Killers [Limited] [ECD] by Iron Maiden (CD, Jan-2006, Metal-Is)

Iron Maiden's second studio album, and the first to feature guitarist Adrian Smith. It's also the first to feature Martin Birch's very crisp production.
I've read many reviews over the years which bemoan the fact that this contains material which the band had been playing for years and so wasn't really new, which misses the point really. Sure, Ides of March, Wrathchild, Another Life, Innocent Exile, Killers and Drifter had been played during their previous tours, but at least three of these are Maiden classics, Wrathchild in particular being played at most of their gigs up to and including the 2005 'Early Days' tour and remaining a firm fan favourite.
Killers is a more all out full throttle album than their debut with only the accoustic Prodigal Son easing the pace (and to be honest the only song I really don't have much time for). As for the rest, Wrathchild, Murders in the Rue Morgue, Killers and Drifter are essential Maiden; Another Life and Innocent Exile hint at bassist Steve Harris's progressive rock influences without easing the pace; and Genghis Khan and Purgatory are frantic (I can attempt most of the Maiden back catalogue on guitar but these two utterly defeat me).
The ECD version includes Twilight Zone which was released as a double A-side single with Wrathchild and which was not on the original album (but was on the Canadian release) or original CD release.
Perhaps not as immediate as their debut album, this is nevertheless still a studio document of a band out for blood and giving it 110%. And as for that cover...