The Dickinson version had the "hits" and made the money, but like Def Leppard and Judas Priest, the best stuff (influentially) was the earliest. An essential collection of early second-wave metal would include: Priest's Sad Wings and Sin After Sin as well as British Steel, Def Leppard's first two albums, Maiden's first two albums, something by Diamond Head, Motorhead's Ace of Spades, and a few others. Having an almost demo quality and demonstrating an early formula sound which would evolve into one of the most unique and popular metal signatures three and five years later, IRON MAIDEN stands the test of time...just 16, pickup truck, out of money, out of luck...but not out of musical energy by a long shot. KILLERS refined the approach and the twin-guitar sound, but the story starts here. Still one of my favorite Eddie images on the cover, too.

I grew up listening to Iron Maiden in my early teens, sort of grew out of it after that, but I get a bit nostalgic when I hear the songs now.

Listening to this album now it is interesting to hear just how much of the fast punk sound is in it! Anyone who has had the opportunity to hear the Soundhouse tapes will notice that the punk influence is even more pronounced there! Iron Maiden was a way different band before they got signed, and their debut album points a little to where they came from.

Iron Maiden's other influences are evident on this recording; I hear glimpses of early Rush (particularly Steve Harris' bass lines), Wishbone Ash and Black Sabbath.

Curiously, Paul DiAnno's vocals are much better on this album than on the next release, 'Killers'. Vocally, the best performance is on the ballad 'Strange World' where he gets to sing more melodically.

This album is full of catchy head banger classics like 'Prowler', 'Running Free' and 'Charlotte the Harlot' as well as some longer pseudo-epics like Phantom of the Opera (memorable opening riff) and Transylvania.

Melodically and harmonically the material is fairly simple and predictable. Lots of straight diatonic harmony over mostly Aeolian modal material--this is a heavy metal staple. Iron Maiden also really exploit the 'twin guitar' harmonised melody line sound--the melody usually harmonised a diatonic third above. In fact they did it so much, it became a signature sound of theirs.

The solos on this album are mostly of the messy noodling variety. On the upshot, Dave Murray does play with a lot of passion. As with all Maiden albums the bass is fairly high in the mix. Steve Harris has always had a fairly unique sound although his influences are obvious on this recording: Geddy Lee and Chris Squire in particular. Clive Burr's drumming is solid and suits the direction of the music on this recording. The overall sound production of this album is similar to the late 70s Judas Priest sound.

Iron Maiden were always going to be successful, they had the right sound and the right time for hard rock and heavy metal audiences of the early 80s. It would be another couple of years before they really hit the big time but this was certainly an auspicious beginning.

This album a good document of the evolution of hard rock/heavy metal during the late 70s and early 80s.

This album rocks! It's much more punk than the Dickinson albums, and D'ianno's raspy voice is perfect for this sound. It's amazing that this album gets little play on radio stations. Songs like Iron Maiden, Sanctuary, Prowler, and especially Running Free are catchy, fast paced songs which stick in your head for days, and Phantom of the Opera is a classic, definitely the best song on the album and one of the best ever from Iron Maiden. It wasn't what I expected from Iron Maiden...it's even better.

First of all what gives with the opening review?? Who decided that particular critic should have his piece of mindlessness on here??? Most "critics" I have read say Piece of Mind was their best. Personally I love Number of the Beast. I also had to laugh at the Poison fan..huh!? -Probably owns every Spice Girl CD. Anyway for those who don't know good music and great metal and real talent need to be forced to bow in humble admittance that Maiden is the best this world has or will ever see. They beat out Sabbath, Zep, and Alternica. The first album is a classic from a classic band that only got better and is back (thank God) to show all those Poison girlies and Manson psychos what Metal really is!

Considering that when you mention Iron Maiden these days people associate them with Brave New World, it makes me wondor how many of them have heard this album. I can honestly say that I feel that this album is one of their best. My all-time favourite would have to be "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son", but one step and the following albums are all at pretty much the same level of quality:- "Number Of The Beast", "Somewhere In Time", "Powerslave", "Killers" and this one. To say that "Piece Of Mind" is up there with these albums is a joke.

Anyway, this is the better of the two Di'Anno albums (although only slightly), the other being "Killers". This contains some real classic songs such as "Prowler", "Phantom Of The Opera" and "Running Free" but in all seriousness there are no fillers. Every song is really good. These versions are far superior to the live versions on "A Real Live Dead One".

Although this isn't their absolute finest hour I still feel that this is a much better album than "Fear Of The Dark", "Piece Of Mind" and "Brave New World". The other studio albums aren't even worth mentioning. This is a damn great album, and one that is different to most other Maiden albums (aside from "Killers" which also has Paul Di'Anno on vocals). One of the first albums to start off The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal back in the late 70s and early 80s!!