Iron Maiden is the debut studio album by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was issued by EMI on 14 April 1980 in the UK, and a few months later in North America, originally on Harvest/Capitol Records and subsequently Sanctuary Records/Columbia Records in the US. The North American version also included the song "Sanctuary", previously released in the UK as a non-album single. In 1998, along with the rest of the band's pre-1995 releases, Iron Maiden was remastered with "Sanctuary" added in all territories (but 2015 digital releases and all vinyl reissues use original tracklisting around the globe). It is the band's only album to feature guitarist Dennis Stratton.
Although Iron Maiden have since criticised the quality of the album's production, the release was met with critical and commercial success, peaking at No. 4 in the UK Albums Chart as well as achieving prominence for the band in mainland Europe.
Although Iron Maiden have since criticised the quality of the album's production, the release was met with critical and commercial success, peaking at No. 4 in the UK Albums Chart as well as achieving prominence for the band in mainland Europe.