Review Summary: Not as good as the debut, but riveting none the less
Iron Maiden has put out more great albums than just about any band you can think of, and "Killers" is certainly no exception. The Maiden with Paul at the helm was a different Maiden. Rawer, faster, dirtier. No less technical or melodic, but still different. I've heard comparisons to Motorhead, but to me, it's more like a speed metal version of Deep Purple. You get sort of a classic rock feel, but with more aggression. And does it work? Oh yeah.
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 "Powerslave", but it's certainly a worthy addition to your collection.
