Review Summary: Iron Maiden's masterpiece The Number of the Beasts shook the world and influenced many of the recent NWOBHM bands.
Iron Maiden
The Number of the Beast
Iron Maidens 4th record tried to create a less sophomore image they induced to a little more influential and more complex record even though their first two studio records had been world wide success’s. The former lead singer, Paul Di'Anno left the band after their tour in 1981. Many fans worried that this may of meant the end of Iron Maiden but as new lead singer Bruce Dickinson (ex- Samson singer) joined Iron Maiden could be said to begin. “The Number of the Beast” wasn’t only a breakthrough and classic metal record but also a big hit around the earth. Iron Maiden was at #1 in the United Kingdom charts and came in top 40 in U.S.A. What makes “The Number of Beast” better than the first two records is that all the members were more experienced and was able to write better songs and make them more catchy. This album also brought up a lot of controversy in religion, especially in the track “Run to the Hills”, accusing them of being Satan worshipers. “The Number of the Beast” is considered one of the best Heavy Metal records ever made up with “Back in the Black”, “Master Puppets” and “Paranoid”.
Invaders: The minute the song starts you realize that Iron Maiden didn’t only switch vocalist but they upgraded their sound. Begging with a 30 second instrumental into a fast verse of singing, metal riffs and a bumpy bass line. The chorus is when Guitarist starts to show off using quick riffs consisting of high notes. This track is a real nice opener letting you know what the record will sound like.
Children of the Damned: The song begins with a quick quiet acoustic guitar instrumental changing into a similar and calm electric guitar. The verses are slow and calm with Bruce Dickinson singing. When the chorus kicks all the instruments get louder and Bruce raises his voice really slightly. After a quick instrumental, the guitarist does a amazing guitar solo. After this the whole songs turn to a heavy metal song. What makes this song really cool is that most of the song is really calm but still sounds like a heavy metal song. The Prisoner: The begging is a sound clip from some movie or TV show. This song is very well written, mostly the begging instrumental fusing all the instruments perfectly. This song is much more heavier than the first two songs lyrically and musically. The chorus is the high point of the song. Not only is it the most catchy part of the song but the most well written. The guitarist soon enters a solo that isn’t one of the most difficult but one of the more pleasant to listen to.
22 Acacia Avenue: Unlike most songs this song doesn’t begin with a instrumental but instead enters right into the verse. The whole song sounds pretty unusual but is still very good. The song is very focused on the guitar and he does a great job. The song is very hard to put into words.
The Number of the Beast: This song also starts out with a sound clips from either a movie or a TV show. Again the begging went right into the verses that is very simple but are well written and catchy. When the chorus kicks in the whole band upgrades their talent and it sounds amazing. The song instrumental is where the song goes beyond belief. After the instrumental the song revives its original format with the awesome chorus.
Run To The Hills: The song starts with a very interesting riff that sounds like it was taken out of a Black Sabbath guitar solo while Bruce sings a disturbing story. After that the songs takes a turn to the real verse of the song. The chorus is very catchy and well written. After another chorus another one of those solo kicks in and drives your mind nuts but unfortunately not as many instruments were used and it wasn’t as long as I would of wanted it to be. Ignoring that the rest of the song is probably the catchiest and maybe the best written. What really holds this song back from getting more checks is a great instrumental.
Gangland: This song starts out with a little calmer instrumental but when Bruce starts singing the guitar takes a much heavier sound. The song either has a really long chorus or a very short one but you don’t know but that is part of the beauty of the song. There is another guitar solo but it just isn’t as good as the others. Other than the guitar solo the guitarist does a good job.
Hallowed Be Thy Name: A funny sounding guitar riff starts the song with soft drums and Bruce using his trained voice to grab your attention. About 1 minute through the song a different guitar riff riffs kicks in. Before the chorus a very nice guitar focused instrumental enters. The chorus is simple but is absolutely amazing and is famous. After a chorus a pleasant guitar solo kicks in. After a couple more verses another instrumental enters which last quite a while. It is amazing! When the solo kicks in it is absolutely amazing, it is at the best of the whole entire record. “Hallowed Be Thy Name” takes what I love about Iron Maiden and shows it off and drives you nuts! Hallowed Be Thy Name takes all of Iron Maidens talent and puts it in 1 song.
Rating: 4.5 Our of 5
Favorite Track: Hallowed Be Thy Name.
