Iron Maiden - Number of the Beast
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Free Music Notes for Number of the Beast
Free Music Review: Maiden Reborn With Dickinson - A Masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
How can a band like Iron maiden, these fresh upstarts from England with the new wave of british heavy metal get rid of their lead singer? How could they do that? Paul DiAnno was fully metal. He had range and depth. He was a complete alcoholic and an assh*le apparently. In steps former Samson frontman Bruce Dickinson.... Hmmmm. Interesting move. Do bands survive when they change lead singers? Ask Van Halen? Motley Crue? Usually changes in core personel is not a good move. but then again, look at AC/DC. Well...Maiden pulled it off. Boy, did they ever. With DiAnno ditched and Dickinson behind the mic they went into the studio with Martin "Farmer" Birch and pulled off an out and out miracle. The Number Of The Beast was the name of the album and it was a scorcher. Eddie graced the cover yet again and controversy grew around the band and everything clicked into place. Dickinson could wail and Maiden could rock and the rest is history. One of the greatest albums in the history of heavy metal. Where Killers perfected the signature twin-guitar, bass grinding sound of Maiden, Beast takes it a step further. Filled with anger and demonic trapings, The Number Of The Beast plays like a horror-fest with a sheer metal soundtrack. Full of Iron Maiden standards (classics) one cannot appreciate enough the defining moment this will become until years and years later. Let's check out the songs:
Invaders - This song just starts off at full-tilt and never looks back. Great opening tune. Over the next few years Maiden will have a number of great opening tunes, and it starts here. Pounding.
Children Of The Damned - Is Bruce Dickenson that good? That is what you ask yourself when this haunting, eeire tune starts. The answer? Hell yeah! Dickinson makes us forget Paul DiAnno very quickly. He absolutely f*cking wails. Killer metal classic.
The Prisoner - Based on the 60s TV show. Weird. Great. Clive Burr's drums sound so awesome on this album. The band is is true form here with their shiny new singer. Unbelievable.
22 Acacia Avenue - Another personal favorite. This is the continuing story of Charlotte The Harlot from the debut album. Delivered by Bruce, this song is savage. Shocking lyrics. Maiden wasn't pulling any punches. Electric.
The Number Of The Beast - ...let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast... Another Maiden staple. This album just keeps building, song after song. It's gets better and better. This song f*cking rocks and Bruce shows us his pipes are from Hell iself. Incredible! Classic! Metal! 666 the number of the beast!
Run To The Hills - Another of my top-ten favorite Maiden tunes. Run To The Hills is sheer metal with all the hooks of a very accomplished songwriting core (Harris mostly). You cannot help but love this song. Straight-ahead metal. Brutal lyrics. Killer. White man came across the sea, he brought us pain and misery....
Gangland - We will truly miss Clive Burr after this album. Nicko McBrain will never be the enthusiastic drummer that Burr was. He just rocked, pure and simple. Great drummer. Dead men tell no tales, gangland, murder up for sale. This song is a shredder of the first order. Often overlooked. It is driving, slamming metal goodness.
Total Eclipse - Originally this song was not included on the U.S. release of the album. It may have been on the imports, I'm not sure. After it's inclusion, it instantly becomes the soft spot on the album, which leads me to the opinion that it could have been left of it the first place. Middle of the road Maiden, it sounds like this came from somewhere down the road from Beast. Somwhere closer to Powerslave, maybe. Not very memorable. It detracts from Beast's original perfection.
Hallowed Be Thy Name - Another Maiden staple. This song is excellent. The mood is instantly set, and it doesn't let up, ever. Dickinson brings such a new aspect to the band and it's awesome! This song is a masterpiece.
Overall, the inclusion of Bruce Dickinson was the final piece in the puzzle that would make Iron maiden a great metal band for a long time to come. The Number Of The Beast is, as I said before, one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time. Every song on here (with the exception of the newly-included Total Eclipse) is solid. Maiden will continue on making classic metal for the next few years, but Beast may very well be the pinnacle of their illustrious career.
Dig it!
Free Music Review: Maiden's most imporant.... But not their best
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the album that catapulted Maiden into the universal big time and served as the catalyst for the greatest period for them ever.This album is my second personal favourite, but overall I would class it as their best. What makes this so true is the strength of the songs on offer here. Five are all-time classics, two are great pretenders and one is... Unfortunately hideous!
Anyway this is my song by song analyis: -
1) Invaders - This is the perfect opener for this album. The guitar link up between Adrian Smith and Dave Murray is awesome. However it is the intensity of Dickinson's vocals that make this track stand out. Rating 5/5
2) Children of the damned - This song is the album's second best. The start is very similar to 'Strange World' in its slowness. However the brutal vocals of Bruce and the sheer rythtm of the song makes it flow perfectly. However late on the song picks up and goes at lightning pace, a fact that truly shocks the senses and arguably makes this one of their all-time best. Rating 5/5
3) The Prisoner - This track is yet another that truly standsout in their overall catalogue of songs. This song is very simple in its structure with the drums being very basic and the riffs are classic hard and fast. Yet it is this basicness that makes the song so incredible, the basic notes of the song actually sound extremely complex due to high performance. Simple and very effective. Rating 5/5
4) 22 Acacia Avenue - This song is a great all round song. I love the pace of the track with its duel guitar link up and good bassline, plus the siren vocals of Bruce. I also love the way this was a follow up to their debut album piece "Charlotte the harlot" rating 5/5
5) Number of the beast - If there was one song that would stamp the name "Iron Maiden" into the minds of the public it was this one. Everything from the haunting transcription of "revellations" chapter of the bible to the brilliant lyrics about worshipping the devil is brillaint, this track is awesome and the third best on the album. rating 5/5
6) Run to the hills - this track is ambiguous, you can either class it as very annoying or very cool. On the cool side you have the fast guitars and constant swift bassline, on the irritating side you have the pathetic drum beats and vocals from Bruce that sound cheesy. On the whole good, but is waaaay overated! rating 3.5/5
7) Gangland - Awful, awful, AWFUL!!! What were Adrian smith and Clive Burr smoking when they wrote this? At the start you think it is going to be cool with its great swift tom drumbeat. But it soon turns uninspiried with vocals pitch that could cut diamond and woeful guitar riffs, I hate to use this word but I have to call it a "filler" track! *hangs head in despair* rating 1/5
8) Total eclipse - This song is another that is ambiguous. Starts great with some melodic guitar riffs and almost gothic take on a total eclipse of the sun. Sounds very good until near the end when the band lose the plot and totally change the riff. A real shame as the melodic and dark tone is then lost and the track beomes weak, shame. rating 4/5
9) Hallowed be thy name - What needs to be said that hasn't been said before? This track is INCREDIBLE. Definitely the best piece of song writing steve harris has done. Everything about this track oozes greatness. From the slow opening complete with chiming bell and melancholy vocals of Bruce to the brilliant four minute instrumental interval that varies from the slow to the fast. Great theme, great lyrics, great vocals and Great length. No more need be said! rating 5/5
As you may guess this album is referred to by many as a classic and I agree. It is just a shame that they didn't spread out tracks 6,7 and 8 amongst the other songs as then you wouldn't believe tracks 6 and 8 were bad at all. However this album is a genuine classic and serves as a catalyst for many greats to come after it from both themselves and other bands.
Buy it, you will not be disappointed. Just laugh at the Slipknot, Papa Roach and Linkin Park towny clones as you pass them and show what real metal really is all about
UP THE IRONS!!!!!
Free Music Review: Classic Maiden
Hit: 5 Stars
After nearly 5 years, Steve Harris finally set up a line-up for the band he had created in 1976, Iron Maiden. With the release of their first two albums, Iron Maiden and Killers, the band were coming known for their post-punk heavy metal sound in England. It wasn't until they dropped singer Paul Di'Anno and brought in a new singer that their music would be heard worldwide.On their third album, Number Of The Beast, released in 1982, the band removed singer Paul Di'Anno, whose vocal style set an attitude for their earlier punk-influenced music, and brought in singer Bruce Dickinson. Dickinson's range and ability was much more than that of Di'Anno's and although people feared the transition, it turned out well in the end. On guitars were the duo of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, whose tight harmonies and rhythms blazed unlike any band of the time. Band founder and "main man" Steve Harris always lets himself be heard and he is everywhere on thi album. He runs through all the classic blistering bass lines and keeps a steady beat with the drums. Provided by Clive Burr, the drumming is incredibly good; very strong, consistant and powerful. Out of the three albums he was on, Burr's drumming is best here.
The music itself is classic Maiden. The album starts off hard with Invaders. All the instruments come in hard and play the perfect riffs and beats. The drumming is masterful, the bass is pounding and the guitars harmonizes while rocking hard. This is the song that introduces "the new guy" to the fans as Dickinson shows off some range with his signature wailing. Next is Children Of The Damned, which can be related to Remember Tomorrow in a way. The song starts off with slow guitars and bass and erupts into an all-out distorted song. Dickinson's vocals shine here because again, he is showing the fans what he is all about and sings extremely well during the verses. The guitar is classic Maiden power-chord progression and the rhythm is nice and tight. The Prisoner is a pretty heavy song, guitar-wise. The verses are filled with heavy guitars and a slow rhythm before breaking to the extremely catchy chorus.
22 Acacia Avenue is a continuation of the story of Charlotte The Harlot from the self-titled debut. The guitars are great with a some hard and loud power chords while Burr absolutely rocks the drumset. Number Of The Beast is a Maiden classic. From the catchy chorus to the dualing guitars to the consistancy of the rhythm; this song has all the signature Iron Maiden features. This song is basically impeccable but is overshadowed by the next song, probably their most popular song in the history of the band: Run To The Hills. Once the drums start off right in the beginning, you know whats coming. The classic lyrical plot, the start of the "Iron Maiden Gallop", the pounding rhythm and awesome guitar work, especially in the solo. This song is wonderful and just shows what makes Iron Maiden so great and innovative.
Gangland is considered the worst track here but I really like it. The drumming here is very cool and the guitar is really nice. The vocals here are really cool. I don't really understand why not many people like it. Even the band didn't really like it. Total Eclipse is great song. The guitars are pretty heavy and the bass is good, playing in line with the solid drum beats. The album ends with another classic song: Hallowed Be Thy Name. This song is another one of the Maiden song that has basically everything. The opening guitar is creepy and the vocals set an eerie mood. Then, the guitars switch to distorted and harmonious while the bass creeps up from behind. Throughout the song, Dickinson keeps up with the band's speed while the guitars harmonize and the rhythm pounds. An awesome closing song.
Iron Maiden began to come into their own with this album, as they began to write more complex and innovative lyrics and music. Proclaimed as one of their best albums, Iron Maiden has influenced a great deal of today's bands while still managing to rock arenas around the world. I definitely recommend this to all Maiden fans and to some metal fans. Definitely check this album out. Its worth it.
Free Music Review: The beginning of the legend.
Hit: 5 Stars
The Number of The Beast is the first of Iron Maiden's 4 consecutive classic releases, and an absolutely essential piece in any metal fan's collection. For those not familiar with the metal genre, this is an excellent place to start, especially if they are familiar with the heavier bands of 70s rock, such as Led Zeppelin, Rush, and the Who.
This album marks long-time singer Bruce Dickinson's debut with the band, and he makes his mark quickly as Maiden pulls away from the punk influence of former vocalist Paul Di'Anno (who was kicked out of the band for his descent into alcoholism), and adopts the style that will make them pioneers in the genre. Steve Harris really steps into his own as a songwriter on this album, as both the lyrics and music become increasingly complex and showcase the instrumental talent of the band on a level that Maiden's two previous albums, while strong in their own right, just never reached.
Of the 9 songs on Number of the Beast, I would say that the only two that would even qualify as mediocre are '22 Acacia Avenue' and 'Gangland'. 'The Prisoner' is based on the TV show of the same name, and features a great chorus by Dickinson and some nice guitar work by both Dave Murray and Adrian Smith. 'Invaders' is in my opinion an underrated gem, featuring a fast, catchy guitar riff that carries the song and goes great with Dickinson's 'air raid siren' vocals. 'Children of the Damned' and 'Total Eclipse' are both worth a listen as well, though I had to listen both several times before I appreciated them.
There are three tracks on Number of the Beast (which, to put it in perspective, is a third of the album) that are considered absolute classics by just about all Maiden fans. The first is the title track. 'The Number of the Beast' is a great piece of music with some classic riffing augmented by Steve Harris's powerful basslines and not one, but two great guitar solos. 'The Number of the Beast' is not, as many believe, a Satanist song. In fact, the song is based on a recurring nightmare had by lead guitarist Adrian Smith of being tortured by the devil. So in a way, the song has the exact opposite message many abscribe to it. Besides, the Rolling Stones had a song about Satan, and it was one of their biggest hits. You don't hear many people calling Mick Jagger a Satanist, do you? Most of the people who accuse Iron Maiden of Satanism or promoting violence get these ideas from their morbid cover art and the total inability to understand satire (for instance, '2 Minutes to Midnight' is not a song about going on killing rampages, but rather an anti-war song).
But I digress. The second classic metal song on this album is 'Run to the Hills', which is about the genocide of the Native Americans during the years of American colonization by the British. This is the first song to use the 'galloping' guitar riff style that is used again in 'The Trooper', from their next album. Bruce's vocals are in full force this time around, with his singing sounding near operatic in its intensity, and Smith and Murray once again put together fantastic dual guitar solos.
The final song on this album, 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' is not only the best song on the album, but in my opinion Iron Maiden's best song altogether, and quite possibly the best rock song ever written. 'Hallowed', a 7-minute epic, features what are easily some of Harris's most cerebral lyrics, about a jailed man waiting to be hanged reflecting on the nature of his life and reality in general. 'Hallowed' features a dazzlingly complex song structure, with Harris's chugging bass once again providing the foundation for an assortment of terrific riffs by Smith and Murray and another exemplary vocal performance by Bruce. Toss in an absolutely jaw-dropping guitar solo by Smith (who truly was born to shred), and you have a song, and an album, that no real, or even casual, metal fan should be without.
For those who liked this album, further recommendations include:
Piece of Mind - Iron Maiden
Powerslave - Iron Maiden
Holy Diver - Dio
Heaven and Hell - Black Sabbath
Free Music Review: Magnificent!!
Hit: 5 Stars
As I've said before on previous reviews about this album, it was what struck the goldmine for the boys, and was the first one with the lengedary Bruce Dickinson. I can understand if some people dont like this album as much as their others, but I still truly dig this album, especially when it came out back then in 82, at the time, can you imagine what metalheads must have thought? Amazing would be the best word described. Dave&Adrian are here again, incredible at that, and in my opinion this is Adrian's most rawest guitar sound off any maiden album, all the rest of the boys delivers the goods as well, as always.Invaders-Quite underrated, I dont understand why alot of people think this song is cheesy. Its fast and cool, great bass playing, solos, drums are fast, Bruce's vocals are intense, and the lyrics are simply triumphant about viking wars.(solos by Murray/Smith)
Children of the Damned-Powerful song, could be known as the soft track off the album. Opens with a nice acousic guitar with some sheer nice, simple lead solo by Smith. Bruce's vocals are powerful, and the clashing of the cymbals are terrificly done and go with the flow nicely. Nice religious lyrics about armageddon again as well.(Solos by Smith)
The Prisoner-Gotta love it, the opening taken from the original 1960's british tv series was really cool how they added it. The opening drum beat rocks, gotta love it. The guitars are heavy and flow nice. The bass playing is lightning intense, and the vocals are very angry, its great. Also very catchy choruses.(solos by Smith/Murray)
22 Accacia Avenue(Continuing saga to Charlotte the Harlot)-Open rythm riff is cool, lyrics are powerful. A good way to write about the sickness as well as the consequences of prostitution. The solos are what really got me here, how Dave and Adrian's solos are played. Their fingers never let go of the board. Gotta love to sing along to this one.(solos by Murray/Smith)
The # of the beast-Vincent Pryce opening the song quoting the Bible verse, cant think of any other better way to open up a song quite like this. The rythm guitars, solos, the killer power driving bass playing. Powerful, fast, intense drums, as well as Bruce's horrorific lyrics. This isnt a satanic song, it is just a song about the dark side of armageddon, superb lyrics by Harris again.(solos by Murray/Smith)
Run to the Hills-Very overrated Maiden song, but it is still an instant winner about the Indians being invaded by the white settlers. Hard to believe a British metal band would write a song like this. Its really just a fun song, with sad lyrics. Harris plays the bass with full lightning, the solo is incredibly great, one of the greatest dredes solos ever made, the drumsdrums are fast, and Bruce's vocals are screaming fun, also a very cool chorus to sing too.(solo by Murray)
Gangland-The opening drum beat rocks, then the Smith's guitar comes in, so raw, I cant believe how raw his guitar is, no wonder this was one of Jannick's favorite albums. The lyrics are aggressive but deep about gang wars, and violence in the streets. I could understand some people not caring for this song, but I myself enjoyed it. Its fast and heavy, with a cool screaming chorus.(solo by Smith)
Total Eclipse-Previously released, more powerful lyrics about armageddon, awesome lyrics, and the playing is terrific. Bruce's vocals are very raw as well, I really like this song.(Solos by Murray/Smith)
Hallowed be thy Name-An instant masterpiece. The vocals, guitars, bass, drums, just the whole work. So much power in these lyrics, the song is even better played live now. If you dont love this song, then check your head.(Solos by Murray/Smith)
A great album, especially back in this time, and was the album that really showed people what kind of musicians maiden really are aka Gods. If your into real metal, or just music period, then you shouldnt be without this. Its not your average old school, pretty boy glam rock, this was what real metal was all about, British metal. Eddie lives, get this album. UP THE IRONS!