Artist: IRON MAIDEN
Album: KILLERS REMASTERED (CD)

Release date: 1981
EAN/UPS: 0724349691704
Media type: CD

With second album 'Killers', the group took on board producer Martin Birch, known for his catalogue of work with DEEP PURPLE and BLACK SABBATH. 'Killers', laid down at Battery Studios, was released in February 1981. The instrumental album opener, 'The Ides Of March', was in fact a re-work of a former track co-written by ex-drummer Thunderstick. The ousted sticksman took the track to his next band, SAMSON, who recorded a version of 'Thunderburst' on their 1980 'Head On' album. IRON MAIDEN also re-recorded 'Wrathchild', originally found on the 'Metal For Muthas' compilation. Another early track, 'Floating', was re-constructed into 'Purgatory'. Short on material, the group also threw in a last minute instrumental entitled 'Genghis Kahn'. Yet again, North American editions came complete with an extra track in 'Twilight Zone'. 'Killers' gained a number 12 position on the UK charts and would peak at number 78 in the USA.

IRON MAIDEN succeeded in grinding through a mammoth world tour, kicking off at the Gaumont Hall, Ipswich on February 17th with a British headline tour supported by French veterans TRUST. These shows closed at London's Hammersmith Odeon on March 15th. The first single offering from the album, 'Twilight Zone', gave IRON MAIDEN a number 31 position on the UK charts. Hopping over the English Channel, the band allied themselves with MORE and OCEAN for European dates commencing three days later at the Palais St. Sauveur in Lille, France. With the French run completed, MORE stayed on as running mates right through Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland and Germany. However, a set of German and Scandinavian shows scheduled for May was cancelled.

IRON MAIDEN's Far Eastern debut took place on May 21st at the Kosei Nenkin Hall in Toko, Japan. The band played five shows, including a matinee show and evening gig on the 24th at the Tokyo Nakano Sun Plaza Hall. These concerts were taped for release as the 'Maiden Japan' EP.

Next on the agenda was IRON MAIDEN's opening opportunity to impress what was to become their biggest market. IRON MAIDEN's intro tape to 'The Ides Of March' gave US audiences their first taste of the band as they supported JUDAS PRIEST once again on their 'Point Of Entry' tour at the Las Vegas Aladdin Hotel on June 3rd. The band stuck with JUDAS PRIEST through Arizona and Texas before jumping off for a batch of headline shows, including their debut in Canada on the 19th at the Toronto Concert Hall. Back opening for JUDAS PRIEST, the group stayed with this package until July 30th at the Tower Theater in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before undertaking a brace of Californian gigs, at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino and the Long Beach Arena in Los Angeles, guesting for UFO.

The b and returned to Europe to perform 'Sunrise' festival dates alongside KANSAS, BLUE OYSTER CULT and MOTЦRHEAD. Other notable concerts included a support to FOREIGNER at the Sport Park in Barloo, Holland on August 22nd, brief burst of French concerts opening for TRUST and IRON MAIDEN's live inauguration into Yugoslavia on September 6th, guesting for BJELE DUGME at the Belgrade Hippodrome. The previously cancelled concerts from May were re-scheduled and IRON MAIDEN's final blast supporting 'Killers' took place on September 10th at the Odd Fellow in Copenhagen, Denmark. Needless to say, such incessant touring had made 'Killers' a gold album in Britain, France and Japan. The live 'Maiden Japan' EP saw release in September, giving the band a number 43 chart placing at home and also importantly making an impression in the USA too, where it hit number 89. In Japan the EP was titled 'Heavy Metal Army'.

On the peak of this success, fans were rightly stunned when PAUL DIANNO announced he was quitting, apparently due to the strains of touring and rumours quickly began circulating as to the identity of his replacement. Indeed word alleged that IRON MAIDEN had secretly been auditioning singers whilst on tour in the America.

Still, the smart money was on SAMSON vocalist Paul Bruce 'Bruce' Dickinson and, indeed, the man was announced as IRON MAIDEN's new vocalist shortly after SAMSON appeared at the Reading Rock Festival and BRUCE DICKINSON promptly made his live debut with IRON MAIDEN at the Bologna Palasport in Italy during on October 26th 1981. Four more Italian shows were taken on before IRON MAIDEN introduced their new frontman to English fans at London's Rainbow Theatre on November 15th. The band then hastily got back to assembling songs for their next record. They did though close the year with a return to their former stomping ground at The Ruskin Arms pub, playing an unannounced gig to celebrate Dave Murray's birthday on December 23rd.

Meantime, the ousted Dianno created LONEWOLF then DIANNO for a far mellower outing than fans really desired. The man would later toughen up considerably over the years with BATTLEZONE and KILLERS but would always remain reliant on IRON MAIDEN material.

TRACKLIST:

1. The Ides Of March
2. Wrathchild
3. Murders In The Rue Morgue
4. Another Life
5. Genghis Khan
6. Innocent Exile
7. Killers
8. Prodigal Son
9. Purgatory
10. Drifter

LINE-UP:

Paul Dianno (vocals)
Dave Murray (guitar)
Adrian Smith (guitar)
Steve Harris (bass)
Clive Burr (drums)