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WDHA Remembers – Paul Di’Anno

By Michael Bufis

Legendary metal band Iron Maiden announced on their official Instagram account the heartbreaking passing of Paul Di’Anno, vocalist on the band’s first two albums – Iron Maiden & Killers.

Those two albums are staples of any metal fan’s collection, and Paul’s contributions played a massive role in bringing them to an iconic status. The gritty punk style of Paul was perfect for the band at the time and blended well with the intricate instrumentation. It was something new for a lot of people that helped launch one of the most influential bands of all time.

Countless bands have credited Iron Maiden as a major influence, and we have Paul to thank for a big portion of that. Let’s celebrate the life and legacy of Paul Di’Anno with some tracks from the first two albums. Rest In Peace.

  • Iron Maiden

    When you have a really cool name, you might as well utilize it as much as possible. Iron Maiden released their self-titled debut album with this self-titled track. This song is still played live to this day. 

  • Wrathchild

    Paul’s voice was so raw and gritty that offered a power different to that of Bruce Dickinson. There’s an intensity that was also present in his stage presence, as seen playing Wrathchild live at the Rainbow.

  • Killers

    The speed of Iron Maiden’s playing helped (among others) influence bands that would develop thrash metal. The tempo of Killers is a testament to that with Paul’s voice being a precursor to how thrash vocalists phrased their lyrics.

  • Phantom of the Opera

    This song is an absolute masterpiece. It has incredible technicality with catchy riffs and melodies. It’s no wonder Ghost released a cover of it. This is one of the landmark tracks from this era of Iron Maiden.

  • Prowler

    Horror has always been an element to Iron Maiden’s music and image. One of the best examples is listening to Prowler while staring at the first album cover.

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