Iron Maiden - Number of the Beast
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Free Music Notes for Number of the Beast
Free Music Review: Released in '82 and Often Imitated - Still Sounds Refreshing
Hit: 5 Stars
I have been well aware of Iron Maiden's existence, and their status as "Metal Gods", for a long time. I don't know why it took me so long to delve into their catalog and actually give them a serious listen, but now that I have, I understand the hype. Although Iron Maiden were clearly influenced by Black Sabbath (and doesn't everything Metal trace back to Sabbath at some point?), they are nearly as influential in their own right. Listening to this album you hear the blueprint for everything from Queensryche to early Pantera. With these vocals as a base, Bruce Dickenson became the most influential hard rock singer since Robert Plant. That's all well and good, of course, but the question is: Does this album, complete with the cartoonish cover art and seemingly clichéd song titles, still hold up as a relevant piece of music today? Resoundingly, the answer is yes.
This is Heavy Metal before the genre had all of the Rock & Roll stripped from it. "The Prisoner" could almost be a Van Halen song, for instance. Because it has those roots, the album is refreshingly soulful and full of rich textures. Not to worry, though, it's plenty fast and heavy. It's just not sludgy and mechanical like a lot of more contemporary metal. The most striking thing about the album is how dramatic and exciting rock and metal music used to be. Nowadays, even the best bands of these genres (Tool, Radiohead) seem to be incapable of the sheer intoxicating fervor of Iron Maiden. That's not to mention how bland and uninspired the less talented bands sound by comparison (Puddle of Mudd, Lincoln Park). Take the chorus of "Invaders", for example. This is a very daring and unconventional approach to the chorus of the album's opening track, and it proves to be a successful gambit. That track crawls under your skin and sticks with you longer than the written-to-be-catchy chorus of the album's big hit, "Run for the Hills". Said hit is also a stellar track, however, as is the haunting "Children of the Damned".
The album's momentum does lull at one point... for all of a song and a half. "Gangland" and the first half of "Total Eclipse" aren't as thrilling as the surrounding material, but Maiden quickly gets back on track with Adrian Smith's dive-bombing guitar run in the middle of the latter song, and they certainly make up for the brief lapse with the epic, album-closing "Hallowed Be Thy Name".
Not to put too fine a point on it, but Number of the Beast rules. If you think that Iron Maiden is hokey, dated or "Satanic", and you haven't actually taken to time to listen to their work, then you are doing yourself a great disservice. Don't confuse this classic with the throwaway nostalgia that was released by scores of imitators just a few years later. Intricate, pounding, powerful and creative - if those are words that describe good music to you, then look no further than Number of the Beast.
Free Music Review: Iron Maiden's arguable triumph still rocks 25 years on
Hit: 5 Stars
English metal masters Iron Maiden's third album The Number of the Beast was originally released in April of 1982 in the US on the Capitol subsidary Harvest (same label that Pink Floyd was on from late 1969-73 and The Little River Band's first four album was on this label here in the US as well).
This album was their second with producer Martin Birch and guitarist Adrian Smith but was the first with new frontman Bruce Dickinson (a/k/a "THE AIR RAID SIREN") whom was light years ahead of predecessor Paul Di'anno in the singing and stage presence departments. This album was recorded and mixed at Battery Studios in late 1981 but it doesn't sound like it at all. This album has no weak moment and bass player Steve Harris was on fire with his songwriting contributions on all tracks except as noted.
It kicks off with the thundering "Invaders" which signalled that Maiden meant business and was an excellent rocker. Next was "Children of the Damned" which is a classic track as well with lyrics inspired by the classic novel of the same name and musically was inspired by Pink Floyd/Jethro Tull/Genesis/Black Sabbath. "The Prisoner" follows (co-written by guitarist Adrian Smith) and is based on the show of the same name that was huge on television in the 1960s. Next is "22 Acacia Avenue" which is part two to "Charlotte the Harlot" (and co-written by guitarist Dave Murray) and Bruce just wails on this track vocally.
The legendary title cut follows and had some controversy when released as the band was labelled Satanic by Jerry Falwell and later Tipper Gore's PMRC but this song just rocks out. Next was the album's first single and still a classic on rock radio today "Run to the Hills" which was about the desecration of the Native American Indian tribes. "Gangland" follows and was the only track not written by Harris, this time it was Smith and Maiden drummer Clive Burr who wrote it. It was considered a weak tune but Bruce's vocal was unearthly as he hit high screams which were not heard since either Robert Plant, Rob Halford or Ian Gillan. The original album concludes with Harris' epic "Hallowed Be Thy Name" about a lowly soul about to be executed and can't imagine why he cries when he is about to die. "Total Eclipse" is the bonus track on this remastered edition and was not used on the original album due to lack of time but is a killer track. It was revealed that Bruce co-wrote many of the tracks here but for some reason was not allowed credit on the tracks.
The Number of the Beast turned out to be Iron Maiden's US breakthorugh hitting the US Top 40 and going Gold (eventually Platinum). This album sold because the songs on here are brilliant and have aged well unlike some 80s new wave artists like either A Flock of Seagulls or Duran Duran, whose music is completely dated.
Highly recommended!
Free Music Review: A near perfect album.
Hit: 5 Stars
This was my third album that I got by Maiden (with Powerslave and Piece of Mind being the first two). I was very impressed with Powerslave, so I picked up Piece of Mind, which disappointed me some, but not too badly. I had wanted to pick up Number of the Beast, but I had heard from a review that all the songs are very slow, so that made me almost get Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, and I was very glad I didn't.1. Invaders: One of the most underrated Maiden songs in my opinion. If not for the odd riff in the chorus, it would be my favorite on the album. The lightning fats intro flowing into the riff is just perfect, and Bruce shines like the sun in this song.
Rating: A
2. Children of the Damned: While not my favorite on the album, still a good song. It can't quite match other maiden ballad-type songs such as Infinite Dreams, but is still a good song.
Rating: B
3. The Prisoner: Another good song, the heaviest song on the album. Just an overall solid song, but nothing truly amazing. Great riffs all around, though.
Rating: B+
4. 22 Acacia Avenue: Now here is a great song. Has the cool intro/first half of the song, and then it picks up again, providing a very complete song that flows PERFECTLY together. Not to be missed.
Rating: A-
5. Number of the Beast: Another super song with the guitar only first part. But once the song picks up, it is a upbeat masterpiece with a great chorus, awesome riff. But the best part of the song revolves around the first solo by Dave Murray. The riff leading into the solo is superb, and the solo itself is amazing. And then the riff immediately after the solo provides a great lead into Adrian Smith's solo.
Rating: A
6. Run to the Hills: A very overrated track, and the beginning after the drums is very easy to dislike, but if you listen carefully, it is great. The best part is by far when the song transfers from the Indian side of the story to the American side of the story, providing a great transition.
Rating: B+
7. Gangland: The only not so hot track on the album, while it is not a bad song, it is just so lacking, and there nothing special in the song at all.
Rating: B-
8. Total Eclipse: The added track with the enhanced version, and a good one as well. Just an overall good song with a slightly odd yet very cool chorus.
Rating: B+
9. Hallowed Be Thy Name: The best song on the album, as it just so complete. Starting with the excellent, soft beginning with Bruce showing the emotion needed to make the song great. Flowing into a great transition to the super-riff after Bruce completes his "running looooowww" echo. Then the song just gets awesome, along with some great solos and a fats ending. Wow, a great song.
Rating: A+
Of course, if you get any Iron Maiden album, get this one.
Free Music Review: Legendary Album
Hit: 5 Stars
There are 5 hard rock/heavy metal albums that come to mind when I think of the early 80's, and know very well that they wound up in the collections of every head-banging junior high kid from that era. They are: Diary of a Madman (Ozzy), Mob Rules (Black Sabbath), Pyromania (Def Leppard), Screaming for Vengeance (Judas Priest), and The Number of the Beast (Iron Maiden). These albums defined the early 80's metal genre, and I can vividly recall countless kids walking the halls at my school with their freshly-purchased concert tour shirts from these bands, and would wear them every day, or until their parents would tell them to wear school clothes!!! Iron Maiden's recording career was still very young in 1982, and their third album (The Number of the Beast) featured a new vocalist, Bruce Dickinson, and the band would never be the same again. Bruce's extremely wide range of vocals was the perfect fit for a heavy metal band that was on the rise, and he supplied sheer force on his "maiden" voyage. To this day, the album is in Maiden's top 3 (Powerslave and Piece of Mind are the others)in my opinion. The tracks:
INVADERS: Great start to the album, and we're given a good sample of the new vocalist, and the standard is set higher for the rest of the album. Bruce's range immediately shows on this track (8/10)
CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED: Nice intro, and is solid throughout. Again, Bruce shines vocally, and shows tremendous range.(10/10)
THE PRISONER: Nothing special here, but still rocks. (7/10)
22 ACACIA AVENUE: Very bold song, and high-energy throughout. (8/10)
THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST: One of the definitive metal giants, and a staple for all fans of heavy metal. When I think of heavy metal, I think of "Number of the Beast." (10/10)
RUN TO THE HILLS: Perhaps their most famous song, but may be a tad overrated. Still great, and tremendous vocals sets it apart from other bands' signature songs. (9/10)
GANGLAND: Fast rocker that doesn't do anything spectacular. Good if you're in the mood for something fast, and not concerned about substance. (6/10)
TOTAL ECLIPSE: The first 15 seconds of this song sounds like parts of "You Can't Kill Rock & Roll" by Ozzy. One of the strongest tracks on the album, and picks up speed nicely. (10/10)
HALLOWED BY THY NAME: Arguably the best track on the album. For some reason, I have to be in the mood to listen to this one, and often find myself going to another song. When I do listen to the whole song, I really like it. It has a good starting, and you know that when bells chime, you're in for a great heavy metal experience. (10/10)
Buy this CD without hesitation. If you're just getting into Maiden, then this CD is a great starting point, as it sets the stage for the golden era of Maiden (1982-88)
Free Music Review: Iron Maidens best?
Hit: 5 Stars
I put the question mark there because I still can't decide. Some say this one, others say Piece Of Mind, for others Powerslave, Brave New World, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son or even the self-titled debut. For me it has always been a toss-up between this one and Somewhere In Time.Anyway, this is the album that propelled Maiden into the media eye. There were always a streak ahead of other "New Wave Of British Heavy Metal" bands. As a singer of a rival band (in fact I think it was Bruce when he was still in Sampson) commented at the time, "there was Maiden, then there was the rest of us". But it was this album, be their best or not in the eye of the beholder, that gave them their big success. It gain no 1 in the album charts (impressive for a metal band) and contain a selectiion of material with a great of sense of variety, passion, energy and technicality.
In his day, Bruce was the best. The only vocalists that rival him are Queensryche's Geoff Tate and Iced Earth's Matt Barlow. Some may also say Ronnie James Dio. But this album is certainly Bruce's finist hour. He sang with so much power and emotion - Children Of The Damned and Hallowed Be Thy Name still bring a tear to my eye while his aggressiveness on Prisoner and the his scream on the title track puts shivers down my spine.
Then there is one of, no... THE finist guiter duo in history. Dave Murray and Adrian Smith. Maybe not the best technically (although there is no doubting their technical ability), but in terms of their soloing styles, riff delivery and teamwork they are simply fantastic. For me, I have to admit that Murray's finist hour is actually on Powerslave while Smith's is on Somewhere In Time (this is what I mean about not being able to decide!). Nonetheless, their performance here is damn near flawless.
Lastly there is the rhythm section of Clive Burr (God bless 'im) on drums (this would be his last album with the band) and band leader and chief songwriter bassist Steve Harris. Steve is definitely one of the finist bassists in metal. His super fast bass lines are what gives Maiden their sound. It keeps them heavy, meaning that Smith and Murray can do some fantastic melodic guitar work that by itself wouldn't be heavy but is complemented by the driving bass. Steve is also a fine song writer if ever I've heard one. His knowledge of music is what makes these songs work.
I can honestly say there is not a bad song on this album. Ok, so Gangland slightly falls behind the others and the new bonus track Total Eclipse isn't so good, but neither are bad, and when you consider how great the other songs on this album are it really does testify what a great album this is.