The iconic heavy metal band has announced that it will be releasing limited edition vinyl copies of the self-titled album to mark 40 years since its release. Although the record’s 40th birthday was actually on April 14, the new copies will be made available on October 9 to coincide with National Album Day.
Earlier this month, it was announced that a special edition book trilogy about Iron Maiden’s first album would also be released in honour of its 40th anniversary. Author Stjepan Juras, known for his other books about the band, has produced a limited number of the leather-bound, wax-sealed volumes, which can be ordered from his website.
Iron Maiden is the album which propelled the East London band into the public eye, and is the only one of their records to feature guitarist Dennis Stratton, who left the band soon after its debut. Following its 1980 release, the album peaked at number four in the UK charts, achieving Gold certification in Germany and Platinum in Canada and the UK.
Though today the group criticises the production quality of its first album and has since released remastered versions, the record was met with critical and commercial success. Bassist and backing vocalist Steve Harris told Kerrang! Magazine: ‘We didn’t expect it to go in that high… At first I thought someone had made a mistake… I made them go and check twice and even then I still couldn’t quite believe it’.
In the four decades since its debut, Iron Maiden has released 16 studio albums, 12 live albums, seven compilations, and four LP’s. The group has performed a staggering 2,000 concerts around the world, and, according to lead singer Bruce Dickinson, are ‘Never going to f-ing retire’; drummer Nicko McBrain even hinted earlier this year that new music could be on the way.
The anniversary edition of Iron Maiden, issued by Parlophone Records, is a 12” clear vinyl picture disc, featuring an image from the album’s artwork. According to the band’s website, the album is now available to pre-order and consists of the following tracks:
Side One
1. Prowler
2. Remember Tomorrow
3. Running Free
4. Phantom Of The Opera
Side Two
5. Transylvania
6. Strange World
7. Charlotte The Harlot
8. Iron Maiden
