Senjutsu
Details
LP / Format
Parlophone / Label
Heavy Metal / Genres
Kevin Shirley / Producer
ironmaiden.com / Website
Tags
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CRITIC REVIEWS
100
Their second double album, Senjutsu is as ambitious and heavy as its predecessor (2015’s The Book of Souls), but tempered by a more windswept, melancholic vibe, alongside some of their most fiendishly complex melodies to date.
91
Senjutsu is more of a heavy head-nodder than a power-metal fistraiser. For those of us sitting at home, currently unable to witness an Iron Maiden concert, we can appreciate that.
90
Senjutsu continues to reveal its astonishing depth and a wealth of melodic treasures that will see it easily claim its place alongside the finest works of their canon.
90
In tone it’s the band’s darkest album, but the sheer coherence and confidence of the playing, writing and production makes it feel filled with light and positivity.
80
Iron Maiden’s Senjutsu is not without its share of bumps and plenty of familiar scenery, but after more than 40 years, the band are as exhilarating as ever.
80
Clocking in at just over 80 minutes, the epic Senjutsu is another distended late-career triumph, albeit one that requires multiple spins to set up camp in your Homeric metal-craving cranium.
80
Long-running metal firebrands have matured their sound on LP 17 without sacrificing any of their epic grit.
80
Perhaps the most wonderful thing about Senjutsu is just how much fun the band are having. It’s an album built to entertain, full of theatre, full of gold-standard musicianship.
80
Staying well within its lane, Senjutsu is a dependable gift to fans and newcomers alike. Doing exactly what is expected of it, album number seventeen establishes just why Iron Maiden continue to stride so confidently forward as they do.
80
The powerhouse metal sound that’s earned them a religious following in every far-flung corner of the globe remains firm. But here, they take things further; ultimately letting imaginations run wild in an album that’s more confident and idea-packed than ever before.
80
On paper, an overblown piece inspired by feudal Japan made by a load of Brits in their 60s shouldn't be rocking so hard in 2021 - but that's Iron Maiden for you. They persevere, they entertain the masses and have well-earned the mantel of legends.
80
Senjutsu is simultaneously more diverse than its predecessor but somehow manages to concentrate its punches. It’s the sound of a band that continues to strive when it’s already honed its craft to perfection and it’s got a samurai Eddie on the cover. What more do you need?
75
Senjutsu lacks the same variety and sense of surprise that characterized the band’s previous record, though it contains a more consistently high energy. Warts and all, it’s yet another high-water mark in one of the strongest career resurgences of any rock band with remotely this level of tenure.
74
The British metal legends return with their dark and patient 17th album. While their influence looms large in heavy music, no other band sounds quite like this.
74
It’s Iron Maiden, once again, flexing their inimitable style with vigour and enthusiasm. And that’s the most endearing aspect of Senjutsu; for a band that’s been going for this long, it’s wonderful to see all of these talented musicians making music with genuine heart and passion behind it all.
60
Their albums are usually good for multiple songs that get stuck in your head for days. That hasn’t happened with this one. Unfortunately, that puts it a cut below their best.
60
For all the finesse and flamboyance of their playing, there is the spirit of an old Englishman painting model tanks in his shed in so much of their military history-obsessed songwriting.
Iron Maiden just dropped the album cover of the year! Oh… and the music is decent I guess. I was cautiously hyped and got what I expected.
I really wanted to give this a 70 based off the cover alone, but the music fell short on this one. However, I’m impressed that Iron Maiden can still drop quality albums this far into their career, but the main problem with the band’s most recent output is their focus on quantity. Ever since the mid-80s, Iron Maiden has incorporated ... read more
OH DAMN, EDDIE GOT A SWORD, AIN'T NO STOPPING HIM NOW!!!
Yeah, I don't care anymore. Only Dickinson-led Maiden record to be in the red, and only Maiden album in general to be in the red aside from the atrocious Virtual XI. And honestly, I don't really see any reason why I have any need to justify the reasoning. I genuinely believe that Senjutsu will end up going down as one of Maiden's all time lowest points. Even some of their other low points that everyone can universally agree on at least ... read more
If you ask me what my two favourite bands of all time are, the first answer I would give you is The Beatles. For second place, though it'd be a real struggle. The first of the two would be Death Grips and the second Iron Maiden. So, no doubt that my hype was through the roof when "Senjutsu", the British rock band's first record for six years, was announced. Over the years, Iron Maiden have delivered so many timeless rock classics, delivering a sound that is intoxicating in its raw ... read more
Extremely disappointing to come after their modern classic "The Book Of Souls" with a cool album cover, but only a couple of good songs.
Re-Rating Iron Maiden #17 + conclusion
I just wanted to finally sum things up so to be honest I totally skimmed through this album this time because I didn't want to relisten to the whole thing so soon. Senjutsu is just like its album cover - soulless and bland. It's probably their most forgettable album after X-Factor. I still can't believe how awful Bruce sounds on here. One of my favourite vocals in music is just unbearable at times The guitar work is so boring and uninspiring through the ... read more
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Track List
| 1 | Senjutsu 8:20 | 65 |
| 2 | Stratego 4:59 | 62 |
| 3 | The Writing On The Wall 6:13 | 73 |
| 4 | Lost in a Lost World 9:31 | 64 |
| 5 | Days of Future Past 4:03 | 65 |
| 6 | The Time Machine 7:09 | 70 |
| 7 | Darkest Hour 7:20 | 62 |
| 8 | Death of the Celts 10:20 | 64 |
| 9 | The Parchment 12:38 | 64 |
| 10 | Hell On Earth 11:19 | 70 |
Total Length: 1 hour, 21 minutes
Year End Lists
| #7 | / | Revolver |
| #9 | / | Decibel |
| #13 | / | Prog Magazine |
| #14 | / | Kerrang! |
| #44 | / | Rolling Stone |
| #47 | / | Sputnikmusic |
| #70 | / | PopMatters |
| / | Glide |
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1y
First Iron Maiden album that I hear. I didn't have much expectations, given it is a band that I never cared for, and they have a super long career. This album is amazing, considering the band is 40+ years old. Amazed.
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Added on: July 19, 2021