"Maiden Japan", released as Heavy Metal Army in Japan, is a live EP by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. The title of the EP is a play on the name of Deep Purple's live album Made in Japan. The EP captures Iron Maiden's energetic live performance and showcases the band's dynamic stage presence during their early years.
There are at least two different versions of the Maiden Japan EP, all tracks of which were recorded at the Aichi Kosei Nenkin Kaikan in Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan on May 23, 1981. This live recording represents lead singer Paul Di'Anno's final recordings with Iron Maiden.
The original Japanese pressing of the EP features four tracks and was released at 45 RPM. A different version of the EP includes five tracks. Although it was not Iron Maiden's intention to release this album, Toshiba-EMI requested a live recording, leading to the EP's release.
The EP has been officially reissued on CD twice. The four-track version was included in the singles box set The First Ten Years, released in 1990. The five-track version appeared on a bonus disc included with the 1995 US reissue of Killers (note that the European release of Killers did not feature the Maiden Japan tracks).
The original cover of the Maiden Japan EP featured Iron Maiden's mascot, Eddie, holding the severed head of then-singer Paul Di'Anno. This cover design was quickly revised after Iron Maiden's manager, Rod Smallwood, became upset upon receiving a proof of the cover. Smallwood's agitation stemmed from the fact that the band was in the process of replacing Di'Anno, and the depiction was seen as inappropriate.
As a result, the cover was replaced on very short notice before the EP's release. Despite this, the original cover version was released in Brazil in 1981 and again in 1985, as well as in Venezuela in 1987. These editions with the original cover have since become collector's items.
