Obviously I love this album. One of the "golden age" Maiden albums, and one of the best. Sure, it has weak tracks - did we really need a return to the Village, and to me, "The Duellist" and "Flash of the Blade", though different songs, kind of cover the same ground. But all that fades under the Big Four - "Aces High", "Two Minutes to Midnight", "Powerslave" and of course "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" - which kick off the album in classic style and also close it the same way.
An ambitious album which realises all its goals, keeps everyone happy and crowns the pinnacle of Maiden's career. Not a slide into mediocrity after this by any means, but for me the Holy Trinity remains The Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind and this one. 10/10
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