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THE REVIEW
It was back in 1984 when Iron Maiden released this record on the market.
After two masterpieces like "The Number Of The Beast" and "Piece Of Mind", with "Powerslave" the Maiden took another step forward. The CD in question can be considered perfect in every aspect: cover, production (keep in mind that 22 years have passed) and songs.
The album opens with "Aces High", one of the best tracks born from the pen of Steve Harris, in which Bruce Dickinson delivers an incredible vocal performance and the guitars of Adrian Smith and Dave Murray intertwine in whirling solos. It is followed by "2 Minutes To Midnight", another great track that is still a classic in the Maiden's concert setlist today. "Losfer Words" is an instrumental track, a sort of intermezzo before continuing with "Flash Of The Blade", a song that is part of the soundtrack for the film "Phenomena".
Dickinson, as with the entire album, is superb, at the peak of form as is the rest of the band. A note of credit also goes to the rhythm section where the Harris/McBrain duo doesn't miss a beat: the good Steve is impeccable in accompanying the band and always finds space to highlight his Fender. On his part, Nicko McBrain is perfect, with not a single cymbal or tom out of place, always precise and clean. After two more tracks that keep the high level of the album, we arrive at the title track, a piece entirely signed by Dickinson: a remarkable composition where in just over 8 minutes you can hear melodic arpeggios, classic gallops in Maiden style and dizzying solos. The album closes with the most representative track of the CD: "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner", where Steve Harris wisely inserts some excerpts from the homonymous work by S.T. Coleridge; in just under 15 minutes is encapsulated the best Iron has recorded: A track to pass on to posterity.
After the publication of "Powerslave", the group embarked on a gigantic tour comprising 360 dates over the course of a year: from the "World Slavery Tour" in 1985, "Live After Death" was extracted, the best live album ever published by the Iron Maiden. To conclude, "Powerslave" is a CD that cannot be missing from the shelf of any self-respecting metalhead.
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Summary by Bot
Iron Maiden's 1984 album Powerslave is hailed as a flawless heavy metal masterpiece, building on previous landmark releases. Highlighting stellar vocals from Bruce Dickinson, exceptional guitar work, and a powerful rhythm section, the album features classics like 'Aces High' and the epic 'Rime Of The Ancient Mariner.' With immaculate production and a monumental world tour to follow, Powerslave remains essential listening for metal fans.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Iron Maiden
British heavy metal band formed in 1975, led by bassist and principal songwriter Steve Harris. Famous for epic studio albums, theatrical live shows featuring vocalist Bruce Dickinson, and the mascot Eddie.180 Reviews
Other reviews
By AR (Anonima Recensori)
"The first track, the famous 'Aces High,' leaves you breathless with a sustained bass and soaring guitars."
"The last track 'The Rime of The Ancient Mariner' is a historic piece… still played and acclaimed by fans twenty years later."
By Suengiu_metal88
This CD with a cover that takes us back to the times of ancient Egypt has been one of Iron Maiden’s greatest masterpieces.
‘Rime Of The Ancient Mariner,’ with its thirteen minutes of song, might seem like a tiresome song at first, but when Steve takes the helm of it all, we discover an extraordinary Maiden style that encourages us never to stop listening.
By fritz
Powerslave, the perfect synthesis of the band’s furious early approach and their exploration of new sounds.
'Rime Of The Ancient Mariner' is nothing short of a not quite perfect assembly of at least three or four songs, complete with a central part recited by an off-screen voice.
By the x factor
Masterpiece, masterpiece, masterpiece. The right word for this album, really beautiful, with perfectly crafted riffs and solos studied in minute detail.
The longest and most ambitious song of the entire Maiden repertoire... a song to listen to all in one breath, which never becomes boring.
By Snowblind
Powerslave is, without a doubt, my favorite album by Iron Maiden.
Listening to tracks like this truly evokes sadness because it makes you realize that there will never be albums and bands like this again.
