Iron Maiden's music was evolving and growing with each successive release in the 80's; each album outsold its predecessor and widened their fan base. This was never more apparent than on 1984's Powerslave. It was the first Maiden album to feature the same lineup for more than a single record, and with a long tour under their belt, the playing on Powerslave was tight and inspired. While other popular metal bands of the day were busy conquering radio with accessible singles, Maiden decided to include several noncommercial extended pieces, a throwback of sorts to their '70s prog-rock influences (Jethro Tull, etc.). MTV embraced the album's two singles/videos, the rapid-fire "Aces High" and the complex anti-war tale "2 Minutes to Midnight," but what really made the album stand out as a true heavy metal achievement were the epic compositions. The second side only consists of three songs, including the superb and explosive title track, plus the long and winding 13 1/2 minute "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (based on the famous Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem). Add to it perhaps Maiden's best instrumental, "Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)," and forgotten yet strong album cuts like "Flash of the Blade" and "The Duellists," and you have yet another highly recommended, essential Maiden classic. [As with all of Iron Maiden's 1998 re-issues on Raw Power, a multimedia section is featured on the CD, which includes videos, band biographies, tour date history and photo galleries.]