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Iron Maiden: Paul DiAnno (vocals); Dave Murray, Adrian Smith (guitar); Steve Harris (bass); Clive Burr (drums). Engineers: Martin "Headmaster" Birch, Nigel Hewitt. Recorded at Battery Studios, London, England. Digitally remastered by Simon Heyworth (Chop 'Em Out). KILLERS is based on more straight-ahead heavy metal, departing from Iron Maiden's 1980 self-titled debut, which had more of a punk edge (a facet often cited as an important stepping stone for "thrash metal" years later). Nonetheless the first album was a huge surprise hit in the band's native England, debuting within the Top Five upon release. The group's second release one year later, KILLERS sets its sights on making inroads in America, touring stateside for the very first time. The album was also the first for guitarist Adrian Smith, who replaced Dennis Stratton. The best-known track remains the renegade rocker "Wrathchild," but other lesser known compositions prove just as strong, such as the gruesome "Murders in the Rue Morgue;" the singles "Purgatory" and "Twilight Zone;" plus the fan favorites "Innocent Exile," "Genghis Khan," "Prodigal Son," and the title track. KILLERS cemented Maiden's standing as one of heavy metal's most promising up-and-coming bands.
