POWERSLAVE

The third of the Classic Three, and probably the best. This is THE Iron Maiden album for me sometimes, and sometimes it's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, depends on my mood. Basically this is where everything came into place and Maiden could do no wrong. Not one song is a downer. The album mostly has this Egyptian feel to it, obvious due to the cover...

The opener Aces High starts with a bang, and this song is where Bruce Dickinson got his 'air siren' name from, most likely from the final notes of the chorus. This song is fast, full of intricate guitar work and solos, tight drums and bass, and mega intense vocal delivery.

2 Minutes to Midnight keeps the album going with it's instantly recognizable main riff (Maiden has tons of these) and great chorus.

Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) is the band's best instrumental track. This is where the Egyptian themes really start coming into play. This song is powerful and intense and excellent guitar work.

Flash of the Blade and The Duelists once again keep the album moving, for there's really no break in the album till towards the end. FotB has nice chorus melodies, especially in the vocals. The Duelists sees the band playing with different time signatures and more complex rythyms. Excellent songs.

The last 'normal song' (in terms of Maiden's standards) is Back in the Village, probably the most fun song with the most ridiculous guitar riff on the album. It's so fast yet so incredibly catchy. This song is competition for fastest Maiden song on the album with Aces High.

Once the song is over, the prog-metal begins. After a very haunting and evil Pharoah laugh, a drum roll leads right into the title track...

POWERSLAVE. One of the heaviest songs the band has made, the Egyptian theme is now in full swing and it couldnt be more amazing. This is the band's most evil, haunting, yet beautiful song the band has made. After the main theme of the song ends, it moves to a more melodic, sad part of the song. The song builds up with an excellent solo before building up the song into another solo, but with more power and musicianship. After the solo is probably the MOST underrated twin guitar part Maiden ever wrote. Maybe it's cause the bass is more prominant in that part, but it is so beautiful, i wish it were more clear.

Finally we move to the epic 14 minute track, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. The song takes its time throughout the song. The first section telling the story. When the song moves into 6/8, the song starts becoming more than just your average Maiden tune. Once Bruce is done singing for a bit, the song becomes this dark force that no one could anticipate, nor contend against. When the mood eventually calms down a bit, the song gets darker until you can't even see your hands in front of your face. But there is a beakon of hope, as the song turns more and more uplifting and builds and builds and builds and builds until it cannot build no more and EXPLODES into prog-metal euphoria. My sweet Jesus i have goosebumps, chills down my back and wet pants all at once when the solo comes in. Word cannot describe how amazinf this song is, you just have to listen to it yourself. It just makes you want to go "Yes!" and raise your fist. I dont care if you like prog-metal or not, if you dont enjoy this song, then you are not a prog fan in general in my eyes.

I have no more to say...