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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
My favorite Paul Di'Anno disc... and Maiden album cover, November 10, 2005
THE BAND: Steve Harris (bass), Paul Di'Anno (vocals), Dave Murray (guitar), Adrian Smith (guitar), Clive Burr (drums).
THE DISC: 11 tracks clocking in at approximately 42 minutes. All songs written by bassist Steve Harris (and sharing credits with Murray and Di'Anno on one song each). The disc contains a 22-page booklet with a brief intro, lyrics, band pictures and thank you's. The enhanced CD features a nice multimedia section for your PC - including 2 rare videos with Di'Anno singing ("Killers" and "Wrathchild"), the band's catalogue of albums, band history and family tree, and a 1981 tour date listing. Recorded at Battery Studios (London) in 1981. Digitally remastered in 1998. Cover art by the one and only Derek Riggs.
COMMENTS: This album was/is special to me. I bought the vinyl record upon its release and wore it out immediately. I liked it so much I painted the album cover of "Killers" on the back of my jean jacket... not even thinking about what my high school prinicpal would say ("Don't wear it to school anymore"). Iron Maiden was rough and raw here, but they were catchy as Hell. The minute and a half intro of "The Ides Of March" leading into the killer track "Wrathchild" set the stage for a great album. The title cut is still one of my all-time favorites from the band. The 6-minute acoustic (almost friendly) "Prodigal Son" showed a side of the band that you rarely saw (even today). Paul Di'Anno was basically fired from the band due to his (party) accesses, erratic behavior, and strained vocal chords. I believe it was a risk the band was willing to take to record a follow-up to Killers. Little did they know what was in store with their next album - perhaps their best ever, "The Number Of The Beast". It's interesting to think of Maiden had they not found Bruce Dickinson... sorry, I won't go there. "Killers" is a classic from Iron Maiden, and a classic long-haired old school heavy metal release (all metal, not just from Britain). Not quite a 5-star review, but darn near close at 4.5-stars. Great disc.
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33 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Killer album! (pun most definitely intended), July 29, 2002
Iron Maiden has put out more great albums than just about any band you can think of, and "Killers" is certainly no exception. The Maiden with Paul at the helm was a different Maiden. Rawer, faster, dirtier. No less technical or melodic, but still different. I've heard comparisons to Motorhead, but to me, it's more like a speed metal version of Deep Purple. You get sort of a classic rock feel, but with more aggression. And does it work? Oh yeah.This album is jam-packed with goodies. Not one, but two instrumentals. The first is just a short intro, the second, "Genghis Khan", is more epic, with lots of tasty guitar work. I prefer "Transylvania", from the debut, but both are excellent. Many songs on here are now considered classics, like "Wrathchild", "Purgatory", and the title track. But it doesn't stop there. The lesser-known songs are just as good, such as "Drifter", "Twilight Zone", and the ballad "Prodigal Son". It's just perfect. Adrian Smith makes his debut here, and thus the legend begins. As always, Steve Harris refuses to fade into the background, and even pushes to the forefront for a solo spot or two. Clive Burr pounds the drums like a madman, and Paul DiAnno's howls punctuate everything nicely. He doesn't sing as much as he did on the debut, but he still sounds good. Also, the lyrics here are a bit more mature, which I think is good. "Killers" is a metal classic. It's not quite as good as the debut, and definitely not as good as "Brave New World", but it's certainly a worthy addition to your collection.
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34 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's the best album Maiden ever put out.., November 3, 2005
*Killers* is simpley the best album Iron Maiden ever did IMHO.
This holds great nostalgic value to me as well, it was the first Maiden album i ever picked up, when i was 15. It was all down hill after Di'anno left them.
Just forget about Bruce Dickenson. I was never impressed by any of the Dickenson albums, they were just too pretentious and mastrobatory. It's a shame that Maiden became a saturday morning cartoon act after *Killers*, Dickenson brought a huge amount of clishes with him when he entered the band. Paul Di'anno was the MAN, Dickenson has got NOTHING on him as far as i'm concerned. This album was when Maiden was a lot tougher and more criminal, *Killers* has elements of punk, classic rock and metal in it. Ever since i heard the opener "Ides of March", i was forever hooked on this thing, every song is utter metal perfection. Sure, some songs are better then others, but there is no "filler" on this album.
Paul Di'anno has got that punk rock attitude, which Maiden lost once he left. Don't be fooled by Dickenson fanboys thst tell you *NOTB*, *Piece of Mind* or *Powerslave* are the definative IM albums, no, it's this and the debut album that is real Maiden.
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