Iron Maiden – Iron Maiden(1980)/Killers(1981)
Reading the new Martin Popoff book “Hallowed by their Name”, it’s time to listen through the whole Maiden catalog as I read through the book. The first two albums are classics of the NWOBHM era and while some fans say these are their favorite Maiden albums others became bigger fans on the third album with the addition of Bruce Dickinson. While these albums are very similar(same era/music style/mostly songs from the club days of the band/the only albums with Paul Di’Anno on vocals) there are also differences(different production style between Will Malone and Martin Birch/a little more progressive style on Killers/Adrian Smith’s guitar style on Killers compared to Dennis Stratton on the debut/Clive Burr’s unbelievable drumming on Killers compared to him just putting his style on Doug Sampson’s original versions on much of the debut). When I compare the two it really depends on the day which one I prefer. The debut has many fast paced songs such as the great opener “Prowler”, the more epic and progressive “Remember Tomorrow”(one of my favs on the album), upbeat “Sanctuary”(originally on the North American release), first single and very catchy “Running Free”, the very epic and even more progressive “Phantom of the Opera”, the awesome instrumental “Transylvania”, the atmospheric “Strange World”, the only song I’d consider “filler” in “Charlotte the Harlot”(fun song and very Maiden like but not a song I ever play on it’s own), and the closing cheesy but fun and very much a classic “Iron Maiden”. Killers on the other hand is is a little heavier and doesn’t have as many catchy type songs but there are a handful or so great songs but the production by Birch is much better than Malone’s sound on the debut not that it sounded bad but it’s just a leap forward and noticeable. The album opens with the instrumental“Ides of March” which is a short opener for the all time classic “Wrathchild”, followed the horror themed fasted paced “Murders in the Rue Morgue”. “Another Life” is more melodic and even has an acoustic guitar but lyrically makes no sense and is just an okay song for me. “Ghengis Khan” is a great instrumental and the drumming by Clive Burr is a stand out. “Innocent Exile” is one of my favorites on the album, upbeat and classic Maiden and very underrated. “Killers” is a classic through and through and one of the best on the album. “Prodigal Son” is slower and just okay for me. “Purgatory” is upbeat and really good and another underrated song. The album closes with “Drifter” which was played in the club days and is a fun closing song but is just an okay song. “Twilight Zone” was on the North American release and is shorter song that is very much a filler track. Overall both albums have classics but for me Killers has a couple of more fillers but the production is better.
Iron Maiden – Iron Maiden (1980) / Killers (1981)
