IRON MAIDEN – Maiden Japan 12" MAXI-EP Album Vinyl

- German Release

Album Front Cover Photo of IRON MAIDEN – Maiden Japan Visit: https://vinyl-records.nl/

Iron Maiden’s live EP “Maiden Japan” captures the raw power of their 1981 Japanese tour, recorded at Kosei Nenkin Hall in Nagoya and later issued in Germany as a 12" maxi-EP. With Paul Di’Anno on vocals and production by Doug Hall, it stands as a defining moment of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era — a fierce, high-voltage performance preserved on wax. The German pressing, highlighted by Derek Riggs’ samurai-themed artwork and standout tracks Wrathchild and Killers, remains a sought-after treasure for collectors worldwide.

Table of Contents

"Maiden Japan" Album Description:

Iron Maiden’s 1981 EP “Maiden Japan” — released in Germany as a 12" maxi-single — remains one of the most collectible releases in the band’s early discography. Recorded during their explosive 1981 tour of Japan, it captures the raw, unfiltered power of a group on the edge of worldwide fame.

By the time of this recording, Iron Maiden had already cemented their reputation as leaders of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). Their first two studio albums had turned heads across Europe, and the next record, “The Number of the Beast”, would soon catapult them into global superstardom. Japan marked their first venture into Asia — and the response was wild, with fans welcoming them as heavy-metal heroes.

“Maiden Japan” was captured during performances in Nagoya and Tokyo in May 1981. The original Japanese issue appeared as a 7" single, but the later German 12" version added four extra tracks and featured enhanced audio quality — making it a prized gem for serious collectors.

This recording showcases Iron Maiden’s classic early-’80s lineup: vocalist Paul Di’Anno, guitarists Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, bassist Steve Harris, and drummer Clive Burr. Their chemistry is undeniable — tight, fierce, and full of youthful aggression.

Every track bursts with intensity. Di’Anno’s gritty vocals slash through the mix, Murray and Smith weave twin-guitar harmonies like dueling swords, while Harris’ bass drives the momentum forward with trademark precision. Burr’s drumming adds thunder and structure, grounding the chaos in pure rhythm.

“Maiden Japan” stands as a vital snapshot of Iron Maiden on the brink of transformation — a live document of a band still hungry, loud, and unstoppable. For collectors and fans alike, it’s more than a concert recording; it’s a piece of metal history frozen at the moment Iron Maiden became legends.

Album Key Details: Genre, Label, Format & Release Info

Music Genre:

NWOBHM – New Wave of British Heavy Metal

A defining branch of early 1980s heavy metal, the NWOBHM movement combined aggressive guitar work, galloping rhythms, and theatrical energy. Iron Maiden stood at its forefront, blending speed, melody, and dark narrative power into a style that redefined the global sound of heavy metal.

Label & Catalognr:

  EMI Electrola ‎– 1 C K 062-07 534 Z

Album Packaging:

Standard 12" sleeve featuring striking samurai-themed artwork by Derek Riggs.

Includes printed liner notes, live photography by Hiro Ohno, and performance details from the 1981 Nagoya concert.

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo

Year & Country:

1981 – Made in Germany

Production & Recording Information:

Producers:
  • Iron Maiden – Producers
    Known for redefining heavy metal in the 1980s, Iron Maiden’s self-production on early releases like Maiden Japan showcased their fierce independence and precision. Their attention to detail helped cement their sound as the blueprint for the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
  • Doug Hall – Co-Producer
    Doug Hall was the band’s long-time live sound engineer and producer, responsible for translating Iron Maiden’s concert power into recorded form. His technical expertise captured the band’s energy and clarity across their landmark live performances.
Recording Location:

Kosei Nenkin Hall – Nagoya, Japan

A renowned Japanese concert venue noted for its clear acoustics and intimate atmosphere. The hall’s sound qualities helped deliver one of Iron Maiden’s most dynamic early live recordings during their 1981 world tour.
Management:

Rod Smallwood – Band Manager

Rod Smallwood’s vision and strategy guided Iron Maiden from clubs to global stadiums. His management style emphasized brand identity and fan engagement, helping transform the group into one of the world’s most successful and enduring heavy metal acts.
Photography:
  • Hiro Ohno – Live Photography
    Japanese photographer Hiro Ohno captured Iron Maiden during their explosive 1981 performances, framing the raw energy and motion of their stage presence with precision and artistry. His live shots remain a vivid document of the band’s early global success.

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Paul Di'Anno – Lead Vocals
    Paul Di'Anno (1958–2024) powered Iron Maiden’s raw early era with his gritty voice and street-edge intensity, defining their first records with fire and attitude. His life swung between metal triumphs and hard personal battles, but his rebellious spirit and influence on the genre remain unmistakable. Read it Here
  • Dave Murray – Guitar
    Dave Murray, born 1956, is the melodic mastermind behind Iron Maiden‘s signature twin-guitar attack. A founding member, his fluid, expressive solos and harmonized leads have defined the band’s sound since 1975. With impeccable technique and a bluesy yet electrifying style, he’s a pillar of heavy metal guitar. Learn more about his journey here.
  • Adrian Smith – Guitar, Backing Vocals
    Adrian Smith, born 1957, is the riff architect behind Iron Maiden’s most electrifying anthems. Since joining in 1981, his intricate solos and melodic sensibility have shaped classics like Two Minutes to Midnight and The Trooper. A master of tone and technique, his legacy in metal is unmatched. Explore his story here.
  • Steve Harris – Bass, Backing Vocals
    Steve Harris , born 1956, is the mastermind behind Iron Maiden’s galloping bass lines and epic compositions. Founding the band in 1975, his songwriting shaped metal anthems like The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. A pioneer of NWOBHM, his legacy as a bassist and visionary is untouchable. Discover his journey here.
  • Clive Burr – Drums
    Clive Burr rose from East End beginnings to become Iron Maiden’s early rhythmic engine, shaping their sound with speed, swing, and sharp precision. His career blazed intensely before illness cut it short, yet his impact on heavy metal drumming still echoes through generations. Read it Here
    Burr’s dynamic drumming powered Iron Maiden’s first three albums, setting the rhythmic standard for British heavy metal. His combination of precision, swing, and aggression influenced countless drummers in the genre.

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Running Free
  2. Remember Tomorrow
  3. Wrathchild
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Killers
  2. Innocent Exile

Disclaimer: Track durations not listed on the sleeve. The live recordings were captured in 1981 during Iron Maiden’s Japan tour. Variations may occur between different regional editions.

Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of Iron Maiden’s 1981 German 12-inch maxi-EP 'Maiden Japan' featuring Eddie, the band’s skeletal mascot, wielding a katana sword under red and yellow stage lights. The artwork shows him in mid-strike, frozen in motion, against a blurred stage background suggesting live concert energy. The Iron Maiden logo in red dominates the top, while 'Maiden Japan' appears in white Japanese-styled letters on the right. A diagonal yellow banner at the bottom left reads 'Special Live EP'.

This image shows the front cover of the German 12-inch maxi-EP “Maiden Japan” by Iron Maiden, a live release issued by EMI in 1981. Dominating the artwork is Eddie, the band’s infamous skeletal mascot, painted in his early incarnation with wild silver hair and glaring eyes. He’s mid-swing with a Japanese katana, standing under theatrical beams of red, yellow, and white stage lights that cut through smoky air — evoking the tension and spectacle of a heavy metal performance.

The iconic Iron Maiden logo blazes across the top in solid red with white borders, while the album title “Maiden Japan” appears on the lower right in stylized white letters with red brushstroke shadows mimicking Japanese calligraphy. A bold yellow diagonal banner runs along the bottom left corner with the words “Special Live EP” in vivid red, anchoring the composition with an eye-catching design choice typical of early 1980s marketing aesthetics.

The background blends blurred color transitions — red, yellow, grey, and black — representing moving stage lights. Behind Eddie, a circular light halo suggests the moon or a spotlight, intensifying the sense of movement and drama. The combination of martial imagery, live energy, and surreal comic-book horror established this cover as one of Iron Maiden’s most recognizable early artworks, reflecting their fusion of music and visual mythology.

Note: The images on this page are photographs of the actual vinyl record cover. Minor variations in tone or brightness may appear due to camera flash during documentation. Images can be zoomed for detail (pinch to zoom on mobile or tablet).

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of Iron Maiden’s 1981 German 12-inch maxi-EP 'Maiden Japan', featuring the band standing together in leather jackets beside their mascot Eddie. The layout includes the track listing, tour credits, and live photography from the Nagoya performance. On the left, EMI Electrola branding and catalog number 1C 062-07 534 are printed above the tracklist for Side One and Side Two, listing 'Running Free', 'Remember Tomorrow', 'Killers', and 'Innocent Exile'. Below, live concert shots show the band performing to a massive Japanese crowd under bright lights.

This image displays the back cover of the German 12-inch maxi-EP “Maiden Japan” by Iron Maiden, released by EMI Electrola in 1981. At the top left, the familiar EMI Electrola logo and catalog number 1C 062-07 534 Z mark the official German pressing. The track list appears in bold red and white text, separated into two sides: Running Free and Remember Tomorrow on Side One; Killers and Innocent Exile on Side Two. Recording notes specify that all tracks were captured live at the Kosei Nenkin Hall in Nagoya, Japan, on May 23, 1981.

At center stage, the band is photographed in a dimly lit backstage setting, clad in leather jackets and denim—classic early-era Iron Maiden style. From left to right are Steve Harris, Clive Burr, Paul Di’Anno, Eddie (the mascot, in full costume), Dave Murray, and Adrian Smith. Their confident stance and raw energy mirror the unpolished power of the live performances featured on the record.

To the right, printed acknowledgments thank crew members and fans who contributed to the Killer World Tour, along with a special note to the “head bangers, earthdogs and metal merchants” for their dedication. Below the credits, three vivid live photographs show the band in action—spotlights cutting through smoke, guitars raised high, and crowds packed shoulder-to-shoulder in euphoric frenzy. The bottom banner dedicates the record to Iron Maiden’s global fanbase, sealing the album’s identity as both a live document and a celebration of the band’s first world tour.

Note: This photograph documents the actual back cover of the German edition. Minor color differences may occur due to lighting and camera exposure. Use zoom on tablet or smartphone for close-up viewing of artwork details and text.

Close up of Side One record’s label
Close-up of the Side One record label for Iron Maiden’s 1981 German 12-inch maxi-EP 'Maiden Japan'. The label is pale yellow with the Iron Maiden logo printed in bold black at the top, and the EMI logo in a red box at the bottom. Text around the rim in red states the copyright and distribution notice in German. The catalog number 1C 062-07 534 Z A is printed left of center above the line '℗ 1981 EMI Records Ltd.' Track titles 'Running Free' and 'Remember Tomorrow' are listed with their durations and songwriting credits to Steve Harris and Paul Di’Anno. The right section includes the GEMA/STEMRA rights box, Stereo and 45 RPM designations, and LC 0542 label code. The record’s fine grooves frame the clean layout of the label.

This photograph presents a close-up of the Side One label from the German 12-inch maxi-EP “Maiden Japan” by Iron Maiden, released by EMI Electrola in 1981. The label features a matte pale-yellow background, centered hole, and minimalist typography — an unmistakable hallmark of EMI’s early 1980s European pressings.

The Iron Maiden logo appears boldly at the top in black uppercase letters, while the familiar red EMI logo anchors the bottom edge. Around the perimeter runs the red legal disclaimer in German: “Alle Urheber- und Leistungsschutzrechte vorbehalten – keine unerlaubte Vervielfältigung, Verbreitung, Aufführung, Sendung – Made in Germany.” This emphasizes copyright protection and German manufacturing origin.

The left side shows the catalog number 1C 062-07 534 Z A, label code LC 0542, and copyright line ℗ 1981 EMI Records Ltd. Track titles “Running Free” and “Remember Tomorrow” are printed neatly in black, credited to Steve Harris and Paul Di’Anno, with a total runtime of roughly eight minutes. On the right, the GEMA/STEMRA box, stereo indication, and ST 45 marking confirm the record’s format and rights management. The entire label radiates precision and clarity — a perfect example of EMI’s clean German design aesthetic.

Note: This image documents the actual Side One label of the German pressing. Minor reflections or texture variations may be visible due to the vinyl’s glossy surface and lighting angle during photography. Use zoom to explore fine details of the text and rim etching.

Close up of Side Two record’s label
Close-up of the Side Two record label for Iron Maiden’s 1981 German 12-inch maxi-EP 'Maiden Japan'. The label is pale yellow with the Iron Maiden logo printed in black at the top and the red EMI logo at the bottom. The catalog number 1C 062-07 534 Z B is printed on the left side above the copyright line '℗ 1981 EMI Records Ltd.' The text layout lists the two tracks on Side Two: 'Killers' (4:38) and 'Innocent Exile' (3:37), both written by Steve Harris, with Paul Di’Anno co-writing 'Killers'. On the right, the GEMA/STEMRA rights box, Stereo 45 RPM marking, and LC 0542 label code appear. Red rim text in German circles the outer edge, reading 'Alle Urheber- und Leistungsschutzrechte vorbehalten – Keine unerlaubte Vervielfältigung – Verbreitung – Aufführung – Sendung – Made in Germany.'

This image captures the Side Two label of the German 12-inch maxi-EP “Maiden Japan” by Iron Maiden, released in 1981 through EMI Electrola. The label mirrors the design of Side One, rendered in a pale yellow matte finish with crisp black print and red rim text. At the top sits the unmistakable Iron Maiden logo, while at the bottom the bold red EMI logo provides visual balance and brand identity.

The left section features the catalog number 1C 062-07 534 Z B, label code LC 0542, and the copyright notice ℗ 1981 EMI Records Ltd. The song list for this side includes “Killers” (4:38) written by Steve Harris and Paul Di’Anno, and “Innocent Exile” (3:37) written solely by Steve Harris. Production credits again read “Produced and mixed by Iron Maiden and Doug Hall,” emphasizing the band’s hands-on approach to their live material.

On the right-hand side, the ST 45 stereo marking and GEMA/STEMRA rights box confirm the pressing’s format and licensing. The outer red circular text, entirely in German, asserts full copyright protection and manufacturing origin with the phrase “Made in Germany.” Together, the clean layout, restrained typography, and pale color palette embody EMI’s standardized but elegant aesthetic for early 1980s heavy metal releases.

Note: This photograph documents the authentic Side Two label of the 1981 German pressing. Slight tonal variations in the vinyl surface may appear due to the lighting reflection during photography. Zoom in for detailed inspection of matrix text and font alignment.

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