Iron Maiden Head to Head XLII

[Night Prowler]

Can someone explain why they voted for Powerslave? I honestly cannot imagine why that would be considered the better of the two songs. Paschendale has one of the best guitar solos in Maiden's catalog (I personally think it's the best with Thin Line and Stranger in a Strange Land falling after), it's got heart-wrenching lyrics, and there are so many emotions packed into the tune. And it's just so cinematic. You can see it all.

Powerslave has an awesome riff and a very cool midsection, but I mean, compared to Paschendale?

1. I think that Paschendale is overrated.
2. I don't like the production on Dance Of Death at all.
3. Powerslave is better in all aspects except the lyrics IMO.

 

[Sara]

Can someone explain why they voted for Powerslave? I honestly cannot imagine why that would be considered the better of the two songs. Paschendale has one of the best guitar solos in Maiden's catalog (I personally think it's the best with Thin Line and Stranger in a Strange Land falling after), it's got heart-wrenching lyrics, and there are so many emotions packed into the tune. And it's just so cinematic. You can see it all.

For me, the solos in Powerslave are more iconic than the ones in Paschendale, I also love the Egyptian vibe of Powerslave, being as I love Ancient Egyptian mythology. I can definitely understand why some people would prefer Paschendale, and I myself, think it is a great song. Powerslave... there's just a magical vibe to that song, and the solo section is definitely in my top 10 Maiden solos of all time. I love H's solo in Paschendale, but it's not as iconic as the Powerslave solos.

Adding up the popularity of the current line-up, the more reserved love for the Di'Anno-era plus Avalon being one of the best songs of the last albums (apparently people vary in this opinion) I am surprised.

I can see what you're saying, and I myself think Isle Of Avalon is one of the best songs in Maiden's entire catalogue, let alone one of the best songs from the post-2000 albums. Remember Tomorrow is an amazing song, and I love it a lot, but IOA just has it beat, for me.

 

[Kill Devil Hill]

Thanks for answering, Night Prowler and Sara.

Sara, how would you define "iconic?" In my head, I think of those songs that everyone knows and songs that define Maiden. But it's kind of a strange way of voting (in my opinion). It would certainly explain voting Beast over Strangers.

 

[mckindog]

Powerslave versus Paschendale is a battle of two giants. I prefer Paschendale, but I'm not surprised Powerslave is winning, or that it's by one vote.
Both songs are incredible.
Avalon should not be losing to Remember Tomorrow, which is good, but no corn doll.
And I am very pleased to see Rainmaker running away with that one.

 

[Crimson Idol]

There's a vote missing in BNW vs BTATS

IOA is one of those songs if I listen to it a bit switched off, I think it's great. But when I am a bit more focused I start to hear things that bug me and it ends up dropping down. Remember Tomorrow however is consistently at the top of the list.

 

[Cornfed Hick]

Can someone explain why they voted for Powerslave? I honestly cannot imagine why that would be considered the better of the two songs. Paschendale has one of the best guitar solos in Maiden's catalog (I personally think it's the best with Thin Line and Stranger in a Strange Land falling after), it's got heart-wrenching lyrics, and there are so many emotions packed into the tune. And it's just so cinematic. You can see it all.

Powerslave has an awesome riff and a very cool midsection, but I mean, compared to Paschendale?

I was one of the Powerslave voters. It was a difficult decision, and I love Paschendale. I was at one of the few dates where they played it live on the last tour, and pretty much lost my mind. (If I recall correctly from your post about the G'n'R show at the Wiltern, you might be from LA too, right? Perhaps you saw it as well.) But, Powerslave is truly legendary, the title track to perhaps their greatest album. And while I like the solo in Paschendale very much, the solos in Powerslave are my favorite Maiden solos. Ever. Very melodic and powerful. I disagree with the poster who said Paschendale is overrated, but I think Powerslave may be a little underrated, if that's possible for such a classic song. It's great in every way.

 

[Black Wizard]

The Powerslave solo.

 

[Cornfed Hick]

The Powerslave solo.

I "liked" this. Much more succinct than my post, but pretty much said the same thing.

 

[Black Wizard]

I said all that was neccessary. That solo is one of my top three solos, with Megadeth's 'Tornado of Souls' and Testament's 'Over the Wall'.

 

[Unknown One]

Powerslave has made at least the top 6 in every Maiden survivor (and a few other Best Songs etc.), I wouldn't be calling it too underrated and I have Powerslave at #2 in my Maiden rankings. But yes, the solos of Powerslave are why I prefer it to Paschendale and like everyone else it seems, it's my all time favourite Maiden solos. Powerslave without those solos would still be an excellent song, with the simplistic but effective riffs, great lyrics / vocals and Egyptian feel, but the solos bring it out of the excellent category and place it into the immortal category.

 

[Forostar]

"The solo", "that solo". Powerslave has 3 solos.
But I can imagine people mean the first solo, which is the mighty slow one, Dave at his best.

 

[Sara]

Sara, how would you define "iconic?" In my head, I think of those songs that everyone knows and songs that define Maiden. But it's kind of a strange way of voting (in my opinion). It would certainly explain voting Beast over Strangers.

That wasn't what I meant by "iconic", and I in fact voted for Afraid To Shoot Strangers over Number Of The Beast. lol I wouldn't vote for a song based on it's popularity, that's stupid. By "iconic", I meant extremely memorable, and legendary. Nothing to do with popularity. For me, the breakdown in BYDTTS is also iconic, even though it's also a very maligned song in Maiden's discography. As someone above said, it's the solos in Powerslave that elevate it from being a great song, to a legendary one. I like the solos in Paschendale, H's in particular. But to be honest, they pale in comparison to the solos in Powerslave.

@Foro: I used the term "solo section" as I was meaning all the solos, not just one in particular. The way Davey's classic melodic solo careens straight into THAT explosive solo by H is definitely one of the greatest moments in the metal genre period.

 

[Black Wizard]

"The solo", "that solo". Powerslave has 3 solos.
But I can imagine people mean the first solo, which is the mighty slow one, Dave at his best.

Well I like all three. I was referring to the entire instrumental section after the second chorus.

 

[mckindog]

For me, it's not "a" solo, it is the entire instrumental interlude.
Among the very best musical passages ever recorded.

 

[The Flash]

Runner beating Prisoner ? Meh.

 

[Mosh]

Runner beating Prisoner ? Meh.

Those melodies in Runner are just too good.

 

[The Flash]

Those melodies in Runner are just too good.

I know, I like Runner but Prisoner is in my Top 10. One of the most atmospheric Maiden songs.

 

[Kill Devil Hill]

I was one of the Powerslave voters. It was a difficult decision, and I love Paschendale. I was at one of the few dates where they played it live on the last tour, and pretty much lost my mind. (If I recall correctly from your post about the G'n'R show at the Wiltern, you might be from LA too, right? Perhaps you saw it as well.) But, Powerslave is truly legendary, the title track to perhaps their greatest album. And while I like the solo in Paschendale very much, the solos in Powerslave are my favorite Maiden solos. Ever. Very melodic and powerful. I disagree with the poster who said Paschendale is overrated, but I think Powerslave may be a little underrated, if that's possible for such a classic song. It's great in every way.

Indeed. I was at that Maiden show, too. Paschendale was definitely the highlight of the night. Admittedly, it could've also made me more biased toward Paschendale than any other tune.

 

[Black Wizard]

For me, it's not "a" solo, it is the entire instrumental interlude.
Among the very best musical passages ever recorded.

Well I'm not a musician so I don't care.