2 posts tagged “killers”

Last night we cranked Iron Maiden as we went about our business.  That early stuff just kicks so much ass!  One thing I didn't do with my earlier reviews was post much in the way of music.  BUT we have these really cool old releases that include a second cd with live material and B-sides.  These go out to Davey and Tony, if you haven't already heard these, enjoy.  If you have heard them, listen again cuz it's damn good.

First up, Burning Ambition (Harris), the B side of the UK Running Free single from 2/8/1980 (I wasn't born yet, but I was at least in the womb!! Were you yet Davey??).

01 Burning Ambition

Next we have Drifter (Harris) (live), the B side of the UK Sanctuary single from 5/23/1980.

02 Drifter

Finally, I've Got the Fire (Montrose) (live) was another B side of Sanctuary.

03 I've Got The Fire

Killers Bonus Disc (w/Maiden Japan!!)

The first three tracks were released on single 5105 on October 27, 1980 (yay I was born!). We've Women in Uniform (Macainish), Invasion (Harris) and Phantom of the Opera (Harris) (live).

From the Maiden Japan single released September 14,1981: Running Free, Remember Tomorrow, Wrathchild (best!), Killers and Innocent Exile.  Note that Wrathchild wasn't released on the original UK single, but was only available in 'Merica (usually it's the opposite!).

 

Number of the Beast Bonus Disc

First up, Total Eclipse (Harris, Di'Anno, Burr), the B side to the UK single Run to the Hills - 2/12/82:

01 Total Eclipse

Sadly, only two tracks on this bonus disc.  The second is Remember Tomorrow (Harris, Di'Anno) (live), the B side of the UK Number of the Beast single, released April 26, 1982.

02 Remember Tomorrow (Live)

Happy listening!  \m/

Eddie in front of Apartment Buildings with an Axe

Iron Maiden’s sophomore effort, Killers was released in 1981 and is our first introduction to guitarist Adrian Smith who was brought in to replace Dennis Stratton.  The album is also the first to involve producer Martin Birch who would lead the band for many albums to come.

The instrumental, The Ides of March, starts the album off with some awesome drums and leads in to the short and sweet Wrathchild.  Steve Harris is well known for his storytelling and Murders in the Rue Morgue is no exception.  Songs like Another Life and Twilight Zone are pure Iron Maiden while Genghis Khan is a beautiful Rush-esque instrumental.

Listening to Innocent Exile I find myself thinking of Aerosmith’s Nobody’s Fault (from Rocks), but Paul’s howls and Steve’s trademark bass assure me that this is no Aerosmith (and that’s not to knock them, they’re easily one of my favorite bands too).  Killers had The Husband exclaiming, “The motherfucker never uses a pick!” Have I mentioned that Steve Harris is a bass god?

Steve Harris

It’s been a while since I’ve listened to this album and the song that blew me away this time was Prodigal Son. Wow, got Zeppelin?  Or maybe The Who? This melodic beauty features a really sweet, and rarely heard, acoustic guitar.  You can find some bad-ass drums all over this album, but, for me, Purgatory is a great example of classic Clive.  Finally we revisit Drifter in the studio for a nice polish.

The bonus tracks feature a cover of Women in Uniform, the amateurish Invasion (it was alright I guess) and a live version of Phantom of the Opera.  Phantom is the masterpiece here; this live rendition is so solid they may as well be playing a studio recording.  Fucking tight.

Another highlight of the bonus record is Maiden Japan (say it aloud and giggle).  Live recordings from their Japanese tour of Running Free, Remember Tomorrow, Wrathchild, Killers and Innocent Exile finish out this bonus disk with a bang.