Iron Maiden - Maiden Japan

*=Staff's pick	Running Free* Remember Tomorrow* Killers Innocent Exile * Taken from "Iron Maiden" -80 ** Taken from "Killers" -81

Genre	Heavy Metal	Paul Di´Anno	Vocals
Tracks	4	Dave Murray	Guitar
Runningtime	16 Min.	Adrian Smith	Guitar
Label	EMI	Steve Harris	Bass
Release	1981	Clive Burr	Drums
Country	England	-	Keyboards
Similar artists	---

This album is a real live one, Recorded live at the Kosei Nenkin Hall, Nagoya (Jap.) on the 23rd of May 1981. Produced and mixed in Toronto (Can) by Doug Hall. This recording was made on Iron Maidens first World Tour, as a result of the success." with their debut, "Iron Maiden". Text taken from the back of the album folder: "This record is dedicated to all the headbangers, earthdogs and metal merchants around the world. Thanks for making our first world tour such a success."

The very first thing that strikes me is the heavy sound, much more bass over the hole sound. Even though this is a live recording, the sound is far heavier and better than on the bands first studio album! It all starts with crazy Japanese people shouting out loud..(lucky them..) And with the almost legendary comments by Paul Di´Anno, "I want you to sing for me…" And the show kicks of with "Running Free". A real classic song from Maiden, wich still today works just great, timeless in other words. Number two, the slowstarted "Remember Tomorrow" with its characteristic screams of Di´anno and really cool solo parts fom booth Dave Murray and the "new" guy, Adrian Smith. The latter took over the guitarhandling from Dennis Stratton, after the debut album.

The two last songs on this live EP are taken from the (upcoming) "Killers" album. First out on the B-side is the title song from that album, "Killers". Starting with the excellent basslines from Steve Harris, continuing with cool guitarlicks signed by Murray and Smith and the pumping bassdrum from Clive Burr. This one is almost unbelievable good. Cool rhythm and melody and great vocals. The last one out is "Innocent Exile", also from the "Killers" album. Not much to say - a good song.

A great live album, cant remember that I have ever heard anything like it. In my oppinion the best live recording that ever been made, ok I admit that I haven´t heard all! The only complaint I have about this record is that it had been nice with some more songs on it. It had been cool to hear songs like "Prowler", "Transylvania", "Charlotte The Harlot" and "Iron Maiden" with this sound quality, because it's superb. So if you are into the early days of Maiden you must have this one!

No staffs pick this time! No need for that - I recommend all the tracks. Enjoy!

Production	Vocals	Compositions
9	8	9
Nostalgiafactor
9
Summary
9 chalices of 10 - Tim