The must anticipated 2nd album from Iron Maiden. It never got the succes of its predecessor, that charged into the UK charts at #4. Killers never got higher than #12, but that didn't stop Maiden. They promoted the album with their first world tour. There were many "firsts" on this tour. First
European headline tour. First tour of Japan. And of course first time in USA. The Killers album also saw a change in personel. Dennis Stratton had left the band and Adrian Smith, a mate of Dave Murray, joined the Maiden army.
The Ides Of March: Not much to say about this track. A sort of intro to the album, but of course with some killer guitars. No vocals, but a lot of raw power.
Wrathchild: The "intro" jumps straight into "Wrathchild". A classic Maiden track with a great bass intro. Very nice guitar work in this song. Nice work by Adrian Smith.
Murders In The Rue Morgue: Will the row of classics never end? NO, apparently not. Lovely quiet intro, and then all hell breaks loose. The vocals can be a bit difficult to figure out at times, but the splended guitar work makes up for it!
Another Life: Simple drum intro, but otherwise not a track that is played often. Sad, 'cause its a smashing number with some some great riffs and solos!
Genghis Khan: One of the before mentioned instrumental tracks. Not as hard and raw as "Transylvania", but equally good. Very nice time changes in this one. I love the guitar at the end. One my favorites on this album. In fact one of my all time favorite songs with Maiden.
Innocent Exile: Cool song. Again a song that don't get played so often. I pitty the fool, that robs himself/herself the change to listen to some kickass bass playing. Not to mention the guitars! Did I mention the drums??
Killers: One of two songs that is not written entirely by Steve Harris. Frontman Paul Di'Anno helped on this one. Very cool intro that sets the mood for kill (or something like that), and the main riff rips your balls off. If I could rate Dave Murrays solo in this song it would be: 10/10. Amazing! Followed by Adrian Smiths's more laid back bluesy/melodic solo part! Oh my God its good.
I think I just soiled myself!
Prodigal Son: What is this? A quiet song!? After approx. 25 minutes of Maiden mayhem theres a quiet song? Not SH's finest hour, but not a bad song either. Great drums and guitar work. Again the vocals are a bit behind the rest of the band.
Purgatory: Now this is more like it. The 2nd single of the album, and as the album it didn't do very well. Chart position #52. Why? I just don't know!! A killer track with a lot of energy and power. Probably the fastest track on the album. I like it!
Twilight Zone: Again one of these tracks that did not make it onto the original album. Originally released as a double A-side(!) with "Wrathchild" in
Europe and included on the album for overseas releases. 2nd song where the Steve Harris gets help. This time from Dave Murray. Not a very good track, but not the worst song the band has written.
Cool intro-riff though.
Drifter: A classic for the old school Maideners. Always played live in the old days, and works better live. But it still has its charme. Check out the middle part where drummer Clive Burr shows what he is made of. I wonder if he has 6-8 arms?!
Again the album is filled with videos, pictures and blah blah blah.
All in all a great album. Somehow not so aggressive as the first record. Its seems like they put more thought into this, but still a brilliant album. The production has improved, but the vocals are still the bands week point. Not that Di'Anno didn't do a good job. Lets not forget he was one of the reasons that Maiden got the succes. But that still doesn't make him the greatest heavy metal singer of all time.
Clive Burr though really proved himself on this album. A star on his way up. He was great on the first album, but he just gets even more technical on this album!
Written by
Ulrick Wednesday, July 10, 2002
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