Bruce Dickinson reveals which 1984 song he considers a true Iron Maiden masterpiece

Among dozens of Iron Maiden classics, Bruce Dickinson has no doubts when pointing out which he considers to be one of the most brilliant compositions in the band's history: **"Rime of the Ancient Mariner"**, released in 1984 on the album *Powerslave*. For the vocalist, the song is simply "genius", mainly for the way it manages to transform a famous poem into an epic heavy metal experience. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} Inspired by the work of English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the track is almost 14 minutes long and tells the story of a sailor cursed after killing an albatross during a long journey at sea. Dickinson states that precisely this narrative aspect is what makes the music so special. In an interview, the singer revealed that he continues to love performing it live. According to him, the way the music alternates intense moments with slow, atmospheric passages creates a unique experience for both the musicians and the audience. The section that impresses him most is the central part of the composition, when the narrative takes on a dark atmosphere before exploding again in one of the most striking choruses of Iron Maiden's career. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} The track was written by Steve Harris and closes the album *Powerslave*, considered by many fans to be one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time. Over the years, "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" has become a fixture on lists of the band's greatest songs and frequently appears among the most ambitious compositions in the genre's history. Bruce Dickinson points out that few bands would have the courage to include such a long song on a studio album, especially during the 1980s, when the market favored shorter radio-friendly songs. More than four decades after its release, "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" continues to be seen as a demonstration of Iron Maiden's ability to unite literature, technique and creativity into a single composition, which is why Dickinson describes it as a true masterpiece.