Record brings mind-boggling noise

For decades, bands have touched millions of people’s lives, and for one band, their musical style rocked people’s worlds. English heavy metal band Iron Maiden is known for creating righteous songs that have found ways to unite people all over the world. Formed in 1975, Iron Maiden’s discography has grown to 41 albums, including 17 studio albums, 13 live albums, four EPs and seven compilations. Earlier this month, the band released their long-awaited album Senjutsu, and each track is filled with wild and erratic metal music.

“Stratego” is set ablaze with wild guitar playing from Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers. Right off the bat, the vein-shaking riffs welcomes listeners to a world where hard-hitting guitar playing rules the atmosphere. Murray, Smith and Gers are gifted guitarists who know how to create riffs that contribute to the lingering insanity. “Stratego” has notes that can cause fans to air guitar like crazy.

The ever-relatable “Lost in a Lost World” has lyrics capable of touching the souls of those who are listening. The words “We don’t know just what we have ’til we’ve lost it/ Until that time comes/ and know that it’s gone” give an insight into how some people do not realize how important life is until they start losing things that matter to them. In some ways, it does feel like the lyrics are stating how people are lost in their world where they are focused on themselves rather than the people around them. “Lost in a Lost World” is a well-written tune with a lot of meaning behind the lyrics.

Electrically surging “Days of Future Past” is a bittersweet tune due to the bass guitar playing by Steve Harris. While listening, Harris’s bass guitar can be felt shaking from the background with great authority, and the vibrations from the riffs will shake the hearts of those who are listening. Also, it is nice to hear how well Harris’s skills blend in with the rest of the band because each vibrating note compliments the theme. Harris is a talented guitarist who knows how to rock people’s minds on “Days of Future Past.” 

The emotional “Darkest Hour” has an incredible vocal performance by Bruce Dickinson. Throughout the history of Iron Maiden, Dickinson is known for having a strong and authoritative voice. In this piece, his vocals prove he can still wail out the lyrics in perfection. Also, the way Dickinson sings brings a heavy dose of powerful emotions. “Darkest Hour” is a killer with passionate vocals from Dickinson in this composition.

“The Parchment” is a beautifully harmonic song that has dynamic drum playing from Nicko McBrain. What is enjoyable is how solid the drum beats sound because the whole band is playing on a simple musical structure that has amazing instrumentation and vocals. As a whole, the drum playing keeps things together with how McBrain creates thunderous drum beats that carry the tune with clashing noise. McBrian knows how to shake the souls with his drum beats on the “The Parchment.” 

Iron Maiden is a band that keeps rolling, and Senjutsu shows how the band can still make the metal music fans yearn to hear.