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 1981-02-20 Iron Maiden - Killers.jpg)
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[Album]
20 February 1981
Heavy Metal
Wikipedia
Discogs
 Complete FLAC 16bit/44.1khz
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'Killers' is the second studio album by Iron Maiden. The album was their first with guitarist Adrian Smith, and their last with vocalist Paul Di'Anno, who was fired after problems with his stage performances arose due to his alcohol and cocaine use.
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TheBigBlack Review
(24 February 2024)
'The Ides Of March' announces out the gate that Iron Maiden is no longer just a pub band, but a major contender in the race. As brilliant as the first album had been, the production was somewhat primitive (and founder Steve Harris to this day still complains about it). As luck would have it, the band landed Martin Birch to produce the second album - and with a history of band credits behind him such as Deep Purple, Wishbone Ash, Fleetwood Mac, and Black Sabbath, he had nothing to prove in credentials. It was a match made in Heaven, so much so Birch would work pretty much exclusively with Maiden from here on for the next decade. In fact, the production is what carries a lot of the album, as it is lacking in consistency in places. There are obvious stand-outs (many still fan favourites today) like 'Wrathchild' and the masterpiece that is the title track, but other tracks like 'Another Life' and 'Prodigal Son' feel like they are lacking in some of this punch that a great sophomore album requires. At least half the album was made up of older songs the band had played for many years on the pub circuit when they were still finding their identity, with only a few newer compositions. The instrumental 'Genghis Khan' feels like an attempt to match the grandeur of the debut album's 'Phantom Of The Opera', but it falls flat without a lyrical narrative to carry it. It isn't all bad though, as barnstormers like 'Purgatory' and somewhat grand 'Drifter' wrap the album nicely in a bow. All in all, it is a great addition to the Maiden catalogue (and their last with vocalist Paul Di'Anno), but over the years it would usually not be remembered as one of their best albums, especially considering the quality that many of their future 1980s albums would exhibit. |
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Tracks: |
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(1/1) 1.
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Iron Maiden - The Ides Of March (01:46)
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(1/1) 2.
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Iron Maiden - Wrathchild (02:54)
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(1/1) 3.
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Iron Maiden - Murders In The Rue Morgue (04:18)
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(1/1) 4.
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Iron Maiden - Another Life (03:23)
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(1/1) 5.
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Iron Maiden - Genghis Khan (03:07)
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(1/1) 6.
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Iron Maiden - Innocent Exile (03:52)
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(1/1) 7.
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Iron Maiden - Killers (05:01)
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(1/1) 8.
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Iron Maiden - Prodigal Son (06:12)
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(1/1) 9.
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Iron Maiden - Purgatory (03:20)
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(1/1) 10.
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Iron Maiden - Drifter (04:49)
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