Returning, if I may, to the point of this thread (yes I know I'm a late arrival, but the eleventh hour is often my finest), the IM album is a masterpiece. I first bought it on tape in 88, and while I was disappointed not to hear Bruce singing, all the songs were superb. The enhanced CD reissue is even better because it includes Sanctuary.
Killers is a bit of a mixed bag. There are some great songs here (Murders In the Rue Morgue, Innocent Exile, Purgatory, Killers and the one I borrowed my nickname from, but the grandaddy of them all is Prodigal Son. This is one of the best songs Maiden ever did, but it's been sadly neglected. Anyone know if it was ever played live?
The rest of the album is pretty much filler, but I mean that in a good way! It's all great material, but nothing that threatens to get up off the stereo and punch you in the face. The guitar part just before the chorus of Another Life is an exception to this though...
I loved No Prayer when it first came out, but in hindsight it doesn' t quite measure up to what came before or after. Maiden were trying to recapture the raw sound of NOTB/Piece of Mind, but they were going about it half-arsed IMHO. Also, the chemistry within the band wasn't the best at the time and it shows in some of the material/performances. There are still some good moments, such as Tailgunner (or a diet version of Aces High), Holy Smoke, the title track, The Assassin, Bring Your Daughter... Hooks In You and Mother Russia.
Time for me to stop raving, as you've already made up your mind to buy them anyway
. I'd be interested to read what you think, though.
W