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Review
Given the importance people attach to the role of the vocalist in rock groups, the upward curve that Iron Maiden had steadily enjoyed since their first album in 1980 might well have become a downward spiral with the departure of singer Paul Di’Anno. Echoing Spinal Tap’s legendary problems in keeping their drummers, he was already the third singer since their humble beginnings as a pub band. His leaving as the band stood on the cusp of global success turned out to be fourth time lucky for them. And for ex-Samson vocalist Bruce Dickinson, whose sand-papered soaring yowl more than held its own against the blasting and frequently bombastic arrangements. His debut with the band gave them their first No.1 album in the UK and broke them in America.
As the title not-so-cunningly implies, there’s the prerequisite dollop of occult-orientated subject matter that you’d expect. What is surprising however is the extent to which their combination of sophisticated arrangements and varied tonal palette lifts what might otherwise be a rather earthbound (i.e. bog-standard) set. The frantic opener, “Invader” flirts intriguingly with jazz-rock fusion whilst other tracks have an overtly prog-rock agenda.
Certainly, a key weapon of bassist Steve Harris, the album’s main writer, is the convincing use of multi-movement compositions. Whereas even some of the venerable HM institutions (think Black Sabbath) would struggle to make material that was something more than a collection of minor-key riffs, Iron Maiden pull this feat off with considerable élan. “The Prisoner”, (complete with dialogue lifted from the TV series of the same name) could almost pass for a heavy-metal Genesis and even the innuendo-laden “22 Acacia Avenue” has some complex riffing that wouldn’t be out of place in Gentle Giant.
The greater emphasis on dramatic narrative (the title track, “Hallowed Be Thy Name” and the top ten single, “Run To The Hills”) provide Dickinson a platform to showcase some subtle phrasing that marks him out as a cut above the rest of the balls-to-the-wall competition. Maiden newbies are advised to start their journey to metal hell and back right here. --Sid Smith
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By carlosnightman
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
One year after Killers, two years after their debut comes Iron Maiden's first masterpiece, and the first album to truly gain them some notoriety, respect, and fame in the rock, metal, and wider music world. One of the most famous, popular, long-lasting, and influential metal albums of all time even some non metal fans should be familiar with one or two of the songs. Although not all of the credit can go the new vocalist Bruce Dickinson- the song writing has changed and greatly improved, Harris taking full control but letting other members have some valuable input- it is his power, style, and ability which raises the album and the band into legendary status. This cements much of the iconic imagery of both the band and the genre and became the benchmark for the thousands of imitators who have since, and will continue to come along.
`Invaders' blasts off at high speed with a dual drum and guitar attack before the new vocalist shows off his impressive lungs. Dickinson here shows a similarly pitched voice to Priest's Halford, but has a purer sound rather than the Priest frontman's shrieks. We notice immediately that the production values are higher, everything is cleaner, and there is a definite sense of newborn energy. Dickinson sings of war, battle, and Invaders attacking- nothing difficult but cementing a metal staple and doing it in style.
`Children Of The Damned' I always feel calms things down too quickly- after such a fast opener I expect a fast second song but this takes things down to a much calmer pace. Lyrically based on the book and film of the same name this sounds more like a Sabbath or slower 70's rock piece. This gives Brucie a chance to show off his vocals in a more unrestrained way as he doesn't have to compete with an insane beat.... Read more ›
`Invaders' blasts off at high speed with a dual drum and guitar attack before the new vocalist shows off his impressive lungs. Dickinson here shows a similarly pitched voice to Priest's Halford, but has a purer sound rather than the Priest frontman's shrieks. We notice immediately that the production values are higher, everything is cleaner, and there is a definite sense of newborn energy. Dickinson sings of war, battle, and Invaders attacking- nothing difficult but cementing a metal staple and doing it in style.
`Children Of The Damned' I always feel calms things down too quickly- after such a fast opener I expect a fast second song but this takes things down to a much calmer pace. Lyrically based on the book and film of the same name this sounds more like a Sabbath or slower 70's rock piece. This gives Brucie a chance to show off his vocals in a more unrestrained way as he doesn't have to compete with an insane beat.... Read more ›
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By George Cook
Format:Audio CD
I own nearly all the Maiden CDs, and this one still stands out as one of my favourites. Over the band's history of albums (is it 23 now?) this is definitely one of, if not, the best.
Now, in the classic words of stephen_armstrong_sa, whoever you are:
Track by track analysis? Why thank you.
(there, i gave you credit, so don't sue me)
Invaders: Strangely viewed as filler by a great deal as fans, but for me it's a classic play-me-loud brainless heavy metal tune. And that's no bad thing. 8/10
Children of the Damned: Brilliant riff throughout, and haunting lyrics from brucey. A tune brilliantly written and composed, stands out on the album. 8.5/10
The Prisoner: What other band could do a song based on an old show from the 60s and make it actually worth listening to? Probably quite a few bands, but maiden do it better. 9/10
22 Acacia Avenue: Another great song, even if it did kinda freak me out a bit at first. Packed with atmosphere and outstanding guitar work throughout. 8/10
Number of the Beast: Hooray! The famous title track doesnt fail to deliver. From the legendary words of the passage read at the start to the blistering solos (and everything in between), this is one of the best songs maiden ever wrote. 10/10
Run to the Hills: Another amazing song here. The simple but oh-so-effective riff at the start leaves other bands wondering why they didnt think of it first, and the pounding chorus is just amazing at max volume! Hilarious video, too. 10/10
Gangland: Well, after the last two songs, it would be nearly impossible to create something worthy of following after. Not to say this is a bad track, but it just seems a bit poor in comparison, that's all. 7.... Read more ›
Now, in the classic words of stephen_armstrong_sa, whoever you are:
Track by track analysis? Why thank you.
(there, i gave you credit, so don't sue me)
Invaders: Strangely viewed as filler by a great deal as fans, but for me it's a classic play-me-loud brainless heavy metal tune. And that's no bad thing. 8/10
Children of the Damned: Brilliant riff throughout, and haunting lyrics from brucey. A tune brilliantly written and composed, stands out on the album. 8.5/10
The Prisoner: What other band could do a song based on an old show from the 60s and make it actually worth listening to? Probably quite a few bands, but maiden do it better. 9/10
22 Acacia Avenue: Another great song, even if it did kinda freak me out a bit at first. Packed with atmosphere and outstanding guitar work throughout. 8/10
Number of the Beast: Hooray! The famous title track doesnt fail to deliver. From the legendary words of the passage read at the start to the blistering solos (and everything in between), this is one of the best songs maiden ever wrote. 10/10
Run to the Hills: Another amazing song here. The simple but oh-so-effective riff at the start leaves other bands wondering why they didnt think of it first, and the pounding chorus is just amazing at max volume! Hilarious video, too. 10/10
Gangland: Well, after the last two songs, it would be nearly impossible to create something worthy of following after. Not to say this is a bad track, but it just seems a bit poor in comparison, that's all. 7.... Read more ›
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By C. Dinnage
Format:Audio CD
Iron maiden are one of the best heavy metal bands out there. After owning this albulm and listening to to it a lot i can see why it was voted one of the best ever heavy metal albums. It openes with the fast and furiors invaders which sets the tone for the rest of the album. Some of the true classis are 22 acacia avenue, number of the beast and run to the hills. The last thing i have to say is how good Hallowed by thy name is. It is one of the best songs ever written and has so much emotion in.
I hope you do decied to buy this album because if you like heavy metal you we like this.
I hope you do decied to buy this album because if you like heavy metal you we like this.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Bruce Dickinson, one of the finest vocalists to ever grace music. And his debut for Iron Maiden? The Number of the Beast, one of the finest albums to ever grace music. This album never ceases to impress, from the title track to Hallowed Be Thy Name, everything about this album screams, "We are the best at what we do, and we're going to prove it". This was the turning point in Iron Maiden's history that really made sure they were going to make a mark on the world. The greatest metal album ever? No. The greatest Iron Maiden album? No. The greatest metal album of its time? Definitely. And the best was still to come.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Stuie
Format:Audio CD
Number of the Beast is an album which set the benchmark for heavy metal in the 80s, and powered the genre into a new era. The addition of Bruce Dickinson's powerful vocal gymnastics took the already popular and promising Iron Maiden to another plane. The two superb singles taken from the album, 'Run to the Hills' and the title track, proved that good music didn't have to bow down to the radio-friendly consensus to sell units and smash its way into the 'pop' charts. Oh how those smug DJs must have cringed when they had to play the songs in the chart run down. Unlike many mainstream albums, the quality didn't waver beyond the singles. The record opens with 'Invaders' which hits like a locamotive out of control. The lilting intro to 'Children of the Damned' lulls the listener into a false sense of security before it explodes to a storming finale. 'The Prisoner' thunders along beneath a catchy chorus, and '22 Acacia Avenue' is an intelligent pot pourri of hard hitting riffs and rhythms. There is a slight lapse with 'Gangland', before the album closes with a masterpiece in 'Hallowed Be Thy Name'. The updated CD version of this record also includes 'Total Eclipse'. Initially released as the B-side to 'Run to the Hills', and missing from the original album, it's a great track and would have undoubtedly been on the album had CDs been around in 1982. NOTB was a ground breaking record, and still sounds as fresh and vibrant now as it did on its release, when it found its way to the number 1 spot in the UK album charts. Maiden have rarely reached such a peak in performance and writing since.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Terrible sound quality
The BEAST album is one of the finest heavy metal albums of all time in my eyes. I have this album on vinyl but not on cd. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Darren Brierley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Seminal album
Number of the Beast is the album that catapulted Maiden from underground UK metal act to genre-defining band. Read more
Published 1 month ago by David S
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Number of the Beast
A very excellent album. Highly recommended to anyone who likes heavy rock music. Iron Maiden have always produced excellent albums though.
Published 1 month ago by gail lee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Good CD with lots of extras on it videos etc and two of their most famous tracks Run To The Hills and Number Of The Beast
Published 2 months ago by Simon W Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars
the beast
Gr8 album hell n fire born 2 b released! So go on get it and blast your house to smithereans rock on baby
Published 2 months ago by jenny
5.0 out of 5 stars
EXCELENT!!
How nice return to vinyl, only to collectors, beautiful impression, very good idea this reissue, the pictures are real dics artworks.
Published 3 months ago by Jorge Barrios Requena
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best
In my opinion by far the best Iron Maiden album. I have every single one of their albums and I consider this their best ever, if not the best Metal album ever recorded. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dom
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best Heavy Metal Albums of All Time !!!!!!!!!
Paul Di Anno was a very hard act to follow and Iron Maiden were on an upward curve with NWOBHM until he left the Band and the bringing in of Bruce Dickinson from SAMSON added... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Andrew Goodman
5.0 out of 5 stars
:-)
You can not beat a The od Iron Maiden cd's thus is one of the best in my collection. I had this on vinyl but it's better on cd
Published 4 months ago by fireblade
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best of the Beast
This was the first album I heard from Maiden, when I was a child. It's my favorite. From the title track, through The Prisoner, Children of the Damned Run to the Hills, Hallowed Be... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Bruno Santana
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