Killers Songs Ranked

Killers is the second studio album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was first released on 2 February 1981 in the United Kingdom by EMI Records and on 6 June in the United States by Harvest and Capitol Records. The album was their first with guitarist Adrian Smith, and their last with vocalist Paul Di’Anno, who was fired after problems with his stage performances arose due to his alcohol and cocaine use. Killers was also the first Iron Maiden album recorded with producer Martin Birch, who went on to produce their next eight albums until Fear of the Dark (1992). Killers are the only Iron Maiden album to feature two instrumentals. It was written almost exclusively by Steve Harris; only “Twilight Zone” and the title track are cowritten. Here are all of Killers’ songs ranked.

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10. The Ides of March

“Cool way to open up the album with this short instrumental track. Love the martial drumming on this one.  Many people don’t consider this as a song but this is my favorite.”

9. Another Life

“I like how the song starts with that neat drum solo and a great riff, followed by a pretty nice verse, but then takes a downturn with the rather stale riff right afterwards. Oh, and of course, the same verse didn’t need to be repeated 3 times. Just twice would’ve sufficed, and the instrumental breakdown, although decent, only unnecessarily prolongs it. Should’ve been only 2 minutes long, but still a decent song anyways.”

8. Innocent Exile

“It’s fine. Instrumentally alright, the intro riffs and breakdown are cool, but has a rather lacklustre performance from Paul. And rather unmemorable, but still decent.”

See more: Iron Maiden Albums Ranked

7. Drifter

“Starts off with cool riffs and drumming, but kinda falls down as it goes on due to the mediocre singing. Not bad, but it just doesn’t offer much. A rather weak album closer.”

6. Prodigal Son

“Another pretty weird early Maiden song. It’s basically them going full-on Rush. I suppose the songwriting on this is pretty good, as the guitar work and bass lines are incredible, but they’ve written better songs, and didn’t really need to last 6 mins while sounding like this all the way through.”

5. Genghis Khan

“Always been very fond of this instrumental. Love the interplay of all the instruments over here, but props have to be given to the drumming. It makes the song feel like an epic, despite not being one. Nicko may have been the best fit for Maiden, but Clive sure as hell would’ve sufficed had he never been kicked out. Awesome song, easily one of the best on the album, and the entire Di’Anno era in general.”

See more: Iron Maiden Songs Ranked

4. Purgatory

“Also punky and very raw, and it works but could’ve been better. The opening’s good with those fast-paced riffs and singing, but the chorus is rather meh, and the instrumental section during it isn’t so great. Opening riff and singing style does return again though thankfully, which saves the song.”

3. Murders in the Rue Morgue

“Nice intro, but gets better once the song starts after a cool short drum fill. Rather punky and raw, even for Di’Anno era Maiden. Good song, although not too fond of the breakdown here, could’ve done without it.”

2. Wrathchild

“Pretty neat bassy intro. Good riffs. Great, very catchy chorus. Nice solo. Short but uses its time effectively. But that’s all there is to say about this one, not very remarkable bits (aside from the chorus) but combines to create a great song.”

1. Killers

“It took a long while to grow on me, but good god this is an excellent song. The galloping bass intro with the screams prepares you for the beast this song is, and when it starts, it’s immediately in overdrive with one of the best Maiden riffs ever written. Plus, it has Di’Anno providing some of his best singing ever over some amazing vocal melodies. Great solo. While this is rather long for the standards of this album, it doesn’t feel repetitive at all, and it in fact contributes to the awesomeness of the song. I honestly think this, instead of Phantom of the Opera is the crown jewel of the Di’Anno era.”