POWERSLAVE

First off all; I question the reason why Iron Maiden is included in Prog Archives. But I am just a purist..... But when that is said, Powerslave is without any doubt a Prog-Related album. It's mix of progressive rock and heavy metal is pretty stunning. Iron Maiden's fifth studio album Powerslave was a milestone in the history of heavy metal. It is therefore very strange that it has not got the recognition it deserve.

Iron Maiden burst onto the then stagnant Heavy Metal scene in 1980 with their self titled debut album and hell broke loose. Or to be more precise: The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) was born. But with Powerslave, they broke out of that scene again and into a new sphere. From there on, Iron Maiden was a rather strange brew of Sex Pistols, Deep Purple, Wishbone Ash and Thin Lizzy. Or to put it simple; they were just Iron Maiden.

Listening to the album in year 2008, it really hits me how progressive and innovative this album is. It is still heavy as hell, but tracks like the title track, Rime Of The Ancient Mariner, The Duellists and 2 Minutes To Midnight is most of all very progressive. In particular the mighty title track is very much a perfect marriage between heavy metal and progressive rock. It is this Wagneresque sound and grandeur which makes this album such a good album. Everything is great here. The sound, the lyrics and the music. It is Richard Wagner reincarnated. Although a bit dated, it is still a great album. I am still a fan, but I can only give the album four stars because it is not the masterpiece it once was. It has some flaws, I am afraid. Half a point worth of flaws, in my view (Aces High). But feel free to call it full score.

4.5 points