Paul Di'Anno, previously the frontman of the giant British Heavy Metal IRON MAIDEN, has been quite busy since his withdrawal from the band's lineup after the "Killers" album paving the path for Bruce Dickinson. In 1983 it began with a solo group lineup under the DI'ANNO name, which has been ever since an on and off venture while changing names in the process. However, 1984 led to the formation of BATTLEZONE, a Heavy Metal band with Di'Anno at the helm along with members of PERSIAN RISK, TOKYO BLADE and TANK. Through the 80's the band released two albums, heavy stuff I might add with twists and turns of British Metal. The early 90's, and it has been argued, led to the formation of another band, a so called supergroup, nevertheless the other verse states that it pretty much BATTLEZONE with a different name. I have been a bit perplexed about the possibility of it being one of the few Metal supergoups of that time; therefore, I can't really state it as a fact. This particular lineup, under the name of KILLERS, consisted of basically BATTLEZONE members with the addition of RAVEN's shouter John Gallagher, on bass and backing vocals. Gallagher actually have been in a band for not very long, never recorded a note and only participated as a live member as you would indisputably notice from this reissued live performance "South American Assault Live", via Metal Mind Productions. I still can't be sure if that performance was recorded prior to KILLER's debut album or not, yet with no mistake I will tell you that The Beast and his esteemed peers definitely had something to show to the South American audience.

One of the reasons that led me to believe that this live tour through the South American continent was prior the KILLER's debut, "Murder One", was due to the fact that it appears to have no relations to the songs that were included within the debut; therefore it couldn't have been a support tour. Assumingly, that roundup of shows was a part of the band's presentation to the world as a new vision on the horizon. Largely these live appearances included mainly old IRON MAIDEN hits songs from the debut and sophomore albums. I must acknowledge that there were a few fresh amendments to the tunes, performing several different guitar licks and melodies along with tempo shifts and Di'Anno's vocals display. "Strange World" was emphatic, its original version is no less than captivating, and I was glad that the rousing atmospheric miasma was reserved within this live experience. In my bill, this song, though not being crushingly heavy, has been the peak point of this entire performance. "Murders In The Rue Morgue" and "Phantom Of The Opera" were also quite successful ascertaining this band as a major live act playing the songs with almost equal dexterity as the originals. "Running Free" seemed to be another treat, quite energetic, sometimes even from the original MAIDEN version; Gallagher's backing vocals efforts were quite spectacular. KILLERS proved that playing IRON MAIDEN material is quite natural to them; at most parts at least as still the old giant's antics can't be replicated so easily.

Following the MAIDEN catalog, KILLERS exhibited songs that original were composed and played by Di'Anno's BATTLEZONE, except from the chopping opener "Overloaded" that evidently isn't a part of the BATTLEZONE or Di'Anno's earlier tunes. Actually it was rather swiftly to notice how simplified Di'Anno's later material measured up in comparison to the MAIDEN songs. "Metal Tears" felt touchy and sensitive, but only to develop into a Heavy Metal hymn while "Children Of Madness" is a mere statement that the ground rules have changed with its breakneck approach, showing off a slight Teutonic nature crowned by a smacking British grit of the late 80's. Finishing up the live deliveries, KILLERS sealed their spectacle with style while partially covering the first notes of QUEEN's "We Will Rock" only to be summarizing with DEEP PURPLE's hit, "Smoke On The Water", unveiling a vigorous manner.

Within "South American Assault Live" there are also several bonuses added by Metal Mind such as the live rehearsal recordings, and a duo of acoustic versions. Though I expected for further live cuts, these four tracks, especially the rehearsal recordings provided a fine insight on what went on prior to this tour. So there you have it folks, a reissue of the band's possible first tour and on South American grounds. I wouldn't date to recognize KILLERS as the next priest, because virtually they weren't even close, but as a Heavy Metal band, they were quite an act.