterating that his work is really inspired on this album. He has quite a few standout moments on some of his solos for me this time around. Great stuff as usual Nico 👍
Yeah I just felt there was a lot to say and a lot of little pieces of songwriting/arranging brilliance to point out 😊 I keep saying that I really don't think they could have made an album like this back in the day. This is the stuff of seasoned songwriters!
@@LicksOfTheBeast that's the glaring difference between then and now for sure isn't it? Not that something like Phantom Of The Opera from the early days wasn't impressive, but, there's so much nuance and maturity to the arrangements now in comparison. It takes patience and perseverance to really dig into the kind of material they put out these days, but, I find it incredibly rewarding to dig into. I know it's hotly debated, but, I'm really grateful for their evolution and I enjoy the material they put out now just as much as the material they put out in the '80's for different reasons. It's all good stuff to me!
@@tomdurkin5149 Hear Hear, Brother🤗 I completely agree with you😊 This whole album is a testament to their experience of being one of, if not the best band in the world, and for many many decades, now! This album is a sum up of they 45 plus years of being around entertaining us, and that of a line up that has been together since 1999😜 Brilliant stuff, no doubt 🤗 Keep on rocking😎 Up the mighty Irons!!!! 🤘 🤘🤘🤘
My favourite track off Senjutsu. Completely different to what they normally do and the chorus just has an emotion of the likes they've never reached before. Top tier Maiden tune and a great analysis once again nico!
I have tears from enjoyment three times on this album - one of them is the part from 09:00 so called "cinematic motivation part" after ominous "second" chorus. "Now under siege - we have a real strength to pull them down..." My God When Bruce is singing the words "a real strength" I fell like I would be with these warriors on the Wall. On The BoS i Have only one similar moment - the culminate point in Empire of the Clouds/
Another great analysis, thank you! One idea for a future video would be a tutorial on how you achieve your Iron Maiden tone. Your tone is killer and spot on!
Thank you! For my sound, you can download my presets in Bias FX on the Tonecloud. Just look for Licks of the Beast 😊 I don't really have a Maiden sound per se as I use the same 2-3 settings on pretty much everything regardless of the album. It's more a question of copying the distinct playing styles which could definitely be a future video series! 🙂
As someone have said, tune is in the fingers. At least in a major way. You can set up your gear one sunny morning and find in that raining evening it sounds different in the same place because of the different humidity and density of the air, for example. A lot of beginners -it's very common in young digital-native people- search and ask for settings and patches as a short and comfortable way to get the tune, but there is no other way than investigate your gear and improve your playing... and there is one of the pleasures on electric guitar playing (and listening to players). Hell, I even find frequently that to reach the find tuning is almost in my state of mind in a concrete moment, and what was ok yesterday will not work today until I roll some knobs 🙃🎸🎵🎶
It's always a pleasure to attend to your musical analyses combining theory on harmony, melody and rhythm with playing and, of course, references to the IM universe. Thanx a lot!
Thank you Nico for dedicating your channel content to Maiden. I already needed a guy breaking down and analysing Maiden, just as Andriy Vasylenko does with Metallica. Keep going!
Great Video Nico!! Love this song and the entire album so much...it has quickly become my favorite Maiden album and I have been a fan since the 80s...Eddie and the boys outdid themselves with this one. UP THE IRONS 🤘
You are really the Maiden's university... It's a pleasure listening to you even if as an italian I don't undestand everything clearly... anyway for me Senjutsu is the best Senjutsu's song... Thank You
@@LicksOfTheBeast ci sono discorsi tecnici in cui mi perdo visto che non sono un musicista... Comunque mi ha fatto piacere sapere che anche per te come me il no prayer on the Road è stato io primo concerto dei Maiden!! Quanti ricordi... Grazie per il lavoro che stai facendo...
@@stavrosmaiden I agree He is truly great, and should be a teacher, or something, lol Let's face it! The music landscape is forever changing, and we can't let the current mainstream (crap) music (my opinion only;) kill off of this great complex Rock/metal type of music, where this gentleman, makes it even easier to digest, and appreciate, what the band is doing, by showing us;-) Up the mighty Irons!!!!
I always press like before I click play on your vids. What an awesome breakdown! Thanks for teaching us the little details about Maiden's songs that we mortals don't pick up on!
Nice work again Nico! This has become one of my favourite Maiden tracks of all time and the drumming from Nico is quality. Each time I listen to this track I hear something new in it.
Brilliant work as always, and great depth on your analytic dive into, this great song, and that of the album, Brother🤗 This whole album is a testament to their experience of being one of, if not the best band in the world, and for many many decades, now! This album is a sum up of their 45 plus years of being around entertaining us, and that of a line up that has been together since 1999😜 Brilliant stuff, no doubt 🤗 Keep on rocking😎 Up the mighty Irons!!!! 🤘 🤘🤘🤘
1000 thanks man!! Much appreciated and I agree this album is a culmination of their considerable experience thus far... I feel so fortunate to still be able to geek out over the same favourite band's new album more than 30 years later! 😊
@@LicksOfTheBeast I can't speak for everyone, but I love watching/listening to your videos (of you geeking out), with the passion you have, and the skillset, and the wonderful clean sound of you playing your guitar, is just phenomenal! Also showing us parts, the break down of the songs, from the simple, to the more musically complicated sections, is truly epic;-) You have opened my eyes, and ears, for that matter, to parts of these songs, and shown me just how structured they truly are, and the Undeniable genius of Iron Maiden, thus making me respect them even further! Without your awesome videos I wouldn't know just how complex and brilliant Iron Maiden truly are, so thank you;-) You must be a teacher, as you do a great job🙂 Hopefully the Mighty Irons will continue to grow, and bring out many more fantastic music/songs/albums for many years to come;-P Iron Maiden is my favourite band, as they always do everything at 100%, and they never ever do anything half arsed! Also they have a song for pretty much every mood I might be in, lol;-P Happy/ hyped up, or moody, all emotions really(my opinion only;-) Up the mighty Irons!!!!
Hey Nico, awesome approach. I fully agree that this song will build a massive tense environment once living in a show. This Guitar sounds better and better each time I hear kkk, amazing sustains. This album really brings very immersive melodies but the way you catch and share/teach it to us the songs become even more interesting them before, even the "simple" parts. Thanks boss, You rock as always!!
Great analysis as usual! As a predominantly lyrics person it's always awesome to learn more about how songs are built in a musical sense. That being said, I simply _have_ to harp on a little about the story behind the song. "Genko", or "the attack of the Gen", is a famous battle in Japanese history, taught to all of us at a young age--a series of attacks by one of the most ruthless empires in history, our little island saved only by a "kamikaze", "God wind" (yes, that's where the name comes from). It's likely that without that wind (which we now think was a freak typhoon) our history would have been altered beyond recognition. The most famous painting of that attack is "Mōko Shūrai Ekotoba": a warrior on horseback, charging into the Mongol army even as the stallion gushes blood. There is also a primitive bomb depicted in the background; the Japanese had never seen explosives prior to the attack, and I cannot imagine how terrifying it must have been. I first saw the painting in a history textbook, and I could never forget it (quite a feat, considering my history grades). I think this song does the horrific battle justice, and more.
Wow! What a great comment, and what a passionate expression of your history🤗 Well delivered 👏 You are right too, what a great song, and musical, and lyrical theatre they have brought forth😉 Up the mighty Irons!! 🤘 🤘🤘🤘
Now this is what I was waiting for! Thanks q lot. Great video as always. And a fantastic song. There is a lot going on with a lot of details, drama, emotion and having that cinematic quality. That Now under seige part still kills each time I hear it :)
Thank you! It's a BIG song... Hopefully this video will help highlight some of the little subtleties in the songwriting and arranging 😊 Glad you enjoyed it!!!
you fucking rock Nico!! the sound you have and the cadence of your playing really does depict the essence of the song and also the album in general,. you are awesome my bro! great work once again! Gav x
Tremendous! Loved it! Another great review and breakdown Nico! Thanks! PS, you’re not helping me to be patient with the wait for a tour for this fantastic album! 😂😂😂
I can't believe how incredible your tone is, particularly for the heavy riffs. What's the signal chain there? What pedals and amps are you using? Wonderful video as always. Detailed analysis, but I love your passion for their music.
Thank you so much! I actually just use the Bias FX II plugin. It allows me to get good sounds without breaking my head or spending a ton of money. These settings are basically a Boogie Mark V head, Celestinon cab, tube screamer, chorus, delay and reverb. I use the three effects lightly and I don't crank the gain - between 4-5 on both the amp and pedal.
Nice job on the explanation of this song. I consider The Time Machine one of the best songs of the album and very special with a lot of class and state of the art arrangement. Hope you can do a video on this one.
Spot on! I wonder if Maiden could present their song in the way you do. Apart from Richie Sambora, I would say it is the intro from Still got the Blues from Gary Moore...
I would trade being able to explain it for being able to write/compose it in a heartbeat but I am always happy to hear these videos are helpful and/or interesting 😊
@@LicksOfTheBeast You are 100% correct🤗 It is easier to copy, BUT you still need a lot of talent to do so, and also break it down simply enough, for even me to understand, lol Thanks, Brother😉 You are excellent at doing this, Brother. Please keep it😜 Also you are correct, too, as to write this type of song(s) as Maiden do often, is purely insane, and to do it album after album, and then use what they have learnt, and then apply it to a new song (album), but also then improve on it, while taking it, too the next level, is just genius😜 I guess that is why they are one of, if not the best band in the world🤗 Just absolute freaks, at what they do! Up the mighty Irons!!!! 🤘 🤘🤘🤘
Amazing explanation once again. I don't really understand the theory stuff but you explain it so well. The song itself is really atmospheric and a great album opener, but for me it drags on a little too long
great stuff Nico as usual, about dissonant notes : e and f, isnt that they've done it also before on the still life song where they where playing presolo harmony part, when they ends licks on b and c the same time, or Iam wrong?
I'd love to hear you go in depth like this on The Book of Souls. While I think the song is fine, it just doesn't sound very Mayan, Mesoamerican, or anything really like the things it's inspired by and referencing, where as other cultural tracks like Powerslave and now Senjetsu sound very much like the world they are depicting. I'm Mexican, so the fact that the Book of Souls track doesn't totally dive into that prehispanic, native American world through its instrumentation and sound effects, it bugs me. The lyrics are all we have to go on to let us know it's talking about ancient Mayan themes. But it just doesn't sound very native. Where are the wind instruments, or sound effects of quetzals, eagles or the jungle? Foreboding sounds of conch shells as cries for battle? Any use of ancient prehispanic instruments such as the huehuetl percussion? It honestly wouldn't bother me so much if other cultures in Maiden's musical explorations sounded like they did more research, such as their dives info Egyptian mythology or more the ancient Japanese. But with the Maya being such an incredibly rich culture, it boggles my mind that the song doesn't dip its toes any deeper. As badass as the art work and set decor for the Book of Souls were, I feel the title track is lacking in capturing the mood of that world. When I found out they were doing an album with these themes, I got very excited. But I can't help but feel a bit let down that it wasn't as well researched as some of their other tracks.
My best guess is that while the stereotypical sound of ancient Egypt and feudal Japan is quite present in our collective imagination, most of us wouldn't know what pre Hispanic Mayan melodies or rhythms sound like. Something so specific sounding might not necessarily have translated well into a heavy rock song. To your point, something could probably have been integrated even to a small degree maybe on the intro or interlude but I guess it wasn't what they felt the song called for as they were putting it together. I think they did manage to capture the feeling of an ancient powerful civilization with a deep mystique and that was doomed to self destruct. I love the song The Book Of Souls (I even did a full cover of it earlier this year) especially live with the added imagery. There is some really cool stuff going on also with that one and I will surely make a video about it at some point!
@@LicksOfTheBeast thanks for the thoughtful response! I appreciate your deep dives into the crafting of a song, so I always look forward to hearing what you think. Thanks!
I don't understand the hype around this one. This song seems dull and predictable. Some good melodies and riffs but not really well connected and put together.
I was confused by this. A lot of guys on TH-cam reviewed the album and pretty much all say they love this track yet then complain that later tracks are too long, slow and repetitive. All things that you can accuse this track of. It has grown on me though, as has the album as a whole.
See this is great as we all have our own ears, and hearing, as well as our own opinions, so we can all like, or dislike anything we wish, or please for that matter😉 I like this song, but it isn't one of my favourites on this brilliant album, However it is quite complicated, and after watching this indepth dive into it, even more so, than I first thought🤔 Great comments, and views guys, keep them up👍 Up the mighty Irons!! 🤘 🤘🤘🤘
I've never imagine an opening song like Senjutsu. But If Eternity Should Fail were also kinda different from all the previous opening songs and I loved it! Senjutsu is gonna be theatrically beautiful!
Senjutsu and When The Wild Wind Blows are the two most threatening songs Iron Maiden have in my opinion, and both have a relentless rhythm in common that drives you towards the inevitable.
Fantastic analysis, thank you for that! “Senjutsu” is my favorite track from Maiden’s last record and one of my favorite Maiden songs overall.
This really is one of the more ominous as well emotional songs from their discography, and they really manage to capture essence of lyrics and imagery through their music, it's as if you aren't just listening to the song, but present in the battlefield and that dark setting of the lyrics/story, truly an ecstatic experience. Definitely setting the tone of album.
Man, what a track. Probably top 3 of the record for me. Depending on the mood even No. 1. Bruce's interlude vocals after Janick's solo being sung on top of the main riff is pure genius. Great breakdown!!
You went deep with this one didn't you? I think it's a Testament as you pointed out to how well they've crafted the art of structure in their songs now. They've really taken the three guitar lineup and built on it with every release in terms of layering to build atmosphere and tension. I know I've said it before when it comes to this album, but, seeing as you mentioned it with Jan's solo I think its worth reiterating that his work is really inspired on this album. He has quite a few standout moments on some of his solos for me this time around. Great stuff as usual Nico 👍
Yeah I just felt there was a lot to say and a lot of little pieces of songwriting/arranging brilliance to point out 😊
I keep saying that I really don't think they could have made an album like this back in the day. This is the stuff of seasoned songwriters!
@@LicksOfTheBeast that's the glaring difference between then and now for sure isn't it? Not that something like Phantom Of The Opera from the early days wasn't impressive, but, there's so much nuance and maturity to the arrangements now in comparison. It takes patience and perseverance to really dig into the kind of material they put out these days, but, I find it incredibly rewarding to dig into. I know it's hotly debated, but, I'm really grateful for their evolution and I enjoy the material they put out now just as much as the material they put out in the '80's for different reasons. It's all good stuff to me!
@@tomdurkin5149 Hear Hear, Brother🤗
I completely agree with you😊
This whole album is a testament to their experience of being one of, if not the best band in the world, and for many many decades, now!
This album is a sum up of they 45 plus years of being around entertaining us, and that of a line up that has been together since 1999😜
Brilliant stuff, no doubt 🤗
Keep on rocking😎
Up the mighty Irons!!!! 🤘 🤘🤘🤘
@@tomdurkin5149 Money makes a difference too...
My favourite track off Senjutsu.
Completely different to what they normally do and the chorus just has an emotion of the likes they've never reached before. Top tier Maiden tune and a great analysis once again nico!
Had to comment on the vid again, I just love the musical breakdown and analysis of this. I often re-watch this vid.
Wow! I don't even know what to say... I'm really happy you liked it enough to watch it more than once! Thank you!
I have tears from enjoyment three times on this album - one of them is the part from 09:00 so called "cinematic motivation part" after ominous "second" chorus. "Now under siege - we have a real strength to pull them down..." My God When Bruce is singing the words "a real strength" I fell like I would be with these warriors on the Wall.
On The BoS i Have only one similar moment - the culminate point in Empire of the Clouds/
Another great analysis, thank you! One idea for a future video would be a tutorial on how you achieve your Iron Maiden tone. Your tone is killer and spot on!
Thank you!
For my sound, you can download my presets in Bias FX on the Tonecloud. Just look for Licks of the Beast 😊
I don't really have a Maiden sound per se as I use the same 2-3 settings on pretty much everything regardless of the album. It's more a question of copying the distinct playing styles which could definitely be a future video series! 🙂
As someone have said, tune is in the fingers. At least in a major way. You can set up your gear one sunny morning and find in that raining evening it sounds different in the same place because of the different humidity and density of the air, for example. A lot of beginners -it's very common in young digital-native people- search and ask for settings and patches as a short and comfortable way to get the tune, but there is no other way than investigate your gear and improve your playing... and there is one of the pleasures on electric guitar playing (and listening to players). Hell, I even find frequently that to reach the find tuning is almost in my state of mind in a concrete moment, and what was ok yesterday will not work today until I roll some knobs 🙃🎸🎵🎶
It's always a pleasure to attend to your musical analyses combining theory on harmony, melody and rhythm with playing and, of course, references to the IM universe. Thanx a lot!
Thank YOU!! Glad you enjoyed the video 🤜🤛
Thank you Nico for dedicating your channel content to Maiden. I already needed a guy breaking down and analysing Maiden, just as Andriy Vasylenko does with Metallica.
Keep going!
Great Video Nico!! Love this song and the entire album so much...it has quickly become my favorite Maiden album and I have been a fan since the 80s...Eddie and the boys outdid themselves with this one. UP THE IRONS 🤘
It's up there for me too!
You are really the Maiden's university... It's a pleasure listening to you even if as an italian I don't undestand everything clearly... anyway for me Senjutsu is the best Senjutsu's song... Thank You
Grazie mille!
Un video in italiano prima o poi credo che lo farò. Comunque se c'è qualcosa che non è chiaro, non farti problemi a chiedere! 😊
@@LicksOfTheBeast ci sono discorsi tecnici in cui mi perdo visto che non sono un musicista... Comunque mi ha fatto piacere sapere che anche per te come me il no prayer on the Road è stato io primo concerto dei Maiden!! Quanti ricordi... Grazie per il lavoro che stai facendo...
I love how deep details you manage to hear! 🤘 As always, remarkable my friend 🤘
Thank you! I have had an obsession with song crafting since I was a little kid so I tend to need out over certain little things 😄
@@LicksOfTheBeast honestly, I think you should do this as a job (if you don't do that already 😅)!! As a music producer I guess!
@@stavrosmaiden I agree He is truly great, and should be a teacher, or something, lol
Let's face it! The music landscape is forever changing, and we can't let the current mainstream (crap) music (my opinion only;) kill off of this great complex Rock/metal type of music, where this gentleman, makes it even easier to digest, and appreciate, what the band is doing, by showing us;-)
Up the mighty Irons!!!!
I always press like before I click play on your vids. What an awesome breakdown! Thanks for teaching us the little details about Maiden's songs that we mortals don't pick up on!
That is massively appreciated. Thank you!
Marvelous as always! Up the Irons!
Nice work again Nico! This has become one of my favourite Maiden tracks of all time and the drumming from Nico is quality. Each time I listen to this track I hear something new in it.
Great as always, Nico! I love that song too. There's a lot of things going on.
Great video! This is honestly the stand out track of the album to me, it just kicks a lot of ass.
Brilliant work as always, and great depth on your analytic dive into, this great song, and that of the album, Brother🤗
This whole album is a testament to their experience of being one of, if not the best band in the world, and for many many decades, now!
This album is a sum up of their 45 plus years of being around entertaining us, and that of a line up that has been together since 1999😜
Brilliant stuff, no doubt 🤗
Keep on rocking😎
Up the mighty Irons!!!! 🤘 🤘🤘🤘
1000 thanks man!! Much appreciated and I agree this album is a culmination of their considerable experience thus far... I feel so fortunate to still be able to geek out over the same favourite band's new album more than 30 years later! 😊
@@LicksOfTheBeast I can't speak for everyone, but I love watching/listening to your videos (of you geeking out), with the passion you have, and the skillset, and the wonderful clean sound of you playing your guitar, is just phenomenal!
Also showing us parts, the break down of the songs, from the simple, to the more musically complicated sections, is truly epic;-)
You have opened my eyes, and ears, for that matter, to parts of these songs, and shown me just how structured they truly are, and the Undeniable genius of Iron Maiden, thus making me respect them even further!
Without your awesome videos I wouldn't know just how complex and brilliant Iron Maiden truly are, so thank you;-)
You must be a teacher, as you do a great job🙂
Hopefully the Mighty Irons will continue to grow, and bring out many more fantastic music/songs/albums for many years to come;-P
Iron Maiden is my favourite band, as they always do everything at 100%, and they never ever do anything half arsed! Also they have a song for pretty much every mood I might be in, lol;-P Happy/ hyped up, or moody, all emotions really(my opinion only;-)
Up the mighty Irons!!!!
Hey Nico, awesome approach. I fully agree that this song will build a massive tense environment once living in a show. This Guitar sounds better and better each time I hear kkk, amazing sustains. This album really brings very immersive melodies but the way you catch and share/teach it to us the songs become even more interesting them before, even the "simple" parts. Thanks boss, You rock as always!!
🙏🙏🙏
Great analysis as usual! As a predominantly lyrics person it's always awesome to learn more about how songs are built in a musical sense.
That being said, I simply _have_ to harp on a little about the story behind the song. "Genko", or "the attack of the Gen", is a famous battle in Japanese history, taught to all of us at a young age--a series of attacks by one of the most ruthless empires in history, our little island saved only by a "kamikaze", "God wind" (yes, that's where the name comes from). It's likely that without that wind (which we now think was a freak typhoon) our history would have been altered beyond recognition.
The most famous painting of that attack is "Mōko Shūrai Ekotoba": a warrior on horseback, charging into the Mongol army even as the stallion gushes blood. There is also a primitive bomb depicted in the background; the Japanese had never seen explosives prior to the attack, and I cannot imagine how terrifying it must have been.
I first saw the painting in a history textbook, and I could never forget it (quite a feat, considering my history grades). I think this song does the horrific battle justice, and more.
Wow! What a great comment, and what a passionate expression of your history🤗 Well delivered 👏
You are right too, what a great song, and musical, and lyrical theatre they have brought forth😉
Up the mighty Irons!! 🤘 🤘🤘🤘
That is what I felt it was about
I really love these in depth videos, keep them up!!
Amazing! These analysis videos are the best!!!
Great analysis as usual Nico! Best.
i would say that the chorus melody also makes me think of Still got the blues by Gary Moore
Another excellent breakdown. Thanks so much
Thank you for a clever explanation why they dropped the melody riff during second so called interlude/second chorus. at 12:00
I'm glad it was interesting! 😊
Now this is what I was waiting for! Thanks q lot. Great video as always. And a fantastic song. There is a lot going on with a lot of details, drama, emotion and having that cinematic quality. That Now under seige part still kills each time I hear it :)
Thank you! It's a BIG song... Hopefully this video will help highlight some of the little subtleties in the songwriting and arranging 😊
Glad you enjoyed it!!!
Excellent analysis yet again pal!! Everything was spot on!!
you fucking rock Nico!! the sound you have and the cadence of your playing really does depict the essence of the song and also the album in general,. you are awesome my bro! great work once again!
Gav x
Hey man thank you so much for the encouraging words! Cheers 🤜🤛
Thanks for the detailed analysis, it makes the song even more impressive. Well it is Maiden what can we expect?
Every time I listen to the song I can’t help but picture Akira Kurosawa’s RAN playing with it
You should have way more subscriptions, dude!! Thank you for what you're doing!! Up The Irons!! Cheers, from Canada!! 🤘
Big thanks to you for watching and for taking the time to leave such an encouraging message!! Cheers my fellow Canuck! 🤜🤛
Great vid for a great song
1000 thanks!!
Excellent delineation as always Nico! 🖤🔥
Tremendous! Loved it! Another great review and breakdown Nico! Thanks!
PS, you’re not helping me to be patient with the wait for a tour for this fantastic album! 😂😂😂
Glad to hear it! I really hope that tour happens soon although by the sounds of it, it probably won't be until 2023.
I can't believe how incredible your tone is, particularly for the heavy riffs. What's the signal chain there? What pedals and amps are you using?
Wonderful video as always. Detailed analysis, but I love your passion for their music.
Thank you so much! I actually just use the Bias FX II plugin. It allows me to get good sounds without breaking my head or spending a ton of money. These settings are basically a Boogie Mark V head, Celestinon cab, tube screamer, chorus, delay and reverb. I use the three effects lightly and I don't crank the gain - between 4-5 on both the amp and pedal.
I wish maiden would play tone like this instead of whiney guitarrs
Thanks Nico, your analysis videos are great!
Great great video! I've really enjoyed the analysis of my favorite song from the new record 💪🏻
Nice job on the explanation of this song. I consider The Time Machine one of the best songs of the album and very special with a lot of class and state of the art arrangement. Hope you can do a video on this one.
Amazing, man!!!!
Great breakdown of a wonderful Maiden song! Cheers To Nicko! Well done brother!
Spot on! I wonder if Maiden could present their song in the way you do. Apart from Richie Sambora, I would say it is the intro from Still got the Blues from Gary Moore...
I would trade being able to explain it for being able to write/compose it in a heartbeat but I am always happy to hear these videos are helpful and/or interesting 😊
@@LicksOfTheBeast You are 100% correct🤗 It is easier to copy, BUT you still need a lot of talent to do so, and also break it down simply enough, for even me to understand, lol Thanks, Brother😉
You are excellent at doing this, Brother.
Please keep it😜
Also you are correct, too, as to write this type of song(s) as Maiden do often, is purely insane, and to do it album after album, and then use what they have learnt, and then apply it to a new song (album), but also then improve on it, while taking it, too the next level, is just genius😜
I guess that is why they are one of, if not the best band in the world🤗
Just absolute freaks, at what they do!
Up the mighty Irons!!!! 🤘 🤘🤘🤘
Yet again, awesome!
Amazing explanation once again. I don't really understand the theory stuff but you explain it so well. The song itself is really atmospheric and a great album opener, but for me it drags on a little too long
I was thinking that bit that you thought sounded like bon jovi was Gary Moore Still got da blues
Haha yes that too. But the tone and rhythm just always makes me think of bed of roses. 😊
great stuff Nico as usual, about dissonant notes : e and f, isnt that they've done it also before on the still life song where they where playing presolo harmony part, when they ends licks on b and c the same time, or Iam wrong?
I'll have to listen to it again but what you're saying sounds tight 🙂
Best song hands down...... It's so good, u could just keep the rest
Ilike this explanation. To me this song sounds doom. Like if they explore more doom.
I'd love to hear you go in depth like this on The Book of Souls. While I think the song is fine, it just doesn't sound very Mayan, Mesoamerican, or anything really like the things it's inspired by and referencing, where as other cultural tracks like Powerslave and now Senjetsu sound very much like the world they are depicting.
I'm Mexican, so the fact that the Book of Souls track doesn't totally dive into that prehispanic, native American world through its instrumentation and sound effects, it bugs me. The lyrics are all we have to go on to let us know it's talking about ancient Mayan themes.
But it just doesn't sound very native. Where are the wind instruments, or sound effects of quetzals, eagles or the jungle? Foreboding sounds of conch shells as cries for battle? Any use of ancient prehispanic instruments such as the huehuetl percussion? It honestly wouldn't bother me so much if other cultures in Maiden's musical explorations sounded like they did more research, such as their dives info Egyptian mythology or more the ancient Japanese. But with the Maya being such an incredibly rich culture, it boggles my mind that the song doesn't dip its toes any deeper.
As badass as the art work and set decor for the Book of Souls were, I feel the title track is lacking in capturing the mood of that world. When I found out they were doing an album with these themes, I got very excited. But I can't help but feel a bit let down that it wasn't as well researched as some of their other tracks.
My best guess is that while the stereotypical sound of ancient Egypt and feudal Japan is quite present in our collective imagination, most of us wouldn't know what pre Hispanic Mayan melodies or rhythms sound like. Something so specific sounding might not necessarily have translated well into a heavy rock song.
To your point, something could probably have been integrated even to a small degree maybe on the intro or interlude but I guess it wasn't what they felt the song called for as they were putting it together.
I think they did manage to capture the feeling of an ancient powerful civilization with a deep mystique and that was doomed to self destruct. I love the song The Book Of Souls (I even did a full cover of it earlier this year) especially live with the added imagery. There is some really cool stuff going on also with that one and I will surely make a video about it at some point!
@@LicksOfTheBeast thanks for the thoughtful response! I appreciate your deep dives into the crafting of a song, so I always look forward to hearing what you think. Thanks!
I like the album but for me this is the weakest most boring song on the album.
I don't understand the hype around this one. This song seems dull and predictable. Some good melodies and riffs but not really well connected and put together.
@@kcpolog i agree i like all the other songs i usually skip this as its dull and boring to me.
I was confused by this. A lot of guys on TH-cam reviewed the album and pretty much all say they love this track yet then complain that later tracks are too long, slow and repetitive. All things that you can accuse this track of. It has grown on me though, as has the album as a whole.
See this is great as we all have our own ears, and hearing, as well as our own opinions, so we can all like, or dislike anything we wish, or please for that matter😉
I like this song, but it isn't one of my favourites on this brilliant album, However it is quite complicated, and after watching this indepth dive into it, even more so, than I first thought🤔
Great comments, and views guys, keep them up👍
Up the mighty Irons!! 🤘 🤘🤘🤘
Your Guitar 🎸 Playing is Brilliant, however this Album put me to Sleep 😴
great analysis as always. terrible LP