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Purgatory (song)

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Wikipedia article




"'Purgatory'" is Iron Maiden's fifth single, released on 15 June 1981, and would be their last with singer Paul Di'Anno. It served as the second single from 'Killers'. The single was reissued in 1990, on the same CD and 12" vinyl as the EP 'Maiden Japan', in the 'First Ten Years' box set.

History



According to drummer Nicko McBrain, the track is a remake of one of the band's earlier songs, entitled "Floating", of which "Purgatory" is a faster re-arrangement. It was the group's least successful single as it failed to break into the Top 50 in the UK charts, although the group's manager, Rod Smallwood, states that this was because "it wasn't really a single, it was just lifted off the album which the fans already had."

Most notably, the single's original cover artwork was withdrawn for use on the band's next studio album, 'The Number of the Beast'. Smallwood recalls that, on being presented with the original cover, "we said, 'No, that's much too good,' so we kept it for the album. We had the artwork months before we had the music." This meant that the band's artist, Derek Riggs, had to come up with a replacement, this time illustrating the Devil's face rotting away to reveal the band's mascot, Eddie's, face underneath.

Track listing



;7" single

Personnel



Production credits are adapted from the 7 inch vinyl cover.

;Iron Maiden

*Paul Di'Anno  lead vocals

*Dave Murray  guitar

*Adrian Smith  guitar

*Steve Harris  bass guitar

*Clive Burr  drums

;Production

*Martin Birch  producer

*Derek Riggs  cover illustration

Chart performance



Notes





References



Category:1981 singles

Category:Iron Maiden songs

Category:Songs written by Steve Harris (musician)

Category:1980 songs


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