Iron Maiden - Killers
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CD Details
Artist: Iron MaidenEdition: Music CD
Format: Enhanced, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2002-03-26
Music Label: Sanctuary Records
Soundtracks:
- The Ides Of March
- Wrathchild
- Murders In The Rue Morgue
- Another Life
- Genghis Khan
- Innocent Exile
- Killers
- Prodigal Son
- Purgatory
- Twilight Zone
- Drifter
Music reviews of Killers
Music Review: Killers
Rating: 4 Stars
Killers! What more can I say about this album that hasn't already been said? Nothing really, so I will just emphasize on the importance that the album had on the band and the rest of their career.
This is the first album that sparked a long lasting relationship with producer Martin Birch and the band until he retired in 1992. Who is Martin Birch you ask? Well search on the internet for him, but if you want to know how GOOD is Martin Birch, just look at the credits of all your favorite heavy metal albums, and you will see his name on the majority of them. Why? Because he is so F***ING GOOD! Now, onto the album.
Killers is certainly an evolution in Maiden's career. Long gong are the punky riffs and we can see the band emerging into what it truly is, heavy metal. Thanks to Martin Birch, the production is no longer raw, but clean. Many people may not like this, and there are still some that say that Maiden should have kept to their raw way of playing, but Maiden was becoming the band that Steve Harris wanted it to become, and therefore he needed to prove to the unbelievers that this is not just some one-hit-wonder-stay-forever-cult-band, this is METAL! And thanks to Martin, he made sure the album sounded magnificent. Unfortunately, the album did not go as high as they expected, and this is due to the fact of the previous statement that the fans had a resentment for the change in sound. On a sadder note, this is DiAnno's last time with the band, as he was forced to leave due to his "partying" attitude that the band was no longer able to cope with. On a bright note, this was the first album with Adrian Smith, who replaced Dennis Stratton due to "Musical Differences".
Although it may sound like a concept album, it is not. Sure, the main theme of "Kill(ing)" is there, but the band has stated time and time again that it isn't. But because all the songs are strangely interrelated to each other, it is hard to believe them. With that in mind, on to the songs:
1. Ides of March- Maiden's second instrumental song, this one is shorter than Transylvania. But of course, that does not mean that it is terrible. This is a very faced paced song that really gets you in the mood for the album. Sort of like an appetizer, if you will. 4/5
2. Wrathchild- Right after the last note is struck on Ides of March, Wrathchild "...comes to get you...", and that is not a bad thing. Being about a child who is searching for his lost father, Wrathchild was destined to become a classic even before it came out on this album (another previous album it came out on was a compilation album called "Metal for Muthas"). But not because of its story, but also because of fantastic wailing vocals by DiAnno and a mean bass Steve. Mix in Clive's drumming and Adrian's first solo on a Maiden recording, and you got an instant classic. 5/5
3. Murders in the Rue Morgue- Don't be fooled by the calm, acoustic beginning, because if you do, the fast paced action will swallow you whole! This track has some of the best drumming by Clive, and I think that it may be the best song on the album (although it isn't my favorite on the album). A story about a schizophrenic who is witness to his own murder, he tells us the story of running from the law. He says that he is framed for the murder, but if you examine the lyrics, he says he has "...blood on his hands..." (how did they get there?) and that his doctor says "...he's done it before...", so he could be, in fact, a schizo, not knowing of crimes his other self does. A nice little instrumental make this song easy to listen to and easy to like. 5/5
4. Another Life- WAIT! Did i just say the previous track had Clive's best drumming, now I think i have to hypocrise myself and say that this is the true song for Clive's best drumming, as he shows us what you can really do a double-bass pedal. This could be another schizoprenic song, as "...their is something inside him waiting to get away...". Plus, this is where the duo of Adrian and Davey first show us what they can really do when put together. And what do you get? An amazing instrumental passage! Plus, the ending of the song makes it made for live play. Truly a classic. 5/5
5. Genghis Khan- AH! Some more of Clive's drumming brilliantly starting off this song. This is yet another instrumental song, and it may be as good, if not better than, Transylvania. Really, just showing us, the fans, how much of an asset Adrian came to be. Truly, very, very good. 5/5
6. Innocent Exile- Once again pursuing the Killers/Schizophrenia theme, this one is about another man who is framed for murder (or is he?), and is doing time because of it. Very good bass intro by Steve, and when DiAnno comes in with his raw power, it really jumps on you. The only problem would be that (lyrically) it is too repetetive. But thankfully, the music is not. Very nice dual gutaring by Adrian and Davey. Once it gets to the musical passage, that is when it really gets heavy. Very nice solos, drumming, bass, everything! Unfortunately, DiAnno is not up to par on this one for some reason, and therefore it is not as good as the others. But thankfully for this song, the playing saves it. 4/5
7. Killers- YA! Heavy bass playing at its finest! One of the best intros in Iron Maiden's repetoire, and DiAnno's wails just make it better. I know he is not as good as a wailer as Bruce is, but i think DiAnno's voice is made for this song, and that is why this is so great. This one is about the mind of a killer, and the sick pleasure he gets when he kills his victims. What could be better than this? Why the Three Amigo's of course. Steves bass and the harmonies of Adrian and Davey make this song truly outstanding. My favorite song, and seriously, the reason you want to get this album. 5/5
8. Prodigal Son- Ah, the nice old days of listening to nice melodic tunes. This song is amazing, mostly because it shows us the other side of Maiden, the side not seen since the making of Strange World. But truly, I feel this one is better than Strange World. Some people may have questionable remarks about this one, but those people are morons. This is a beautiful song, and these kind of songs can only be written by Mr. Harris himself, and can only be played by Iron Maiden themselves. Another significant fact, this is also the turning point of the album. Gone is the sick pleasure of killing, and now it is the sake of atonement. The character here is praying to "Lamia" and wants her to forgive him and release him of all that insane things he goes through. (*To my understanding, Lamia is an African tale about a monster who eats children.* Why is the protagonist praying to this monster, I do not know.) Like I said, very beautiful music, save this one for the kids (*on second thought, don't*). 5/5
9. Purgatory- Ah Mr. Steve Harris, where do you come up with your magnificent bass playing? If you like to hear bass, listen to this song. It has some very good playing, and it may one of Steve's best (next to another song which will be discussed on The X Factor album). But hey, we also got Davey pulling off a magnificent solo here too, and we can't forget about Clive's drumming. Adrian does a very good job on the harmonies, and DiAnno is as magnificent as ever. Truly, all these elements together make for a wonderful song. Why this song got a low chart position, I do not know. 5/5
10. Twilight Zone- Hmm, I think this is perhaps the worst song of the album. No offense to those who do enjoy it, but I feel this one should have been a B-Side instead. Sure the playing is excellent, but I think DiAnno killed it so much that the musical interludes could not save it. I don' know about anyone else, but I think this one is a bit too punky. Sure, the other songs on the previous album were too, but this one is about evolution and change. After having some great metal tracks before, I think this one kills the mood. 2/5
11. Drifter- Ah, to be that ever so wandering person looking for a home. Not good huh? Well that is what this song is about. But not so much as drifting, but forgeting the past and moving towards the future (see, don't you see some connection leading up from the killing and atoning). Truly, another great song. You might not like it at first, but still, this is a very good song, with very nice and tempo changes here and there. If you can, try to find some bootlegs of this song live, because it is truly a spectacle to hear this song live. Plus, Davey is truly a spectacle to see on guitar when playing this song. 5/5
Songs to listen to: 1-3, 5-9, 11
Songs to avoid: Twilight Zone
Closing Comments: Well, unfortunately Twilight Zone really brought down the rating of this album, but don't be fooled, this another must have for an Iron Maiden fan or someone just becoming one.
Description of Killers
CD-Rom enhanced version of the original album that broke the band through in the U.S., re-packaged in a slip-sleeve.TRACK LISTING:
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
+Special Multimedia Section:
1. Wrathchild
2. Killers
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