The Number Of The Beast

The kind of album I dread appearing on my daily feed, this band were a joke in my childhood, and kind of funny when their songs went to the top of the charts then dissapeared again, with titles like "Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter". Little did I know that years later some people actually treated this music seriously (but I thought they were a joke, which they were in school) and then wind to today and 7 of their albums are bolded - in a row - on rateyourmusic. Does this mean I treat this album more seriously now? Kind of. Did I enjoy it? No. Will I ever willingly listen to it again? No

Idk mane im not trying to get possesed. Had to listen to make sure other people dont. Great riffs on prisoner

Редкостное маргинальное говно. Оценка «минус тысяча из 10». Слушать подобное - нет. Кто слушает- сторонится такого быдла.

Not a fan

It's not noodling, it's foolish & humorless, but what do you expect from the group that could almost be a great indie band but decided to go all out on camp and the polished technicalities of eighties metal, i.e., generic pop-rock from the nineties. I don't know if it's run its course or if it ever really had one, but I do know that it's not only not for me but it oughtn't be for any of us who appreciate a changing/daring art form. Iron Maiden's notion of the sublime is to front their songs w/ thirty secs of soft & introspective licks, & then to return to their redundancies. It's almost inexplicable that people still dig this shit - it's not hard & heavy, it's neat & refined, soulless & witless, something I'd never return to even for the joke of it. A baffling eyesore.

This was as bad I thought it would be. Iron Maiden can hit even the lowest of bars.

I can’t stand them….

Fun but utter crap. 1/5

This just wasn’t my genre. I gave the album a listen all the way through but didn’t enjoy any of the songs.

"Iron Maiden are an institution" apparently. Should be locked up in an institution for crimes against music IMHO. Spinal Tap got it spot on. That film wasn't a spoof, it was reality for the likes of Iron Maiden.

Puke. For such scary imagery, the band is rather tepid.

The lyrics were interesting but the overall sound was just not for me.

no no no 12/30/2025

not my cup of tea

Believe that people actually liked heavy metal in the early 80s. I truly can’t tell if these guys are joking with their lyrics and the way that they’re singing kind of fitting into that heavy metal sound or if they’re truly meaning to be that way. Not my cup of tea.

Blah blah blah rah rah rah

Mmmmm sorry MPF I won’t be attending this year. I felt like I was in a scooby doo episode and didn’t like it. Get a point because they’re West Ham x

Crap

I do not like heavy metal. Not for me.

I hate heavy metal

Too dad rock ew. I wish I liked it

I don't even know what to say about this. Cartoon Rock Posturing. Ridiculous, and not in a good way.

Refused to listen.

Heavy Met🤮

Den Einfluss der Band erkenne ich an. Aber überhaupt nichts für mich.

Dnf

Skilful but it’s metal

*No music, screaming vocals, banging and screeching instruments. Not easy listening

That blasphemous!

Il est des matins où le destin, ce grand farceur, décide de vous envoyer un uppercut dans les gencives avant même que le café n'ait eu le temps de couler. Ce matin, 6h00, le logiciel de sélection aléatoire de mon projet "1001 Albums" a craché son verdict, implacable, cruel, dénué de toute pitié. Sur l'écran, en lettres de feu numérique, s'est affiché : Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast. "Putain... Iron Maiden." Les mêmes mots, la même intonation lasse et désespérée que pour leur premier album. Vous vous souvenez ? Cette purge que j'avais dû m'infliger il y a quelque temps et qui avait récolté un magnifique 1/5, une note aussi généreuse qu'un compliment de Serge Gainsbourg à un jeune artiste pop. Pour les masochistes ou les nouveaux venus, le récit de cette torture auditive est toujours disponible ici. J'espérais, dans un recoin naïf de mon âme de rocker cabossé, que le sort m'épargnerait une seconde dose. Espoir vain, car me voilà donc, une fois de plus, face au monstre, face à la Bête. Alors, mettons les choses au clair tout de suite. Oui, je sais, cet album est considéré comme un monument du heavy metal. Un classique, le disque qui a propulsé Maiden au rang de superstars planétaires. Le premier avec Bruce Dickinson au chant, ce qui, paraît-il, a tout changé. Et bien, soit, changeons de bourreau, mais gardons la guillotine. Car si le chanteur a changé – on est passé d'un docker un peu aviné à une sirène d'alerte nucléaire – le fond du problème, lui, reste tragiquement le même. Ce qui me hérissait le poil sur leur premier opus est ici magnifié, élevé au rang d'art, poli comme un trophée. La production est plus propre, c'est vrai. Les compositions sont peut-être plus "épiques". Mais c'est précisément ça, le problème. Tout est plus... plus rapide, plus aigu, plus technique, plus... chiant. Le cœur de mon aversion, la source de mon urticaire musical, c'est cette manie de la démonstration. Cette fameuse "branlette de manche", pour l'appeler par son nom. Chaque morceau est un prétexte à une course de Formule 1 sur six cordes. Des solos interminables, complexes, sans le moindre doute virtuoses, mais qui me laissent aussi froid qu'un discours de Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. Ça file à toute vitesse, ça tourbillonne, ça exécute des figures incroyables, mais ça ne raconte rien. C'est de la technique pure, une démonstration de force qui sacrifie toute âme, toute subtilité, sur l'autel de la performance. J'ai l'impression d'assister à une compétition de gymnastique, pas à un concert de rock. Et puis, il y a cette voix... Bruce Dickinson, le nouveau messie pour des millions de fans, c'est LA voix du metal. Pour moi, c'est le son d'un homme qui essaie de chanter l'opéra pendant qu'on lui coince les valseuses dans une porte. Ces montées dans les aigus, ces "Woooooaaaaah" qui s'étirent comme un jour sans pain, cette théâtralité permanente... C'est trop, c'est surjoué. On est face à un super-héros en spandex vocal qui hurle des histoires de batailles et de démons. Très peu pour moi. Je me souviens, au début des années 90, il y avait le pote d'un pote, un type qui ne jurait que par Maiden. Il passait des heures à nous expliquer le génie de Steve Harris à la basse, la complexité des harmonies de guitare, la profondeur des textes. Il nous cassait la tête avec sa merde. Et à chaque fois qu'il mettait un morceau, c'était la même chose : un riff sympa, rentre-dedans, prometteur... puis la voix de Dickinson qui décollait vers la stratosphère et, inévitablement, le solo de guitare qui venait tout gâcher. Trente ans plus tard, rien n'a changé. La sensation est exactement la même. C'est une musique qui me promet un sprint et qui m'impose un marathon de figures imposées. Alors oui, il y a des titres qui fonctionnent mieux que d'autres. "The Number of the Beast" et son intro parlée, "Run to the Hills" et son rythme de cavalcade... On sent bien le potentiel, l'énergie brute qui pourrait tout emporter. Mais à chaque fois, le vernis technique et l'emphase vocale viennent tout recouvrir. C'est du rock passé au karcher et lustré à la cire de compétition. Et ne me parlez pas de la pseudo-controverse sataniste aux États-Unis. C'était du pain bénit pour eux, une publicité inespérée. Le satanisme pour les nuls, parfait pour effrayer les ligues de vertu et se donner une image de rebelle. Une belle opération marketing, mais musicalement, ça ne change rien à l'affaire. Bref, ce deuxième round contre Iron Maiden se solde par un nouveau K.O. technique. Je suis au tapis, assommé par les décibels et l'ennui. Cet album a beau être dans le "1001", pour moi, il restera l'un de ceux que j'aurais volontiers évité avant de mourir. Il conforte mon idée que le heavy metal de cette école et moi, nous vivons sur deux planètes différentes. La mienne est probablement plus morose, plus pluvieuse, mais au moins, les guitaristes y jouent des notes qui ont un sens. Verdict : 1/5. Pour la constance dans l'excellence... de ce que je déteste.

I really tried but this is not my thing at all.

Uggg

Not for me. I don’t like the main singers voice very much. The instrumentals are pretty decent.

It's just not my thing. It's my second iron maiden album I've been force to listen to. The first one was ok, but this album feels like a formulaic money grab. Just another new album every year sort of thing. dull

struggled with his album, the songs felt like they went forever and i found the entire thing completely unimpressive

I’ll admit, when everyone was losing their minds over devilish mascots and galloping guitar riffs back in ’82, I just didn’t see the appeal, and revisiting it now hasn’t changed my mind. The opening track stomps in like a blaring alarm clock, but instead of waking me up, it just makes me wonder why anyone thought “digital clock in Hell” was a clever metaphor. Vocals swing between operatic high notes and growly shouts, but to me it just sounds like someone warmed up their throat and swept the entire keyboard for every note. Guitar solos are everywhere...seriously, they duel so much I half expected a referee to show up, but they feel less like melodic storytelling and more like two dudes racing to hit the fastest scale. The rhythm section pounds along faithfully, but it’s like watching someone do bicep curls without ever flexing; technically impressive, sure, but zero flair or surprise. Look, I get this album is “legendary” in heavy-metal circles. For me, it’s like being handed a cup of black coffee when I asked for a latte, technically coherent but missing everything I find enjoyable. So yeah, one star. If you’re into epic guitar gymnastics and medieval horror vibes, more power to you, just don’t expect me to join the fan club anytime soon.

I don’t really like this kind of music very much

I listened to the first song, but couldn't listen to the rest. I love Jesus and it didn't sit well with me. Musically interesting, lyrically couldn't do it.

No.

I just can't be arsed to even try and listen to this head banging shite

Didn’t like it when it came out either.

This probably gets a lot of play on hell's jukebox.

Not my thing! can’t stand the singer’s voice!

I really dislike this album.

If I could give it zero I would, this is a piece of worthless trash.

I'm good! No need to listen again

Pure slop, really no other way around it

Reeeeeeeal boring.

Good

Nothing groundbraking in My opinion Music from another decade

Joyless, sexless incel music. There's a special place for Iron Maiden, alongside Oasis and The Osmond's, where the damage they have done to society far outweighs anything they have achieved creatively. Far from being the standard bearers of NWOBHM, they should be considered the absolute worst (give me Saxon any day of the week).

No.

This is no not my kind of music.

Never liked heavy metal. Musicianship is undeniable, but it doesn't do anything for me.

this was genuinely not good like i did not like this at all.... it was just bad

Can take it or leave it.

Not the worst album I’ve ever heard, but not for me

no me gusta el rock

I hate heavy metal. Literally skimmed it

I have a friend whose favorite band is Iron Maiden. He would be so upset if I give this anything less than 5 stars. He should be prepared to be upset.

Iron Maiden always struck me as a band for people who mistake loud guitars for actual talent. Fitting, since they were the favourite band of a former classmate of mine, who once tried to convince everyone she had taste. Simultaneously, she also tried to convince people I didn’t. I guess some people need Iron Maiden to feel interesting. One star for the band, and one tiny spotlight for you, my friend.

I think I'm becoming immune to hard rock riffage, pounding drums, aggressive guitar onslaughts, wild solos, etc. from doing this project. But I cannot forgive the ridiculous vocals and lyrics.

So so

How do people listen to song with lyrics that are so fucked up. I’m pretty sure this is what satanic cults play while preparing their sacrifices. Drummer gets props on The Prisoner. I have not researched this, but I’m going out on a limb and saying these dudes are not in any way Native American, so the Run to the Hills song makes me roll my eyes hard. I hope I did not invoke the devil in listening to this album. I had to cleanse my palette with Miley and Pharrell’s Doctor.

Nope.

Wasn't my cuppa. The vocal tone didn't bring anything interesting for me. The songs felt often too long, didn't save any of them.

boring

I never took this music seriously. It was and remains a punchline. Beavis and Butthead felt the same. Unserious music for angry, white males.

Just can't get into this music! Lyrics sound like they were written by an 11-year-old. Because you play your instrument impressively fast, it doesn't mean it sounds good! The singer's dramatic voice is like nails on a chalkboard. Would give it no stars if I could!

Dog shit

I’ll never understand how people like this kinda stuff

Not for me.

glad we had something different for once, not a fan of rock so I give it 2/10 My fav song was the number of the beast

nah

Like really not my type of music. I liked the second song on the album but then again I only did listen to the first two. It was too aggressive.

Pre-listening thoughts: I don’t do metal. Post/during listening thoughts: I still don’t do metal. 2/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: hell no Fav tracks: I guess Run to the Hills? Like I didn’t even like it but it’s sadly the one that’s going on my playlist so Least fav tracks: Invaders, Children of the Damned, 22 Acacia Ave (god this one is BADDDD), The Number of the Beast (corny!)

I was 18, and really into metal, when this came out. Even then I knew this was shit.

No thanks

No me gusta el heavy metal

6/5/24 hate heavy metal, couldn’t even get through this whole thing. not for me 0/10

Boring

Well this was hard to get through. Long intros and llooonnggg songs! If I had to pick a title it would be Children of the Damned

Junk

Nope. The whole aesthetic is off-putting to me.

fuck iron maiden they can all go suck a bunch of fat cocks. cordially, luna

Gross.

Not as bad as I expected

Not gonna listen first song sounds demonic

more aluminum maiden than iron maiden, super weak

Are you kidding me? No.

I have no intention of listening to this. I got partway through the first track and it's like...yeah, no. I don't need to force myself to listen to something that I don't like. I listened to a new Maggie Rogers song, then the earliest HAIM album available on Tidal. So that was my album today.

Songs sound too much alike

Still doesn't do anything for me.

I hope no more Iron Maiden between 1001 LPs!

I respect what it means to others, but too hard for me. I liked getting to hear it though as I’ve always known the name but never listened to an album.

I was only able to listen to 2 songs, but no worries, this is not my kind of music. Looking forward to my next album.

Admittedly, New Wave British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest is possibly my least favorite genre of all time. To me, it’s fast and loud but not much else. The devil iconography and themes sound like a 13yo goth kid who shopped at Hot Topic and drank red koolaid “blood” because their life is SO dark. But they’re so earnest about it, which is even sillier. I half-expected Spinal Tap to make a cameo, along with a 3ft dwarf threatening to knock down mini-Stonehenge. But, I’m trying to understand where this genre came from. Apparently, mid/late-70s Britain was shitty. Bad recession, high poverty, labor strikes, riots, etc. Young people kind of checked out, and the more nihilist movements were born, like punk and NWOBMH, to escape everyday life. So I guess I understand where the immature rebellion and escapism came from, and I wouldn’t be surprised if another similar movement sprang up today.

Sullivan was not a fan. Made him cry

Not for me

Like listening to a broken microwave talking about it's emotional problems! Just didnt engage or interest me on any level soz.

Not for me.

Metal is gar nicht meins.

OMG this was AWFUL ... just noise throughout.

Head banger. When do I hear good music in the 1001 list?

Not a fan.

Not my style

ok....so just not my "jam" so to speak :)

Not my type of music. Vocals are awful and most of the songs sounded the same? Never was a fan of "heavy metal".....

hate metal

A bit satanic for my taste

Not for me. Disliked it in 1982, dislike it in 2024.

Dull, repetitive and boring - just like everything else Iron Maiden.

Just terrible. (Except for the opening song, which is great comedy from Vikings: The Musical. "Invaders...pillaging! Invaders...looting!" Spinal Tap couldn't do better)

Cool riff dude, you can really scream about Satan.

Too melodramatic for me!

Not my cup of tea

slept thru it.

Not a fan of Iron Maiden. Tried it with an open mind. Not a fan of his voice. Lyrics questionable. Hard pass.

sorry i can’t

They're trying too hard. Not my energy level.

some nice post-colonial lyrics can't save this from being absolute tripe

Sucks. The worst hard-rock/heavy metal ever. Whines.

Pish

As soon as he started singing I couldn’t be fucked with it at all.

Jackson: First track = ass. continues in such fashion. Best: None, maybe the second track Worst: All Overall: 0

Huh. Pre Rush/Megadeth I guess

Yuk

this kind of "metal" sucks there's nothing heavy about it and the lyrics are stupid and not in a good way

If someone put this on and told me it was a parody of 80s Metal, I would believe them.

Heavy metal sucks.

I never really liked this group, I felt that their music was not innovative and that they rode on the coattails of Uria Heap, who were far better and one of the originators of the "hard rock / heavy metal movement"

Honestly, I loathe this album. Some excellent musicianship, but it's so repetitive.

Not very good. Would never really listen to it. The singing is too dramatic and I think the instruments are dull and unexciting

Ummmmm wth

If I were to spoof a heavy metal group it would sound like this and I couldn't possibly top the juvenile album cover. Their sound is so cliched and repetitive, its hard to get any sillier than this.

Got through 1.5 songs

The vocals are a constant annoying problem, hard to get passed these to even start to enjoy the mediocre guitar soloing.

The only song that actually caught my attention was “Children of the Damned”, and only because of the riff at the beginning. Again, this is not a musical genre that speaks to me.

I would normally object to rating without listening, but I don't need to put this on to know it's garbage

j'aime pas

Not really my favorite genre

Hated it.

Not for me. Never was, never has been, and this repeated listen hasn’t changed my mind.

Ugh no

Never gave em a chance. Sorry ATal. Physical Science, 2004

Never liked Iron Maiden, it's just too grim and rowdy

Dit klinkt exact zoals 80s metal in je nachtmerries hoort te klinken: Verschrikkelijk! Next!

Oh my....can’t get past all the 666 signs to even listen

blergh!

not bussin

Classic metal, love it