Iron Maiden are heavy metal royalty. They were the pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, speeding up Thin Lizzy's twin lead guitar attack and combining it with ridiculous bass lines, dark imagery, and often quasi-operatic musical backdrops. Their mascot, Eddie, has become a character unto himself, gracing all of the band's album covers, as well as late '80s PSAs. And the band took their name from a medieval torture device. Excellent.The band released two albums with their first lead singer, Paul Di'Anno, who was replaced by the wailing Bruce Dickinson in late 1981 because Di'Anno was allegedly delving into self-destructive behavior (and because his voice was thought to be too punkish).
Killers was the band's second album and last with Di'Anno. The band first toured America off the strength of this album, and it is a great metal album with wicked guitars, turbo bass and drum lines, and some excellent imagery delving into the supernatural, the macabre, and, dare I say it, murder. Enjoy.
1. The Ides of March
This is a brooding instrumental that appears to be building up to something. That something is the rest of the album.
2. Wrathchild
I don't know what a "wrathchild" is, but I hope my fetus isn't one. Regardless, this song is a plodding hard rock song. And, since these guys are British, "wrathchild" sounds like "rothchild."
3. Murders in the Rue Morgue
This is my favorite Iron Maiden song. It starts with a slow, almost classical intro, then blasts into high gear for the rest of the song. There's something about the verses that are very catchy. Plus, the lyrics are based loosely on an Edgar Allen Poe poem (I would just call it a Poe-m), and revolve around a dude who hears some screams, then gets framed for murdering a couple chicks, then runs away.
4. Another Life
This is another fast-paced rocker with an insano guitar solo in the middle.
5. Genghis Khan
This is an instrumental. It reminds me of a song to which an army of zombies or mummies might march, and I mean that in the best possible way.
6. Innocent Exile
This one has a funkier beat than most of the other songs. The lyrics to this one are a bit of a downer. It's another one about being framed for murder.
7. Killers
As Iron Maiden does so very well, the bass line and drums sound like a thundering herd of rhinos, storming towards you. Not me. You. And, as the song implies, this song is sung from the point of view of a killer. "You walk through the subway, my eyes burn a hole in your back / A footstep behind you, he lunges prepared for attack / Scream for mercy, he laughs as he's watching you bleed / Killer behind you, my blood lust defies all my needs."
8. Prodigal Son
This one has almost a Zeppelin feel to it.
9. Purgatory
This is a classic, fast-paced example of the NWOBH at its finest.
10. Twilight Zone
I like this song a lot. It's got a fast-speaking verse, and is generally awesome in all other respects. And for you ladies out there, the song's about a guy who's been dead for three years who tries to show his lover that she will never be alone, but the kicker is that she can't see or hear him. Classic romantic comedy material.
11. Drifters
This is my second-favorite song on the album. As with many of their songs, the band makes use of tempo changes masterfully in this one. It's got great, catchy verses, and an awesome guitar solo.
Interesting tidbit: While Bruce Dickinson does put his pants on one leg at a time and does, in fact, make gold records when his pants are on, he is of no relation to the fictional record producer of the same name made famous by Christopher Walken.
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