“Powerslave” is the fifth studio album by the English
heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 3 September 1984 on EMI in Europe and
its sister label Capitol Records in North America. It was re-released by
Sanctuary/Columbia Records in the United States in 2002.
The album's cover artwork is notable for its Ancient Egypt theme. That theme, taken from the title track, was carried over to the album's supporting tour, the World Slavery Tour. This began in Warsaw, Poland on 9 August 1984; it 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 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, it 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”.
“Powerslave” is notable as the band's first album to feature the same personnel as their previous studio release. This lineup would remain intact for two further studio releases. Also, it is their last album to date to feature an instrumental piece.
"2 Minutes to Midnight" and "Aces High" were released as singles.
The album's cover artwork is notable for its Ancient Egypt theme. That theme, taken from the title track, was carried over to the album's supporting tour, the World Slavery Tour. This began in Warsaw, Poland on 9 August 1984; it 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 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, it 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”.
“Powerslave” is notable as the band's first album to feature the same personnel as their previous studio release. This lineup would remain intact for two further studio releases. Also, it is their last album to date to feature an instrumental piece.
"2 Minutes to Midnight" and "Aces High" were released as singles.
“Powerslave” este al cincilea album de studio al trupei
engleze de heavy metal Iron Maiden, lansat la 3 septembrie 1984 de catre EMI in
Europa si de compania sora Capitol Records in America de Nord. A fost
re-relansat de Sanctuary/Columbia Records in Statele Unite in 2002.
Coperta albumului este notabila prin tema din Egiptul antic. Aceasta tema, luata din piesa de titlu, a fost dusa si in turneul de promovare a albumului World Slavery Tour. A inceput in Varsovia, Polonia la 9 august 1984; a fost privit pe larg ca cel mai lung si laborios turneu al trupei, care a condus la albumul live “Live After Death”.
Lansarea contine o repovestire muzicala a poemului “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” al lui Samuel Taylor Colleridge, versurile cantecului continand si cateva din versurile poemului. La 13 minute si 45 de secunde lungime, a fost cel mai lung cantec al lui Iron Maiden pentru peste 30 de ani, pana a fost depasit de catre cel de 18 minute “Empire of the Clouds” din albumul “The Book of Souls” din 2015.
“Powerslave” este notabil ca fiind primul album al trupei care prezinta acelasi personal in componenta, ca si pe lansarea presedenta. Aceasta componenta va ramane intacta pentru inca doua lansari viitoare. De asemenea este ultimul lor album, pana acum, care prezinta o piesa instrumentala.
“Two Minutes to Midnight” si “Aces High” au fost lansate ca single-uri.
Coperta albumului este notabila prin tema din Egiptul antic. Aceasta tema, luata din piesa de titlu, a fost dusa si in turneul de promovare a albumului World Slavery Tour. A inceput in Varsovia, Polonia la 9 august 1984; a fost privit pe larg ca cel mai lung si laborios turneu al trupei, care a condus la albumul live “Live After Death”.
Lansarea contine o repovestire muzicala a poemului “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” al lui Samuel Taylor Colleridge, versurile cantecului continand si cateva din versurile poemului. La 13 minute si 45 de secunde lungime, a fost cel mai lung cantec al lui Iron Maiden pentru peste 30 de ani, pana a fost depasit de catre cel de 18 minute “Empire of the Clouds” din albumul “The Book of Souls” din 2015.
“Powerslave” este notabil ca fiind primul album al trupei care prezinta acelasi personal in componenta, ca si pe lansarea presedenta. Aceasta componenta va ramane intacta pentru inca doua lansari viitoare. De asemenea este ultimul lor album, pana acum, care prezinta o piesa instrumentala.
“Two Minutes to Midnight” si “Aces High” au fost lansate ca single-uri.
List of tracks
Side 1
1."Aces High" Steve
Harris 4:31
2."2 Minutes to Midnight" Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson 6:04
3."Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)" (Instrumental) Harris 4:15
4."Flash of the Blade" Dickinson 4:05
5."The Duellists" Harris 6:08
Side 2
6."Back in the Village" Smith, Dickinson 5:00
7."Powerslave" Dickinson 7:14
8."Rime of the Ancient Mariner" Harris 13:45
Personnel
Iron Maiden
Bruce Dickinson – vocals
Dave Murray – guitars
Adrian Smith – guitars
Steve Harris – bass
Nicko McBrain – drums
Additional personnel
Martin "Pool Bully" Birch – producer, engineer,
mixing
Frank Gibson – assistant engineer
Bruce Buchhalter – assistant engineer
George Marino – mastering
Derek Riggs – sleeve design, sleeve concept, sleeve
illustration
Moshe Brakha – photography
Rod Smallwood – management, sleeve design, sleeve concept
Andy Taylor – management
Simon Heyworth – remastering (1998 edition)
Ross Halfin – photography (1998 edition)
.jpg)
