The X Factor by Iron Maiden (CD, Jan-2006, Metal-Is)

When I heard about X Factor coming out I was actually kind of excited that Maiden would be producing an album without Bruce Dickinson on vocals. Yes, I am a Dickinson fan, but I don't think a band should be held hostage simply because one member is unavailable, and let's face it, Iron Maiden is Steve Harris' baby, and Bruce only came to Maiden on the 3rd album. And I liked that Maiden chose someone who wasn't a Bruce clone as Judas Priest did with Ripper Owens replacing Rob Halford. Maiden chose someone who was almost the polar opposite of Bruce, with Blaze Bayley.
Musically, X Factor is pure Maiden. The guitar riffs, the heavy bass lines sometimes taking over meloday, the pounding drum work, all sounds familiar. Lyrically...well Blaze just doesn't have the chops to front Maiden. His vocal range is very small, his baritone doesn't fit the music as well, and he just lacks the power needed to be Iron Maiden's lead singer. With Paul Di'Anno you had the lower vocal register, but man...he sang with power and passion. Bruce Dickinson's vocal range is amazing, and when he sings, you take notice. Blaze was just kind of there, a mediocre lead vocalist at best. I can appreciate what Maiden was trying to do, and there are some moments that work on the album, "Sign of the Cross" and "Lord of the Flies" are two, pretty good rockers, just not up to the Iron Maiden level we are used to.
I think the thing with X Factor, is that Maiden fans will always wonder what if......what if Dickinson had sung lead, or what if Di'Anno had rejoined the band for this record? Though full of potential, X Factor doesn't really get off the ground.