IRON MAIDEN - KILLERS 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Genuine French release from 1981

Killers is the second album by IRON MAIDEN. It was the first of their albums to feature guitarist Adrian Smith, and the last to feature vocalist Paul Di'Anno, who left the band mid-tour due to problems with alcohol and cocaine. This was also the first album produced by veteran producer Martin Birch who went on to produce their next eight albums before retiring after Fear of the Dark in 1992  

 

IRON MAIDEN - Killers France Release 12" LP ALBUM VINYL album front cover

In a blaze of glory, from the battlefields of 1981, emerges a heavy metal's nascent power: Iron Maiden's Killers.
Album Description:

This French vinyl pressing, a relic from a time when New Wave of British Heavy Metal was carving its name into the annals of rock history, captures the raw energy and unbridled ambition of a band on the cusp of greatness.

Historical Context:

The early 80s was a time of social unrest and political turmoil, and "Killers" reflects this zeitgeist in its aggressive sound and rebellious lyrics. The album stands as a defiant middle finger to the establishment, an anthem for the disaffected youth of the era.

Musical Exploration:

"Killers" is a masterclass in heavy metal songwriting, showcasing the band's signature galloping rhythms, soaring vocals, and intricate guitar harmonies. The album's diverse soundscape ranges from the breakneck speed of "Wrathchild" to the haunting melodies of "Murders in the Rue Morgue," demonstrating Iron Maiden's willingness to experiment within their chosen genre.

Genre:

This album is a quintessential example of New Wave of British Heavy Metal, a subgenre that emerged in the late 70s and early 80s, characterized by its fast tempos, aggressive guitar riffs, and often dark lyrical themes. "Killers" helped to define and popularize this sound, paving the way for countless bands that followed in Iron Maiden's footsteps.

Production Team and Recording Studio:

"Killers" was produced by Martin Birch, a legendary figure in the world of rock production, who would go on to work with Iron Maiden on several of their most iconic albums. The album was recorded at Battery Studios in London, a facility known for its warm, analog sound, which perfectly complements the band's raw energy.

Controversies:

While "Killers" was not as overtly controversial as some of Iron Maiden's later albums, its dark lyrical themes and aggressive sound did raise some eyebrows at the time. The album's title track, with its graphic depiction of violence, was particularly divisive, but it also helped to establish Iron Maiden's reputation as a band that was not afraid to push boundaries.

Collectors information:

 

This album should include the black original custom inner sleeve

Music Genre:

New Wave of British Heavy Metal, NWOBHM 

Album Production information:

The album: "IRON MAIDEN - Killers Netherlands" was produced by: Martin Birch

  • Martin Birch – Producer, Sound Engineer Martin Birch was the steady hand behind some of the most powerful rock and metal records of the 1970s and 1980s. As an engineer and producer, he shaped the sound of Deep Purple and Fleetwood Mac before becoming the defining sonic architect for Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Rainbow. His productions balanced clarity with raw force, turning heavy riffs into timeless statements and albums into genre benchmarks.
    Martin Birch Wiki

    • Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Martin Birch, Nigel Hewitt

    Nigel Hewitt a British Sound Engineer who has (during the 1980s) engineered vinyl albums for heavy metal bands like: Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, Dio, Mammoth and others.

    This album was recorded at: Battery Studios, London.

    Battery Studios London has been a key recording centre since the 1970s, known for its high-end equipment and sessions spanning rock, pop, and metal. Countless artists shaped their sound here, leaving a production legacy that still influences modern studio work. Read more.

    Album cover design: Derek Riggs

  • Derek Riggs – Illustrator, Cover Artist Derek Riggs is the artist who gave Iron Maiden its visual soul by creating Eddie, one of the most recognizable mascots in heavy metal history. Since the band’s 1980 debut, his artwork fused sci-fi, horror, and dark fantasy into covers that were as confrontational and imaginative as the music itself. Riggs’ paintings didn’t just decorate records, they built a world that became inseparable from Maiden’s identity.
    Derek Riggs Wiki

    • Album cover photography: Robert Ellis

    Robert Ellis is a renowned music photographer celebrated for capturing iconic live performances and behind-the-scenes moments of legendary rock and metal bands. His compelling visual storytelling has appeared in countless magazines and album sleeves. Discover more through this dedicated profile.

    Record Label & Catalog number: 

    EMI 2C 070-07.450  

    Media Format:

    12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
    Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

    Year & Country:

    1981 Made in France  
    Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: IRON MAIDEN KILLERS FRANCE
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • Clive Burr - Drums
      Clive Burr rose from East End beginnings to become Iron Maiden’s early rhythmic engine, shaping their sound with speed, swing, and sharp precision. His career blazed intensely before illness cut it short, yet his impact on heavy metal drumming still echoes through generations. Read it Here
    • Dave Murray - Guitars
    • Dave Murray – Guitar Dave Murray, born 1956, is the melodic mastermind behind Iron Maiden’s signature twin-guitar attack. A founding member, his fluid, expressive solos and perfectly locked harmonized leads have shaped the band’s sound since 1975. His playing blends bluesy phrasing with precision and restraint, never flashy for its own sake, always serving the song. That balance made him a quiet but essential pillar of heavy metal guitar.
      Dave Murray Wiki
    • Paul Di'Anno - Lead Vocals
      Paul Di'Anno (1958–2024) powered Iron Maiden’s raw early era with his gritty voice and street-edge intensity, defining their first records with fire and attitude. His life swung between metal triumphs and hard personal battles, but his rebellious spirit and influence on the genre remain unmistakable. Read it Here
    • Steve Harris
    • Steve Harris – Bass, Songwriter Steve Harris, born 1956, is the driving force behind Iron Maiden’s galloping bass lines and long-form, story-heavy songwriting. Founding the band in 1975, he defined their identity with ambitious compositions that mixed punk urgency, progressive structure, and pure metal muscle. Anthems like The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name carry his fingerprints all over them, making him one of NWOBHM’s most influential architects.
      Steve Harris Wiki
    • Adrian Smith
    • Adrian Smith – Guitarist, Songwriter Adrian Smith is one of those players I always associate with Iron Maiden’s classic sound and its later revival. Joining in 1980, leaving in 1990, and returning in 1999, his melodic solos and sharp songwriting helped define albums from The Number of the Beast to Brave New World and beyond.
      Adrian Smith Wikipedia
    Complete Track-listing of the album "IRON MAIDEN KILLERS FRANCE "

    The detailed tracklist of this record "IRON MAIDEN KILLERS FRANCE " is:

      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

    IRON MAIDEN - Vinyl Records Discography Home Page