Released: 1984
Tracks: Aces High; 2 Minutes to Midnight; Losfer Words (Big ‘Orra); Flash of the Blade; The Duellists; Back in the Village; Powerslave; Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Best track: Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Track to skip: none
This album jams. Powerslave is the best IM album up to this point in their career. I think, honestly, I could end the review by that and with you looking at the track list alone. I mean, this album has Aces High, 2 Minutes, Losfer Words, Powerslave & Mariner on here! Even if the other three tracks sucked (they don’t, no matter what Mick Wall thinks) this would still be a great album. But, as is more than apparent, they are also great tracks. I am just simply blown away by this album. It’s no wonder their subsequent tour was as successful as it was. Who can possibly sell out 4 nights in a row at major arenas in the US (like Long Beach Arena & Madison Square Garden)? In 1984/1985 only Iron Maiden, and it was largely on the strength of this album. Yes, I know, the other 4 are freakin’ excellent as well. This is BETTER.
I’m sure a lot of confidence on this album comes from the success of their first headlining tour of the US the year before. Also, I’m sure it comes from the bond that the five of them created. See, this was the first Maiden album that had the same lineup as the one before. They found the right 2nd guitarist, the right singer and the right drummer and Iron Maiden solidified into this Power. Powerslave is the sound of one the best bands of the era stepping it up and putting out their best album (like I said, at the time).
I love all of these songs. As I’m typing right now, I’m just floored by Dave Murray’s incredible solo on the title track. All 5 of these guys were just at their best all over this album. The rest of the crew, too, was at their best. Check out Derek Riggs’s album cover, excellent (if you have the vinyl you’ll see some incredible detail). Martin Birch’s production? Holy crap, it’s PERFECT. I have rarely heard in my entire life an album that sounded this perfect. Just from a technical standpoint, the sound on Powerslave is mind blowing. Very few can compete with Martin Birch in producing/engineering/mixing. And then we get to these compositions. All excellent songs, with Rime of the Ancient Mariner (yes, based on the poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge; much to the annoyance of English teachers everywhere) being the best. Dare I say, the best thing Steve Harris had ever written (until 1988)? The middle section of Mariner is currently giving me the chills. No one writes music like this. I love this album!
Rating: 98
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