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• Killers, released in February 1981 on EMI, is Iron Maidens second studio album and the last to feature vocalist Paul DiAnno. The record finds the band operating with increased ambition and clarity: it marks the debut of guitarist Adrian Smith and the first collaboration with producer Martin Birch. With compositions largely written before their debut, the album intensifies Maidens aggressive energy while refining structure, dynamics, and riff craft. The inclusion of two instrumentalsThe Ides of March and Genghis Khanadds dramatic interludes to the core of driving metal anthems. The albums themes touch on violence, restlessness, and mythology, anchoring its impact in both visceral force and conceptual sweep.

  Standout tracks such as Wrathchild, Murders in the Rue Morgue, and the title track Killers have become pillars of Maidens live legacy, combining memorable hooks with raw power. The interplay among Harriss bass, the twin guitars, and Clive Burrs percussive drive brings a layered intensity rarely matched in early NWOBHM records. Though Paul DiAnnos voice remained mired in personal challenges, his gritty delivery suits the albums rawer aesthetic. Over time, Killers has grown in stature among fans and critics as a transitional masterworkbridging Maidens punk-inflected debut and their later, more polished era while remaining unrelentingly forceful.

  Reviews

  “It’s certainly a better-sounding release than the debut, with new producer Martin Birch beefing up the band’s studio presence and lending their instrumental attack a newfound clarity that throws their considerable skills into sharp relief.” AllMusic

  Killers is a standout album in Iron Maidens discography, showcasing the band at the peak of their powers. Metal Storm

  Nearly every song here ranks among Maidens greatest riffs and demonstrates a tighter, more confident approach. MetalReviews

  Review

  AllMusic rating: AllMusic users: (2,056 votes) Read the AllMusic.com review

• Artist: Iron Maiden Label: Parlophone Format: LP Units: 1 Country: Europe Genre: Metal Style: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal

• A1 The Ides Of March
  A2 Wrathchild
  A3 Murders In The Rue Morgue
  A4 Another Life
  A5 Genghis Khan
  A6 Innocent Exile
  B1 Killers
  B2 Prodigal Son
  B3 Purgatory
  B4 Drifter