I actively ignored both albums for years. Brought it back this year (2024) and i’m obsessed. They are different but brilliant. Virtual XI is now one of my favorites . I came to understand and love both albums, and Iron Maidens catalogue in the 2000’s. I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and lost intrest after Fear Of The Dark. I’m happy to rediscover this beautiful band.
Excellent evaluation of these overlooked albums. I was gone from Maiden for a long time although not on the account of Blaze. I was simply exploring so much other music at the time and went away until my daughter reignited my interest in not just Maiden but Heavy Metal. Even still, I did not check these albums out because I read many bad things about this era of the band without doing my own research until I thought on a comment someone made to me; I was missing out. So I gave them a try and low and behold The X Factor is one of my all time favorite Maiden albums coming in at #2 and I became a huge fan of Blaze Bayley. Any issues he had in Maiden were the fault of Steve Harris who hired the man and refused to tune down to Blaze's range. I love all of Blaze's solo work and am in the process of obtaining his back catalog. There is not a more genuine and positive man in Heavy Metal than Blaze Bayley!!! Long live Iron Maiden! Long live Blaze Bayley! Long live Heavy Metal!!!
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed Really late here, but The X Factor is one of my favorite Iron Maiden albums, gets to much hate because Blaze is in it. Honestly Blaze fits more with this album than Bruce.
I agree these albums grew on me over time and the remasters sound great. I always loved Sign of The Cross, Man on The Edge and Lord of The Flies. All 3 songs the Band has played live with Bruce and he crushes them. My favorite track is The Unbeliever and I would love to hear Bruce sign this song live. Virtual VI is definitely more upbeat and Futureal is a Barn Burner as an opener. And Bruce’s live version is proof! These did take a while for me to appreciate but I do now and that is what counts! Up The Irons🤘😎🤘
Good video. Two great albums. The aftermath and blood on the world's hands are two of my all time favourite maiden songs, educated fool is phenomenal. Hopefully you'll get a few people to checkout or revisit these great albums. Cool Japanese CD. I tried to find it when I went to Japan but they only had the new reissue ones, did manage to pick up a Japanese pressing of virtual though 🤘
Great video Chris! I'm a huge Maiden fan and like you, I also really like the Blaze Maiden albums. And thank you for mentioning the Japanese CD version ... I had no idea there were bonus tracks.
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed some of Tony Martin Sabbath stuff is absolutely amazing. Actually, all of it with the exception of Forbidden. Lawmaker from TYR and the Shining from Eternal Idol are two of my favorite songs ever. The Ray Gillen Eternal Idol is great too.
Great video review I just got the X factor on cd and I’m very happy to finally own it on cd I also have Virtual XI on cd happy to say I own both of those albums on cd
Hey Chris. You said it so nicely that I wanted to listen to those albums, so now I reached for X Factor. I'm not a big fan of Blaze's vocals in Maiden but there are some great songs on these albums. I haven't heard the remastered versions, maybe these would suit me better. Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed listening to your thoughts on these albums. Up the Irons!!!
Finally somebody who likes Virtual XI, their most underrated album. The X-Factor has one of their best songs, Sign of the Cross, and both are experimental albums with different styles than what IM fans are used to but still great. There's nothing wrong with a bit of experimentation. Como Estais Amigos is a case in point and Blaze Bailey's baby, a fantastic song I still go back to.
Ok stop beating me over the head, I’ll go back and give these another listen! Just kidding 😂 Seriously, I haven’t played these two for years and I should check them out again. I feel like I liked some of it, just such a drastic change from Bruce. Great video Chris
I think both are pretty good. I would even say Virtual XI is even better than some of the newer albums like A Matter of life and Death. X factor is long and tedious, and wasn't the right album to introduce a new singer
I agree with you on Virtual XI being better than some of the newer stuff. X Factor definitely has a gloomy vibe to it. I dig it though. Take care, Pete!
I've always liked Virtual IX. That was the only one I heard when it came out. I heard Xfactor years later. I think fans need to give these another chance.
I really enjoy the XFactor. I bought it on release day but havnt heard Virtual enough to form an honest opinion yet. They deffinatley dont deserve the hate they got. Love your thoughts brother😃
Came here from your Iron Maiden ranking video. Have these two albums grown on you enough to move them from 15th and 16th? My two least favourites are actually their last two, I never saw all the fuss about Book Of Souls at all.
If I am honest, I prefer The X Factor over Virtual XI to be the better Blaze Bayley albums, in Iron Maiden, even though I still love the Bruce Dickinson albums better, but there are good songs on the Blaze Bayley albums like I love six of the songs of the eleven songs on The X Factor, and I love five of the eight songs on Virtual XI, and even though they have many different ideas, yes, and a slight imperfect fit without Bruce, but they still have some great moments on them.
I think Blaze was a great singer in Wolfsbane but I don't think Harris adjusted his song writing to get the best out of him. The best Blaze-era Maiden songs are the ones Blaze has credits for. Neither are as bad as people like to make out (many people shit on them and have never really listened to them IMO). I like them as individual albums but they can't hold a torch to what came before or after. Enjoyed hearing your thoughts on these two Chris!
I actually really like these albums, now. Initially no - on the heels of Bruce leaving it was traumatic but it has been a few years now & I have grown to like these CD's. Basically the albums felt like a new pair of shoes that didn't feel right so I just threw them out. NOW though, I look at the albums as a separate entity from the rest of the Maiden catalogue. I have separated all of the Maiden catalogue into eras otherwise I will be forever comparing one era to another. Basically they are as follows: 1979-1981, 1982-1985, 1986-1993 / 1994-1998, 1999-2021 - I mean, you can't compare D'ianno to Bruce or even 1982 Bruce to 2005 Bruce. Blaze has some amazing records going back to the 80's, no he isn't Bruce but he IS Blaze. I can see why Steve chose him, he does have qualities of Paul & Bruce but he IS Blaze. Anyway, he is also a nice guy (does that matter?) and works so hard, he has released so much material after Maiden. I wish the lads from Iron Maiden did something to recognize Blaze AND Paul's contributions - I mean it's all Iron Maiden history. Imagine, a best-of or singles collection with all 3 singers (and no live substitutes).
Since strategically including the three cut songs from what should have been Maiden's first actual double album, I won't listen to The X Factor any other way. It feels so much more complete and the bursts of speed that those three faster songs provide really gives the latter half of the album a boost. For anyone interested, here's the tracklist: Sign of the Cross Lord of the Flies Man on the Edge Fortunes of War Look for the Truth The Aftermath Judgment Day Judgment of Heaven Blood on the World's Hands I Live My Way The Edge of Darkness Justice of the Peace 2 A.M. The Unbeliever
Hi Chris!! As a big Maiden and Chile been one of their "homes" abroad, we got the chance to see him fronting the band in 96, and that was a tough show..... the thing is, i don't think he was the right fit for the sound of the band and the songs are not so good, with the exception of the ones they're still playing live. I heard the X Factor when it came out and thought, "not good enough" and "Virtual XI even worst, they seems to be uninspired and tired. Still don't own a physical of them Also not a fan of both artworks, i really miss Derek Riggs drawings.... Cheers and Up the Irons
I like Virtual XI better but X Factor still rocks. I totally understand your thoughts on Blaze singing some of the Maiden tunes live. They were out of his range.
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed I believe these 2 albums started the current style that maiden is writing in..... You could say it started with 7th son.... but, after 7th son they changed directions and went more mainstream. I think the X factor was actually a course correction to get back to the style they would have done after 7th son... just less keyboards. People that don't like the proggier style they've done since the reunion, probably won't like these. I do, so I like them!
I've always been a fan of Angel/Gambler, it makes up for all those other songs with catchy choruses that finish too quickly. I think "Blood Brothers" on BNW is much more annoying in terms of repetitive chorus since it's much less dynamic. I like the Bayley Maiden albums overall better than Brave New World tbh, but the Bruce solos Accident of Birth and The Chemical Wedding are by far the best for me during that late 90s/early 00s. I'd even claim they're two of the best realized metal albums in general.
I like also symphonic métal ,even black symphonic ,really like cradle of filth Queen of winter throned,its just beautifull, also the kovenant Bringer of the sixth son, check out.
When this album came out the x factor, the main problem I had was the drums, I found them too loud and thuddy and a little simple for Nicko, no big drum fills or rolls and I never liked the small kit, sounds better live with the full kit. In certain parts the guitars sound a little thin, I mean listen to the great edge of darkness, then listen to how much fuller and heavier the guitars are live, really the only song I don't like is the unbeliever, should have put the b side of judgement day on instead and ended with 2am. Virtual xi is great as it is, it has some of Dave's best guitar solos on it. Just imagine how amazing maiden would have sounded had they tuned down slightly for Blaze, shame on them for not doing so, it's maiden's fault not blaze's he had vocal problems live.
I like some songs on both but both feature some of Maiden’s worst tunes. The production on both is really sub standard too though I haven’t heard the remasters.
I actively ignored both albums for years. Brought it back this year (2024) and i’m obsessed. They are different but brilliant. Virtual XI is now one of my favorites . I came to understand and love both albums, and Iron Maidens catalogue in the 2000’s. I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and lost intrest after Fear Of The Dark. I’m happy to rediscover this beautiful band.
Blaze rules!
For me, The X Factor is THE BEST Iron Maiden album. Bought it back in '95, still love it, it' s timeless. Virtual XI also have some gems.
I love both albums and Blaze too!
Excellent evaluation of these overlooked albums. I was gone from Maiden for a long time although not on the account of Blaze. I was simply exploring so much other music at the time and went away until my daughter reignited my interest in not just Maiden but Heavy Metal. Even still, I did not check these albums out because I read many bad things about this era of the band without doing my own research until I thought on a comment someone made to me; I was missing out. So I gave them a try and low and behold The X Factor is one of my all time favorite Maiden albums coming in at #2 and I became a huge fan of Blaze Bayley. Any issues he had in Maiden were the fault of Steve Harris who hired the man and refused to tune down to Blaze's range. I love all of Blaze's solo work and am in the process of obtaining his back catalog. There is not a more genuine and positive man in Heavy Metal than Blaze Bayley!!! Long live Iron Maiden! Long live Blaze Bayley! Long live Heavy Metal!!!
Thanks for commenting. Blaze rules!!!
Killer video Chris!! I love those albums especially the X Factor! I never got the hatred for them , great job on this one 👍🤘🤘
Thank you, Aaron!
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed Really late here, but The X Factor is one of my favorite Iron Maiden albums, gets to much hate because Blaze is in it. Honestly Blaze fits more with this album than Bruce.
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessedwhere did u buy x factor from as need it for collection
Great video! I could happily watch you talk about Iron Maiden all day. 🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻
Thank you, Jeff. That’s how I feel about you discussing The Beach Boys and Beatles.
I agree these albums grew on me over time and the remasters sound great. I always loved Sign of The Cross, Man on The Edge and Lord of The Flies. All 3 songs the Band has played live with Bruce and he crushes them. My favorite track is The Unbeliever and I would love to hear Bruce sign this song live. Virtual VI is definitely more upbeat and Futureal is a Barn Burner as an opener. And Bruce’s live version is proof! These did take a while for me to appreciate but I do now and that is what counts! Up The Irons🤘😎🤘
Thanks for watching! I love spreading love for the Blaze years!
Good video. Two great albums. The aftermath and blood on the world's hands are two of my all time favourite maiden songs, educated fool is phenomenal. Hopefully you'll get a few people to checkout or revisit these great albums. Cool Japanese CD. I tried to find it when I went to Japan but they only had the new reissue ones, did manage to pick up a Japanese pressing of virtual though 🤘
These two albums are joining the ranks of my favorite Maiden albums!
Great video Chris!
I'm a huge Maiden fan and like you, I also really like the Blaze Maiden albums.
And thank you for mentioning the Japanese CD version ... I had no idea there were bonus tracks.
Thanks for tuning in Jason! The Japanese version is killer!
One, you get mega points for having Headless Cross in the background. Masterpiece. Also, I love both Blaze era albums a bunch.
That reminds me…I need to spin Headless Cross! Blaze!!!
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed some of Tony Martin Sabbath stuff is absolutely amazing. Actually, all of it with the exception of Forbidden. Lawmaker from TYR and the Shining from Eternal Idol are two of my favorite songs ever. The Ray Gillen Eternal Idol is great too.
The blaze solo albums post maiden are awesome!
Agreed!
Great video review I just got the X factor on cd and I’m very happy to finally own it on cd I also have Virtual XI on cd happy to say I own both of those albums on cd
Both records are killer!!! Enjoy!
Will have to check them out. Don’t have any in my catalog. Thanks for pointing them out and featuring them. Great video my friend 😊😊
You need some Maiden, brother!
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed yea, I do 😊
Angel and the Gambler, awesome....glam? I don't think so ... early UFO... yes. Love your video.
Thank you…killer song!
When 2 worlds collide is heavy as hell
Yessss!
I saw both tours live both albums since day one
I wish I could have seen those tours.
I need to listen to both of these
You do!!!
Anyone who says anything good about these two albums gets a like and a sub, good job.
Yesss! I appreciate it!
Great video and yes the educated fool is one of my all time fav maiden songs ever.
The Blaze years are sooooooo underrated!
Hey Chris. You said it so nicely that I wanted to listen to those albums, so now I reached for X Factor. I'm not a big fan of Blaze's vocals in Maiden but there are some great songs on these albums. I haven't heard the remastered versions, maybe these would suit me better. Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed listening to your thoughts on these albums. Up the Irons!!!
Thank you for tuning in!!!!! You probably would dig the remastered versions!
I love to see that it is not only me that is defending blaze
Love Blaze!!!!
Thats one era of Maiden that I've never listened to. I think I will give it chance.
Let me know what you think!
Noice, other than that, cool and UP THE IRONS🤘🏾🔥!!!!!:).
Virtual XI is a solid album and X Factor is a top 5 Maiden album for me.
Yesss!
Finally somebody who likes Virtual XI, their most underrated album. The X-Factor has one of their best songs, Sign of the Cross, and both are experimental albums with different styles than what IM fans are used to but still great. There's nothing wrong with a bit of experimentation. Como Estais Amigos is a case in point and Blaze Bailey's baby, a fantastic song I still go back to.
I love both albums obviously. Blaze is the man.
Hello Chris! Yes Blaze is a great singer, i love his vice! Greetings from Germany and rock on Gunnar from Alfie vinyl!
Yesss!!!! Thanks for watching!
Ok stop beating me over the head, I’ll go back and give these another listen! Just kidding 😂 Seriously, I haven’t played these two for years and I should check them out again. I feel like I liked some of it, just such a drastic change from Bruce. Great video Chris
Listen to X Factor first!!!!
I think both are pretty good. I would even say Virtual XI is even better than some of the newer albums like A Matter of life and Death. X factor is long and tedious, and wasn't the right album to introduce a new singer
I agree with you on Virtual XI being better than some of the newer stuff. X Factor definitely has a gloomy vibe to it. I dig it though. Take care, Pete!
I've always liked Virtual IX. That was the only one I heard when it came out. I heard Xfactor years later. I think fans need to give these another chance.
I totally agree!
The clansman is great
Such a classic tune!
I really enjoy the XFactor. I bought it on release day but havnt heard Virtual enough to form an honest opinion yet. They deffinatley dont deserve the hate they got. Love your thoughts brother😃
Thank you!!!!!!
I wlll def check this out
Theres definitely stuff to enjoy on both
Steve just made loads of bad decisions on the
Edit check out Blaze doing Gambler live in 2022. Much better
Came here from your Iron Maiden ranking video. Have these two albums grown on you enough to move them from 15th and 16th?
My two least favourites are actually their last two, I never saw all the fuss about Book Of Souls at all.
If I am honest, I prefer The X Factor over Virtual XI to be the better Blaze Bayley albums, in Iron Maiden, even though I still love the Bruce Dickinson albums better, but there are good songs on the Blaze Bayley albums like I love six of the songs of the eleven songs on The X Factor, and I love five of the eight songs on Virtual XI, and even though they have many different ideas, yes, and a slight imperfect fit without Bruce, but they still have some great moments on them.
Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.
I think Blaze was a great singer in Wolfsbane but I don't think Harris adjusted his song writing to get the best out of him. The best Blaze-era Maiden songs are the ones Blaze has credits for. Neither are as bad as people like to make out (many people shit on them and have never really listened to them IMO). I like them as individual albums but they can't hold a torch to what came before or after. Enjoyed hearing your thoughts on these two Chris!
Do you like his post Maiden albums?
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed I've never really invested any time to check them out to be honest.
8:00 would love to see a more detailed unboxing of the Japanese cd, it looks pretty cool.
I’ll see if I can do one.
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed thanks
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed why was your iron maiden ranking video removed?
I actually really like these albums, now. Initially no - on the heels of Bruce leaving it was traumatic but it has been a few years now & I have grown to like these CD's. Basically the albums felt like a new pair of shoes that didn't feel right so I just threw them out. NOW though, I look at the albums as a separate entity from the rest of the Maiden catalogue. I have separated all of the Maiden catalogue into eras otherwise I will be forever comparing one era to another. Basically they are as follows:
1979-1981, 1982-1985, 1986-1993 / 1994-1998, 1999-2021 - I mean, you can't compare D'ianno to Bruce or even 1982 Bruce to 2005 Bruce.
Blaze has some amazing records going back to the 80's, no he isn't Bruce but he IS Blaze. I can see why Steve chose him, he does have qualities of Paul & Bruce but he IS Blaze. Anyway, he is also a nice guy (does that matter?) and works so hard, he has released so much material after Maiden. I wish the lads from Iron Maiden did something to recognize Blaze AND Paul's contributions - I mean it's all Iron Maiden history. Imagine, a best-of or singles collection with all 3 singers (and no live substitutes).
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Such great albums and Blaze does a killer job on vocals.
No such a bad albums, they could be better but no the worst , I hear them and I own them , enjoyable songs
Yesss!
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed Of course man
Since strategically including the three cut songs from what should have been Maiden's first actual double album, I won't listen to The X Factor any other way. It feels so much more complete and the bursts of speed that those three faster songs provide really gives the latter half of the album a boost. For anyone interested, here's the tracklist:
Sign of the Cross
Lord of the Flies
Man on the Edge
Fortunes of War
Look for the Truth
The Aftermath
Judgment Day
Judgment of Heaven
Blood on the World's Hands
I Live My Way
The Edge of Darkness
Justice of the Peace
2 A.M.
The Unbeliever
Cool track listing!!!!
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed Thanks! It flows surprisingly well, which wasn't always the case with other variations I've tried.
Love wolfsbane
Hi Chris!! As a big Maiden and Chile been one of their "homes" abroad, we got the chance to see him fronting the band in 96, and that was a tough show..... the thing is, i don't think he was the right fit for the sound of the band and the songs are not so good, with the exception of the ones they're still playing live. I heard the X Factor when it came out and thought, "not good enough" and "Virtual XI even worst, they seems to be uninspired and tired. Still don't own a physical of them Also not a fan of both artworks, i really miss Derek Riggs drawings.... Cheers and Up the Irons
I like Virtual XI better but X Factor still rocks. I totally understand your thoughts on Blaze singing some of the Maiden tunes live. They were out of his range.
I agree with everything you said.. But I think I like Como Estas amigos a little more than you do I think that's very underrated
It’s definitely grown on me! In a good way.
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed I believe these 2 albums started the current style that maiden is writing in..... You could say it started with 7th son.... but, after 7th son they changed directions and went more mainstream. I think the X factor was actually a course correction to get back to the style they would have done after 7th son... just less keyboards. People that don't like the proggier style they've done since the reunion, probably won't like these. I do, so I like them!
I've always been a fan of Angel/Gambler, it makes up for all those other songs with catchy choruses that finish too quickly. I think "Blood Brothers" on BNW is much more annoying in terms of repetitive chorus since it's much less dynamic. I like the Bayley Maiden albums overall better than Brave New World tbh, but the Bruce solos Accident of Birth and The Chemical Wedding are by far the best for me during that late 90s/early 00s. I'd even claim they're two of the best realized metal albums in general.
I spin the Blaze albums more than any of the reunited Bruce albums. I do like Dance of Death though.
Competition: Guess how many times Blaze sings "Dont look to" on Dont look to the eyes of a stranger".
1K??????? Lol
@@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed it is actually not a bad guess
I can't say that virtual xi is bad album becos this is the first metal album I ever heard.
First Metal album??? Very cool!
i like the old maiden of course but thèse two albums were made for me , also i prefer Blaze on the clansman
Love Blaze on The Clansman!!!
I like also symphonic métal ,even black symphonic ,really like cradle of filth Queen of winter throned,its just beautifull, also the kovenant Bringer of the sixth son, check out.
When this album came out the x factor, the main problem I had was the drums, I found them too loud and thuddy and a little simple for Nicko, no big drum fills or rolls and I never liked the small kit, sounds better live with the full kit. In certain parts the guitars sound a little thin, I mean listen to the great edge of darkness, then listen to how much fuller and heavier the guitars are live, really the only song I don't like is the unbeliever, should have put the b side of judgement day on instead and ended with 2am. Virtual xi is great as it is, it has some of Dave's best guitar solos on it.
Just imagine how amazing maiden would have sounded had they tuned down slightly for Blaze, shame on them for not doing so, it's maiden's fault not blaze's he had vocal problems live.
The production is so much better. I’m glad you dig these albums too!!!!
Keep singing bro
You're just taunting me with the Headless Cross album....
Hahahaha
Also with cross purposes live next to it (yes I know it's a bootleg but still)
I like some songs on both but both feature some of Maiden’s worst tunes. The production on both is really sub standard too though I haven’t heard the remasters.
You should listen to the remasters. Total transformation!
The x factor and virtual are better than the two dog shit albums that are no prayer and fear of the dark
I like Fear better than No Prayer.