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.


It's the best album Maiden ever put out..   November 3, 2005
Outbreak of Evil (Manitoba, Canada)
34 out of 42 found this review helpful

*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.



Bruce Who???   October 31, 2003
Derek Forrest (Tampa , Fl, USA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Not only is Killers the greatest Maiden album of all time it is the GREATEST METAL ALBUM EVER. From the opening guitars on Ides of March to the final screams heard by Paul Di'Anno on Drifter I wonder how my cd player never exploded while playing this album. As for people thinking Dickinson is a better singer that is just blasphemy. Don't get me wrong I like Dickinson and Maiden albums like Number, Peice of Mind, Powerslave etc., but his high falsetto vioce makes many people think metal is cheesy and turns many would be fans off to Maiden and metal in general. Di'Anno's voice, on the other hand, is like the scream of thousands of damnned souls or the fire in the gut of a dragon. His is the voice of stick to your guns metal, somone who truly means it, and is not just doing it for fame and fortune. Look at the Di'Anno period: black leather, raw energy, and small dark smoke filled rooms with hard core fans. Now take post Di'Anno: neon spandex, pop metal, and a well light stadium with theatrics. All I have to say about that is save it for the opera Bruce, and anyone who thinks the latter of the two is true metal I have some advice lay off the glue. I have listened to Killers a million times and will listen to it a billion more. THIS IS THE METAL ALBUM OF ALL METAL ALBUMS AND STANDS THE TEST OF ETERNITY.


Negative Reviewers..Did you Listen to the CD??????   October 15, 2004
Graboidz (Westminster, Maryland)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

I cannot believe some of the negative reviews posted about "Killers". Sure its different than all of the Iron Maiden albums that followed, but it is such a great album in its own right, and part of it's greatness comes from its uniqueness. Di'Anno may not be the vocalist Dickinson is, but I couldn't imagine anyone else singing "Prodigal Son" or "Murders In the Rue Morgue". (It's a shame Di'Anno wasn't able to land a more high profile gig after his split with Maiden, as he does have a great rock n' roll voice) Some of the material on "Killers" holds up so well that almost any one of these songs could fit onto the current Maiden album and still sound new and fresh. I always thought Clive Burr's drumming was fantastic and really helped cement the Iron Maiden "sound". And the backbone of the band is showcased really well on several tracks found on "Killers". The instrumental "Ghengis Khan" is a metalhead's delight, featuring pounding drums, blistering bass lines, and some really great guitar riffs. The ballad "Prodigal Son" is a stand out track for the sole reason that it's about the only ballad in Iron Maiden's song collection. The title track and "Murders in the Rue Morgue" are also stand out songs that would be great to hear live. If you are a fan of the band but haven't picked up this and the debut album because it doesn't feature Bruce Dickinson on vocals, rest assured that Di'Anno does a great job, and is one of the reasons the band was signed to a major label to begin with. Great album, and one of the building blocks for one of the world's best bands.