Iron Maiden - Powerslave
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Free Music Notes for Powerslave
Free Music Review: Essential metal, classic
Hit: 5 Stars
Iron Maiden's always been one of those bands, no matter how many ups or downs in their career, have been and will continue to be hailed as one of the best. As much as I listen to Powerslave (Iron Maiden's best album in my opinion!) and try to play the iconoclast, it just becomes more apparent what a great album it is. Impeccable musicianship, highly memorable songwriting, intelligent histrionics, and the delivery is just pure energy.
"Aces High" is known as one of Iron Maiden's most popular songs, and for good reason. Centering around the Blitz, this song is known for highly propulsive and addictive verses, and a high-octane chorus complimented by Dickinson's controversial siren wail. Speaking of which, Bruce Dickinson has one of the best voices in metal in my opinion. He can convey a massive spectrum of emotions in a single fluctuating, vibrato scream. The next song, "2 Minutes To Midnight," is my favorite Maiden song. Dickinson spits out a highly sarcastic, patronizing critique of imperialism, and the so-called glamour and prestige of its orchestrators. "...The children starving in millions, to make a better kind of gun." Steve Harris' propelling bass becomes extremely prevalent, and even jazzy before the chorus. "Losfer Words" is a lively instrumental. Highly melodic and driving guitar wizardry courtesy of Dave Murray, but kinda filler.
With lyrics like "As a young boy chasing dragons, with your wooden blade so mighty...," it doesn't take long to figure out the frenzied track "Flash of The Blade" is the blueprint for modern power metal. The track wastes no time getting to the kinetic chorus. "Duelists" is mostly instrumental, but Dickinson's infrequent vocals are dexterious and rapidly ascend into an eerily comfortable falsetto. Lots of admirable soloing. The next track, the underrated "Back In The Village," has some incredibly potent melodies in the verses that the chorus honestly can't compare to.
The title track has a cool Egyptian motif that's not over-emphasized enough to get corny. The song sounds toxic at points, with omniscient vocals and palm-muted chugging, but the track is mostly melancholic and powerful-- Even the solo half-way through is heartwrenching. Finally, the 13 minute epic "Rime of The Ancient Mariner" is one of the most infectious songs ever. It makes a transition from harmonically adventurous and catchy to chilling and atmospheric, then back again, much like the gallant poem that bears its name. I can't summon a vocabulary large enough to describe the track without droning on for paragraphs, so keep that in mind if I made it sound bland.
Iron Maiden is sort of hit-or-miss. And this album if definitely the former. Essential.
- Thus says the Pellington
Free Music Review: Wow, Just WOW
Hit: 5 Stars
There is barely any doubt in my mind that Iron Maiden is the greatest band ever. And this, most likely is and as the majority would agree their best work.
Aces High: The absolute perfect song to start off this amazing album with. It starts with the awesome firey intro riff, that goes into the spectacular fast riff, that has become famous around here, as I listen to that riff over and over again every time I listen to this song. bThe rest of the song is great also. I love the chrous, and the outro rocks too.
2 Minutes to Midnight: Dare I say overrated? I would have to say it is, as most of the Maiden singles clearly are. This is one of their best singles and is still a great song. Love the lyrics and the catchy chorus too. Probably my favorite single ever released by Iron Maiden.
Losfer Words: This is underrated in my opinion. GREAT instrumental track here. The song isn't necessarilly that heavy or that fast, but the pace is great and it is full of classic, great Riffs.
Flash of the Blade:I really enjoy this song every time I listen to it. It isn't the best here, but it isn't the worst either, and it always injects some extra adrenaline into me every time a pop it into my CD player.
The Duelists: Out of the first 6 tracks on the whole CD, this would defnitely be my favorite. I even like it more then Aces High, which is really saying something. Great great solo and guitar work. Especially in the 3 and a Half minute instrumental in the middle of this amazing work of art.
Back in the Village: Another underrated song, in my opinion. Love the main riff/intro riff. Amazingly fast and energetic. Great song all around. Plus, it has a cool ending that leads into the title track
Powerslave: WHOA! This and the next song "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" are my favorite two on the whole album. I have come a long way with this song. At first, I thought it was extremely overrated and was really nothing compared to most of the songs on Powerslave, but it grew on me a little more and more every time I decided to listen to it. And then one day I was listening to it and then said to myself "Wow, what was I thinking? This song ROCKS!" The guitars are amazing, and Dickinson is top notch and this song also.
Rime of the Ancient Mariner: The 13 minute Epic Masterpiece that Maiden chose to end this classic album off with. Like I said this and "Powerslave" are my two favorite songs on here, like many others also. And that just shows you really how great these songs are. Not much can be said for this song that already has been said it. You really just have to hear it to believe it.
Free Music Review: Classic, timeless metal
Hit: 5 Stars
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.
Free Music Review: "Tell me why I had to be a Powerslave!"
Hit: 5 Stars
Iron Maiden officially conquered the heavy metal world with the "Powerslave" album and the amazing tour the followed it's release. This album marks the point in time where Iron Maiden went from being just another great metal band to becoming the true masters of their craft.
The album starts with "Aces High". This song demands the listener's total attention. Dave and Adrian play amazingly fast guitar riffs in complete synchronization with one another backed up by Nicko's powerful, yet controlled drum beats and Steve Harris' amazing bass ability. Then the listener is treated to the wide range of Bruce DIckinson's vocals(I've always felt this is one of his best tunes).
After you wipe the sweat from your forehead, "Two Minutes To Midnight" begins. This is a staple at any Maiden concert because it demands audience sing-along(as many Maiden songs do).
"Losfer Words" is an instrumental piece and is quite enjoyable. I wish Maiden continued doing these(they haven't released an instrumental piece since this song) and while it's not quite "Transylvania" it is an impressive track and fits in with the mood of this album.
I'll jump ahead to "Powerslave", which is an epic 8 minute song that makes the listener truly feel the pain of slavery, through both the guitar progressions and lyrics.
The CD ends with what I feel to be Maiden's best song and truly a remarkable song-writing accomplishment, "Rime of the Ancient Mariner". Based on Samual Coolidge's poem of the same name, this epic 13 minute sage dictates the poem as interpreted and re-written by Steve Harris. This song marks the height of Maiden's song-writing and performing and is an unbelievably amazing track. There are around 7 "changes" to the song and the mood changes to fit the story so well, that it feels almost as if you are watching a movie and not just listening to a song. There is a 2-3 minute "breakdown" in which we listen to a narrator tell the story, followed by the best lead-in to a chorus imaginable. This is, without question, my favorite song of all time.
So, all in all, this CD is well worth any money invested in it. North America needs to give Iron Maiden a chance, for they are missing the best and most talented metal band in history. This is their best CD and deserves a chance to become part of every music lovers collection.(The best part about this CD is that Maiden actually plays these songs so good live, that you would think you are listening to a studio cut.)
UP THE Music Review: Whoa. With a capital W.
Hit: 5 Stars 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.