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Iron Maiden - Powerslave CD (album) cover

POWERSLAVE

Iron Maiden

 

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4.15 | 848 ratings

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UMUR
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Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Powerslave is Iron Maidenīs fifth album and the third with Bruce Dickenson behind the microphone. Iron Maiden were at this time already one of the biggest heavy metal bands in the world but with Powerslave they cemented that position. Powerslave is one of their most classic albums and it contains many live favorites. Powerslave is probably my second favorite Iron Maiden album and itīs only superseeded by Somewhere in Time. Powerslave was also a significant album for Iron Maiden as it marked the first time the band had a steady lineup over two albums. The success and praise which Powerslave received at the time of itīs release in 1984 led Iron Maiden towards one of the biggest and longest tours of their career. You can hear evidence of that tour on the fantastic Life After Death album.

Powerslave begins with one of the most classic Iron Maiden tracks Aces High. Bruce starts the song with his signature air siren scream which fits the lyrics about air fighting well. Itīs a very fast paced song ( of couse not blast beats tempo but still fast) with some really challenging guitar riffs. A favorite Iron Maiden track for me if there ever was one. Two Minutes To Midnight continues the album in great style. Itīs a mid paced song with some beautiful vocal lines and guitar chord progressions. Iīve always been touched emotionally by this song. I donīt know why but it works really well for me.

Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) is an instrumental song which has never been my favorite. Of course itīs Iron Maiden weīre talking about so itīs still great. Flash Of The Blade is also a good song but again not a favorite for me. The main guitar riff is a bit generic seen with todayīs eyes, but probably worked wonders back then. There are some great classical guitar notes being played here too which are really great. The Duellists, which like Flash of the Blade is a song about one of Bruce Dickensonīs big hobbies sword fighting ( Iīm sorry but my limited English doesnīt allow me to give a more sophisticated explanation), is also pretty good but again nothing special. Back In The Village is a fast paced song which reminds me a bit about the two previous songs. Itīs good but not an Iron Maiden classic. Itīs funny but the four previous songs have never been favorites of mine in Iron Maidenīs discography even though they are good songs. They remind me of some of the least exciting songs from Piece of Mind.

Powerslave brings us back on the right course again. This is a classic Iron Maiden song. Itīs got a really cool main riff with an egyptian mood. Itīs such a great heavy song with great lyrics. One of the highlights of the album. Another highlight is definitely the last song on the album which is the epic Rime Of The Ancient Mariner. This is another classic Iron Maiden song and a fan favorite. The lyrics are inspired by Samual Taylor Coleridge famous poem written in 1797 - 1799. The song is 13:36 minutes long and itīs one of the longest songs written by Iron Maiden if not the longest.

The musicianship is excellent as always with Iron Maiden. Itīs impossible not to be impressed with the tight interplay between the musicians and of course Steve Harris dominant and busy basslines. Bruce Dickenson is such a unique singer and proves once again why he is so highly regarded by the fans of Iron Maiden.

The production from Martin Birch is one of the best productions that Iron Maiden has ever had and itīs even more impressive that Powerslave had this sound in 1984. I donīt recall hearing any other metal band from 1984 having this good a production. The bass is very high in the mix which of course is an aquired taste but personally I think it sounds great.

The cover is one of the most beautiful and detailed covers ever. This oneīs a favorite of mine. Derek Riggs has really outdone himself with this one ( and would again on Somewhere in Time)

Powerslave is one of the most classic heavy metal album of the eighties and one of the most important albums in Iron Maidenīs discography. After my favorite Somewhere in Time I would chose this one as their best. There is only one true masterpiece in Iron Maidenīs discography though and as Powerslave does have some weak parts Iīll rate this excellent album 4 stars. It might be the best place to start if youīre curious about Iron Maiden as it represents them so well. This is highly recommendable.

UMUR | 4/5 |

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