Iron Maiden's one of the greatest metal...blah blah blah. We know that Maiden are great. There's no need in even explaining something so obvious. They have put out a slew of great albums, and they haven't quit yet.
This album is no exception. The 80's were the best years for Maiden, and some of the best years for metal. I'll just be blunt, I love this album. Get old it does not. Never have I met someone who hates this album. Rate Your Music has some bad reviews, but honestly, who takes that site seriously? I don't.
GUITAR AND BASS Ehh, forget it. I'm gonna stop doing those dumb sections.
Aces High is a superb effort, with the memorable opening riffs, and then the explosion of powerful guitar and bass in your face. The vocals and lyrics are intelligent as usual, and of course, there's a great solo. Don't forget the chorus. The guitars are excellent in this. They make my ears feel like they're getting a nice treat. Yeah, I talked about the vocals and lyrics a little in this section, but so what? Every track has some great and innovative guitar involved. The classic melodic solo of Powerslave gets me every time. Hearing that gives me a strange feeling. A feeling that I get when I listen to this album. I get a feeling that's a combination of excitement and fear. The fear feeling is weird, because I don't know why I get it. My stomach twists and the feeling just goes all through my body. Don't ask me why I get it, because I'm not sure exactly why I get it. I just do. This whole album is like a blessing to the world. A gift from above.
The bass is Steve at his best. Powerslave has some great bass, as well as Rime Of The Ancient Mariner. Oh God, Rime Of The Ancient Mariner. I love it! A 13 minute Maiden track in which the concept was gotten from some old poem. Doesn't get cooler than that. Some of the greatest lyrics in Maiden history.
And Bruce's vocals are nice and clear on this! Not raspy and all, just clear and high and excellent! You hear me? Excellent! 2 Minutes To Midnight is the greatest track on the album because of the vocals, guitar, bass, and drums, and everything else is superb. In fact, 2MTM is my favorite Maiden song.
2 MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT IS MY FAVORITE IRON MAIDEN SONG!
I want that to stand out.
Well, I've covered the four classics. But what about the four in the middle? The tracks that get no attention and are considered dismissable by some people?
Why, those are great tracks too! Losfer Words is an excellent instrumental, easily one of Maiden's best. It's nice and catchy, with melody. Flash Of The Blade is a fast and melodic song as well, with some cool lyrics. FOTB and The Duellists are great fencing songs. Make a movie about fencing, and those songs would be great to add in there.
Back In The Village is a nice little song as well. The guitars stand out, as they are superb on this track, but on every other track they are too.
In conclusion: This is one of the greatest albums ever created. So go out and buy it if you haven't heard it! 5/5
