Bruce Dickinson shared his thoughts on the first two Iron Maiden albums – 1980’s “Iron Maiden” and 1981’s “Killers” – both released before he joined the band and featuring Paul Di’Anno on vocals.
He said to Irish Times:
“[Bruce’s first studio appearance with the band, 1982’s] ‘The Number of the Beast’ was the album that really launched the band properly on the world stage.
The first two albums were very good, very successful.
“‘Killers,’ in particular, is a favorite of mine. The sound on that album really was the sound that should have been on the first Iron Maiden album.
“In fact, Martin Birch, who produced the ‘Killers’ album, Steve Harris wanted to use him for the first album, but they didn’t approach him because they thought he wouldn’t be interested.
“Steve has always regretted the production on the very first album. It is not up to the quality of ‘Killers.’
“Ironically people thought Iron Maiden was a bit of a punk band because it (the debut album) sounds sh*t. [Laughs]
“When ‘Killers’ came out, people thought Iron Maiden had come across all smooth and refined.
“We were never supposed to be a punk band. Steve hated punk. I didn’t hate punk, but, at the same time, it never did a great deal for me. I always thought it was strictly limited by their alleged lack of music ambition.”
12 comments
It sounds better than anything produced by Kevin Shirley.
People can lambaste the first Maiden record all they want. It always has been, and always will be one of my favorite Maiden records. Up the Irons! ?
Absolutely! What makes their first two LP’s great is the fact that they ‘weren’t polished’ yet. They were still developing their style, plus Paul Di-Anno & Clive Burr had a more raw, in-your-face approach..
The first album is easily Iron Maidens worst. There’s 4 decent songs the rest are boring and uninspired
I like the punkish sound on the debut. But then, I like punk. Harris and Dickinson obviously miss the idea and drive behind punk. Also, Dickinson is a gigantic douche nozzle.
Big-time douche!
The idiot who wrote the title doesn’t understand English.
I agree. He didn’t say the album was bad. He said it was badly produced. Sure he does “Running Free” and “Iron Maiden”.
Will Malone showed no interest in the band or the recording of.
Tbh I still prefer listening to Running Free or whatever being sung by D’anno. The only exception might only be Rue Morgue on the live After Death album, I love that version all be it live.
love the first I.M.album, hate Kevin Shirleys production over the last 15 years…no dynamics, totally compressed.
Exactly. Sounds so sterile. Can’t stand the attraction to that production style these days.
C’mon first album is perfection …killers also perfect album….and then Bruce came on third and perfection continued….