Iron Maiden ( album ) - wikipedia Iron Maiden ( album ) Iron Maiden Studio album by Iron Maiden Released 14 April 1980 Recorded January 1980 Studio Kingsway Studios, London, England Genre Heavy metal Length 37 : 35 Label EMI Harvest / Capitol ( North America ) Producer Wil Malone Iron Maiden studio albums chronology Iron Maiden ( 1980 ) Killers ( 1981 ) Killers 1981 1998 remastered version cover Singles from Iron Maiden `` Running Free '' Released : 8 February 1980 `` Sanctuary * '' Released : 23 May 1980 * Not an original album track, but added to later editions Iron Maiden is the debut studio album by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was issued by EMI on 14 April 1980 in the UK, and a few months later in North America, originally on Harvest / Capitol Records and subsequently Sanctuary Records / Columbia Records in the US. The North American version also included the song `` Sanctuary '', previously released in the UK as a non-album single. In 1998, along with the rest of the band 's pre-1995 releases, Iron Maiden was remastered with `` Sanctuary '' added in all territories ( but 2015 digital releases and all vinyl reissues use original tracklisting around the globe ). It is the band 's only album to feature guitarist Dennis Stratton. Although Iron Maiden have since criticised the quality of the album 's production, the release was met with critical and commercial success, debuting at No. 4 in the UK Albums Chart as well as achieving prominence for the band in mainland Europe. Contents 1 Background 2 Songs 3 Reception 4 Track listing 4.1 Original release 4.2 1980 North American version 4.3 1998 Remastered release 4.4 1995 Reissue bonus disc 5 Personnel 6 Chart performance 6.1 Notes 7 Certifications 8 References 9 Literature 10 External links Background This was the band 's only album produced by Will Malone, who Iron Maiden have since claimed lacked interest in the project and effectively left them to produce most of the album themselves, which, according to bassist Steve Harris, was completed in just 13 days. Recording took place at Kingsway Studios, west London in January 1980, with the band taking time out from the 1980 Metal for Muthas Tour to complete the final mixes at Morgan Studios, northwest London in February. Prior to the sessions with Malone, the band made two attempts in December 1979 with two different producers while still a four - piece. Guy Edwards, the first, was dismissed as the band were unhappy with the `` muddy '' quality in his production, while Andy Scott was sacked after insisting that Harris use a pick rather than his fingers. After these efforts, the band decided not to sack Malone as Steve Harris describes that they could `` bypass him and ( go ) to the engineer. '' The group criticised the quality of the production, although many fans still prefer the raw quality of the sound recording. Although AllMusic states that this style was `` clearly drawing from elements of punk rock, '' Harris later stated that the band despised everything about punk. Di'Anno ( left ) and Harris ( right ) performing in 1980. This was also the only studio album with guitarist Dennis Stratton, who, having been brought in as a last - minute placement, was sacked due to `` musical differences '' after the band 's European tour in support of Kiss. Suspicions were first raised during Iron Maiden 's recording, when Stratton added Wishbone Ash-esque harmony guitars and backing vocals reminiscent of Queen to `` Phantom of the Opera '', of which the rest of the band immediately disapproved and had removed. Although Stratton states that he was not `` trying to push the band in a new direction, '' Harris comments that it `` really pointed up the difference between Den and us, '' after which he began to notice that `` Dennis was so much more into playing stuff like `` Strange World '' than he was `` Iron Maiden '' or `` Prowler '', because it was more slow, melodic... when he was soloing on one of the heavier songs, it was n't with quite the same passion. '' The 1998 remastered album differs from the original with the addition of the song `` Sanctuary '', which had then only been released as a single in the UK in May 1980, although it did also appear in the later US version of Iron Maiden, which was issued in August 1980. The track originally appeared on the Metal for Muthas compilation, but was re-recorded during the Iron Maiden sessions. The re-release also features a different cover ; a digital recreation by original artist Derek Riggs, with a portion of the original artwork instead being used on the disc itself. The band undertook the Iron Maiden Tour in support of the album, during which they played their first ever concerts in mainland Europe, where they were surprised to discover how successful Iron Maiden had been outside the UK, with Steve Harris commenting, `` The prestige of doing so well in the UK had turned into a sort of word - of - mouth thing, and we 'd turn up in places like Leiden, in Holland, places we 'd never even heard of, and they 'd have these massive banners waiting for us with `` Iron Maiden Go Over The Top '' written on them and all this. It was unreal. '' Songs `` Running Free '' was released as a single on 8 February 1980, reaching No. 34 in the UK Singles Chart. The band also performed the song on the UK TV show Top of the Pops, refusing the usual tradition for artists to mime and thus becoming the first group to perform live on the show since The Who in 1972. Vocalist Paul Di'Anno, who wrote the song 's lyrics, describes it as `` a very autobiographical song, though of course I 've never spent the night in an LA jail. It 's about being 16 and, like it says, just running wild and running free. It comes from my days as a skinhead. '' According to Classic Rock and Metal Hammer contributor Dave Ling, writing in the Metal for Muthas CD re-issue liner notes, `` Sanctuary '' was originally penned by guitarist Rob Angelo, a member of Iron Maiden in 1977, who was paid £ 300 for the song 's rights. The `` Sanctuary '' single was released on 7 June 1980 and charted at No. 29, with the censored cover of Eddie, the band 's mascot, standing over Margaret Thatcher 's body earning the band publicity in the British press. Managers Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor 's management company would be named after the song. Although `` Strange World '' is credited solely to Harris, Paul Day, the band 's original vocalist from 1975 - 1976, claimed that he also contributed to the song. `` Charlotte the Harlot '', their only song to have been written by Dave Murray alone, is the first of four Iron Maiden tracks which make reference to the fictional prostitute ' Charlotte, ' although Murray states it was `` based on a true story. '' The 7 - minute epic `` Phantom of the Opera '' is also one of Steve Harris 's personal favourites and is still performed live relatively frequently. With lots of mood and time - changes, Harris marks it as `` the first song I 'd written that was a bit more proggy. '' `` Transylvania '' is an instrumental piece, composed by Harris, which was later covered by Iced Earth on the album Horror Show. Of all the album 's songs, `` Phantom of the Opera '', `` Running Free '', `` Sanctuary '' and `` Iron Maiden '' are the most frequently played in the band 's concert tours, with the last being played at every show since the band 's inception and signalling the arrival of Eddie onstage. All of the record 's songs, excluding `` Strange World '', have been recorded with Bruce Dickinson on vocals, either on live albums, studio B - Sides or both. `` Strange World '' and `` Transylvania '' were the only songs not played on the `` Eddie Rips Up The World Tour '', 2005. Four songs ( `` Prowler '', `` Remember Tomorrow '', `` Running Free '' and `` Iron Maiden '' ) were covered for the 2008 tribute album Maiden Heaven : A Tribute to Iron Maiden released by Kerrang ! magazine, and an acoustic reinterpretation of `` Prowler '' was included in 2012 's Across The Seventh Sea by the acoustic Iron Maiden tribute project Maiden uniteD. Reception Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic Collector 's Guide to Heavy Metal 9 / 10 Record Mirror Sounds Sputnikmusic 4.5 / 5 When first issued in 1980, the album received immediate critical acclaim, with Geoff Barton, reviewing the album in Sounds, writing, `` Heavy metal for the ' 80s, its blinding speed and rampant ferocity making most plastic heavy rock tracks from the ' 60s and ' 70s sound sloth - like and funeral - dirgey by comparison. '' Since its release, Iron Maiden has continued to receive praise from reviewers, with AllMusic proclaiming that the album `` would still rank as a landmark even if the Dickinson years had never happened '' as well as `` no better place to hear how both punk and prog rock informed the new wave of British heavy metal. '' In addition, Sputnikmusic describes it as `` one of the top debut albums in the world of heavy metal, '' containing `` the raw, aggressive power ( which ) defines the early years of the band. '' Iron Maiden is one of two Iron Maiden albums listed in Robert Dimery 's book, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die ( The Number of the Beast is the other ). In 2017, it was ranked 13th on Rolling Stone 's list of `` 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time ''. Track listing All songs written and composed by Steve Harris, except where noted. Original release Side one No. Title Writer ( s ) Length 1. `` Prowler '' 3 : 55 2. `` Remember Tomorrow '' Harris, Paul Di'Anno 5 : 27 3. `` Running Free '' Harris, Di'Anno 3 : 16 4. `` Phantom of the Opera '' 7 : 20 Side two No. Title Writer ( s ) Length 1. `` Transylvania '' ( Instrumental ) 4 : 05 2. `` Strange World '' 5 : 45 3. `` Charlotte the Harlot '' Dave Murray 4 : 12 4. `` Iron Maiden '' 3 : 35 Total length : 37 : 35 1980 North American version Side one No. Title Writer ( s ) Length 1. `` Prowler '' 3 : 56 2. `` Remember Tomorrow '' Harris, Di'Anno 5 : 30 3. `` Running Free '' Harris, Di'Anno 3 : 22 4. `` Phantom of the Opera '' 7 : 02 Side two No. Title Writer ( s ) Length 1. `` Transylvania '' ( Instrumental ) 4 : 09 2. `` Strange World '' 5 : 43 3. `` Sanctuary '' Iron Maiden 3 : 19 4. `` Charlotte the Harlot '' Murray 4 : 14 5. `` Iron Maiden '' 3 : 43 Total length : 40 : 58 1998 Remastered release No. Title Writer ( s ) Length 1. `` Prowler '' 3 : 56 2. `` Sanctuary '' Harris, Murray, Di'Anno 3 : 16 3. `` Remember Tomorrow '' Harris, Di'Anno 5 : 29 4. `` Running Free '' Harris, Di'Anno 3 : 17 5. `` Phantom of the Opera '' 7 : 08 6. `` Transylvania '' ( Instrumental ) 4 : 19 7. `` Strange World '' 5 : 32 8. `` Charlotte the Harlot '' Murray 4 : 13 9. `` Iron Maiden '' 3 : 36 Total length : 40 : 46 1995 reissue bonus disc No. Title Writer ( s ) Length 1. `` Sanctuary '' Paul Di'Anno, Murray, Harris 3 : 14 2. `` Burning Ambition '' 2 : 42 3. `` Drifter '' ( Live ) 6 : 04 4. `` I 've Got the Fire '' ( Live Montrose cover ) Ronnie Montrose 3 : 14 On the 1998 remastered release, the coda to `` Phantom of the Opera '' was cut and the intro to `` Strange World '' was moved to the end of `` Transylvania ''. The 1998 remaster also incorrectly lists the running time for `` Sanctuary '' as 0 : 00. The US version of the 1995 reissue bonus disc excludes `` Sanctuary ''. Personnel Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes. Iron Maiden Paul Di'Anno -- lead vocals Steve Harris -- bass, backing vocals Dennis Stratton -- guitar, backing vocals Dave Murray -- guitar Clive Burr -- drums Technical personnel Will Malone -- producer Martin Levan -- engineer Derek Riggs -- sleeve illustration Terry Walker -- photography Yuka Fujii -- photography Rod Smallwood -- management Simon Heyworth -- remastering ( 1998 edition ) Robert Ellis -- photography ( 1998 edition ) George Chin -- photography ( 1998 edition ) P.G. Brunelli -- photography ( 1998 edition ) Ross Halfin -- photography ( 1998 edition ) Denis O'Regan -- photography ( 1998 edition ) Chart performance Album Country Chart ( 1980 ) Peak position Sweden Sverigetopplistan 36 United Kingdom Official Albums Chart Country Chart ( 1985 ) Peak position United Kingdom Official Albums Chart 71 Country Chart ( 2009 ) Peak position Sweden Sverigetopplistan 27 Country Chart ( 2010 ) Peak position Greece IFPI Greece 52 Country Chart ( 2012 ) Peak position Sweden Sverigetopplistan 48 Country Chart ( 2013 ) Peak position France SNEP 69 Singles Single Chart ( 1980 ) Peak position Album `` Running Free '' UK Singles Chart 34 Iron Maiden `` Sanctuary '' 29 Single Chart ( 1985 ) Peak position Album `` Running Free ( Live ) '' Irish Singles Chart 12 Live After Death UK Singles Chart 19 Single Chart ( 1990 ) Peak position Album `` Running Free / Sanctuary '' UK Albums Chart 10 -- Notes Jump up ^ Re-release of `` Running Free / Sanctuary '' as a double 12 '' single. Exceeded the length limit of the UK Singles Chart. Certifications Country Certification Sales / shipments Canada Platinum 100,000 Germany Gold 250,000 United Kingdom Platinum 300,000 References ^ Jump up to : Iron Maiden Fame CD ( Media notes ). Iron Maiden. EMI. 1987. ^ Jump up to : `` Iron Maiden : Maiden Voyage ''. Guitar World. 7 March 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011. ^ Jump up to : Wall 2004, p. 126. Jump up ^ Wall 2004, p. 140. ^ Jump up to : Wall 2004, p. 127. ^ Jump up to : Wall 2004, p. 145. Jump up ^ The History of Iron Maiden -- Part 1 : The Early Days ( DVD ). Sony. 23 November 2004. ^ Jump up to : Huey, Steve. `` Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden ''. AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 22 June 2011. Jump up ^ Dunn, McFadyen ( creators, directors ) ( 10 December 2011 ). `` New Wave of British Heavy Metal ''. Metal Evolution. VH1 Classic. Jump up ^ Wall 2004, p. 162. ^ Jump up to : Wall 2004, p. 129. Jump up ^ Wall 2004, p. 128. Jump up ^ Saulnier, Jason ( 22 November 2012 ). `` Paul Di'Anno Interview ''. Music Legends. Retrieved 6 May 2013. ^ Jump up to : Wall 2004, p. 147. Jump up ^ Daniels, Neil ( 25 May 2012 ). Iron Maiden : The Ultimate Illustrated History ( 1 ed. ). Voyageur Press. p. 196. ISBN 978 - 0760342213. Jump up ^ Wall 2004, p. 138. Jump up ^ Wall 2004, p. 155. Jump up ^ Wall 2004, p. 156. Jump up ^ Wall 2004, p. 131. Jump up ^ Wall 2004, p. 132. Jump up ^ Ling, Dave ( January 2001 ). `` Liner Notes ''. Metal for Muthas. London. Jump up ^ Wall 2004, p. 148. Jump up ^ `` Iron Maiden manager comments on split from Sanctuary ''. Blabbermouth.net. 4 November 2006. Retrieved 10 October 2011. Jump up ^ `` Paul Day : My History in Brief ''. PaulMarioDay.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011. Jump up ^ Wall 2004, p. 144. Jump up ^ Stagno, Mike ( 7 August 2006 ). `` Sputnikmusic review : Iced Earth - Horror Show ''. Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 10 October 2011. Jump up ^ Wall 2004, p. 137. Jump up ^ `` Kerrang ! The making of Maiden Heaven ''. Kerrang.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2011. Jump up ^ `` Maiden United - Across The Seventh Sea Tracklisting, Cover Artwork Revealed ''. Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2013. Jump up ^ Popoff, Martin ( November 1, 2005 ). The Collector 's Guide to Heavy Metal : Volume 2 : The Eighties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada : Collector 's Guide Publishing. pp. 169 -- 170. ISBN 978 - 1 - 894959 - 31 - 5. Jump up ^ Wall 2004, p. 146. Jump up ^ Bushell, Garry ; Halfin, Ross ( 1985 ). Running Free, The Official Story of Iron Maiden ( 2nd ed. ). Zomba Books. p. 72. ISBN 0 - 946391 - 84 - X. ^ Jump up to : Stagno, Mike ( 27 June 2006 ). `` Sputnikmusic - Iron Maiden ( album ) review ''. Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 22 June 2011. Jump up ^ Lydon, Michael ( preface ) ( 15 October 2008 ). Dimery, Robert, ed. 1001 albums you must hear before you die ( Updated ed. ). London : Cassell Illustrated. ISBN 978 - 1844036240. Retrieved 19 November 2012. Jump up ^ Begrand, Adrien ( 21 June 2017 ). `` 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time ''. Rolling Stone. Wenner Media LLC. Retrieved 22 June 2017. ^ Jump up to : Iron Maiden Remastered ( Media notes ). Iron Maiden. EMI. 1998. Jump up ^ Iron Maiden ( Media notes ). Iron Maiden. EMI. 14 April 1980. ^ Jump up to : `` Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden ( album ) ''. Sverigetopplistan. Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 1 April 2013. Jump up ^ `` UK Albums Archive - 26 April 1980 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2011. Jump up ^ `` Iron Maiden - Artist Chart History, Official Charts Company ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 November 2011. Jump up ^ `` Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden ( album ) ''. IFPI Greece. Greekcharts.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013. Jump up ^ `` Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden ( album ) ''. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique ( in French ). Lescharts.com. Retrieved 1 April 2013. Jump up ^ `` UK Singles Archive - 8 March 1980 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2011. Jump up ^ `` UK Singles Archive - 14 June 1980 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2011. Jump up ^ `` Search the Charts ''. Irish Recorded Music Association. Irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on 12 October 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011. Jump up ^ `` Official UK Singles Archive - 12 October 1985 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 October 2011. Jump up ^ `` UK Albums Archive - 24 February 1990 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2011. Jump up ^ `` Gold & Platinum Certification ''. Canadian Recording Industry Association. October 2006. Archived from the original on 8 October 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2012. Jump up ^ `` Gold - / Platin - Datenbank ( ' Iron Maiden ' ) '' ( in German ). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Jump up ^ `` BPI : Certified Awards Search ''. British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 6 February 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013. Literature Wall, Mick ( 2004 ). Iron Maiden : Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography ( third ed. ). Sanctuary Publishing. ISBN 1 - 86074 - 542 - 3 External links Iron Maiden ( Adobe Flash ) at Radio3Net ( streamed copy where licensed ) Iron Maiden Steve Harris Dave Murray Adrian Smith Bruce Dickinson Nicko McBrain Janick Gers Doug Sampson Paul Di'Anno Dennis Stratton Clive Burr Blaze Bayley ( details ) Studio albums Iron Maiden Killers The Number of the Beast Piece of Mind Powerslave Somewhere in Time Seventh Son of a Seventh Son No Prayer for the Dying Fear of the Dark The X Factor Virtual XI Brave New World Dance of Death A Matter of Life and Death The Final Frontier The Book of Souls Live albums Live After Death A Real Live One A Real Dead One Live at Donington Maiden England A Real Live Dead One Rock in Rio BBC Archives Beast over Hammersmith Death on the Road Flight 666 En Vivo ! The Book of Souls : Live Chapter Extended plays The Soundhouse Tapes Live ! ! + one Maiden Japan No More Lies Compilations Best of the Beast Ed Hunter Best of the ' B ' Sides Edward the Great The Essential Iron Maiden Somewhere Back in Time From Fear to Eternity Box sets The First Ten Years Eddie 's Head Eddie 's Archive Video albums Live at the Rainbow Video Pieces Behind the Iron Curtain Live After Death 12 Wasted Years Maiden England The First Ten Years ( From There to Eternity ) Donington Live 1992 Raising Hell Classic Albums : Iron Maiden -- The Number of the Beast Rock in Rio Visions of the Beast The History of Iron Maiden -- Part 1 : The Early Days Death on the Road Flight 666 En Vivo ! The Book of Souls : Live Chapter Singles `` Running Free '' `` Sanctuary '' `` Women in Uniform '' `` Twilight Zone '' `` Purgatory '' `` Run to the Hills '' `` The Number of the Beast '' `` Flight of Icarus '' `` The Trooper '' `` 2 Minutes to Midnight '' `` Aces High '' `` Wasted Years '' `` Stranger in a Strange Land '' `` Can I Play with Madness '' `` The Evil That Men Do '' `` The Clairvoyant ( live ) '' `` Infinite Dreams ( live ) '' `` Holy Smoke '' `` Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter '' `` Be Quick or Be Dead '' `` From Here to Eternity '' `` Wasting Love '' `` Fear of the Dark ( live ) '' `` Hallowed Be Thy Name ( live ) '' `` Man on the Edge '' `` Lord of the Flies '' `` Virus '' `` The Angel and the Gambler '' `` Futureal '' `` The Wicker Man '' `` Out of the Silent Planet '' `` Wildest Dreams '' `` Rainmaker '' `` The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg '' `` Different World '' `` El Dorado '' `` Speed of Light '' `` Empire of the Clouds '' Other songs `` Satellite 15... The Final Frontier '' Tours Supporting `` Metal for Muthas Tour '' `` British Steel Tour '' `` Unmasked Tour '' `` World Wide Blitz Tour '' `` Blackout Tour '' `` Special Forces Tour '' Headlining `` Iron Maiden Tour '' `` Killer World Tour '' `` The Beast on the Road '' `` World Piece Tour '' `` World Slavery Tour '' `` Somewhere on Tour '' `` Seventh Tour of a Seventh Tour '' `` No Prayer on the Road '' `` Fear of the Dark Tour '' `` Real Live Tour '' `` The X Factour '' `` Virtual XI World Tour '' `` The Ed Hunter Tour '' `` Brave New World Tour '' `` Give Me Ed... ' Til I 'm Dead Tour '' `` Dance of Death World Tour '' `` Eddie Rips Up the World Tour '' `` A Matter of Life and Death Tour '' `` Somewhere Back in Time World Tour '' `` The Final Frontier World Tour '' `` Maiden England World Tour '' `` The Book of Souls World Tour '' `` Legacy of the Beast World Tour '' Related Articles Members Discography Tours Songs Awards and nominations Eddie Tribute albums Bands Urchin Psycho Motel Samson The Entire Population of Hackney The Iron Maidens People Kevin Shirley Derek Riggs Rod Smallwood Andy Taylor Martin Birch Book Portal Iron Maiden portal 1980s portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Iron_Maiden_(album)&oldid=811914416 '' Categories : 1980 debut albums Iron Maiden albums EMI Records albums Albums produced by Wil Malone New Wave of British Heavy Metal albums Hidden categories : CS1 French - language sources ( fr ) CS1 German - language sources ( de ) Use dmy dates from July 2012 Use British English from July 2012 Articles which use infobox templates with no data rows Music infoboxes with deprecated parameters Articles with hAudio microformats Track listings with deprecated parameters Articles with inconsistent citation formats Talk Contents About Wikipedia Беларуская ( тарашкевіца ) ‎ Български Bosanski Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español Français Hrvatski Italiano עברית Latina Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Norsk nynorsk Polski Português Română Русский Simple English Slovenčina Slovenščina Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska Türkçe Українська Edit links This page was last edited on 24 November 2017, at 20 : 15. 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Question: when did iron maiden release their first album
Answer: 14 April 1980