Iron Maiden – The Number of the Beast (Release Year – 1982)
It is hard for me to think of Bruce Dickinson as that other guy, as big as Iron Maiden has become, but The Number of the Beast is the first album to feature ex-Samson front man, Bruce Dickinson as the lead singer of Iron Maiden.
The first couple of albums with Paul Di’Anno were good, but Bruce’s powerful voice elevated Iron Maiden’s sound into the stratosphere. The galloping style of guitar playing by Dave Murray and Adrian Smith was unlike anything other bands were doing at the time.
Not every song on the The Number of the Beast is an instant
classic, but the three songs on this album that every hard rock fan should have in their play list are The Number of the Beast, Run To the Hills, and Hallowed Be Thy Name.
For this listener, this album is one that requires a few plays before you can gain a full appreciation for it. The musicianship on this record is amazing, but some of the songs take some time to grow on you. This isn’t my favorite Iron Maiden album, but it is a superb release, and most certainly a must own record for all metal fans.
For Iron Maiden, The Number of the Beast is a ground breaking disc, and one of the better albums to come out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. This is an absolute classic!
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Invaders
2. Children of the Damned
3. Prisoner
4. 22 Acacia Avenue
5. Number of the Beast
6. Run to the Hills
7. Gangland
8. Total Eclipse
9. Hallowed Be Thy Name
Iron Maiden is:
Bruce Dickinson – Lead vocals
Dave Murray – Guitar
Adrian Smith – Guitar
Steve Harris – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
Clive Burr – drums, percussion
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no matter WHAT you say, it’s still a milestone in heavy metal
YES…This is when I was lured in…10!
I’d give it a 9.
The first two Maiden albums with D’ianno were pure a pure blend of NWOBHM and Punk. They were raw, in your face, and so different than anything else at the time. I was at the record store this past weekend and the Metal guy there played IRON MAIDEN. I stayed to hear the whole album. (I’ll post on this at Heavy Metal Addiction later). The band upgraded when they sacked D’ianno for Bruce Bruce (his name in Samson).
My fave Maiden platter is a tie between Piece Of Mind and Powerslave but Number is excellent. ’22 Acacia Avenue’ is one of those songs that never gets talked about and it’s awesome. I listen to Maiden regularly and I skip the title track and ‘Run To The Hills’ a lot when I pull out Number, they get so overplayed to this day here in New England.
Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/
Why am I hearing cowbells?
No. 8.9 out of 10
Only 8 and a half? This is one of if not the best metal album of all times. It’s an essential album and truly one that helped shaed metal for the rest of the 1980’s.