Search - Iron Maiden :: Powerslave

Maiden is a slave only to genius

astyanax | Columbia, MO USA | 08/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Powerslave--The name itself should be compelling enough for just a quick look, but once you get past the initial gaze, be prepared to be blown away. Powerslave is all about power in the songwriting, the guitar riffs, the vocals, the percussion, everything. Maiden's previous two albums, Number of the Beast and Piece of Mind, were very strong as well and Powerslave completes a trilogy of some very fine metal albums.Though they are a heavy metal outfit, don't think for a second that Iron Maiden can't be intelligent songwriters. And because they are British, they are naturally indebted to their own culture and history as shown in their opening and closing tracks, "Aces High" and "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" repsectively. "Aces High" recalls Britain's finest hour in grandiose Maiden style metal and "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" pays tribute to the great poem of the same name written by Britain's own Samuel Taylor Coleridge which is 14 minutes long.Their other tracks, most notably "2 Minutes to Midnight" and the title track "Powerslave", all demonstrate Maiden's erudite lyrical qualities, catchy choruses, robust guitar solos, precision drumming and, of course, Steve Harris' marathons on the bass.Maiden doesn't receive the credit it deserves especially for establishing precedents for the evolution of speed metal, elaborate stage shows, and great quality live performances. Listen to the album straight through (it's hard NOT to do this) and you will see their influence on others at work. This album demonstrates that Iron Maiden can clash fists with any of this so called "new metal" led by lowly underachievers and unintelligent cronies like Limp Bizkit or Korn. And if anyone of these new metal bands believe that they owe nothing to Maiden, then let them get their heads checked. Because much of what goes on today in the metal industry was either established or polished, in full or in part, by Maiden. This album shows Maiden in their prime and how much they did contribute to the overall phenomenon. Their albums, especially this one, are staples for any metalhead. And, as said before, this album encompasses itself around one element--power."

UP THE IRONS!

astyanax | 11/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"

...And The World Was Theirs

Maurício Peccin | Brazil | 05/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As some people say, this is the last killer album. As other people say, this is the first Golden-Era album. As a lot of people say, this the best album. In what do you believe? Is this all true? Maybe.Personally, I love this album. I still don't think in it as the best, but is certainly one of the best. Amazing, the most incredible tour of the band. Steve is playing not just amazingly, but doing more than great bass lines. Adrian is exploding in creativity and speed in the solos. Dave is making guitar duels with Adrian, supporting the musics and making great solos too. Nicko is more confident, the music is conduted by him, he plays heavily and with huge technique. And Bruce is amazing as always, singing with technique and emotion.Aces High is one of the best Maiden's musics. Great introduction, amazing speed guitars, superb bass (very difficult), perfect drumwork and perfect vocals are here. Fast and wild. Wonderful. 101/1002 Minutes to Midnight is another "greatest hit". Adrian could create an immortal introduction and amazing guitar riffs. The bass is amazing here, Steve does more than sustain the music. Nicko supports everything and Bruce completes everything with mad and cynic vocals. The lyrics are top note. There is a part in the music, from 3 minutes till 4 minutes and 10 seconds, that I repeat a lot of times. Is the solo. A great moment in life. 101/100 Flash Of The Blade has an amazing guitar introduction. But the music structure is, somehow, poor. It's a great music, but no special. The vocals are not so good. Well, I didn't like so much. The voice is good, but musically, didn't sound so good. 80/100The Duelist is an dramatic epic with a furious guitar and bass line. The drums are good too. The lyrics are good, even repeating itself so much. The nice thing is the description of a fight with swords. At First, I fought that was Bruce who wrote it. He is a "swordsman", so... The vocals are very good, semi despair style. 90/100Back In The Village is a good track, no more. I don't like it so much. There's no reason. The bass is good, as the drums. But not captivates me. 70/100Powerslave is amazing. It has a sinister atmosphere, mystic. One of the best musics played by Steve, in my opinion. The guitar is also great. But the real show is Bruce. He interprets this music. HIS music. He sings with anger, with arrogance, amazing. The solo is also very good. It's slow, the guitar is perfect and then it grows, the power of the music is back again. 100/100Rime Of The Ancient Mariner is... huge. In everyway. Huge lyrics, huge musicianship, huge vocals, huge emotions evocated. In the introduction you feel that the music will be a show. There's always a independent guitar and one making the music go on. The bass is very impressive here, playing independently. It's possible because it's Nicko that makes the music continues. And Bruce is there. One more time, he interprets the music. He puts emotion in it. Long notes, quick sentences, anger, an amazing actuation. When the music turns slow, you hear the wood door, the tunders, the music becomes sinister and Bruce say some verses... AMAZING. 101/100Losfer Words... is instrumental and I don't like so much. Looks like they used the riffs from Losfer... in The Duelist. So, I prefer to hear The Duelist.This album is amazing. Great classic metal. The music is not dated. Sounds like it was recorded last week. If you know the "new Maiden" and is thinking in catch something from the older stuff, this is the best album. Is not so different from "new Maiden" and has some things from the previous albums. I did this way and today I love this band. With this album, an evolution of Piece Of Mind, they could be the rulers of heavy metal, the best all around the world.UP THE IRONS!!!"