"Powerslave" is the fifth studio album by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on September 3, 1984, through EMI Records in Europe and Capitol Records in North America. The album is renowned for its Ancient Egypt theme, which is reflected in its cover artwork and the title track. This thematic focus was also carried over to the World Slavery Tour, which began on August 9, 1984, in Warsaw, Poland. This tour is considered one of Iron Maiden's longest and most demanding, leading to the live album Live After Death.
One of the standout features of Powerslave is its musical adaptation of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. The track, which runs 13 minutes and 45 seconds, was Iron Maiden's longest song until it was surpassed by the 18-minute "Empire of the Clouds" from their 2015 album The Book of Souls. The album also marked a period where the band's lineup remained unchanged from their previous studio release, a consistency that continued for two more albums.
Powerslave includes notable tracks such as "2 Minutes to Midnight" and "Aces High," which were released as singles. It is also significant for being the band's last album to feature an instrumental piece until Senjutsu in 2021. Additionally, it was the only album until Senjutsu where guitarist Dave Murray did not have a songwriting credit. The album's artwork and concept, combined with its musical content, have cemented Powerslave as a classic in the heavy metal genre.
