KILLERS

IRON MAIDEN's second album would be the first for Adrian Smith and he and Dave Murray would continue this twin lead guitar attack for many many years.The punk element from the debut has been scaled back but we still get those straight forward tracks that are still fairly short.The tour for this album would include a lot of "firsts". This was the first of ten albums that Martin Birch would produce for the band. Their first headlining gig at the Hammersmith Odeon. Their first European tour as headliners.Their first tour of America and Japan.

"The Ides Of March" is a short opening instrumental. "Wrathchild" is a top three for me. Check out Harris with that bass intro. Vocals join in quickly. Killer track. "Murders In The Rue Morgue" builds and I really like the tone of the guitar. It turns uptempo with vocals a minute in. Guitar solo 3 minutes in. "Another Life" opens with drums as guitars join in then the tempo picks up. Vocals follow. This is a good little rocker.

"Genghis Khan" is a top three as well. This is classic MAIDEN and check out the rhythm section. Lots of bottom end. Love the guitar before 2 1/2 minutes. "Innocent Exile" has a killer bass intro as the vocals join in. A guitar solo 3 minutes in. "Killers" has some nice bass and dark atmosphere early as Paul yells several times. Here we go a minute in ! The bass and guitar before 2 1/2 minutes is great. "Prodigal Son" is the other top three.This one is diferent from the rest and it moves me. Lots of strummed guitar and it's laid back. Reserved vocals join in before 1 1/2 minutes. The remaining tracks are more uptempo and "Drifter" is a really good way to end the album.

Definitely 4 stars for me although the best was yet to come.