Powerslave Reviews

• Epic Metal At It's Best!

  
  By A34IBXM7E8CPWE on 2004-10-15
  Iron Maiden's "Powerslave" was to metal what Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was to pop. If you were a fan of heavy metal in the 80's then this album was the soundtrack to your Saturday night out with the guys. There is just so much on this album to rave about, be it the killer chorus of "2 Minutes to Midnight", the great guitar track of "Flash of the Blade, the cool "Egyptian" sound to the title cut, of the epic "Rime of the Ancient Mariner". There was something here for every metal fan. Iron Maiden has made a career out of defying the norm, and in a time when most bands were riding the metal-pop wave, writing songs about Girls..Girls..Girls, or Talking Dirty to Me, Maiden's subject matter was the RAF during WWII and the Blitz with "Aces High". "Powerslave" is about Egyptian mythology, and the album also features a song about fencing "Flash of the Blade". Not your typical song matter for an 80's metal band. But the highlight of the album for me is "Rime of the Ancient Mariner", based on an 18th Century poem, this 12 minute epic tells the tale of a doomed captain and his ship, and is musically one of the most impressive songs in Maiden's catalog. If you haven't heard this song, then buy this album immediately! It's worth the price of the cd alone. It doesn't matter if you think "Powerslave" is Maiden's best album, or if you like "Beast" or "Piece of Mind" or any one of their other albums better, you have to respect Iron Maiden for what they accomplished with "Powerslave".
  
  

• Classic, timeless metal

  
  By ASVNSWIXBV72Q on 2005-08-15
  The year is 1984, and Iron Maiden are boarding a train. Bruce, Adrian, Dave, Steve, Nicko...all aboard? Now it's time to push the pedal to the metal, and don't let up until the album's over. The next stop? A classic, timeless metal album known as "Powerslave."
  
  This English metal band is about as important to heavy metal as Black Sabbath and Metallica. They debuted in 1980, when bands like Ramones and Clash were popular. So, Iron Maiden (and other New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands, like Motorhead and Judas Priest) killed off the uprising of punk, and helped to keep heavy metal alive in the `80's.
  
  "Powerslave" flies by at about the same pace as a Judas Priest record, but there's more to this album than just speed. Like stellar musicianship and super catchy rhythms. Plus, frontman Bruce Dickinson's vocals may be considered by some to be annoying, but I think they help to give Iron Maiden a sound of their own. His famous British-accented upper register usually shines in every song, and he also makes some good vocal hooks.
  
  "Aces High" begins with a chugging riff and stop-start bursts of drums. It then becomes a continuous, running beat, with some of the aforementioned high pitched singing (which sounds similar to Maiden's earlier hit, "Run to the Hills.")
  "2 Minutes to Midnight" has another fast, catchy riff and two melodic solos. This song is really a highlight, though, because the chorus is a shout-along (well, almost).
  "Losfer Words (Big `Orra)" is a personal favorite, because it's an instrumental. A lot of heavy metal's best albums (i.e. Metallica's "Master of Puppets," etc.) have instrumentals, and not only does "Powerslave" have one, it has a GREAT one. This song features some great guitar work (including a classical sounding solo), and a couple of tempo changes.
  "Duellists" is also mostly an instrumental (the middle and most of the end is free of vocals). It also has a fast, chugging riff, two more tasty solos, and a couple more speed changes.
  "Powerslave" has mostly galloping riffs. It slows down for the middle, when there are two wailing solos, but it turns back to the galloping beat near the end.
  
  Even though they may not be as relevant now as they were in the 1980's, they have influenced many popular bands (like Metallica), so the spirt of Iron Maiden lives on through them. Plus, even if you don't give them credit for being one of metal's most important and influential bands, "Powerslave" is still a classic, timeless masterpiece which should always have a place in every metalhead's C.D. collection.
  
  

• Maidens Finest Album

  
  By A10F6SIO7XJQDY on 2004-06-30
  Im going to start by saying this album is in my top 5 favorite cds and i have over 100.

  1. Aces High: This starts the album off with a bang. The guitar riffing is fast, high pitched, and adrenline pumping, not a very heavy song, but still metal and just as good.There is also a great solo by Dave Murray. You'll like this song if you like faster, higher pitched, metal songs. 10/10

  2. Two Minutes to Midnight: This was Maidens highest single of this album and for good reason, it has a cool riff and a very catchy chorus. Bruce dickinson does a pretty good vocal performance on this song. The guitar riff is much like Ted Nugent's Stormtrooping. 10/10

  3. Losfer Words (Big Orra):This was Maidens last instrumenatal,
  and unfortunatly it was not another Ghengis Khan. It has a fast heavy Prog Rock Sounding riff to it, this song is complety unique and I haven't heard anything like it. 8/10

  4. Flash of the blade: The song starts out with a unusual riff that sound like it could be part of a Ozzy Osbourne guitar solo.
  when the lyrics start both guitarists do your typical iron maiden power cord riffing. There is a cool sychronized solo played in octaves in the guitar bridge. 8/10
  

  5. The Duellists. Starts off with more heavy guitar riffing. Steve Harris plays his bass great in this song, providing a good backup sound in the chorus and the guitar solo that follows. Some parts of this song are very heavy, other parts are filled with melody, and in some parts there is both. There is an excellent guitar bridge and solo. 9/10

  6. Back in the Village: It's a decent song but it pales in comparison to all the other songs, it has a really wierd sounding main riff. When the guitar solo starts at 2:30 the song gets really good with good riffs and a guitar solo. 7/10 but 9/10 for the solo

  7. Powerslave: This is the secound best song on the album, the opening guitar riff is fast, galloping, and vicous sounding. Then it gets even better during the chorus when the riff changes into something even nastier and faster then the opening one. After the secound chorus the song complety mellows out into a slow beatiful guitar solo, this goes on for a minute then the drums kick in and in launches a fast, powerful, absoluty rocking guitar solo, with Steve Harris's Bass loudly playing along in a catchy little rhythm during the solos.
  11/10

  8. Rime of the Ancient Mariner. The album ends with one maidens finest songs ever. Every single memmber of the band shines on this song, there are more good guitar riffs in this song then on any 10 Nu-Metal albums, nevermind make that 20 albums, i kinda forgot how bad nu-metal is. This song is complety fasicnating and still amazes me. The whole album is worth the price just for this 14 minute epic masterpiece.
  13/10

  Sorry if you didn't understand me or i rambled on, but i just love this album, buy it!

  
  Please tell me what you thought of my review by pressing yes or no, im just curious to see if i was helpful at all. Thanks for reading.

  and one other thing listen to wrathchild (the reviewer below me.) he is absoluty right about everything he said, screw king diamond and all that satanic sh*t.
  
  

• One of the Best Iron Maiden Albums

  
  By A35NBGDTL6F2XJ on 2004-12-02
  The World Slavery Tour was my first concert ever; and in retrospect, what a great concert to start with! By 1984, when "Powerslave" came out, Iron Maiden had established themselves at the top of the heavy metal heap. Their previous album, "Piece of Mind," was a huge seller, and the successful World Piece Tour set the bar high for the band's follow up. The radio was already playing "Two Minutes to Midnight," so I had an idea we'd have more of the same good music.
  
  When "Powerslave" came out, I grabbed a copy as soon at it hit the stores. I still remember the album -- especially the textured front cover and a mass of hieroglyphics to decipher. (See what you lose with CD art?) There's all sorts of little messages Derek Riggs included in the cover, you just needed to have a hieroglyphics key to decipher them. I also recall there being a message scrawled on the vinyl's lead-out that said, "There's only one!" I'm not sure if that was just a random note or if there was anything to it. Who knows, maybe I had the winning album in some sort of meet the band contest.
  
  Even though I had gotten a small sample of the music, I was a bit disappointed on first listen. I guess I was looking to be slapped in the face and bowled over by it, but that didn't happen. Maybe it was because the band's sound had become more technical, weaving together more intricate melodies, I'm not sure. Nevertheless, over the years, I've grown to really love the album.
  
  In retrospect, this is a pretty good place to start if you've never heard a full album from the band's earlier days. I've always thought "The Number of the Beast" was better, but "Powerslave" shows a band reaching their creative peak. You not only get songs that widely regarded as Iron Maiden classics: "Aces High," "2 Minutes to Midnight," and "Rime of the Ancient Mariner," but the other songs round out the album almost to perfection. I have especially grown to love "Back in the Village" and "Flash of the Blade," two songs I'd love to see in the setlist.
  
  One note -- I am especially thankful for "Rime of the Ancient Mariner;" it came along during Freshman year English class. While the song isn't the whole poem , it contained enough to allow me to quote several passages and pass many a quiz!
  
  

• Flawless album

  
  By A2AR2HEZOTJDH9 on 2003-07-02
  This is a prime example of what every album should be. There is not a weak point on this entire album. It starts off with Aces High, which in my opinion is their greatest opener and one of their best songs ever. With its fast paced drum beat, dueling guitars, and the high pitched wail of Bruce Dickinson, it makes for the perfect opening to this album. Steve Harris bass work as always is incredible, and it can actually be heard which is not true in most metal bands. 2 Minutes to Midnight is a catchy tune with a great chorus which can be stuck in your head for days. Losfer Words is a nice little instrumental which displays the musical talent of each of the members. Flash of the Blade and The Duellists are both great songs, both with incredible guitar harmonies of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith. The title track, Powerslave, is themed in Ancient Egypt during the time of the Pharaohs, and the guitar riff goes great with the theme. Powerslave also has one of the best solos ever. The album closes with the 13 minute epic, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, also another Maiden classic. From beginning to end, this album is flawless.
  
  
• A response to worlds best idiot
  By on 2005-12-06
  "I see someone with an Iron Maiden shirt almost everyday for some reason. I'm glad I'm nat a stupid poser who just listens to what the media tells you is good music.
  Good Music:
  My Chemical Romance
  Green Day
  Velvet Revolver
  Gov't Mule
  Simple Plan
  (just to name a few)
  Bad Music:
  Coheed and Cambria
  Taking Back Sunday
  Interpol
  Bayside
  Pretty Much any other emo band besides The Used or Hawthorne Heights"
  
  Youre judging maiden and this album because you saw peaple wearing their tshirt, great proof dumbass! you have never listend to this album so you have no reason bashing it because someones wearing a tshirt. Youre list of music sucks as much as you do on your boyfriends penis. All of those bands suck at there instruments and are pussys whining.Im 13 and probly younger then you and listens to arch enemy,cradle of filth,shadows fall,obituary,slayer,cacophony,testament, howevery you pick grown men whining over horrible guitar playing over amazing solos great singing and lyrics dealing with ancient egypt. Do the world a favour and kill yourselve after you masterbate to a picture of benji.
  
  This recored is amazing from start to finish. If you like classic rock such as ac/dc or gnr check this out.
  CLASSICS=Aces high 2 minutes to midnight rime of the ancient mariner
  
  
  
• maybe im crazy
  By A1RQ3VS32SBAZK on 2002-08-12
  i really think that this is the worst maiden cd from the years 1980-1987. Maybe i was expecting so much from it( i had already heard number of the beast and piece of mind) that it was dissapointing. Honestly i think the worst part of the album is the drumming. It seems to me to be almost catatonic and very uninteresting. So i guess im try to say that the rythm on this album is not as powerful as it usual is with iron maiden.I was also very dissapointed wiht 3 songs: back to the village, the duellists and losfer words. These songs just make me say blah. They are just boring songs. Of course the album still has 5 good songs. My favoirte is the rime of the ancient mariner(one of the best moments in heavy metal history is the part after bruce sings something like "and down comes the rain") I think that aces high and 2 minutes to midnite are good songs too, but not masterpieces. Dont think that i dont like iron maiden, i love them, but i feel that this was an album of commercial heavy metal because most of the songs just follow a pattern(such as intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, verse, chorus)so that there arent many interesting surprises( really the only songs that have various interesting sections are the rime of the ancient mariner and powerslave.Fortunately this happened only on this album as somewhere in time and 7th son were masterpieces I still reccoment that if you like iron maiden you should get this album because it is worth buying but if you have never heard maiden before i reccomend you get a different album.
  
  
• Up the Irons, hell yeah!
  By A2GUUF4JQR1ZPJ on 2005-08-23
  Ah, what's to say that hasn't yet been said? When you look up metal in the dictionary, you'll see Maiden right next to it. And if you don't, then buy a revised copy. This is the definitive sound of everything that ever has been and everything that ever will be metal. Put simply, Maiden are legends, and Powerslave is one of their best efforts. Incredible riffing, mindblowingly complex drumming, killer solos, and that incredible power surge of Bruce Dickinson - this band has a sense of scale, and that scale is big. I can't even try to pick individual highlights, but the last song, the epic "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is pure genius! Certain parts of that song give me chills like no other. To wrap this short review up (and I know Maiden deserve a longer one), go out, buy Powerslave, crank up the stereo, and have yourself a good time. Really, it can't offer anything less. Not that we'd expect it to anyways.
  
  10/10
  
  PS - Sharon Osbourne, her stupid daughter, "Big Dave" and that lame excuse for a band Bury Your Dead can all jump off a bridge for all I care. No one f**** with Maiden and gets away with it! Up the Irons, cuz Ozzfest is now dead!
  
  
• Showpiece Masterwork for Iron Maiden
  By A1BJJVV2B5VLUQ on 2005-11-17
  THE BAND: Steve Harris (bass), Bruce Dickinson (vocals), Dave Murray (guitar), Adrian Smith (guitar), Nicko McBrain (drums).
  
  THE DISC: (1984) 8 tracks clocking in at approximately 51 minutes. This is their 5th album in 5 years. Recorded at Compass Point in Nassau, Bahamas. The disc contains an 18-page booklet with a brief intro, lyrics, band pictures and thank you's. All songs written by Harris and/or Dickinson (with Smith co-writing one). The enhanced CD features a nice multimedia section for your PC - including 2 videos ("Aces High" and "2 Minutes To Midnight"), the band's catalogue of albums, band history, family tree, itinerary from the '84-'85 World Slavery Tour, and more. Digitally remastered in 1998. Cover art by the one and only Derek Riggs.
  
  COMMENTS: It's hard to top this release from Iron Maiden. In my opinion, it sits up on that same lofty shelf with "Number Of The Beast" and "Piece Of Mind". "Powerslave" was Maiden's 3rd monster album in a row and it solidified them as the best metal act of the time. The title track is a classic and it's one of my favorite Dickinson penned tunes, ever. The 13+ minute "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner" is a marathon of a song, and perhaps the band's all-time exemplary magnum opus. "Aces High" and "2 Minutes To Midnight" were two of the band's higher ranking chart hits - and simply fast paced classic Maiden tunes. "Losfer Words" is a hard hitting instrumental (their first since "Genghis Khan" from their "Killers" album in 1981). The only song I give less than a perfect score is "Back In The Village" (a good song, but the least memorable on such a flawless album). I've been to many concerts and one of the stand-outs is Maiden at Radio City Music Hall in NYC (January '85)... 4 sold-out nights in a row (would have been 7 nights had Bruce not been sick). If I'm reaching for some classic old-school longhaired metal, or one of my favorite Iron Maiden albums, "Powerslave" is absolutely one of the first ones I choose. The band was never better than they were here on "Powerslave". Great disc.
  
  
• Spectacular Album
  By A3P81N48BDEYVK on 2002-04-22
  Having been around for nearly a decade by this time, Iron Maiden's sound was developing from their early punk-styled streetwise songs to complex masterpieces. The Number Of The Beast saw the beginning of this change. The band's 1984 release, Powerslave, was the moment where their new style shined it brightest.

  Like the previous release, 1983's Piece Of Mind, this album has the classic, and most likely the best, Iron Maiden lineup. Bruce "The Air Raid" Dickinson takes the forefront and vocals and sings with raw energy and power while having refined his ability over the last two albums. Guitarists Adrian Smith and Dave Murray play the harmonies that are so tight it's hard to imagine how they pull it off. They also let off some blazing solos when the time comes. As always, bassist and main lyricist Steve Harris lets himself be heard in the low end as he pounds, slaps and jams with the rhythm of Nicko McBrain, whose drumming is masterful and incredible.

  The album starts off with the classic Aces High. The song starts a little slowly but once the harmony and rhythm kicks in, you know your time has come. The song is fast paced; hard, heavy and powerful with some great guitar work and a showcase of Dickinson's vocal refinement. Next comes another classic and live favorite: 2 Minutes To Midnight. Slower than the previous song, the guitars are very tight while the rhythm is powerful as Dickinson sings away with perfection. Next is Losfer Words (Big Orra), which is one of the 4 instrumentals that Iron Maiden has recorded in their career. A very cool song, the guitars shine, the bass is all over the place and the drumming is solid and consistent. Flash Of The Blade comes next and this is an awesome song about fighting and being a swordsman. The opening guitar is pretty interesting but blows into a hard song that rocks until its over. Not much to say about this song except awesome.

  Another song about fighting, The Duellists follows up. It is basically a continuation of Flash Of The Blade with the heavy guitars and pounding rhythm but it is definitely a great song. One of my favorites on this album, Powerslave is an incredible song. Right away, the song hits home with heaviness. Dickinson steps in with the microphone and sings incredible lyrics about an evil Egyptian god. The guitar of the pre-chorus is cool and gives the song and evil type sound but the chorus is where everything shines. Dickinson's vocals soar while the other instruments play something similar to a march or even their signature galloping sound. The song breaks down into a soft piece but picks up again and ends in perfection. The final song, the longest song Iron Maiden has ever done, is Rime Of The Ancient Mariner. All any fan can say about this song is "wow". Its is simply incredible. The guitars gallop, the bass pounds, the drums flow and Dickinson's vocals are amazing. The breakdown with the spoken part is eerie but cool. And like the song Powerslave, the song comes full circle and ends perfectly. Words can not begin to describe this song.

  Among Iron Maiden's 12 studio albums, a majority of fans vote this album to be one of their favorites. It has everything Iron Maiden stood for from the beginning. Although a number of these songs aren't played live anymore, they are still classics in their own right and you have to love each and every one of them. I recommend this for every Maiden fan and any fan of metal in general. Go on. Buy it.
  
  

• A Definite Iron Maiden Classic!!!
  By A3PB2QUMDE71SH on 2004-01-20
  I didn't actually buy this album... Instead I downloaded every song from the net. And to tell you something... This ROCKS!!!
  Iron Maiden has never sounded this good! Aces High is the perfect opener in my opinion with its unbelievably fast guitars and excellent drumming. the story is based on the aerial combat of Great Britain in the early days. Two Minutes to Midnight is one of the first Iron Maiden songs I've heard and until now, it still packs a punch. Losfer Words is a definite classic in its own way even though its an instrumental. Its the 4th and final instrumental the band has made. The Duellists and Flash of the Blade is two-part saga that will pack a real punch into you as it sweeps you off your feet. Beautiful instrument usage and great vocals. The story is about a swordfight basically. A medievil warrior avenging his family. Back In the Village is one of the most underrated tracks I've heard. The verses and instrument usage is great but the chorus leaves a lot to be desired. The title track Powerslave is one of the greatest metal songs you'll hear. Themed in ancient Egypt, this tells the story of a slave. the final track is definetely the greatest Iron Maiden song of all time. a 14-minute epic that will have you listening to it all throughout... and making you play it again!

  Overall, this is definetely a Maiden classic! UP THE IRONS!
  
  

• Arguably Maiden's finest...
  By A1C23583NUQDAE on 2005-10-06
  Well I just got done reviewing Number of the Beast, and as long as I'm in the "not lazy enough to write reviews" mode, I figure I'll give you headbangers how I feel about this one. Well OF COURSE I think it is pure metal bliss, but simply saying that alone is just New York strip steak w/o the A1 sauce. Ya gotta tell WHY it's so highly praised. All us smart people know why Maiden rules in general, so I'll just cut to the chase and go straight to the songs now.
  
  Aces High 10/10 Bruce's voice is really powerful here, especially with the echoing effects. Like on 'Number', they open up with a song with a historical fighting.
  
  2 Minutes to Midnight 15/10 One of my personal all time faves from IM. I love the chorus to this one, "two minutes to miiiiiidnight! To kill the unborn in the womb!" I remember one time I was singing this song in front of some religious people playing frisbee and said "Oh my God that's terrible!" I guess they thought it was about abortion or something...
  
  Losfer Words 10/10 A SERIOUS instrumental here folks. I agree with other reviewers with the fact that it's very underrated and it's a shame. May not be as epic and complicated as let's say Metallica's instrumentals, but just as good. The bass shines here.
  
  Flash of the Blade 10/10 I like this one in particular because it reminds me of when I tried to take up fencing and I really sucked balls at it. I kept whacking people (which isnt what you're supposed to do) and giving them welts. Has an awesome repeating riff in the song and Bruce showcases his high pitched voice here too.
  
  The Duellists - 10/10 Another song with awesome vocals! This song in a way is semi-instrumental since theirs not much singing, which isn't really a bad thing. The lyrics are definitely very motivational for a medieval warrior about to fight in an epic battle, kind of like Braveheart or something.
  
  Back in the Village - 8/10 This track is probably underrated for a reason, the chorus is a wee bit repetitive. Perhaps not their finest lyrical moment. Has shredding guitars though, so the music more than makes up for the lyrics.
  
  Powerslave - 9/10 Definitely a unique song we have here. It's got those crazy Egyptian styled riffs that I dig. IM jumps right back on track with good lyrics again thankfully.
  
  Rime of the Ancient Mariner 25/10 Maiden saves the most epic for last just like on 'Number'. This is still hands down the longest song I have in my collection of music (and I listen to all kinds). Never fails to amaze me. It reminds me of when we had to read the poem back in AP literature class senior year, which is the worst class ever btw, and I remember really hating it. Too bad I hadn't gotten into Maiden yet, it would have really eased the monotony of that lesson. NOTE TO ANY ENGLISH TEACHERS ON THIS SITE: how 'bout blasting this song for the class instead of making the kids read it if you must include this poem in the syllabus. I bet they'll learn it even better.
  
  It's ok that this remaster doesn't have any bonus tracks, usually bonus tracks don't do anything for me so I personally am not going to make a big deal about it, even though it would've been a nice treat of course.
  
  So if you love this I also want you to get all of Maiden's 80s catalogue, Big 4 of thrash, Judas Priest, etc
  
  CDs I order you not to get: Atreyu, Feminem, Simple Plan, Limp Bizkit, Killswitch crap-gage, Nelly, etc. This ain't real music "homey"
  
  
• Quintessential metal.
  By A2C5P3398RHV8I on 2006-06-21
  It really is a damned shame, isn't it? This generation's sorry excuse for music is being recieved with misplaced fervor and adulation by would-be critics while grandiose epics such as Iron Maiden's "Powerslave" are fading into obscurity due to the gratuitous ignorance of the MTV-worshiping youth. Makes me cry. Just the thought of someone choosing Fall Out Boy and Avril Lavinge over Iron Maiden makes me ill. Maybe I'm out of line, but i strongly doubt it.
  
  
• Un gran logro de Iron Maiden.
  By A22BPQ1PSVVPQX on 2002-10-09
  Considero a Iron Maiden uno de los grupos de Metal más excelentes del planeta, su gran musicalidad, perfecto acoplamiento de los sonidos y su fabulosa imagen conceptual lo han hecho un gran suceso en el mundo entero. Este disco es para mí uno de los mejores, ya que contiene una de mis canciones favoritas de todos los tiempos: Aces High. Vale la pena la inversion, y es un buen CD para iniciar su colección de Maiden, en dos palabras: Excelente Album!!. JCG
  
  
• Very, very good.
  By A2OWY2H34XZLQ8 on 2003-07-23
  Well, I don't know what to say. It's just so... so... so... good. I think this is one of those rare albums that you just get, then cherish, then listen to it so much that you may want to puke, but then you listen to it again with nothing better to do, then love it again.

  1.Aces High-5/5-Very good song, reminiscent of Where Eagles Dare from Piece Of Mind. Awesome solo, too.

  2.2 Minutes To Midnight-5/5-Can also be heard in GTA: Vice City on VROCK. One of Maiden's classics, and a song that many hold as one of their best songs. Great mellow part in the middle.

  3.Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)-5/5-In my opinion, this is one of the best instrumentals ever. Many people cannot understand this simple thing; LOSFER WORDS= LOST FOR WORDS. Not difficult.

  4.Flash Of The Blade-5/5-Part one of the 'two-part saga' in this album.

  5.The Duellists-4/5-Part two of the 'saga', in my opinion it just doesn't live up to Flash Of The Blade.

  6.Back In The Village-4/5-Not my favorite song on here, but it is not at all bad. Great lightning fast solo at the beginning, too.

  7.Powerslave-5/5-It's just good.

  8.Rime Of The Ancient Mariner-5/5-Very, very long epic. Will long be held as Maiden's (best) track.

  Well, I know I probably haven't been much help, considering that if you're here, you have already heard this. But, I do what I can.
  
  

• CLASSIC METAL!!
  By A2BNGGD1WXKAJE on 2003-08-06
  This album probably has some of the best guitar work that has ever been done by this band. This is just a great metal album and it was the last before they started progressing into more mature grounds.

  1. Aces High: Maiden always knows how to get you pumped up, right when you put the album, they are on full throttle. (10/10)
  2. Two Minutes To Midnight: A concert favorite. Featured on the video game GTA: Vice City. (10/10)
  3. Losfer Words (Big 'Orra): Thier 4th and 2nd best intrumental. Second only to "Genghis Kahn". (10/10)
  4. Flash Of The Blade: (10/10)
  5. The Duelists: (7/10)
  6. Back In The Village: (7/10)
  7. Powerslave: Great riff, great chorus, great song. (10/10)
  8. Rime Of The Ancient Mariner: The infamous final epic track of the album, it's just so amazingly good. The guitar is phenomenal, just listen to it for yourself it's too good for words. (10/10)
  
  

• The Best Iron Maiden album
  By A1P8ZPN57FMSK on 2003-09-07
  I've noticed that, in all the "Greatest Hard Rock Albums" of all time lists in magazines and on TV, whenever Iron Maiden is listed, their greatest accomplishment is hailed as being "Number Of The Beast." Although it is a good album as well, I'd have to say that "Powerslave" tops it. Mainly because of two outstanding songs here: "Aces High", and "2 Minutes To Midnight". Here's a song by song synopsis of the album:

  Aces High - I never get tired of this song. The guitar leads are simply amazing, and the solo is great too. The lyrics are interesting and great as well, depicting an British air pilots role during the battle over the English Channel during WWII.

  2 Minutes To Midnight - A great song, with deep lyrics, describing the terrors of numclear bombs, supposedly. The gutiar theme is hooky, and Bruce's vocals are good as well.

  3. Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) - Probably my least favorite song here. Although it is a unique and good piece of work, it just dosen't meet the standards the rest of the album had set.

  4. Flash Of The Blade - Mean and dirty guitar intro, with a biting tone. The story is anotehr of those "ancient combat" ones, that Iron Maiden excelled at writing into songs.
  Of course, it's aobut a swordsman.

  5. The Duellists - Another one about sowrdfighters. Good tune, one of the best songs here. Not as good as most songs here, but it's still beyond par. All in all, a good song.

  6. Back In The Village - A really cool song, although the chorus is somewhat weak, and not as energized as the rest of the song.
  Yet, it's killer guitar riffage and driving percussion are simply put, admirable.

  7. Powerslave - Probably my second favorite song here. My first being, of course, Aces High. The story is unique and somewhat haunting, but with a rough edge. A wonderful guitar solo, powerful imagery, as well as powerful music blend perfectly into this work of art that is the title track,

  8. Rime Of The Ancient Mariner - Clocking in at nearly 14 minutes, "Rime..." is perhaps the best song here. But I still pick "Aces High" as my favortie. It vies for second place with "Pwerslave. Being about 14 minutes, then, it's obvious that the band has quite a bit of stuff to cram in there. And they do. Well-crafted, mapped-out guitar leads, driving rhythms, and so forth all mesh perfectly. The lyrics are good as well, and were inspied by a poem of the same name.

  So, to wrap it all up, I'll finish by saying that "Powerslave" is Maiden's best, yes, you should buy it, if that's what you're wondering, and yes, AC/DC is a [great] band. I higly reccomend you check them out, if you haven't already.
  Well, I hope my review has helped, and I hope to see an increase in the sales of heavy metal and rock albums, instead of [stuff] like rap, pop, hip-hop, and all that stuff.
  See ya later! Love and peace to all!
  
  

• World Slavery Tour started here
  By A11XKY4EIU2KNR on 2003-09-29
  The thing that made Iron Maiden great was that they wrote songs that no other band would touch. Bruce and Co. used such an amazing and wide range of influence on which to write about. Powerslave is the perfect example of this. We have fighter pilots during the Battle of Britian, a poem over 200 years old, and the misery of being a slave in ancient Egypt. I mean c'mon no one else did stuff like this. Well OK maybe once in a while like Metallica's Creeping Death, but no one did it as consistently or as successfully as Iron Maiden. Seriously, could you imagine Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, or Guns n Roses performing a song on which the subject was the execution of Marie Antoinette?

  Powerslave was, as just about everyone here agrees, Iron Maiden's peak. `Live after Death' released after this album was perfect timing to show Maiden at their zenith both musically and as a live band. The show from the LA Forum is unbelievable. It could be argued as one of the greatest shows ever.

  Powerslave is the fourth studio album by Iron Maiden, and everything fell into place. Losfer Words, may be the only weak point, but every Maiden album has a dud or two. However `Ace's High', `Powerslave', `Two Minutes to Midnight', and the epic "Rime of the Ancient Mariner' more than make up for `The Dualist'.

  Rime of the Ancient Mariner has always been and possibly always will be my favorite Maiden song. To see them perform it live was even more amazing. The story, the galloping bass lines, and twin guitar attack make The Mariner a must have in any metalheads collection. I was always disappointed that the band never had an Eddie portrait to go along with it. It would have been so cool to have a painting of Eddie on a ship with a crossbow in his hand and an albatross around his neck.
  
  

• A Classic of Unrelenting Speed and Power
  By A1SSKMAWCHB5L7 on 2003-12-29
  Iron Maiden have always had a fame for releasing insanely consistent albums, and this one is no exception. Powerslave is a Classic metal album that pounds the listener with adrenaline from beginning to end, and only manages to stop at certain points of the 13-minute epic of Rime of the Ancient Mariner, but otherwise just keeps on pounding. The Band's preformance tight and inspired, nearly as much as the amazing songwriting skills they possess.

  The opener Aces High is probably the best opener Maiden have written, and it's one of the high points of the album, starting it out with the right foot (and that is an understatement). The biggest strength og this number is the catchy chorus, which showcases Bruce Dickinson's "Air Raid Siren" at its best. Next up is the anti-war tale, 2 Minutes to Midnight, which is another great Maiden classic. The instrumental Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) is one of their finest, instrumentals, if not their best. The next two pieces are worthy rockers that follow the usual Maiden formula and again are a display for Dickinson's awesome voice. Back in the Village is my least favorite off the album, but it's still a pretty good song. Fortunately, the magic is instantly regained with the pounding work of the title track, Powerslave, and it's delicious "Egyptian" riff, one of the very best tracks on the album. However, it's the closing epic Rime of the Ancient Mariner that serves as the greatest achievement, a huge epic based on the writings Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Far and away one of the finest tracks Maiden have ever cut, another work that establishes Steve Harris as one of the most talented songwriters in metal ever.

  All in all, this is one of Maiden's best, and a brilliant chop of British Metal that should more than satisfy a majority of Metal Fans.

  Song Ratings:
  Aces high- 10/10
  2 minutes to Midnight- 10/10
  Flash of the Blade- 9.5/10
  The Duellist- 9/10
  Back in the Village- 7.5/10
  Powerslave- 10/10
  Rime of the Ancient Mariner- 10/10
  
  

• An Odd Couple
  By A20ZQ93H7YMKX9 on 2004-02-29
  As a loyal listener of lighter artists such as the Beatles and U2, I had never dreamed of listening to heavy metal. Then one day when I was browsing the music titles at my local Wal-Mart, something strange came over me. I picked up the Iron Maiden CD "Powerslave" and decided to give it a try. After listening to it in its entirety on my car stereo, I was shocked. The music was unsurprisingly wild, but the lyrics were intelligent, the lead guitar solos intricate, and the bass playing galloped strongly and steadily. The downside to "Powerslave" is most of the songs are similar in style. But songs like "Rime of the Ancient Mariner," "Minutes to Midnight," and "Losfer Words" make "Powerslave" a worthy buy and Iron Maiden and I an odd couple.
  
  
• My favourite Iron Maiden album of the 80's
  By A1ZCJ8JJLQU7VR on 2004-06-13
  Alot of us fans think that Iron Maiden created the best album of the 80's and we know we're right. Powerslave was Iron Maiden's greatest album until(in my opnion)it was beaten by Brave New World without any hesitation. Read on for some commentaries on each track:

  Aces High: 5/5 - The greatest album opener ever and the fastest song on the album. Once again, the Twin Guitar Attack work strongly as a unit, and provide us with some of their best guitar work. Bruce really powered his voice into a 'megaphone'
  and the heart and soul of the band, Steve and Nicko 'pumped up' the songs background with thundering bass and drums. This song along with The Trooper are Iron Maiden's best songs of the 80's.

  Two Minutes To Midnight: 5/5 - The first Iron Maiden song I've heard and one of the greatest NWOBHM songs ever! Manages to stick with Aces High as two of the best songs on Powerslave.

  Losfer Words (Big 'Orra): 4.8/5 - Awesome instrumental that shows a sign of matching the album's theme. Thankfully it didn't and couldn't beat Transylvania or Genghis Khan as Iron Maiden's best instrumental. You may find it weird but I knocked off 0.2 points for the terrible solos and the goofy title for the song.

  The Duellists: 4.5 - OK song but lacks the energy used in a lot of this album's tracks.

  Back In The Village: 4.9 - Nice song and OK lyrics but it's ruined by the vocal rythems. Even so it was still saved by the music. I recommend this song only for true Iron Maiden loyalists.

  Powerslave: 5/5 - The title track is where the album picks up again after three average songs. This song is mostly about
  Egypt(judging from the cover art)and has my favourite bass solo in the middle. Really awesome track, must be heard by everyone, even by non-Iron Maiden fans. It truly is a classic.

  Rime Of The Ancient Mariner: 5/5 - The epic off the album, a 13+ minute powerhouse based on a poem(I think it's a play but I'm not sure)with the same name by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1798-1834)and written by Steve Harris. Also includes a part of the poem/play, pretty haunting if it's combined with a bass background. This song...CANNOT and MUST NOT be missed by fans this time(non-Iron Maiden fans don't deserve to hear this powerhouse track).

  Rare tracks from this era:
  Rainbow's Gold: 4.7/5 - Good, solid track and has great sections but at most parts the music sounds like old western/country type music.

  Mission From 'Arry: ?/5 - I'm sorry to say that I haven't heard this song because I can't find it.

  King Of Twilight: 5/5 - Excellent track! That's all I can really say, download it to decide how good you think it is.

  Lineup:
  Bruce Dickinson - Vocals
  Steve Harris - Bass Guitar
  Dave Murray - Guitar
  Adrian Smith - Guitar
  Nicko "Fathead" McBrain(as Bruce called him on Live At Donnington) - Drums

  Overall: A masterpiece and my favourite album from this era. I just wish I knew what pressure Iron Maiden was at while writting and recording this album. Get it while you can because if ya don't, it's gonna be sold out like it was here in Kuwait. I got mine from the United States of America(just to show my respect)because their wasn't a single album left about two days after it was released here in Kuwait.
  
  

• "I'm glad i'm nat a stupid poser that listens to what the medis tells me is good music."
  By A29V1MP4PX5ABN on 2005-09-22
  You mean like Good Charlotte? hahahaha, loser
  
  World's Best Bed Wetter knows nothing about good music, let's go through his list, shall we?
  
  My Chemical Romance-no no no
  Green Day-two good albums
  Velvet Revolver-okay at best
  Gov't Mule-generic
  Simple Plan-you've got to be kidding me
  
  There you go, the truth about the "better bands"...
  
  Now for the album, this is simply put Maiden's best album, right more higher than Number of the Beast. "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" alone os worth this album.
  
  
• One of Their Best!!
  By A3K58HTR8GW00C on 2005-11-27
  Are you kidding me? This cd is a Classic that should be in everyones collection! "The Rime of The Ancient Mariner" is one of Maidens greatest songs ever!! Just buy it and Enjoy!!
  
  
• Iron Maiden's Finest Hour. Im losfer words...
  By A262TFY27XMQS3 on 2006-03-21
  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
  
  
• The king of all metal albums....
  By on 2006-04-22
  I'm not kidding, this thing absolutly destroys every thing else it's path.
  
  
  I will admit, i'm not much of a Iron Maiden fan either. I'v always thought of them as just a standard, dated 80s band. However, "Powerslave" is one of the greatest things i'v ever heard in music. Everything about this album is just so amazing and god-like, it must be heard to be belived. If there was one album that could represent the gendre of heavy metal as a whole, it would be this. "Aces High", "Two Minutes to Midnight", "The Duelists", "Rime of the Anceint Mariner", "Flash of the Blade", this is the album that literally steamrolls over all other bands best albums. Sure, Iron Maiden is cheesy as hell, previous albums reek of sticky 80s riffs and D&D style lyrics that make them sound like paraodies, but they got it right on "Powerslave", actually making a piece of music that trancends time and pushing the boundaries of true Metal. Forget all of the underground cr@p, forget Alternifag, forget Slayer, flush Pantera down the toilet. Listening to this will make you want to brutally murder 30 baggy JNCO pants and chain wearing f@g metalcore band members each day and mail their bodies to Bruce Dickinson for tribute as a thank you for this album.
  
  
  
• WAY OVERATED!
  By on 2006-05-15
  Whats up with all you people giving this a perfect score?! bruce's voice is terrible on this record. Somewhere in time,piece of mind,7th son kill this album. The worst album in there "golden age." I'm disappointed in you maiden fans. Rime is OK but way to boring, flash of the blade is cool until that corny extra cheesy riff kicks in, losfer words and song 6 (forget the title) are totally unlistenable! I've noticed that maiden can craft goose bump songs that are excellent and really corny stuff to. This cd has alot of corny riffs on it. A must for maiden fans but the worst from the golden age-or maybe number of the beast is worse. Bottom line OVERATED!!
  
  
• Won't you run, live to fly, fly to live...Aces High!
  By A34HYQ9BQZPE78 on 2006-08-20
  Powerslave...even the name sounds legendary. Over the years, trends may have come and gone, but Iron Maiden has stood strong through it all. Even today, though they're not so mainstream, you can still see their t-shirts worn on strangers in a crowd (featuring of course, the immortal Eddie The Mascot!)
  If you've never heard any of Maiden's music, they sound a bit like other famous, founding power-metal bands Judas Priest and Dio. I know nobody's compared Maiden to Dio much, but I believe that Maiden, Priest and Dio were all founders of the heavy metal sub-genre known as "power metal", which, if defines, includes melodic, chugging guitars, deep basses, fast, heavy drumming and soaring vocals.
  However, these three were different than some of the great, yet unfortunately faceless European power-metal acts. The three power-metal titans were all somewhat mainstream so they had a bit of a different sound. Still, Iron Maiden was a revolutionary band that deserves respect and attention, and "Powerslave" is certainly one of their best, along with being one of the finest metal albums ever to grace our music stores!
  Believe it or not, this was actually my first Iron Maiden cd...not "Piece of Mind", nor "Number". I know what you're thinking - 'what's up with that?'. Well, while online, I heard a sample of the epic "Rime of the Ancient Mariner". I put everything I was doing on hold and felt this epic masterpiece flow through my body! It rocked! So in a few days, I picked this work of art up and can't stop listening to it. Here are the pieces that form this creation.
  Aces High: LOVE the opening. So melodic, yet so catchy, one of my favorite tracks. Then it starts up with a fast pace and some great vocal/instrumental work. Actually, this is a song about warplanes, bombers and things of that sort. Very interesting and a dazzling opener. Kind of like Judas Priest's "Rapid Fire", off the album "British Steel" (another fine example of power-metal!)
  2 Minutes To Midnight: Catchy, sing-a-long chorus with a killer guitar riff that sounds similar to the one on the classic Dio track "Stand Up and Shout".
  Losfer Words (Big 'Orra): An instrumental, and a flawless one at that. Seems to go by quickly, but never loses its greatness.
  Flash of the Blade: A mostly instrumental one with a super guitar riff. Included is a fancy, even neo-classical lick in here with a start-stop bass/drums combo similar to the opening of "Aces High".
  The Duelists: A similar topic to "Flash of the Blade", but longer and with more lyrics. Starts off with a quick beat of the drum and doesn't stop from there!
  Back in the Village: Would be considered perfect if not for the last, twenty seconds! If you're gonna listen to this CD late at night, don't listen to this track. Towards the end, the music goes on and on until you hear these creepy, pre-recorded types of sound effects, something very similar to what Pink Floyd does. Still, I admire the whole technique and how they put it in without doing it the wrong way.
  Powerslave: The Egyptian-tinged title track that's one of the longest songs on the album. The really catchy part of this is when a verse on the chorus repeats, "Tell me why I had to be a powerslave!". I've STILL got it in my head from the first time I listened to it.
  Rime of the Ancient Mariner: Worth the entire cost of the album alone! A thirteen and a half minute epic that's got anything and everything! Starts off pretty quickly, but towards the middle it slows down and even has the Captain (read the lyrics and you'll understand what I mean), narrating a part. Actually, the whole epic is, as another reviewer mentioned, about a captain and his crew out at sea. They shoot down an albatross, possibly for food, and some unexpected things happen. You absolutely MUST listen to this song!
  
  Overall: This is a fine slab of history that seems to be forgotten with today's music audience, and that's a shame. If more people today were able to recognize the talent and greatness of bands past, like Iron Maiden, among countless other classics, the world would be a little better. Even if this seems to be overlooked, it's definitely a Top 10 Metal Album. I had my doubts while buying it, but now, I can't stop listening to it! So, buy yourself a little piece of history and know you've got a timeless classic in your collection!
  
  
• Powerslave is a Losfer Words
  By A3VCFKG8PVV0CO on 2004-03-25
  Iron Maiden did not rest on its laurels after a rousing success in the 1983 release of Piece of Mind. The year after, the band released Powerslave, which many Maiden fans praise as arguably the band's greatest work and with good reason. Powerslave is practically an extension of Piece of Mind but with a more melodic tone to it. Here's a track-by-track review:

  1. Aces High: Metal perfection, that's all you have to say to describe this masterpiece of a song. Tremendous opening riff which sets the table for the structure of the song. Fast, dark riffs throughout with Bruce's vocals at top-notch quality. Awesome solos are thrown in as well. 5/5.

  2. Two Minutes to Midnight: Like Aces High, you just know by the opening riff that you'll listen to something special. Overall, superb musicianship, deep lyrics, and a catchy chorus. Most accessible song on this album. 5/5.

  3. Losfer Words: Rather repetitive instrumental with a great bouncy quality about it. I personally like the bridge about a minute or less from the end where the riff goes a notch more melodic without losing its quick precision. 4.5/5.

  4. Flash of the Blade: Impressive, promising opening riff and intro, but unfortunately, this song is rather tedious and gets old after a while, due partly to Bruce's vocals in the verses and the underlying riff. 4/5.

  5. The Duelists: Of the two swordfighting songs, this one is vastly superior to Flash of the Blade. It's serious business from the intro on, with a prevailing dark feel to it. Nice, speedy riffs and drums with Bruce's vocals displaying impressive range. 5/5.

  6. Back in the Village: Most lighthearted and upbeat song on the album, in my opinion. Sweet speed riffing on display here. The catchy chorus is what draws me to this song the most. 5/5.

  7. Powerslave: Haunting sound effects at the beginning, but broken by some tight riffing and a headbanging drum beat. The chorus parts are quite melodic, in slight contrast. The middle solo starts off like To Tame A Land from Piece of Mind, but gradually turns into a raucous instrumental. Very unique tempo shifts and hence, complex. 5/5.

  8. Rime of the Ancient Mariner: A nearly 14 minute epic track based on an epic Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem that keeps you mesmerized every time you listen to it; it never grows old. Sharp opening riff, followed by a steady arrangement of drum and guitar. The chorus is dark but retains that happy-go-lucky sing-along quality about it. As the song progresses, the instruments are more frantic up until the eerily calm middle, and turns into an uplifting tone and comes full circle with a climactic stanza similar to the very beginning. It's hard to describe in great detail about all the styles and tempo shifts used here; you really have to listen to it to describe it. Worth the price of purchase. 5/5.

  In short, you can't call yourself an Iron Maiden fan without Powerslave. That plain and simple. If you're new to Maiden, this album is a fine starting point to delve into this legendary British heavy metal band.
  
  

• Whoa. With a capital W.
  By on 2004-04-06
  Okay, let's review:

  Aces High:
  Welcome to the beginning of the greatest Iron Maiden album ever. The song starts off hard and fast and never slows down. Whoa.
  Grade: A+

  Two Minutes To Midnight:
  A killer song, and one of the more popular Iron Maiden hits. Personally, I think it's good, but not quite as good as some of the other songs on this album.
  Grade: A

  Losfer Words (Big 'Orra):
  Ahhh... the instrumental. Essential in every great metal album. Unfortunately, if you're looking for the next "Call of Ktulu" (by Metalica) or "Genghis Khan" (by IRON MAIDEN!!!), you'll be disappointed. Losfer Words maintains kind of a bright mood throughout the song and, although it's really good, it doesn't measure up to the greats.
  Grade: A-

  Flash Of The Blade:
  Kind of a pointless song. Sure, the guitar kicks butt, but the subject matter (swordfighting) isn't what I listen to metal for.
  Grade: B+

  The Duellists:
  Read the above review. This song continues the "swordfighting" theme, and it's only decent, not spectacular.
  Grade: B

  Back In The Village:
  I like this song just fine. But no more than that. I think it's just not what i'm used to. Other people love it, though, so don't take my advice too closely.
  Grade:A-

  Powerslave:
  BOO-YAH!!! This is what i'm talking about! The title track, about an Egyptian king about to die, is one of the best songs on the album. The guitar is absolutely AMAZING, and the change of pace around the 2:00 mark in the song helps. The whole album is almost worth it just for this song. Once again: Whoa.
  Grade: A+

  Rime Of The Ancient Mariner:
  The. Best. Song. On. The. Album. This 13-minute monster, based on a Samuel Taylor Coleridge song, is one of the best pieces of music i've ever heard, right up there with songs like Master of Puppets, Iron Man, and the earlier Maiden hit Hallowed Be Thy Name. Period. I actually think that the slower bass part near the 6-minute mark is a GOOD thing. 13 minutes of the same old blah, even if it does sound amazing, gets a little boring.... which is why the mood and pace of the song change several times. I gladly bought this album after hearing just this one song, and never regretted it.
  Grade: A++(hell, i'll chuck another plus on)+

  All in all, if you consider yourself a Maiden fan, you have to have this album in your collection. I would also recommend it to fans of every other true metal band (Metallica pre-Black Album, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Dio, etc.) if they're willing to try something new.
  
  

• Excellent Maiden album
  By A3RAGLRKB5JMRS on 2004-06-18
  I'm most partial to this album since it was the album that really got me to absolutely love Iron Maiden. Powerslave was released at the hight of their career (they would soon embark on the World Slavery Tour, which of course gave us the famous "Live After Death" album). What can be said. The guitarwork, the vocals, the lyrics, everything is incredible. I won't go on about how great it is, because I wouldn't do the album justice. If you have heard it, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, check it out immediately.
  
  

• Piece of Mind
• The Number of the Beast
• Somewhere in Time
• Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
• Killers