"Powerslave" Album Review

Alpha101 Iron Maiden is, to most, the best band from the N.W.O.B.H.M., and one of the best bands of all time. Dickinson is a legendary vocalist, their lyrics often concern moments in history, which really entertains a history nerd like myself, and the band has three great guitarists. This was my first Maiden album, and I do feel nostalgic towards it, but like "Number of the Beast," it has many problems.

"Aces High" has a legendary riff to open with the song, and is one of the most well-known and popular songs by the band. It does a pretty good job of opening the album, but the song itself isn't as amazing as people make it out to be. Yes, it is a great song, but it is not the best by the band like many claim, though I will admit, it's very atmospheric, catchy, and innovative. Great song, but overplayed and overrated.

"2 Minutes to Midnight" is another great track. The chorus is one of the most beloved in metal history, and known by fans everywhere. This is one of Dickinson's most impressive songs, as he puts so much emotion into singing it.

"Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)" is an okay track, but it's nothing special. It's probably my least favorite song on the album, and by the band. Yes, it is just an instrumental, and yes, it is good, but I just expected more from the band, that's all. I expected something spectacular, but the song did not impress me. It had me bobbing my head a little, but that's pretty much it.

"Flash of the Blade" is a pretty underrated track by the band. It's not great, but it is a pretty good song, with a grand opening, and it's memorable chorus by Dickinson.

"The Duelists" is another okay track. There's nothing special about it, though it is fun to listen to for the first two or three listens. After that though, it gets old quickly. It's another unnecessary addition to the album, though it isn't bad.

"Back in the Village" is a good song. It's better than a lot of the other songs on the album, but it's still lacking.

"Powerslave" is my favorite off of the album. It's atmospheric, and it really puts you into the eyes of an Egyptian Pharaoh. Not to mention the killer guitar work in this one.

"Rime of the Ancient Mariner" does a great job of closing the album. It's another very strong track, and does a great job of grabbing you and painting a very clear illustration of the story.

This was a good album, don't get me wrong, but it just always sounded dry to me. It has a few great songs, but most are forgettable. This was always the problem with Maiden to me. Almost every single album has two or three amazing songs, and the rest is just...there. They're not bad songs, but they just kind of go unexamined. I hear them, and then never listen to them again, because they're dull and unappealing. This album had a sad case of that. In short, the album is influential and it does have a few exceptional songs, but it does not flow nicely at all, and I never feel like going back and listening to it again. Nevertheless, it is a good album.

8.2/10 - Good Album

Comments

This was one of the albums that got me into the band - along with Piece of Mind. So I have a soft spot for it. Rime of the Ancient Mariner and the title track easily overpower everything else on the album, I guess. - IronSabbathPriest (12/27/2015)

Great review. You should check out my new Reviewing Every Iron Maiden Album series. You never know what I may say about Powerslave when It gets time for me to make my own review of that album. - visitor (9/18/2016)

Rime Of The ancient mariner is one of my favorite Maiden songs.
Great review🙂 - visitor (10/31/2017)