"Iron Maiden" is the debut studio album, released on April 14, 1980. It was issued by EMI Records in the UK and by Harvest and Capitol Records in the US. The North American version included the track "Sanctuary," which was released in the UK as a non-album single. It is the band's only album featuring guitarist Dennis Stratton.

The 1998 remaster of the album includes Sanctuary, which was initially released only as a single in the UK in May 1980. The track was on the Metal for Muthas compilation but was re-recorded during the sessions for the album. For some reason the re-release had new cover art, a digital recreation by original artist Derek Riggs.

To support the album, the band embarked on the Iron Maiden Tour, with their first concerts in Europe. Surprised to learn how popular Iron Maiden had become outside the UK, Steve Harris said, "The prestige of doing well in the UK had evolved into a sort of word-of-mouth phenomenon. We would arrive in places like Leiden in Holland, towns we had never even heard of, and find huge banners welcoming us with messages like 'Iron Maiden Go Over The Top.' It was surreal."

Iron Maiden Go Over The Top - 1980

Paul Di'Anno – vocals

Dave Murray – guitar

Dennis Stratton – guitar, backing vocals

Steve Harris – bass, backing vocals

Clive Burr – drums

Iron Maiden 1980