The Good
This was probably one of the most anticipated metal albums of the year.  With Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith back Maiden finally got rid of the horribly inadequate Blaze.  The Wicker Man, Ghost of the Navigator and The Nomad are my favorites on this one.

The Bad
Unfortunately, the songs still had the repetitive choruses that seemed to plague Virtual XI.  Many of the songs were a little too long and seemed to drag the album on.  We are missing the trademark Maiden galloping songs on this one.  Oh, there are a couple but they are spread out by such plodding songs like Brave New World and Blood Brothers, that it seems like the fast ones are completely missing.

The Packaging
The cover features what will probably be the last Eddie by Derek Riggs.

Bottom Line
Yeah, it is great to have Bruce and Adrian back in the band, but hopefully the songwriting will improve on any future recordings.  I rate this one on par with their other 90s albums with Bruce.

November 17, 2001

1. The Wicker Man
2. Ghost of the Navigator
3. Brave New World
4. Blood Brothers
5. The Mercenary
6. Dream of Mirrors
7. The Fallen Angel
8. The Nomad
9. Out of the Silent Planet
10. The Thin Line Between Love and Hate