The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
1982
Album Summary
The Number of the Beast is the third studio album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released on 22 March 1982 in the United Kingdom by EMI Records and in the United States by Harvest and Capitol Records. The album was their first to feature vocalist Bruce Dickinson and their last with drummer Clive Burr. The Number of the Beast was met with critical and commercial success, and became the band's first album to top the UK Albums Chart and reach the top 40 of the US Billboard 200. The album produced the singles "Run to the Hills" and "The Number of the Beast", the former of which became the band's first top-ten UK single. The album was also controversial, particularly in the United States, due to the religious references in its artwork and the title track's lyrics. Since the release of The Number of the Beast and its subsequent tour The Beast on the Road, "The Beast" has become an alternate name for Iron Maiden and was later used in the titles of some of their compilations and live releases, including Best of the Beast and Visions of the Beast.
WikipediaWhen I fired this up I was thinking that if I had to pick one Maiden album to put on the list I don’t know that this is the one I’d go with. By the end of it I realized I was out of my goddamn mind. “Gangland” and “Invaders” aren’t favorites, but song for song it’s hard to argue with how melodically successful of an album this is for the band. (Or any band?) It ENDS with “Hallowed Be Thy Name” for ball’s sake, and every second of this record sounds better than most metal albums ever. I love it. The first show they play in South America after the pandemic is going to result in more pregnancies than a sperm bank.
Ah, to be thirteen. To start wearing Lynx obsessively and masturbate for whole weekends at a time. And, of course, to own one's first Iron Maiden album. But then, at 15 you feel your first breast and try pot for the first time, so Iron Maiden loses its lustre. Of course, if neither happens, one unfortunately gets stuck on Iron Maiden and metal for the rest of one's days, and such a limited scape is no basis for a life's music. So yeah, I had cassettes of Iron Maiden, Killers, Piece of Mind and The Number of the Beast aged 13. But at 14, I got into The Doors and rediscovered my childhood love of punk, so Iron Maiden felt embarrassing in their juvenile appeal. So, I had real trepidation when Iron Maiden popped up. And I liked it. Juvenile appeal still appeals, and one occasionally yearns for Satanism, sci-fi references and songs about women with big boobies. Of course, one's diet shouldn't consist solely of ice ceam and Monster Munch, and too much Iron Maiden can be bad for one's appetite. Remember kids: if you find yourself falling asleep on the sofa at 4am clutching a three-quarters-empty bottle of Strongbow while the tenth episode that night of Red Dwarf blares from the telly, you've had a bit too much Iron Maiden.
The melodies and counter melody play with guitar and bass are awesome. Beautiful voice, good feeling. Fun music. Run to the Hills got me hooked on Iron Maiden.
No mystery where Jack Black gets his metal voice inspiration from... although the vocals gets a bit irritating like a mini drone constantly hovering around. Guitar solos are pretty damn good. Would’ve been great to see live in the day. Pretty clear why Iron Maiden didn’t get a lot of airtime in our house while growing up 👹😈
The Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden (1982) I remember when this record was released in 1982 that it caused quite a stir among conservative moralizers (such as myself), prompting boycotts of retailers and protests featuring album burnings. But I don’t remember ever paying attention to the lyrics. I seem to recall resting content that the album title and cover art were provocative enough to warrant its destruction, as in “I don’t need to listen to this trash to recognize that it comes directly from the Devil.” Now I’m in my mid-sixties, and it’s time to admit I was wrong. The ‘message’ of this album is not blasphemous; it does not promote Satanism; it is not obscene; it is not hateful; it is not threatening; it is not anti-Christian. Indeed, the only song that treats of the theme of devil worship (the title track “The Number of the Beast”) is somewhat ambivalent, giving a sympathetic view in the fourth verse and third chorus, but counterbalanced by fear and active opposition to the satanic in the remainder of the song—kind of like what one would expect when the apocalypse actually arrives, no? One could charitably interpret the song as setting forth the voices of a protagonist and an antagonist, without resolution. The rest of the album deals with themes of: (1) Viking incursions in England (“Invaders”) (2) Two (very excellent) British sci-fi movies of the early 60s (“Children of the Damned”) (3) A (very excellent) British TV spy-psy-sci-fi thriller (“The Prisoner”) (4) A plea for a woman to leave her life of prostitution (“22 Acacia Avenue”), (5) European American genocide Native Americans (“Run to the Hills”) (6) The horrors of gang violence (“Gangland”) (7) The psychological terror of a man condemned to die (“Hallowed Be Thy Name”) Anyone who is generally, indiscriminately, and piously indignant at themes of suffering and violence hasn’t read the Bible lately. The only thing morally objectionable about these lyrics is their sinfully low quality. Words like ‘trite’, ‘shallow’, ‘vacuous’, ‘cartoonish’, and ‘derivative’ come to mind. Let’s not dwell on it. It’s just bad poetry. The ‘message’ does not offend against the Good or the True; it only offends against the Beautiful. Now the music is dark, energetic, driving, heavy, scary, wild, elaborate, and creative. It’s done well, especially for 1982. Maybe the compositions are unduly repetitive, but they are all suitable for the lyrical themes—like a sonic expression of the banality of evil. Pity if there’s no room for that in one’s world view. 3/5
Not a bad album by any means, but still has all the things I don't like about metal: repetitive riffs, lack of a musical narrative, overwrought lyrics about how tortured the whiny white boy is. Best song: Run to the Hills. Worst song: Gangland.
This one time - for a dare - I knelt down next to the exhaust on a powerful sports car while the driver stepped on the accelerator and generated maximum revs. It was very loud. However, aside from being distressed by the volume I wouldn't say if it was pleasant or unpleasant as there was no discernible variation in the noise. It just bore through me.
Absolute classic, brings me back to my angsty years. So much energy, the epitome of Iron Maiden's sound
One of my favorite albums of all time. Gangland and invaders aren't the best but everything else is awesome. I just got speakers for my turntable, ill listen to this one after work on that
One of my favourite hard rock albums ever - the musicianship, relatively raw production, and punctuated with two of the biggest hits of the genre: "Number of the Beast" and "Run to the Hills" - have made this a frequent listen for me for decades (although as a little kid I was a little scared of Number of the Beast :D....). This was the first Maiden album that put them into the stratosphere, introducing new vocalist Bruce Dickinson. Iron Maiden is probably not everyone's cup of tea so to speak, so if this early metal platter seems a turnoff, please start with "Run to the Hills" to appreciate the songwriting and musicianship. What initially attracted me to Maiden wasn't necessarily the volume and power but the strong sense of melody atop it all, something they'd perfect throughout the next 3 albums. "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and "The Prisoner" are the other standouts here. 9/10, only thing keeping this from perfection is a slightly weaker first half (side 1) but overall this is an all-time classic.
Simply a masterpiece in metal. Great vocals, classic production, harmonized solos, and catchy choruses to take it to the extra star.
Though some moments on The Number of the Beast are clearly stronger than others, the album as a whole represented a high-water mark for heavy metal, striking a balance between accessible melodicism and challenging technique and intensity. Everything fell into place for Iron Maiden here at exactly the right time, and the result certainly ranks among the top five most essential heavy metal albums ever recorded. A cornerstone of the genre.
About as smart as you’d expect from a band called Iron Maiden with a singer called Bruce. And yet, there’s room in this world for big dumb fun, and a band with a zombie mascot. I enjoyed it.
3 🌟. Really tough for a heavy metal album to score above a 3 for me. This has elements that I like. The drumming is excellent but the songs are all basically the same formula and the vocals are technically good but the style is off putting for me. So it's a good heavy metal album but not an album I'll ever want to give a 2nd listen to
Zero stars for juvenile art, lyrics and performances. If I were a 13 year-old boy, *maybe* I could listen to this drivel. Nah, at 13 I was into the Beatles, MoTown, Bowie.
Genuinely impressive that someone can produce something of such limited musical and artistic merit. Everything that is bad about the metal genre (which can be great) is here. Repetitive riffs, pretending to worship Satan, and lyrics about the struggle of a little white man. Imagining the lack of personal hygiene in the crowd is enough to steer well clear until the end of days. 1/5
As soon as I saw the album I thought “oh no -another American heavy metal band that I hate. But I was wrong. The band’s English.
muahahahahahaha oh hell yea. gosh the bass line on Invaders is just everywhere. Goddamn even two songs in you can tell this is one of the best black metal albums ever made. Number Of The Beast still kicks the most ass.
What can I say? It's Number of the goddamn Beast by Iron fucking Maiden. Five stars, and I'd give it another five if I could!
Nunca había escuchado un disco de estos mens. Está bien chistoso, no paré de reír. Pero también es muy emocionante y divertidísimo. Esto debe ser increíble en vivo.
One of the best rock albums ever, not surprised it's on the list and a regular listen for me since I was really young!
I really like Iron Maiden. Interesting that the Powerslave Album wasn't picked for this, since it is the more common choice I guess. Anyways, up the Irons!
Sorry but I cannot be objective about ONE OF THE GREATEST ALBUMS OF THE GREATEST HEAVY METAL BAND OF ALL TIME!!!!
This one of the true classic metal albums, top 5 of all time to be sure. Bruce Dickinson's voice is amazing, with a range few can match. The sound is intense but the musicianship is undeniable. Fave songs: Children of the Damned, Run to the Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name
This one shreds! Great metal without trying too hard and still great music. And every song hits! Incredible album. Hallowed, Run to the Hills, and Prisoner were standouts, but zero skips. Immediately listened a second time.
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this particularly but it was awesome. Was considering 5 stars but the last track tipped it over the edge. Used on Jamie Thomas’ section on Toy Machine - Welcome to Hell. 🤘😝
Great old-school metal, this album is a classic. Run to the Hills is such a perfect song and this album is filled with great tunes. It's Metal but it's got a real craftsmanship to how it's all put together.
This a quintessential metal album that everybody needs to hear. Great stuff from start to finish.
a timeless classic of heavy rock/metal. didn't need to listen to it as i already love it, but enjoyed listening anyway :) hallowed be thy name is one of the best heavy rock songs of all time
Invaders, title track, Run to the Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name. good shit! Another one I've heard of for decades but never put on.
Hi ha clàssics i clàssics. Aquest és dels de veritat. Punt d'inflexió de la NWOBHM, del heavy metal en general, i porta d'entrada al génere de milions de joves. Un cop hi entres... ja no hi ha marxa enrera. I aquest és una de les millors empentes per creuar la porta que es pot trobar
This was a really good album. I had never listened to the full album before, but after this listen I can safely say I would listen to this album again and again.
This album was awesome. Super great guitar parts and super creative songs and vocals. Incredibly iconic.
Ba wi wi wewww, ba wa wa wewwww. Is it possible to listen to this album and not find another layer to love about it? A taste I am grateful for having taken the time to acquire.
First time listening to Iron Maiden. I was surprised. I liked almost every track. I might listen to more albums.
Alles aan dit album klopt gewoonweg. Bruce Dickinson is een fantastisch zanger, en de nummers zijn erg goed opgebouwd.
Such a solid and highly influential metal album. There's a reason why critics, metalheads, and even general music fans call this one of the greatest metal albums of all time. If I did have to criticise something, I'd agree that Gangland isn't as well written as most the other tracks on there (thankfully it's right before Hallowed Be Thy Name which is phenomenal)
-Pretty slick riff in-between lines in the chorus in "Invaders" -Great drum intro on "Gangland" -"Children of the Damned," "22 Acacia Avenue," and "Hallowed Be Thy Name" are absolute bangers -"The Number of the Beast" and "Run to the Hills" are probably up there in my favorite tracks of all time. Truly incredible songs. Incredible storytelling, intensity, and raw power -Obvioualy the riffs and singing are legendary, but the drumming is incredible, especially on "Run to the Hills" and the reverse cymbals to end "Hallowed Be Thy Name" if I remember correctly. Also the bass is quite strong and has some great riffs, especially for a metal album
Gli Iron Maiden hanno un'immagine di "METALLARI PESANTI™", ma in realtà le loro canzoni sono di un classico Hard Rock. La differenza particolare a mio avviso la fanno la caratteristica voce del cantante, le copertine degli album e i testi gotici. Ok sì, di Metal c'è anche quella tendenza a inutili virtuosismi (devo dire qui molto ben bilanciata). The number of the beast è spettacolare, brividi e una carica pazzesca. Le 4 precedenti offrono un crescendo verso questa canzone. La seguente 'Run to the Hills' è forse anche meglio, con il plus del testo. 'Gangland' e soprattutto 'hallowed by the name', anche se non sono al livello delle precedenti, mantengono un certo mood simile e molto cool. 5 stelle, facile.
Not my personal favorite Maiden album, but it is certainly a beast (pun intended) and it's number is 5. Up the irons.
Had this album years ago and it was in heavy rotation along with Motley Crue. Still holds up
Probably more of a 4.25 album, but it gets bonus points for MAIDEN! and then I round it up.
Todo un disco de heavy-rock con guitarras aplastantes y auténticos temazos. Espectacular voz y temas muy cañeros
You just can't to wrong. Beating drums, heavy rifts and pure energy in the vocals. Just amazing
An album of fucking bangers. Maiden is a great hard rock band kind of disguised as a novelty act.
Woe to you, oh earth and sea For the Devil sends the beast with wrath Because he knows the time is short Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast For it is a human number Its number is six hundred and sixty-six
Metal, love this, sounds great and makes me feel good. Favourite - The Prisoner + Hallowed by thy name.
As far as I understand this albums is seen as the best Iron Maiden album - I would agree with this, although they have made a whole string of 5* albums in the 80s - this might be the best heavy metal album ever..
Aside from Invaders and Gangland (which are alright), every song on Number of The Beast is fantastic. The production plus the music and vocals are also top notch. Run To The Hills and the title track are fun, Hallowed Be Thy Name is spine chilling, and Children of the Damned, 22 Acacia Avenure, and Prisoner are awesome album cuts. What I like about Iron Maiden is that you don't have to be metal nut to enjoy them as their music is accessible to anyone who likes rock or heavy music. They also write plenty of songs about History and Literature which is a massive bonus.
This is the best Maiden so far I've heard. Iconic tracks, tight tracklist, and a very strong personality as an album overall.
The definitive NWOBHM, in my opinion. If you listen to any album from this era, make it this one.
Maiden's first truly great album. They had a run in the 1980s that's pretty hard to beat. Also the first album of theirs I bought, first songs I learned on guitar, etc etc. An easy 5/5.
The first Iron Maiden album to feature Bruce Dickinson on lead vocals, this is one of Maiden's best ever. It contains The Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills and Hallowed Be Thy Name, all on one album, and the rest of of the tracks are great as well. I especially like Children of the Damned, a really beautiful song that is sadly often overlooked, because it is overshadowed by the aforementioned tracks. The production by Martin Birch is punchy without being overbearing; the songs are heavy but with enough melody and variation to never become boring. And Dickinson is without a doubt one of the best metal singers ever. All of this comes together to form a real classic Heavy Metal album. 5/5
One of the greatest albums of all time from my ultimate favourite band. But I know this album better than myself. I'm here to find new stuff. Still, having the first album from Maiden is great. Up the Irons
Ok. This album has a few moments that haven't aged well, it's not my favorite of the band, but I would feel dishonest to give it anything other than 5 stars. So much heavy/catchy/fast/efficient moments on this. A recipe mastered by Iron Maiden. It was Bruce Dickinson's initiation into the band. Imagine the reaction of people the first time they heard this powerful and distinct voice. It must have been insanely overwhelming. A unique voice and strong riffs and songs to support and honor it. Also, from a personal point of view, I have lots of good memories of my adolescence linked to this album. Meeting metalhead friends, enjoying the music, learning to play it... Playing to Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4! Anyway, a great and outstanding album for sure.
Heavy metal masterpiece. It probably was my entry into metal music and it'll always be special for me.
What a badass classic this is. This must have been so exciting to hear this right when it came out. This was, and this is, the pinnacle of NWOBHM, I think. It's not even my favorite album by them, but I recognize it as one of the most important pieces in heavy metal's history
Hell yes! I don't think I'd ever really listened to a full Iron Maiden album before, they have always just been on metal mixes, but that changes today! This was fucking epic and I loved it. Hallowed Be Thy Name!!!
Up the Irons. This was a pleasant surprise - I like maiden. This has got 3 of maidens biggest hits on - Run to the Hills, Number of the Beast and Hallowed be Thy Name - so I see why this album is highly rated. However - they couldn't quite pull out the PERFECT album - there's a couple of songs on here that I didn't really enjoy. But still, it's a brilliant album with some brilliant songs.
Awesome hard rock album, insane guitar solos and incredible vocal performance. RUN TO THE HIIIIILS
Hard album, love Rock / Metal with grand melodic singing backing it. Standout Tracks: Children of the Damned, The Prisoner, 22 Acacia Avenue, Gangland, Hallowed Be Thy Name
Good early metal album the diction is clear some of the songs a bit meh but a few great ones.
Very much enjoyed this album. Love the 80's rock. This was softer than the Anthrax album. Included great hits like run for the hills and children of the damned.
Jee, kikkeliheviä! En ole enää mikään suuri maidenfani, mutta kyllähän tämä pitkästä aikaa potkii semikovaa. Levyn edellisestä kuuntelusta onkin vierähtänyt ehkä vajaa 20 vuotta. Riittävän pienissä annoksissa nautinnollista kamaa, mutta jos tätä joutuisi enemmänkin kuuntelemaan niin alkaisi maistua puulta suurella todennäköisyydellä.
Solid classic rock album. I have never listened to it all the way through though and I am glad I did
Enjoyed this waaay more than expected. Really fun, catchy, 80s hard rock, loud, thrashy, not too much guitar wanking. Great drums and bass lines. Can hear the influence on hardcore punk and thrash I listened to a lot as a teenager. But 80s hard rock vocals will always sound cheesy to me. Run to the hills is 5* 🤘🤘🤘
Oh baby, a triple! Triple six, that is. I started playing this without looking at the tracklist and thought "I don't know if I've ever really listened to Iron Maiden," but this has two of their most classic hits that I know and love: the title track, and "Run to the Hills." Other great songs on here too, just a great experience front to back. I'm not much of a metal guy, but stuff like this and Metallica are very much in my wheelhouse. Absolutely deserves a spot on an all-time list like this. It doesn't get a perfect score from me today, but I love this album. In time, I could see it getting there, just like The Cure's Disintegration. Favorite tracks: Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills, Children of the Damned, Hallowed Be Thy Name (how great are these song titles??). Album art: Brother, let me tell you. This has got to be in the top 10 or so for best ever. I've always adored the art style deployed by Iron Maiden on their covers, apparently all painted by Derek Riggs, and this is such a fantastic one. The heavy metal ghoul (he's got a NAME and it's EDDIE), the dastardly devil, the puppet strings, the pyres, I love everything about this. 4.5/5
Two glorious essentials of my upbringing: the killer one-two of “The Number of the Beast” and “Run to the Hills”. Closed strongly with “Hallowed Be Thy Name”. YEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7/10
An wild interesting/educational experience probably not to be repeated. Glad I experienced it
A classic heavy metal album. Favourite track is '22 Acacia Avenue'. 7/10, would like to see more variety in sound or instrumentation.
The album that helped start the Satanic Panic of the 1980s. Powerful vocals, masteful baselines, face-melting guitar solos, and such skilled drumming that a single bass drum peddle is all that was needed. Great album for fans of melodic speed metal and Satan worshipers alike.
Another Maiden album. This is album does not have my favorite songs from the album, but it's still great!
Love this album, classic metal music that showed up on Guitar Hero. The entire album was blast to listen to. This was when metal was still just super hard rock so it's much easier to hear what they say and the music itself isn't too abrasive, but if you don't like hearing about the devil and his beasts this album may startle you. My tops for this were Invaders, The Number of the Beast, and Run to the Hills. LOVE this album cover too, all of theirs are great but actually seeing this up close. Satan is still only a puppet to Iron Maiden and that is how it should be.
Cool, es como un relato policiaco, lol. No es mucho mi estilo el metal clásico, pero veo el atractivo por lo polémico del momento con las referencias satánicas. Sin duda mi track favorito, Hallowed be thy name por tener esos riffs pegajosillos y dramaticos que me recuerdan a los que después se empezaron a poner bien pesados, pero conservando su ritmito catchy en el death melódico.
Iron Maidenkin on aika teatraalista ja vivahteikasta, kun oikein alkaa kuuntelemaan. Levyn kohokohta oli vähän yllättäen The Prisoner. Ehkä nuo muut hittibiisit on niin läpikaluttuja jo, etteivät niin säväyttäneet? Pari täytebiisiä oli sekaan mahtunut, mutta hyvä levy silti!
Nie meine liebste Band gewesen. Aber nie ne Zeit gehabt, in den ich nicht verstanden hab, wieso solid so gefeiert werden!
Ballert, aber reicht nach einem Tag auch erstmal wieder, hallowed be thy name = goat heavy metal song
A very fun, solid Iron Maiden album. It's no "Powerslave", but it's got some great tracks nonetheless.
The musicianship on this album is actually enough to get past the awesomely cheesy operatic delivery of the vocalist, and over time it even grows on you. This would be a 3 for me except the fact the guitars absolutely shred which bumps it to a 4. Will definitely be coming back to this one.
8/10 Songs kind of sound the same i guess 1. Run to the Hills 2. Children Of The Dammed 3. Hallowed Be Thy Name
Reminds me of the Metallica concert with the Cowboys. Never an album I'd seek out, but I love it. Not as dark as expected. This site was already a great decision. So many chord progressions/runs that are iconic; curious where I'll hear them referenced in more recent music.
I enjoyed the rhythm it was a super nice pace for a workout. I thought the guitar and the drums rocked that said there was just not enough in the lyrics for me
Solid 4. Just non-stop good metal without it getting overbearing or overstaying its welcome. Multiple classic tracks too. It's the first in awhile that made me at least consider if it gets a 5.
Oh man! Can't describe how happy I was to see this come up on the list. Definitely a a huge Maiden fan and even though I haven't listened to this in years, it was just as kick-ass and over the top. Yes the lyrics are ridiculous and the whole occult aesthetic is hooky as hell, but Bruce Dickinson's voice is one of the best in the history of music, the twin lead guitars are straight fire and the bass playing is equally iconic. You may not like it, but there's a reason these guys can still sell out stadiums 40 years later.
A classic album. Gets off to a slow start but on the whole it's a fantastic look back at a sound that spawned an entire genre. You can hear so many other bands in this one album, it's incredible. Especially big fan of The Prisoner and Hallowed Be Thy Name.
Classic Iron Maiden. Holy shit the solo on 22 Acacia Ave. HOLY SHIT HALLOWED BE THY NAME
The best Iron Maiden album, so good, so fun, and Run To the Hills have been a favorite of mine for a looong time, so it was really pleasant to hear it again. 4 stars.
I have not listened to much metal music, and definately not a whole album before, and I have to say I was surprised by the musicality of it, and lyrical composition. I don’t know if I would put it into regular rotation in my play lists, but I can definately listen to it.
Classic metal – keen. Great opening track and keeps its energy throughout. Will be listening again.
Classic 80's metal - technical guitars, operatic vocals, fun riffs in minor thirds, and of course the "gallop". Run to the Hills brings back some Rock Band memories.
I always liked Iron Maiden but the sound between songs is so similar I never fell in love. 4.4
The definitive heavy metal album from the definitive heavy metal band. At least, the definitive New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Semantics aside, this is a band that consistently brings their a-game when it comes to metal. The riffs are heavy, the solo are shreddy, and the lyrics are evil. Iron Maiden delivers this in spades, perhaps a little too well. Album also features one of my favorite riffs of all time in the titular song (the riff in question is right after the second solo). Overall I'd say side B is stronger than side A, but the whole product delivers.
My previous exposure to this music almost exclusively through that subset of high school friends with whom, not to put too fine a point on it, I used to smoke dope. Embarrassed to realize I never really tracked that they were an English band. The music seems almost akin to baroque classical in the context of all the increasingly blacker shades of metal that have followed on. As often with this kind of thing a lot of the lyrics are weighed down by their own portentous self-importance, still I found myself heartily belting it out along with the choruses on Run for the Hills (with headphones on while washing the dishes, so metal)
Pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this after only hearing two Iron Maiden songs previously. Starting the Guardians of the Galaxy game this week helped too
This is the one Iron Maiden album. They may have put out a dozen more records, but this is the apogee of their career, and one of the keystones of 80s metal. (7/10) FT: Run To The Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name
Excellent heavy metal, but the songs tend to run a little bit long. Favorite song is the closer, "Hallowed Be Thy Name".
I had fun listening to this album. It’s at the heavy metal point where it’s still energetic and fun but still hardcore enough to not be regular rock. Fav songs: 22 acacia avenue, run to the hills
Heavy guitar riffs, great vocals with strong drums and bass lines, what's not to like. "Run to the Hills", "Gangland" and "Hallowed By Thy Name" are the best songs imo. Only negative is it can get a bit repetitive
When I was a wee lad of 12 or so one of the very first CDs I had and listened to on repeat was an Iron Maiden compilation with three songs off this album. The sound of this album is pretty much the definition of nostalgia for me. It still has a couple of strong points. In particular, Bruce Dickinson is simply a fantastic singer and the guitar solos are A+. But on the other hand, you can really hear this album's age, most of Iron Maiden's songs sound pretty samey and tend to go drag on for a bit too long and the lyrics are somewhere between angsty, cringey and completely ridiculous. Early Iron Maiden will always have a place in my heart. But tastes change for a reason and this album is definitely not the masterpiece 12-year old little me thought it was. It's still very solid though.
I rather like the vocals here. Guitar work is phenomenal, as expected. It's a little heavier than my usual, but I dig it. I can see myself listening to this again. The Prisoner and Gangland are my top picks so far. I didn't expect Run to the Hills to be so anti-imperialist.
Great album that, due to it being not too hard and aggressive and it's somewhat catchy songs is also great for people who are normally not too much into the genre
Wailing high vocals, kickass guitar riffs, and melodic kickass rock. Not for everyday, but when I'm in the mood for it this stuff rules.
More heavy metal glee from the Beast, Iron Maiden sure sound like they are having a lot of fun. And if you let yourself get lost in the opera of it all then you will too.
Drugi album od Maidenow na liscie i kolejny raz jestem pozytywnie zaskoczony, bo zazwyczaj jak widze album lejbelowany gatunkowo jako ciezki metal, to czuje, ze bedzie to ciezki odsluch, a w przypadku maidenow, jak na razie, calkiem przyjemnie slucha sie ich materialow, tematycznie dosc zdywersyfikowany krazek, od grabierzach wikingowych, opowiesciach o kurwach, czy nawiazaniach do horrorow znanych z tv, wiezniach czekajacych na wykonanie wyroku, po grabienie na indianinach, podane w otoczce majacej nawiazywac do szatanskich sztuczek, wiec krzyze czy numery bestii licznie sie przewijaja, zwlaszcza w traku tytulowym, gdzie pan Harris opowiada swoj sen o piekielnych czelusciach, a na sam koniec songa narracja sie zmienia i sam pomiot piekielny przemawia glosem Dickinsona, ktory jest nowym wokalista zespolu, ktory zastapil Di'Anno ktorego slyszalem na debiutanckim materiale, rowniez robi robote, a nawet spiewa bardziej operowo, co dodaje klimatu i unikalnosci bandzie, bo metal jest jednak zdominowany glownie przez wyjce, w tym wypadku jest inaczej i slychac, ze pan Dickson zna sie na warsztacie i operuje dobrym zasiegiem wokalu, od strony instrumentalnej juz takich zmian nie ma, zespol gra podobna muzyke jak na wczesniejszym krazku, wiec duzo solowych wstawek, gdzie Smith i Murray maja pole do popisow gitarowych, chociaz znajda sie takze solowki drumowe, jak na children of the damned, solidne 39 minut materialu, na plejke tytulowy utwor oraz zamykajacy hallowed by thy name