1981 - Killers

Released 2 february 1981

Iron Maiden’s ascent into heavy metal lore continued with Killers,
their sophomore release and their last studio album featuring the ruffian vocals of Paul Di’Anno.  
The age-old question remains, Di’Anno or Dickinson: whose the better Maiden lead man?  
I give the nod to Dickinson, but Di’Anno was no slouch.

Now, had this list been based on popular opinion or critical consensus,
I think it would be a safe bet that Killers would be number one.  
(Venom’s Welcome To Hell would probably be number two.)  
Many consider Killers to be Maiden’s best.  
One can understand that point of view, although I think there are a couple of tracks on Killers that meander a bit.

I think the two best cuts on Killers are Wrathchild and Purgatory.  That album cover is one for the ages, too.