Iron Maiden Album: “Powerslave [Bonus Video Tracks]”

This album got some of the most amazing songs I have heard. It starts whit the great "Aces High" that makes u feel like a World War II pilot, then it goes on with a true Maiden classic, 2 minutes to midnight. It is followed by a great instrumental track, Losfer Words, then Flash of the Blade one more good song to remember. The Duellists has a great rhytm, and Back in the Village, altough it's the worse song in the record, still doin' if you hear it with attention. Then comes Powerslave, to me it is one of the best songs written by Dickinson, not a silly song as "Bring your Daughter to the Slaughter" and it to me it beats "Revelations", cause this song have some great riffs, solos, lirics and also the idea is very original. And, Last but not Least, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, one of the best songs Harris has ever write, to me, cause such as Powerslave it has a great history (based on a book, by Coleridge I think) and lirics, a great rhytm and some great melodys. I think this is one of that songs that u just have to put it on, close your eyes and relax, and then u feel something that u cant describe. Sure hope that u can understand my english, once here in Brazil it's not the language and I'm spendin' all I've got here. UP THE IRONS!

Not only do I consider this my favorite Iron Maiden release, I consider this to be one of the best heavy metal albums recorded. EVER. From the opening notes of "Aces High" to the end of "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner", this eight song album never hits a wrong note. I cannot fairly pick highlights, as all songs are outstanding. However, if I were to be biased, I would have to say the title track is the best song the band has ever recorded. I am just sorry the band never got the recognition they deserved with Powerslave. Yes, the World Slavery Tour sold out throughout the entire United States, which is amazing considering Powerslave was given almost no airplay on radio or MTV.

This is a completely self-contained musical voyage. You need not be a hard rock fan or an Iron Maiden fan to enjoy this, just appreciative of a good story and and an emotional atmosphere. Dickinson's powerful voice carries the emotion and energy of [mainly] Harris's lyrics but provides a key element missing in most hard rock music; enunciation. You expend no extra attention in hearing these wonderful lyrics, fantastical, poignant, dramatic (e.g., the lamentation of the loss of power through death and the plot to return by a once great but brutal Egyptian ruler in Powerslave, and the journey to hell and back through a grave mistake and eventual redemption and its associated burden of a common man in Rime of the Ancient Mariner, a treatment Coleridge may have approved of, at least in spirit). There is no fluff in the topics covered in all the songs; they are all stories of historical and fantastical bent, no odes to childish emotions or feelgood activities or chauvanistic, fratboy tendencies. You don't drive down the road with these songs blasting out your car window, you shut off the lights in your room, put on the headphones and close your eyes. And the instrumentation, it carries the emotion. Harris' bass and McBrain's drums grab your gut and heart. Although the crazy guitar solos, often in tandem, are technically superb, it is the rhythm guitar waves that provide the aural landscape, and I am actually disappointed when the solos arrive and this is disrupted. This CD (and Piece of Mind, of which I can say identical things and describe in a similar manner; you don't need any other Iron Maiden CD but these two) is in my disc wallet next to Roger Waters' The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking, Robbie Robertson's Robbie Robertson, Pink Floyd's The Final Cut, Sgt. Peppers LHC Band, Planet P's Pink World, U2's Unforgettable Fire, and Emmylou Harris' Wrecking Ball. Weird combo but they all transport you somewhere else by getting in your brain and heart.

Powerslave (1984.), Iron Maiden's fifth studio album

By the mid-1980's, Iron Maiden was one of the top metal bands out there and this was further seen in their great fan following. If being on top of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal scene at the start of the 1980's, with albums such as their self-titled debut and follow up 'Killers' was not enough, the band then made history with the seminal metal classic, 'Number Of The Beast' and then followed it up with the even better (in my opinion) 'Piece Of Mind'. The question was, could this band keep on producing such awesome heavy metal. After a long tour, the band went back to the studio and produced the 'Powerslave' album; their longest work at that point. This album has gone on to be a firm favourite amongst a number of fans but often languishes in the shadow of it's two predecessors. However, is this a fair reflection on the album?

'Powerslave' is in many ways, the last of the straight up metal albums for Iron Maiden in the 1980's, as later releases would explore the bands more progressive side. However for me, this album represents the peak of the band's powers. 'Powerslave' is a monster of an album, featuring blisteringly heavy riffs and consitently great tunes. Also though, more so than previous releases, the album explores more longer and epic songs. In many ways, this is where the album succeeds as these songs are able to keep the listener interested throughout, with plenty of captivating sequences. This is chiefly demonstrated with the title track and the 13 minute epic 'Rime Of The Ancient Mariner', showing the culmination of the band's songwriting ability. The album also features two of the band's greatest singles in 'Ace's High' and 'Two Minutes To Midnight'. Guitarists Adrian Smith and Dave Murray are in blistering form throughout the album, jamming out diverse and varied metal riffs and plenty of great solos, most notably in the 'Powerslave' song. Theres great drumming from Nicko McBrain and Steve Harris shows yet again how well the bass can be played (you could almost describe him as the 3rd guitarist in the band - his bass lines are that impressively dominant in the songs). Bruce Dickenson is well... Bruce Dickenson, vocals legendary as usual.

Not too long ago, the Iron Maiden catalogue got totally remastered and improved. Hence the 1998 remasters are the way to go. The remaster job is great and all of the songs shine through with no sound glitches but also the recent version features and excellent accompanying booklet. The CD itself also has an enchanced multimedia section and you can view video footage of the 'Aces High' and '2 Minutes To Midnight songs from your PC.

The well known opening riff to 'Aces High' gives a classic start to the album. This opener then bursts into top form fast metal from the band. Another song with a World War II theme, which the band are quite fond of in their songs, this is a great start to the song, with the chorus especially the highlight. An even better follow up in '2 Minutes To Midnight'. This is one of the few 6 minute songs that really succeeds as a single. From start to finish, it is an entrancing song with great riffs, fluid bass lines and great vocals. The instrumental 'Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)' is next up. Like most instrumentals, this song is highly underrated. It's another song full of great guitar solos supplemted by a solid bass line. 'Flash Of The Blade', another highly underrated Maiden tune follows. Mellow and deep verse riffs set up a great song and are followed up by another great chorus line. 'Duellists' finishes the first half of the album. This song is mostly instrumental with occasional inspired vocal injections from Bruce Dickenson. The guitar riffs have a heavy but again mellow feel to them, however, it is a style that works very well in this song.

'Back In The Village' opens up the second half of the album. Perhaps the work's weakest track, this song is still no turkey. The song's racy chorus is awesome and the occasional linking guitar riffs are infectiously catchy. However, on this album, the greatest 2 tracks are saved till last. The 7 minute mini-epic 'Powerslave' is the first. The song incorporates Egyptian styled progressions (in tune to the album's cover) which work really well. Bruce Dickenson uses themes of Pharoahs and Gods in what is a great vocal performance on this track. Musically, the song has great chugging riffs and wailing choruses, plus a crazy explosive ending. However the best part of the song is the instrumental part, which has some legendary bass lines from Steve Harris coupled with some killer solos from Murray and Smith. Then, if things couldn't get any better, the 13 minute epic in 'Rime Of The Ancient Mariner'. Some have called this progressive styled song overindulgent (it's Maiden's longest ever song), however there is no doubt in my mind and many others that this is one of the jewels in the crown for the band. Based on a poem by Samuel Coleridge, this epic never loses interest, whether it is in the lengthy verse riffs, the quiet but atmospheric interlude (which features creaking boat sound effects) or during the great harmonised solo section, which is Iron Maiden in full out attack. All in all, an awesome finish to an awesome album.

Many fans of Iron Maiden will say that the band's finest works were 'Number Of The Beast' or 'Piece Of Mind'. Both are excellent, classic efforts however I feel that this album tops them both, chiefly in terms of creativity and sheer power. 'Powerslave' is an album which never has a dull moment and represents the great band at their greatest height. 'Powerslave' is a must for any heavy metal fans collection, this is a perfect demonstration of how metal should be played. Don't miss out!

MY RATING: 10/10; a classic that rises above the rest

This album sounds more "back to the basic" then piece of mind, it's rougher around the edges and that makes it a great album. On this album it are the less obvious songs that I find most attractive like "Flash of the blade" and "The duellist", ofcourse the song "Powerslave" is great. On this album you'll also find the 13minute master piece "Rime of the ancient mariner" it will make you head bang for 13minutes straight!