Iron Maiden's Reviews
Powerslave (Average Rating: 9.32 out of 10)
2nd Best CD of 1984 (Rated this album with 10 out of 10)
Reviewed by
tonyhawk900
from LA
I wrote a review earlier praising " The Number Of The Beast " as Maiden's finest moment. That however was when I first started listening to them. It's still a good album, but they have better ones. This album finalizes a progression that started with " Piece Of Mind " they started writing songs with smarter topics and they stopped doing cheesy songs like " Invaders " or " Quest For Fire " This was released in a great year for metal. Both Maiden and Metallica released their best albums. This is when it all came together. It doesn't have a total outright song deserving of and A+ like " Revelations " or "Hallowed Be Thy Name " but all of its songs are good, 3 or 4 of them even classic that it stands the test of time. Brave New World does come pretty damn close though. Anyways, heres my individual grades for the songs. Song Grades 1. Aces High-this is a good combat song, but tends to get overated by people. I don't understand why people praise this song and dis " Tailgunner " off " No Prayer For The Dying ", that's a better song with a darker feel and it doesn't have the opera vocals this song has, if that song would have been on this album people would be praising it, for a war-song " Aces High " sounds too " upbeat ", kind of like Motley Crue doing a war-song
Final Grade-B
2. 2 Minutes To Midnight-this is a well-done song with a catchy chorus and great lyrics, this song is dealing with the threat of nuclear-war, possibly Maiden's greatest "radio song "
Final Grade-A-
3. Flash Of The Blade-the first of the two sword-fighting songs on here, it's a good song, but not great, has a catchy chorus, but this song ultimately serves as a bridge to the next song
Final Grade-B
4. The Duellists-a guitar classic like Megadeth's " Hangar 18 " this song has the same format as the classic " Where Eagles Dare " off " Piece Of Mind " intro-vocals-long instrumental-bridge-ending vocals, this song takes a fencing duel and makes it into an epic song, the instrumental part feels like an epic duel. This instrumental part has the 3rd greatest guitar solo of all time behind " Hangar 18 " and Metallica's " Fade To Black " The vocals are awesome too and the chorus is emotional. Sure the long instrumental is a little bit pretentious, but who cares?
Final Grade-A
5. Back In The Village-I don't know why people put this song in the same category as atrocities like " Quest For Fire " or " Invaders " It doesn't have cheesy vocals or cheesy lyrics like the laughable " Quest For Fire " I don't see what's wrong with this song. The intro is pretty good and the lyrics aren't that bad. His voice sounds pretty good on this song. I like this song better than " Aces High " I like the part where they say " shellshock in the kitchen, tables overturned "
Final Grade-B+
6. Powerslave-this song is the sequel to " Revelations " off " Piece Of Mind " and is their greatest title track. While " Revelations " described the birth, " Powerslave " describes the death. This song has very memorable guitar. This is the 3rd best song dealing with Ancient Egypt I have ever heard, Second would have to be " Revelations " and the best song without a doubt is Metallicas " Creeping Death " and all these songs came within a year of each other.
Final Grade-A
7. Rime Of The Ancient Mariner-you could view this song two ways. You could view it as overlong and pretentious or you could sit down and listen to a well-put-together song that contains excellent guitar, great tempo changes and great lyrics. I find myself singing this song-a-lot. The second half of the song after the quiet midsection with spoken poetry makes it all worth it.
Final Grade-A This is quite simply one of the best albums ever and Maiden's peak. Definitely worth the money.
Buy this album on Amazon at $16.98
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