The next release was actually an EP entitled 'Maiden Japan' the title a pun on Deep Purple's 'Made In Japan' . Like Deep Purple, Iron Maiden were not interested in releasing a live album but their Japanese record label insisted so the band came up with this compromise of releasing an EP. The live EP was recorded at Kosei Nenkin Hall on May 23, 1981.

This EP would also serve as Paul D'ianno's swansong, as he would exit the band shortly after the tour was completed. This is an excellent live release, during the tour Paul D'ianno had some issues with his voice but there is no evidence on this EP, his vocal performance is perfect.

This EP has only 5 tracks and it proves what an excellent live act they were, and more importantly it leaves you wanting more. I do not believe this EP has been officially released on CD, but these 5 tracks have been scattered on various Maiden reissues. I do wish they would release the entire performance officially on CD but a bootleg did surface with the entire performance under various titles. I still have my original vinyl copy.

As mentioned previously, I have the MAIDEN JAPAN stuff on the bonus disc that came with the Castle Records 2-disc reissue of KILLERS. I honestly couldn't tell you when the last time was that I listened to it though. Just never grabbed me. But that could be due to my lack of interest in most live albums.

It's a good solid live album, it represents the small but important era of '79-'81 Maiden. I bought this on cassette back in '81.

Thanks for the info Freddy, the CD reissue I have of 'Killers' does not contain 'Maiden Japan' EP.

Does anybody know has this EP ever been officially released as a stand alone CD?

I bought the songs online somewhere online, cool live record of the dianno years

One of my favorite releases by Maiden, and my favorite live performance by them of their career! The whole band is just on fire here! Recommended as highly as the first 2 albums.

manny wrote:

Thanks for the info Freddy, the CD reissue I have of 'Killers' does not contain 'Maiden Japan' EP. Does anybody know has this EP ever been officially released as a stand alone CD?

The EP has been released twice on disc, once on the 2nd disc of the Castle records release of Killers, and once again on the first ten years single set alongside the Purgatory single. The full show has been on disc offically only once as a japenese promo available through the fan club, which I managed to get and its just AWESOME (I also still have both vinyl versions of it) to hear the full set played. Since that came out, its been pretty heavily bootlegged though, so it should be pretty easy to find.

Maiden Japan is actually my favorite release from the Dianno years. The band sounds DANGEROUS on this record! Tracks like Remember Tomorrow completely blow away their studio counterparts. I used to have this on vinyl (wish I still did), actually one of my most-played Maiden albums.

There is a POWER to these recordings that later Maiden live releases never quite equaled.

Killers-
Again another great album from start to finish. When I first heard the older Maiden albums I was surprised at how much different the music really was compared to how it was at the time I got into maiden around Fear Of The Dark.

Maiden Japan-
Even though this album only has 5 songs it has 5 of the best songs at the time and the band sounds great live. The songs seem to have a little more energy to them as well.
I remember when I got into Maiden I never heard of this and this kid at school told me he had the cassette tape and he would sell it to me. I forget how much he wanted but it wasn't much so I took it. Im glad I did because not only is it sort of a rare gem its a great representation of how they used to be live. Great stuff!

Not a big fan of Maiden Japan to be honest. I don't think it's as intense as the studio albums.

On to the next Iron Maiden album, 1982's 'Number of the Beast' the first Iron Maiden I was made aware of.

This album marks the debut of Bruce Dickinson former vocalist for Samson, who for some reason went by the name Bruce Bruce when he was in that band. What an immediate change Bruce Dickinson makes the band is incredible, while Paul D'ianno had more of raspy voice, Dickinson is almost operatic in comparison. His range is incredible and Dickinson screams 'rock star', IMO one of the best vocalist not just in metal but in any genre of rock.

Also what makes this album different than previous two studio albums is that Adrian Smith contributes to the songwriting for the first time, on 'The Prisoner' 'Gangland' and '22 Acacia Avenue' all feature his contributions. It also features the lone songwriting contribution from the soon to be ousted Clive Burr on the song 'Gangland' which was co written with Adrian Smith.

Due to contractual restrictions Bruce Dickinson would not be allowed to contribute to the songwriting til next release.

This is album that finally broke them big in America turned this band into an international phenomena. I still love this album and really not much I can add to it, expect it is highly recommended.

The Number of the Beast is a "tighter" album, songwise. There are less progressive numbers, although a couple of them have a definite epic vibe. It sounds more like an 80's album then both it's predecessors. It's probably the bands finest moment, and certainly a defining moment for them. It's still not my favorite though.

Ah, The Number Of The Beast...lots of memories with that record. The first song I heard was the title track, saw the video on HBO's Video Jukebox and then bugged my Mother until she bought me the album.

It's a great blend of the more visceral sound of the earlier albums (Clive Burr still on board) with hints of the more epic approach to come. From a songwriting standpoint there's more polish and the production is top notch throughout.

My favorite song on the album has always been "Gangland", that song is VICIOUS! The album is chock full of classics...Children Of The Damned, The Prisoner, Hallowed Be Thy Name, 22 Acacia Ave. There's some overplayed factor here (I can't really listen to the title track or Run To The Hills anymore) but at the time this record came out I thought it was the best album ever.

*note* - The later CD release with Total Eclipse added really bugs me, I wish they had stuck it on the end as a bonus track instead of inserting it into the track list...it just doesn't sound right as part of the album.

Hooray!!, we get to a Maiden album that I actually own.
I really like this record, although it's not my favorite. I'm guessing that there was some serious H. P. Lovecraft reading going on here as the lyrics for the title track seem inspired by at least a couple of his short stories.

I also love "The Prisoner" because the song is great and it also happens to be about one of my favorite tv shows of all time. They would also write another Prisoner inspired track for the Powerslave album, "Back In The Village".
Bruce just pulls off all the movie, music, and literary themed lyrics perfectly and you just can't help but sing along to this stuff.

Great Album!!

Great album. It's a bit overplayed, but it's still classic.

A great album indeed and was also my introduction to the band. Bruce fit right in as if he'd been with them a few years. I rarely listen to this one now but need to revisit it. This was the first band/album my mum referred to as "devil music".