I am including Live After Death for two reasons: firstly, it leaves the remainder of the albums to discuss in better sets of twos, and secondly because it is one of the most kickass live albums of all time.

OK now, Powerslave. Well what can I say? This album begins the ultimate trio of Maiden albums for me. And this is also when I began buying Maiden albums, each one of them as they were released ever since, with the exception of Virtual XI, which I got only a couple of years ago. I bought the record of Powerslave and eventually scratched it to shit (I was 11!) and then rented it from the library and taped it!

What an album, man. Kicking off with the two singles "Aces High" and "Two Minutes To Midnight"... these were my favorite songs when I was 11. My friends and I would 'air band' to the videos, and fight over who was a better player: Murray or Smith? (I was always on the Smith side - now, I don't care ) And Bruce's scream at the end of "Aces High" is

I've always loved "Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)", such a cool instrumental. I wish they would do more instrumentals.

One thing that strikes me is how awesome Maiden are at capturing the mood they are going for. The song "Powerslave" sounds Ancient Egyptian! One of my favorite Bruce lyrics too. And following that one, capping the album off, the amazing epic "The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner". This track, simply, RULES. I love the intro, the slow middle section, the Bruce "then down in falls come the RAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!" scream (and the Sabbath section that follows), and the finale. A classic, and definitely the showpiece of the album. Harris was showing some of his prog heroes tendencies on this track.

And from that "World Slavery" tour, came Live After Death - and I eagerly snatched it from the record store shelves. One of their best covers, IMO. I recall one of my friends had the two live singles from this album too, he was an early completist. Probably still has them, but I don't know him anymore. Pretty sure one of them was "Run To The Hills" and I think the other was "Iron Maiden". If not, it was something from the early days. But they came in the cool covers as well, not just the plain white cover that so many singles came in.

How can you not love the intro of Churchill's classic war speech to lead into "Aces High"? What an awesome intro! I've always loved the rendition of "Revelations" that's on here. I have never cared too much for this "Number Of The Beast" rendition, not sure why. Maybe it's Bruce on this one, I don't know. Murray and Smith do those awesome tradeoff solos before Harris treats us to the bass lick that leads back into "This can't go on". Yeah, instrumentally it is great,

Anyway, it was definitely time for a live album, after having only a live EP from the Killers era. (Maiden Japan, which strangely was a takeoff on the Deep Purple live album Made In Japan, produced by Martin Birch!) And Maiden succeeded in releasing a kickass one! That tour was 190 shows.

Proceed.

Powerslave is their last album that absolutely kicks my ass. They have some very cool stuff on the albums that came after this one, but, to me, it all goes downhill... And everybody should show their appreciation for The Duellists, IM's most underrated song.

Powerslave is great. Don't care much for "Back in the Village" though. But the title tracks is one of their best songs ever! Not one of my favorite Maiden albums, but great! Live After Death is w/o a doubt, one of the greatest live albums ever.

Starting with Powerslave, very strangely I got this CD very recently like a year or so ago. (I know it's a crime) There was no specific reason for getting this CD so late, I wasnt into Maiden very much until a couple of years ago. This album kicks so much ass there's no ass left to kick after listening to it. Each and every track is gold, for the longest time I couldnt get into "The Village" which I felt was the weakest track and a bit too longer though it eventually grew on me.
Powerslave is an unbelievable tracked written by Bruce which I've read is supposedly the concluding part of "Revelations". Whatever it may be, the track is phenomenal, esp the instrumental section with the solos.

My first Maiden album that I bought was Live after Death and I had grown so used to them, I could never get used to the studio versions ever. My favourite track has always been and still is Rime of The Ancient Mariner. The section where the band starts with the solos and Bruce's absolutely wicked air-siren gives chills to me everytime I listen to it. Apart from the album itself the tape artwork and layout was my favourite ever. I loved reading about the tour dates, the amount of beer cans, the milk cartons, etc.. they used during the tour. It was an absolutely amazing package. I for one cannot wait for the release of the video on DVD.

Since I started Maiden with this Live album I would recommend everyone to get it. There is no live album better.

Vintage Maiden at the very very best which is surely agreed upon by everyone.

"Whoever should be found guilty of burning coal shall suffer the loss of his head." - Edward I in 1306 for pollution control.

Powerslave is one of my favorite Maiden albums along with Piece Of Mind and Seventh Son..., and the first one I heard. My friend burned me a copy of his 2 years ago, and after a couple of listens I immediately went to the store to buy it. Every song is great on it, and my favorites are Aces High, 2 Minutes To Midnight, Powerslave, and Rime Of The Ancienct Mariner, but there is not a weak song on this album. My brother and I to this day throw on Aces High when we're driving around campus, screaming it at the top of lungs and getting strange looks from people passing.

Live After Death is the greatest live album ever. It has so much energy and like Sal said, the Intro with Churchill's speech and then Aces High is fuckin \m/\m/. I can't wait for this to be released on DVD, rumor has it that it will be on the next "History of Iron Maiden" DVD. Listening to this album makes me wish I was born about 15 years earlier, I've missed out on so many great tours over the years. Damn being so young.

It's my dream to see Maiden in concert, and I was so excited to see them on Ozzfest this year, but unfornately they dropped off of the last 7 shows. Including the NC date. Maybe another time.

can't wait for this to be released on DVD, rumor has it that it will be on the next "History of Iron Maiden" DVD.

Hmmm... I would prefer the format of the first volume of "History Of", with Live After Death as a separate release. I loved the documentary and interviews, and I would hope to see more of that. Unless they have both! (LAD could be the second disc or whatever)...

I didn't start buying IM albums until the Castle CD re-releases in 1998, I think it was. They were all double CDs with the b-sides from the albums on the bonus disc. Powerslave is part of the IM holy trilogy for me, with the other two being part of the next discussion (more on those then). I haven't listened to Live After Death enough to really appreciate it, but I've been reading up on IM lately, because of these threads and I discovered last night that I have the bastardized version, with just the first 12 songs on it. Now I'm going to have to go out and buy the right one, so I can enjoy the full experience (hmm, wonder if I can find it on vinyl somewhere).

My beef with Powerslave is that songs 4 to 6 seem like absolute, complete, total filler to me. I never got into Back in the Village or The Duellists, and the chorus of "Flash of the Blade" is just as cheesy as the "Invaders" chorus, but it doesn't work nearly as well. Still, the other 5 songs make this Maiden's 4th classic album in a row. when the life giver dies, all around is laid waste...

Live after Death = best live album/video EVER. EVER. Anyone who disagrees is only fooling himself.

You called?

Not much to say about Powerslave. Best Maiden album ever, best heavy metal album of the 80s, probably best album ever, or very close to being that anyway.

Live After Death... great song selection, but the performance could have been better. Bruce is a bit disappointing on a few tracks. His voice is much better on Rock In Rio. One of thefew vocalists that actually gets better with age

Pinche I agree that the middle of the album is the weakest although I like "The Duellists". Fortunately, they can't drag down the album too much based on the fact that they are sandwiched between the awesome opening and the even better finale to the album. And like I said when both Dance Of Death and Brave New World were released and subsequently criticized for so much filler - I generally like Maiden's "filler" tracks for some reason. Give me "Gates Of Tomorrow" and I'm happy. But that's for a future IM thread (which I'm looking forward to).

NP: Samson - Earth Mother

Nope. The whole thing kicks arse and is one of the best metal CDs ever. It's either that or Somewhere In Time for their best overall album.

Iron Maiden gets overlooked too dang much, IMO.

"More is less." -- Michael Maier
" Liberalism is a philosophy of consolation for the West as it commits suicide." James Burnham

ORIGINAL: Ekim

Nope. The whole thing kicks arse and is one of the best metal CDs ever. It's either that or Somewhere In Time for their best overall album.

Iron Maiden gets overlooked too dang much, IMO.

Yep, I agree with you. The whole album kicks ass. No filler whatsoever. If I could only listen to 10 CDs for the rest of my life, 5 of them would be NoTB, POM, Powerslave, SIT, and SSOASS. Those 5 Maiden albums are the greatest metal albums ever made.

What can i say about Powerslave. Well, I think the t-shirts distributed at the time said it all:
"Powerslave: Now Thats What I Call 'Kin Music!"


Live after death has always been a live album i can just pick upand listen to no matter what mood im in. My only problem with itis that flight of icarus is played a little too fast for my liking, but im nit picking there really. Its fantastic.

I'd love to see someone do this same review format for Bruces solo albums, thats something i could really get my teeth into.

The only thing I'm going to say about Powerslave is that it's got the best dual guitarwork form Dave and Adrian ever. Great compositions, great production. Plus it has classics like 2 minutes to midnight (get hold of the single version if you can, the b-side is hilarious), Aces High, Powerslave and the Opus Magnus Rhime of the Ancient Mariner....that middle section OMG!!!

Live after Death will always remain one of my fave live albums of all time. The atmosphere on the Long Beach cuts is fantastic. The Hammesmith Odeon stuff is pretty good as well, but I always felt as if it was tacked on there a bit. Anyway Great albums both of them, and exquisit artwork. Cant wait for the next DVD.

 

ORIGINAL: PincheJoto
My beef with Powerslave is that songs 4 to 6 seem like absolute, complete, total filler to me. I never got into Back in the Village or The Duellists, and the chorus of "Flash of the Blade" is just as cheesy as the "Invaders" chorus, but it doesn't work nearly as well.

Bah! You crazy. IMHO there is some great writing in those songs, great progressions especially in the middle part of BitV. That song and "the Duellists" have some of the craziest bass parts of any maiden song- crazy arpeggios and those blazing parts in BitV. The solo section in the Duellists is some incredible musicianship...damn those are some tasty solos. TASTY I TELL YOU! The middle section of Flash of the Blade is badass too. Cool parts (I enjoy how there are several harmonized parts layered on top of each other, plus bass and a solo yet it's not cluttered. There's a lot going on.), cool breakdown.

Oh yes and LAD...not much I can say that hasn't already been said. Getting the LP was one of the formative events of my musical life. Awesome photos, booklets, etc. I was in awe. Like I didn't realize you were "allowed" to have such a crazy stage setup. My mind was blown.

There's a toilet on the roof.

I'd love to see someone do this same review format for Bruces solo albums, thats something i could really get my teeth into.

Maybe I'll do those after the last of the Maidens, if these threads are still popular. Thanks again for those Bruce samples, I have proceeded to download every album for my iPod, and I like them all basically. I would have bought them by now but I am waiting for the remasters in three weeks' time. Favorite track right now is probably "Book Of Thel". I also think Skunkworks is great, and quite underrated. Interesting lyrical tidbit: "...from H to HE" in "Solar Confinement" - perhaps a nod to Bruce's first album ever purchased: Van Der Graaf Generator's H to HE Who Am The Only One?

A note from that tour...Maidens sold out set of gigs at Radio City Music Hall broke the record for that venue which at the time was held by Rush.......Maidens record wasnt broken until, if I remember correctly the late 90's....dont remember by who...

"700 miles from North Carolina for you Dream Theater. You guys fucking Rock!" Me...in the DT DVD and stuff.

Powerslave:

Incredible album, hands down! Their most epic work (more than Piece of Mind) and one of my fav. I love the classic tunes (from Aces High to Powerslave to Rime...) and the underrated ones: Flash of the Blade and Back in the Village (The Prisoner pt.2!!!) are amazing! Love the lyrics and the art-work too.

Live After Death:

Simply one of my fav live album of all time with Yessongs and Made in Japan...I have the cd and the VHS and i remember when i was younger i watched it everyday! Maiden was my first *favourite* band, before finding out DT.

  Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is the best.

Ah yes... "Powerslave"... where it all began for me.

WAY back in the day, I borrowed some tapes from a buddy of mine, and I got my first taste of a number of bands (Loudness, W.A.S.P., Dokken, etc.), and yes... Maiden. "Aces Freaking High". The song that started it all.

That song will always hold a special place in my heart, and it remains in my top 5 Maiden songs ever. Incredible, incredible, incredible. I am thoroughly convinced that if I'd gone to the Bruce reunion show in Boston like I wanted to (and I've never forgiven myself for missing it! ), I would have literally broken down and burst into tears when they launched into this to start the show.

The entire album is GODLY to me. My favorite Maiden studio album, easily. Even the "cult classics"... "Back In the Village": Awesome! "Flash Of The Blade": Awesome! "The Duellists": AWESOME!!! (My buddy and I used to stomp all over his bedroom with tennis rackets air-guitaring to "The Duellists", which IMO has one of IM's best guitar solos ever... wow, the memories... )

The title track is incredible... I once got caught by my dad completely jamming out and air drumming to that big drum roll in the middle of the song. I was dripping sweat from "air-everything-ing" the whole album up to that point, and I did my wicked drum roll and spun around to find my pops standing in the doorway of my bedroom laughing his ass off.

"Rime Of The Ancient Mariner"... wow. A completely STUNNING track that never ceases to amaze me.

But "Live After Death"... whoa, now we're in rarified air, folks... simply put: THE GREATEST LIVE ALBUM I HAVE EVER HEARD.

I just love the mix, the performance is off the charts, and the setlist is killer! The versions of the older songs on LAD completely blow most of the studio versions out of the water. I say it again, for my money, there simply is no greater live album. Period.

Glad to see everyone agrees with me on Live After Death. This is how live albums should be. God, I love the version of "Revelations" that's on there. So this has to be the biggest tour they ever did, right? I mean, 190 shows... that's a hell of a lot.

powerslave is probably my 2nd fave maiden album

my fave is 7th son, and my 3rd fave is BNW

click! My RYM page.

This thread inspired me to buy LAD on cd this afternoon....kick ass!