The Number of the Beast

by

Iron Maiden

Edit

I love this album so much. This to me is a true five star album. This is the album that drew me into heavy metal music and made me a life long Iron Maiden fan.

"Run to the Hills" is what initially drew me in. I hadn't heard anything else by the band, but this was 1982, and radio was still in top 40 mode. But I knew I loved "Run to the Hills," so I thought I'd buy a whole album rather than just the single. And am I glad I did. I remember putting the lp on the turntable and being spellbound for the better part of an hour while I played the album twice, back to back. To my twelve year old ears, this was heaven.

After a thorough listen, I found most of the songs to be even better than "Run to the Hills" -- especially side two's "Number of the Beast." That song to me was pure high octane power, the perfect combination of bass, guitar, drums, and vocals. And the album closed perfectly with "Hallowed Be Thy Name."

After this, I became a true Iron Maiden maniac. I knew that "Up the Irons" meant, I knew all about "Eddie," I learned this was Bruce Dickinson's first album... stuff that wouldn't help me academically, but essential in heavy metal discussion during class time.

While my mom wasn't initially pleased with the album art (I explained it was all a dream sequence), she was pleased I was increasing my workload around the house in order to buy the band's other albums -- "Iron Maiden," "Killers," and "Maiden Japan." And with each album, I fell deeper under the band's spell. I've picked up every album since then. Some great, some not so great, but you take the good with the bad.

Are you convinced that music is dull, drap, unappealing, and commercial? Never heard this album? Now's your chance to listen to one of the cornerstone bands of the 80's and 90's. Creativity, personality, and originality all describe this great band -- a band still on the road touring and making albums. And as for this album, it sounds as good today as it did over twenty years ago.

At the risk of being blasted by the other Maiden fans on here, I give this album 3 stars. While I like many of the songs on this album, I don't think it lives up to Maiden's best work. Invaders is a solid opener (but not as good as Where Eagles Dare or Aces High). Children of the Damned is a great tune, although a little slow. The Prisoner is the standout B-side from the album, a great song. Hallowed be Thy Name is a great song, as is Number of the Beast. The rest of the album doesn't live up to Maiden standards in my opinion. Run to the Hills is a good song, but wouldn't be a standout on Piece of Mind or Powerslave. 22 Acacia Avenue is funny, that's about it- not a great song. Total Eclipse is completely forgettable; I've heard the track at least two dozen times and still have no idea how the tune goes. Gangland is quite possibly the worst track Iron Maiden ever recorded with Bruce. 2 really bad and one mediocre song out of 9 total is not Maiden's best. Look to Maiden's next 4 albums with Bruce for the Golden Years. This one misses the mark in my opinion. Sorry to all those who love this record. It's only my opinion.