Of course it sounds different from Rock until you drop. Less agressive, totally disagree with that. Actually surprised you said that. It's as intense and heavier than Rock until you Drop. It's also more mature and 35 years later. The difference for me is mainly production. It's totally Raven in every way.
I'm only saying this next sentence to highlight something, not being a d*ck
. But I have every album they have ever done, and the train of progression from Rock until you Drop can be heard all they way through the back calalogue right up until the latest album. You can't expect the exact same sound on an album 35 years apart, although to me and anyone else I know who has heard the album it's totally Raven. The new album sounds like the sound Raven have had from like 1983 onward. Of course there are always refinements along the way. The new one sounds more like
All for One than Rock until you drop, but mostly due to production and guitar tones. Michael Wagner produced that Raven album. He counts them as one of the best he has ever worked with. He's actually thanked on the new album.
As for Iron Maiden, I left Iron Maiden a long time ago. I can't stand them now. I like the 1st two albums best, then Somewhere in Time, Seventh Son and perhaps Piece of Mind and Power Slave. I heard their new album sounds shit. I can't be bothered to check it out as the band does not interest me at all anymore. Is it different from their first album? Of course it is. Less aggressive? I dunno haven't heard it. It will never sound like the Dianno days because they moved away from that because they got Bruce Dickenson and he sings in a completely different style.
I do kinda know what you mean though, but I wouldn't say it happenes everyone.
I have a saying, "bands sounded better when they were poor".
Now I exagerate with that a little bit but it gets a point across that I think relates to what you are saying. Perhaps bands are hungrier and more raw before they make it big and lots of money? Raven thankfully never had the commercial success of and Iron Maiden for example, so they remain undiluted for me. In saying that they play all round the world and have a huge following STILL! I know I would be happy with that in the current climate of the music industry. No one makes any real money anymore so no chance of me becoming diluted