Rocktrospectiva: The Intense "Powerslave" Turns 40

 

Released on 3 September 1984, "Powerslave" was the fifth studio album by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, the album spawned two singles "2 Minutes To Midnight" & "Aces High", this album led to a massive supporting tour "The World Slavery Tour" which is widely regarded as being the band's longest and most arduous tour to date, and led to the live album Live After Death. 

 

The album is notable cause it was the first to feature the same personnel as their previous studio album, and this lineup would remain the same for another two released, also it was the last album to feature an instrumental piece. The release contains a musical re-telling of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the lyrics of which include some lines from the poem. At 13 minutes and 45 seconds in length, this was Iron Maiden's longest song for over 30 years until it was surpassed by the 18-minute "Empire of the Clouds" from the 2015 album The Book of Souls. 

 

According to Steve Harris, they recording sessions began under time pressure, the band took a period of three weeks in January 1984 to regroup and then another six weeks to rehearsed in Jersey, then moved to Compass Point Studio in Nassau to recording. 

 

This album is probably best known for the grandeur tour that ensued it and gave their prolific live album ever made, Live After Death, under the production carried out by Martin Birch, with immaculate direction, especially considering the year this album was made. A fairly clean and polished sound in which all the members stand out within the same sound space, with the band's sound becomes more technical and at some point more intricate. 

 

The album started with "Aces High" regarded as one of their best opener tracks, its fast, furious, amazing vocals, ripping solos, shredding bassline and exceptional drumming make this piece an instant heavy metal classic. Bruce hitting huge notes while singing the song title is something that happens, not only here but during a good part of the album. Adrian with some very cool lead work, makes his guitar sound like an air-raid siren, "2 Minutes To Midnight" has a kind of stereotypical 80s intro riff, Adrian still draws cool riffs that make this piece a catchy tune that just fits the lyrics about nuclear war and government corruption. The use of riffage, mounting basslines, and catchy vocal lines is a constant in this classic masterpiece, the solo section is sublime and doesn't let anything escape to leave you with a feeling of emptiness; actually, the guitars not only fulfill that role but Steve's juicy bass line complement each other in the execution very well, perhaps more accomplished in this one, but without detracting from the synchronicity in the other songs.

It was Maiden's fifth studio album to reach No. 1 in the UK and No. 12 in the United States, considered one of the most greatest metal album of all time, this was the album that marked a before and after in the band's career. 

 

Powerslave Track List: 

 

1. Aces High

2. 2 Minutes To Midnight

3. Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) Instrumental

4. Flash Of The Blade

5. The Duellists

6. Back In The Village

7. Powerslave

8. Rime Of The Ancient Mariner