Reviews (page 3 of 14)
Yes!!!
Masterpiece
Solid album, closer to a 4.5 for me. Doesn't overstay its welcome.
We come to this place for magic. The air raid siren Bruce Dickinson. The guitar harmonies. Lyrics about battlefields. This is Maiden.
First Maiden album with Bruce on vocals. Harris kills on the bass as usual. Might not be their best work overall but easily their most iconic album. This shit rocks. Hallowed be thy Name is one of my favorite metal tracks. 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Interesting themes, lyrics and art… not to mention epic sound
One of the greatest albums of all time.
Definitely a classic metal record. I feel like the kind of metal that everyone can get into but still embodies the epic playing/ dark aesthetics etc. I just listened to the Needle Drop review and he indicated how this was such a pivotal turn for metal as this bands predecessors were very blues influenced where this one kicked up the speed/technical playing at thrashier/hair metal playing.
GREAT
Album No. 0051 on my list. I've been a big Iron Maiden fan in my teens, so it was nice listening to this album again after a while. "The Number of the Beast" is certainly one of the greatest metal albums of all time, there is absolutely no doubt about that. There are only good songs on it, with "Children of the Damned", "The Number of the Beast", "Run to the Hills", and "Hallowed be thy Name" being the most well-known, and indeed, best ones. Yet, "Invaders" and "22 Acacia Avenue" come close as well. My hidden gem on this is actually "The Prisoner", a cool combination of early heavy metal and classic 80s melodic power rock. Really liked it. This is the first album with Bruce Dickinson on vocals, and while I like Iron Maiden's earlier work as well, there is just no comparison. He really is the greatest metal singer of all time. In addition, there are some incredible guitar licks in this as wel (e.g. in "Children of the Damned"), and you get your classic Steve Harris lyrics. May well be my favorite metal album of all time (maybe tied with Metallica's Master of Puppets - how creative, I know). In any case: all-time favorite! 5/5 stars!
Surprise, surprise - a heavy metal album I actually love
5 estrelas obra prima do Nwotbhm
Classic
By 1982 heavy metal was on its way to becoming what it was meant to be and several key pieces were putting out records that pushed that narrative. Perhaps the most important piece came from a band who were undergoing a transition into becoming who they were meant to be as well. Iron Maiden had been trudging along just fine but their true breakthrough had yet to occur. All that they needed to do was the accrue the number of the beast and unleash their prowess upon soon-to-be converted listeners. The Number of the Beast is forty minutes of some of the greatest heavy metal ever committed to tape, the type of heavy metal that makes one want to run through walls and conquer the most detested of foes. 666 may be the devil's calling card but, for a short period of time, it was a clarion call for all.
50 000 stars. Iron Maiden is rivalled only by AC/DC or maybe early Metallica in terms of consistency, awesomeness and pure realisation of vision. They get the formula early annd stick to it. The fans love it. And this is probably their best album. No words can really express how great this is. Maiden sneak complex music theory into what is meant to be dumb rock and roll. And it works. Sarcastic elbows has pointed out that rock and roll needs to be a bit dumb to work. The thudding pounding rhythms here and lyrics that are both clever and deliberately provocative (‘6 6 6, the number of the beast!’: American evangelicals clutch their pearls and worry who’ll think of the children. ). Yet Maiden is not easy to play. There’s a level of musicianship that is among the very best of Metal. And indeed music. 50 000
**In-Depth Review: *The Number of the Beast* by Iron Maiden (1982)** Iron Maiden’s *The Number of the Beast* is not just a landmark in heavy metal history—it’s a cultural milestone. Released in March 1982, this third studio album marked the debut of Bruce Dickinson as lead vocalist and catapulted the band into global stardom. With its blend of mythic storytelling, galloping riffs, and operatic vocals, the album helped define the sound and aesthetic of modern heavy metal. --- ### 🎼 **Musical Style and Composition** Musically, *The Number of the Beast* is where Iron Maiden truly forged their identity. The raw punk edge of the Paul Di’Anno era gave way to a more polished, epic, and technically proficient sound. Steve Harris’s galloping basslines became central to the band’s signature style, while the twin-guitar attack of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith introduced harmonized leads and melodic solos that would become a metal blueprint. Tracks like *Hallowed Be Thy Name* and *Children of the Damned* showcase the band’s growing ambition, with dynamic structures, tempo shifts, and dramatic crescendos. The opener *Invaders* sets a furious pace, while *The Prisoner* and *22 Acacia Avenue* blend narrative lyrics with intricate instrumentation. Even the weaker tracks like *Gangland* maintain a high energy level, though they don’t quite reach the heights of the album’s standouts. --- ### 🎤 **Vocals and Production** Bruce Dickinson’s arrival was a game-changer. His operatic range and theatrical delivery brought a new level of drama and power to the band. His soaring vocals on *Run to the Hills* and the title track are now iconic, and his performance on *Hallowed Be Thy Name* is widely regarded as one of the greatest in metal history. Producer Martin Birch, who had worked with Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, gave the album a crisp, powerful sound. The mix is balanced yet aggressive, with prominent bass and clear separation of guitars and drums. The production helped elevate the band’s music from underground clubs to arena stages. --- ### 🖋️ **Lyrics and Themes** The album’s lyrics explore a wide range of dark and dramatic themes: - **Religion and the Occult**: The title track *The Number of the Beast* sparked controversy for its apocalyptic imagery and biblical references, leading to accusations of Satanism. In reality, the song is more of a horror narrative, inspired by a nightmare Steve Harris had after watching the film *Damien: Omen II*. - **War and Colonialism**: *Run to the Hills* critiques the European colonization of the Americas, told from both the perspective of Native Americans and the invaders. - **Imprisonment and Fate**: *The Prisoner* (inspired by the British TV show) and *Hallowed Be Thy Name* deal with captivity, existential dread, and the inevitability of death. - **Urban Decay and Morality**: *22 Acacia Avenue* continues the story of Charlotte the Harlot from previous albums, exploring themes of exploitation and redemption. These themes, while often dark, are delivered with a sense of grandeur and storytelling that sets Iron Maiden apart from their peers. --- ### 🔥 **Influence and Legacy** Few albums have had as profound an impact on metal as *The Number of the Beast*. It helped solidify the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) and influenced countless bands across genres—from thrash legends like Metallica and Slayer to progressive metal acts like Dream Theater and Trivium. The album’s blend of melody, aggression, and narrative depth became a template for modern metal. Its success also proved that heavy metal could be commercially viable without compromising its intensity or complexity. --- ### ✅ **Pros** - **Bruce Dickinson’s vocal debut**: A transformative moment for the band. - **Iconic tracks**: *Hallowed Be Thy Name*, *Run to the Hills*, and the title track are metal classics. - **Strong production**: Martin Birch’s work gives the album a timeless sheen. - **Narrative depth**: Lyrics that go beyond clichés to explore complex themes. - **Musical ambition**: A step forward in complexity and cohesion compared to previous albums. --- ### ❌ **Cons** - **Minor filler**: *Gangland* and *Invaders* are solid but don’t quite match the impact of the other tracks. - **Repetitive structure**: Some songs follow similar pacing and riff patterns, which can make the album feel slightly formulaic in places. - **Over-the-top theatrics**: While many love the drama, some critics find Dickinson’s vocal style and the occult imagery a bit excessive or gimmicky. --- ### 🏁 **Final Verdict** *The Number of the Beast* is a cornerstone of heavy metal. It’s not just an album—it’s a statement of intent, a declaration of what metal could be: intelligent, powerful, and unapologetically bold. While not without its minor flaws, the album’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. It remains essential listening for anyone seeking to understand the soul of metal. In short: If you want to hear where modern metal began, start here.
Great, a classic.
Perfect iron Maiden album
There's so much to rave about this album. Between vivid demonic the lyrical themes, the crisp guitar, and impress drums, The Number of The Beast comes close to an 80s metal masterpiece. I will say I am not the biggest fan of Dickenson's vocals but it's easy to overlook with how bright the rest of the components shine here.
Funny how i never liked this music until my son became a fan and I heard this all the time. I now love this album too and the covers are amazing…
Run to the Hills might be one of the best songs ever.
It's a bit odd but I never bought any Iron Maiden records, not even this one, despite having a lot of love for Run To The Hills and The Number of the Beast.
Today is a special day, at least for my 1001 Albums project. For one, today marks the point where I have been doing this thing for 2 whole years. I started on October 5, 2023. Today is October 4, 2025. This album marks the end of my second year of the project. That's a big deal, but there's another, more obvious reason as to why today is special for the project. The reason? It's Iron freakin' Maiden! That alone is enough for me to call this day special. There's a reason why Iron Maiden are widely considered to be among the greatest metal bands of all time. It's because they are. This is my second album of theirs after their self-titled debut. That album was great and all, but The Number of the Beast is on a whole other level. This thing is fantastic. It's among the best metal albums I've ever listened to. This album's actually very important for Iron Maiden as a band, and I consider this to be the point where they became "the Iron Maiden you know and love." The core was still there on the first album, but there are a number of factors that lead to this being a turning point in the band's career. Take the lineup change for instance. Paul Di'Anno was great and all, but there's a reason why Bruce Dickinson is Iron Maiden's most beloved vocalist. His voice is big and operatic and I love it. The sheer power that gets added to these songs through his voice is just a spectacle. Of course, the instrumentalists are just as excellent. Dave Murray and Adrian Smith exchange their guitar parts so effortlessly to create such exciting riffs and solos, Steve Harris has got to be one of the greatest metal bassists of all time, and Clive Burr's drumming is on-point here, even though this was his last album with the band. Very tight performances all throughout and I love it. You know what I love even more? The songs. This album's got some fantastic tracks on it. The first half is pretty cool. "Invaders" is a strong opener. "Children of the Damned" is easily the first half's highlight. It's got some great emotion to it. "The Prisoner" and "22 Acacia Avenue" are pretty good, but then the second half hits you with 3 of the greatest metal songs of the 80s and also "Gangland." Okay, "Gangland" is good and pretty underrated, but with that said I do prefer the b-side that could've replaced it, "Total Eclipse." Those other 3 songs though? Fantastic. The title track just encapsulates everything great about this band. The opening riff, epic vocals and writing, and general pacing is just so cool. I love it. "Run to the Hills" is this album's most popular song. It's great. Maybe a little overrated, but still deserving of its popularity. It's probably the best metal song about the mistreatment of Native Americans, though Anthrax's "Indians" is a pretty close second. And then, we get the album's closer, "Hallowed Be Thy Name." This fucking song. It's the fan-favorite and for good reason. It's the album's best song and a perfect closer. The enticing opening section, the epic riff, Bruce's amazing vocals. Everything comes together perfectly. The same could be said about this album. While there are other albums that contend for the title of "Best Iron Maiden Album," there's no denying that The Number of the Beast has an important place in the history of both Iron Maiden and heavy metal at large. This album's excellent. 5/5.
One of my all time favourite albums! This is metal at its energetic best!
1001 Albums Challenge (9/1001) 1. Invaders (4/5) 2. Children Of The Damned (5/5) 3. The Prisoner (5/5) 4. 22 Acacia Avenue (5/5) 5. The Number Of The Beast (5/5) 6. Run To The Hills (5/5) 7. Gangland (5/5) 8. Hallowed Be Thy Name (5/5) Total (5/5)
Great
Totally shocked by how utterly amazing this was
JAAAAAAA
Great album, great band, one of my favourites. Glad this is in the 1001.
I love maiden. This is one of the best if not the best album they've made.
Favourite track(s): The Prisoner; The Number Of The Beast; Run To The Hills This sounds like music the band had fun playing! Very engaging tempo and instrumentals, that is for sure. The lyrics invite you to join in (although I think guys like Dio show stronger vocal performance). To me, this feels like THE cliché heavy metal album - sometimes so over the top that it seems ridiculous. Maybe not everyone's genre but perfectly executed even upon repeat listenings.
great album, short but sweet. loved the aggressive vibe of iron maiden
Very sick
Ya. Ya. Ya.
Amazing
This isn't my favourite Maiden album. I don't think this is Maiden's best album... but, man, is it a great and important album nontheless. I don't like the chorus of Invaders and I don't care for Gangland completely, but the rest is pure perfection. Every other song is an Iron Maiden classic played live to this day. Just incredible! 5/5
Fuck yeah
Even with two duff tracks still and all time great
A banger, and a solid 5. Not my favourite Maiden album, but is pretty flawless. Invaders and Gangland may not rank amongst the other tunes, but are still good. Bruce’s first album and the album that was the flagship for Maiden’s ascendency into Metal godliness. That’s not to say their previous albums were poor in any way, just that this was a real statement of intent. A Metal classic, and no arguments.
Is it cheesy? Absolutely. Is it dated? Most definitely. But damn it's a good time. Will always have a soft spot for this album, and although the lyricism can be hit or miss, the musicianship is on point. And what a finishing track!
I kind of thought I'd have to slog through this but was pleasantly surprised. I've heard a handful of Iron Maiden songs in the past, including two of these, but they never seemed that great. But put them in the middle of a solid album and everything comes together. 5*
What can I say. One of their best
If you don't like this, simply, you are wrong. I fucking love Iron Maiden, and every track on this album is amazing.
I liked this album and I'm sure it would grow on me with even more listens.
My first vinyl purchase in 1982. Listened to it dozens and dozens and dozens of times. My mom thought I was a Satan worshipper (people actually burned this album). Total Eclipse was missing on the OG release, replaced by Gangland - which is the only song on the album I even consider skipping. I’m glad the 1998 remaster (and most subsequent re-releases) included them both. This is my favorite Maiden album - although I admittedly love them all (except perhaps the Blaze Daze) Total game-changer in 1982. Easy 5 ⭐️. UP THE IRONS !!!
Супер класика. Давненько не слухав, то залюбки прогнав
Я дуже люблю цей гурт.
Insanely good. No real notes. Favorites: Hallowed be thy Name, Children of the Damned, and Run to the Hills. 10/10, 5 stars.
Great musicianship, killer vocals, lots of bangers, amazing album covers and incredible live. Maiden is easily a top 10 band for me.
Surely this has to be the most succesful album of Iron Maiden? And what an album this is! I have heard it a couple of times, so I'm probably a bit biased, but I think it's very strong. Crazy that they managed to get 'Children of The Damned', 'Run To The Hills', and 'Number Of The Beast' on the same record! I noticed that this was the first album Bruce Dickinson appeared on. What a way to enter a new band. While I appreciate Iron Maidens previous works, I can't stop thinking about what an absolute powerhouse of a singer he is. While the rest of the music can stand on its own two legs itself, he definitely brings that extra spice to the table that brings this album brings to the next level. The guitar play and overall composition on this album definitely are unmatched by few. They definitely take advantage of the two guitars by playing different octaves and lines, which elevates the riffs. Some memorable solos as well. While the 3 songs I mentioned in the beginning almost grants this album 5 stars on their own, I think the tracks in between, while not as strong, are also fairly decent. Honorary mention to 'Invaders' and 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' which were the best of those. Overall this is one of the best heavy metal albums I can think of at a glance. Easy 5 stars.
Sometime you just feel like some old school heavy metal, then this is the perfect album. I remember discovering Iron Maiden when I was about 14 (which seems like the perfect age). I used to listen to it while going church for my confirmation lectures, quite a juxtaposition. This is probably one of the best Iron Maiden albums. You have “Children of the damned”, “Number of the Beast”, “Run to the Hills” and my favourite “Hallowed be thy name”. It’s quite an achievement to get all these hits on one album. Iron Maiden is on top form on this album. Melodic guitars, good vocals and pulpy lyrics. It has that fun, cartoonish feel. My only gripe is “Gangland” which is a pretty terrible track. Other than that I don’t have many notes. It’s just a plain good album. Sure, there maybe isn’t much depth to the lyrics but every album doesn’t have to be an introspective poem. It’s not the most technical or heavy album, but it doesn’t need to be! 5 out 5 for pure energy and the memories.
This is the one Iron Maiden I actually owned growing up. What a string of absolute bangers.
One of the best and most influential metal albums ever, a true classic. Sonic signifiers that became standard for a whole sub-genre of metal - chugging riffs, dueling double/triple guitar leads, soaring vocals. I love it.
What can I say? I love this stuff. The music rocks, and I never get tired of it. Vocals are great. This is Bruce Dickinson's first album with the band, and he does a fantastic job. However, it's the music that truly makes Iron Maiden shine. I look forward to the guitar solos and awesome, unique riffs each song. Listening to albums like these brings me back to the days where I would play Guitar Hero with my brother and just rock out for hours. It was such a fun listen and a big breath of fresh air after having so many back-to-back folk and hip hop albums.
Sabbath may have started metal, but Maiden perfected it, and in doing so inspired generations of bands after. This album was not only the first I heard of theirs, it was also the first with new frontman Bruce Dickinson, whose voice has been called “The Human Air Raid Siren.” This line up would drive Maiden to legendary status for the next decade and five consecutive legendary albums. Number of the Beast is an automatic head-banging classic, with speed and precision playing paired with Dickinson’s soaring vocals. Look at any metal playlist on Spotify and you’ll find it as well as Invaders, and Run to the Hills, also in this album. My favorites have always been the deeper cuts like Hallowed Be Thy Name, The Prisoner, Children of the Damned and 22 Acadia Ave., each with operatic and prog-rock influences. Since Gangland is the only song not yet mentioned, it’s impossible to not appreciate Nicki McBrain’s drum assault intro and Steve Harris’s patented galloping bass line. Now that I’ve mentioned every song, I safely reiterate: it’s a classic, and it’s still scaring conservative Christians forty years later… 🥰
Loved this album as a teenager. And it’s still a cracking album today.
I remember when I was 15 and sent this to a girl I was keen on because I thought it was cool and she would like it but instead said I was a weirdo for listening to this masterpiece. go fuck yourself, isabella
A lot better than something with this much mention of rape/molestation has any right to be. Really kicks into gear for the last two thirds (from the title track onward) and closing out brilliantly with Hallowed be thy name. Bruce Dickinson has a stronger energy in his vocal performance than Paul Di'Anno (RIP) had and is better suited to this direction the band took from their first album
Albums that made evangelical mothers quake in their boots because SATAN was going to make their children play DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS and perhaps USE HAIRSPRAY. EVIL MUSIC for DEVIL WORSHIPPERS 0/10...
I cannot imagine how many people gave Iron Maiden a listen because of their album art, I would guess it's responsible for 90% of their fanbase. I obsessed over Iron Maiden as a teenager, this album in particular. I don't think it's their best work (that would be Powerslave) but in no way is that a criticism. There are no skips on this album, and the second half of the album is loaded with hits, containing arguably the best song of their entire discography in Hallowed Be Thy Name. There is no scenario in which I give this anything less than a 5, even as 15ish years have passed since I first heard this and as my music taste has evolved (debatable), I will always have a fondness for Iron Maiden and I don't give a shit how corny that makes me. Highlights: All of it, up the irons
CLASSIC
Great fuckin metal album. The riffs and melodies and changes are just awesome. The whole album is just AWESOME AWESOME!!!!!!!!
Maiden always seemed super uncool to me for ages but older wiser me now appreciates how much they rule. This is their best
Amazing album, one of the best metal albums of all time
80s Iron Maiden are the peak of the genre, and Number of the Beast is one of the high points in that run. Theatrical highs and lows, galloping bass lines, thunderous drums and jet attack guitars, with one of the greatest frontmen of all time leading the way.
I like the theatricality, don’t you? It’s powerful, it’s performative, it’s fun. I liked this album, and I’m kind of embarrassed that the only Iron Maiden I know is from the Rock Band video games.
Classic. Nuff said.
9/10. El álbum mas conocido para mi hasta la fecha. Como amante del heavy metal, Iron Miden es una de mis bandas preferidas. La mitad de las canciones de este álbum están dentro de mis favoritos así que poco mas se le puede pedir. Uno de los pilares del heavy metal en la década de los 80. Destacan las famosas "Number of the Beast" y "Run to the Hill"
Solid metal album
A band with no comparison. And the first one I think where I've restarted tracks to listen to the beginnings again. Can't fault this
banger after banger
This album rocks hard!!!
Quintessential NWBM
Loved it
A lot of fun actually
Epic, theatrical, packed with riffs that make you feel like you're charging into battle with an army of the damned.
One of my favourite albums. The songs are so operatic, epic and full of energy. It's hard to pick a favourite song out of Hallowed Be Thy Name, Run to the Hills, Number of the Beast and Children of the Damned. Easy 5.
First heavy metal album i ever got. Was given it by a friend of my sisters, along with (of all things) The Legends And Myths Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table. This is a great album, full of old friends, a must have for all Maiden fans. Not perfect, but bloody close. A good 4.8 though.
A metal classic that 100% deserves its place on this list for the amount of influence it's had. Banger after banger.
how did I miss this
The classic Maiden albums all have 3-5 all time classics, 1-2 hidden gems, then 1-2 whatever songs. For that reason I couldn’t tell you my favorite with a gun to my head. Anyway, this might be my favorite. For a band with some of the strongest album openers ever, it’s wild how mid Invaders is. Children of the Damned is becoming my favorite Maiden tune because it’s just a Judas Priest song. 22 Acacia Avenue always bums me out to think about because the lyrics are so dang dumb but every time I hear it I remember the riffs rule. Prisoner and Gangland are great deep cuts. Title track does sound like the devil is here. Hallowed Be Thy Name is an all timer. Run to the Hills lowkey the best Iron Maiden song (nuclear take, I know) and maybe the best metal hit song ever.
I almost gave this album a four out of five but thought to myself "what am I doing?". This is a five. It's not as good as Piece of Mind and Powerslave but it's up there among Iron Maidens greatest albums. This is pure heavy metal with one of the greatest singers of all time.
Operatic, a lil repetitive. Rips though, I mean. Iron Maiden. Whats that dudes name again?
What a bunch of nerds. I love it. Dio belts it out.
Classic. Awesome. Metal corner stone.
Great album and their first with Bruce Dickinson
I am the most casual of casual metal fans, to the point that I wouldn’t call myself a metal fan, but I had a great time with this one. I haven’t listened to Iron Maiden with intention before, and I’m looking forward to going deeper into the discography.
ONE MAN CAME ACROSS DA SEA🔥🔥
i should’ve made my canadian literature class react to run to the hills
I grew up listening to this album in the backseat of my parents car so... very biased on this one. If i didn't knew all the tracks by heart this would probably been a 3-4 and i still do think that with the exception of the monster hits it is a decent album. Here are my unbiased opinion for each track: Never was a fan of the tone change in invaders. Children of the dammed is a bit of a slow burn track. The Prisoner is a really nice change of pace. 22 acacia avenue is pretty decent. Gangland is also pretty good and is a bit different. kinda similiar drum groove that VH used for hot for a teacher Run to the hills,Number of the beast and Hallowed be thy name are all Classics not much to say more. Unbiased 3 Biased 5
Hell yeah, sick.
For some reason Maiden didn't resonate with me when I was in my "Metal Phase", but it does now. They are the quintessential Heavy Metal band, with only Judas Priest even in consideration for the title. This album kicks off probably the greatest 3 album run of all time in Metal. Not that the other albums are bad, just Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind and Powerslave are just so damn good.
Peak Iron Maiden
This album may be dated, but it's weirdly comfy, too. Yeah yeah it's loud, but it's so... familiar. Couple of absolute classics, one sound right through, and just 45 minutes of power. An absolutely iconic album. And it maintains the quality right throughout, in a way many albums, even classic albums, do not. Good stuff!
Ooof! What a voice, what an album, what an amazing band. I needed this, too many arty snd boring albums on the list. This is just great to listen to.
WARNING: Rapidly accelerates chest hair growth
A great album, with two of the best metal songs of all time.
Completely delighted and surprised by this album. I hated track 1, and LOVED the rest of the album.
I remember seeing this LP in the department store as a very young teen, my mother behind me clutching her pearls telling me not to even look at the cover, lest I seal my fate for eternal damnation. Ah, the good ole days. This album rocks, my fav track is obviously “Run to the Hills”, I have always loved how the well timed tight drum rolls anchor that entire track. “Beast” is also good, as is “Hallowed be thy Name”. Between a 4 and 5 for me but hits hard enough for a round up. 4.5/5
Simply put: this album is one big metal machine of face-melting awesomeness.
This is some straight to the point heavy metal greatness. 40 minutes. Get in. Rock. Get out. Iron Maiden may be my biggest surprise of this whole exercise. Embarrassed it took me 40 years on this earth to recognize their greatness. I fear we may not get any more of them after their debut and this one, so I am shooting my shot. Can't not give at least one of their albums a 5* bomb. And this one has many of their biggest hits, so feels right to give this one top grade. So good. 4.5/5
De mis favoritosss gran descubrimiento
1. Invaders: I love upbeat metal songs 2. Children of the Damned: I don't like downer metal songs... yes the speed up is so great! 5. Number of the Beast: Pumps me up every time I listen to it 6. Run to the Hills: This song gives me PTSD trying to do the drum part successfully on Rock Band, but it just rocks so hard. 8. Hallowed Be Thy Name: Reminds me of those metal covers of the Undertale soundtrack I love that every song has a sweet guitar solo
this app is feeding me with more bodacious metal music by the minute! great googly moogly. if you thought the last album i listened to was energetic, this one is even more so, speeding your way across the highway as the wailing voices of the skeleton guitar gods echo within the raging storm. iron maiden is consistently good, even with a new vocal direction. this album is influential in terms of metal music, with wicked solos, theatric songwriting, and with a title so typically expected from a metal group it makes biblethumpers angry.
Love the art work for Iron Maiden album covers. This was a great album to listen to!
This album was awesome. An easy 5 stars. No song was bad
I’m probably biased cus this is the first band I remember really getting into but this is genuinely a top 5 album
Bought this cd because of the cover. Teenage me was blown away. I found out about maiden through Cradle of Filth’s hallowed be thy name cover. Speed, acrobatics, thundering bass, booming drums and his voice. This opened the door to classic heavy metal for me. Obsessed with this one. None of their other albums will top this one for me.
Now we’re talking. Classic album. 3 good songs, 3 great songs and 3 all timers. Also 3 iconic intros. One of my favourite albums ever.
One of the greatest metal albums ever. Only a few average songs and everything else is masterful. Children of the damned so underrated and hallowed be thy name is maidens magnum opus
Essential, for me at least.
Hell yeah
Great album!
Unbelievably kick-ass album. Heavy metal is so much better when the musicians are obsessed with sci-fi and fantasy instead of slasher movies. Best song: Hallowed Be Thy Name
7 of 9 tracks are certified classics.
rockin!
I would not be doing this list if not for Iron Maiden, it was at their concert that music clicked for me and became my biggest hobby. This album is amazing. Bruce has a great debut and the storytelling is some of the best Steve has to offer. Iconic screams (title track, Run to the Hills, Hallowed), iconic drums (The Prisoner, Run to the Hills) shout out to Clive for his grand finale, and iconic bass Gallup (basically all). This album really bolstered the idea of each individual track telling its own story and getting lost within those worlds. It made a younger me imagine a satanic possession, question and criticize the treatment of Native Americans before school ever did, and contemplate the final moments before certain death (how would I feel and how would I evaluate my life). Just a seminal album for me and it still fucking rocks Up the Irons
Very operatic, dramatic. RUUN FOR THE HILLLLLLLS RUUN FOR YOUR LI-I-IFE
111/1089 - Multiply the generator number by 6. Liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I think this is because Bruce Dickinson's voice is a lot cleaner than a lot of metal singers (that I've heard). Music is also quite good, tight players.
What's not to love about this album? One of the main pillars in which metal stands. Up the irons!
Includes the incredible Run to the Hills, one of my favorites - a solid album of bangers all the way through
Just an all-around great metal album. Not super high tempo or too thrashy, and awesome riffs throughout.
5 stars
Great record. First one with Bruce. Amazing!
One of the best metal albums of all time. All hail Iron Maiden
Better than I expected.
I’m ok with metal, but it’s not a genre I listen to very often. But this album is great. Well composed/played songs and soaring vocals. I listened to it a second time to make sure that it was as good as I thought it was the first time through. It was.
22 Acacia to Number of The Beast, to Run To The Hills is a hot run.
Pure metal mania. And perhaps the greatest mid-career lead singer replacement in rock history.
This album feels epic in a way that transcends time. If you played it for a caveman, he would still get it. Favorite track: "Run to the Hills"
Dumb, face melting heavy metal. 5 stars
Daaamn good
Good old Maiden is here to bring some much needed energy to my day. I've liked many of their songs throughout the years At times when I'm doing some boring chore or am just in need of a kick I put on one of their songs and time flies by. I'm expecting a hell of a good time with this album, and I'm stoked to be finally listening to some metal music. Oh also this album cover slaps. Invaders I immediately notice how audible the bass is on this track, many metal tracks of the era sort of let it fall into a very supporting role. Awesome drum track. Love the energy in the guitar solos, it's just really fun. Not their catchiest chorus, but it's fine for what it is. Good. 4/5 Children of the Damned Vivid song title. Great guitar tone, has a lot of power to it. The vocals on the chorus kick ass, love how his voice contrasts the heavy distorted guitars and the crashing snares of the drums. A slower tempo structure like this puts a lot of pressure on the solos to deliver, which I think they really do. Great ending. Great. 4.5/5 The Prisoner Interesting sample. Solid instrumentation, has a pretty cool bassline, though the main guitar riff is kinda standard. Has good energy. Weak chorus. Conceptually the idea is pretty fine, but doesn't really produce that unique of a track, feels a bit formulaic. The guitar solo seems intricate and layered. Decent. 3.5/5 22 Acacia Avenue The vocals have some fun camp to them. A bit of an odd concept. Tells a story of a sex-worker, told in quite a disturbing way. Has some preachy elements to it. Instrumentally it has this rock opera-vibe going on. Interstingly composed, goes through many different phases with multiple instrumental breaks. Explores their sound pretty well. Interesting song, though the lyrical content is a bit questionable. Good. 4/5 The Number of the Beast The intro is absolutely iconic, it's just such a mood setter. Ridiculously camp in the best way. Great guitar riff. Tells this ridiculous story of devils and the fires of hell, it's strangely charming. Iconic solo. Banger. 5/5 Run to the Hills Legendary guitar riff. The opening verse absolutely slaps. The buildup to the chorus has such an infectious energy to it. Then the chorus comes in being absurdly catchy. The lyrics themeing themselves around the horrors of colonization is such a choice, really elevates the track by adding some meaning to it. Fantastic drum performance. Iconic solo. Banger. 5/5 Gangland Keeps up with the energy from the previous tracks. The verses feel a bit aimless, and the chorus lacks some punch. Instrumentally the track does it's job pretty well, the bassline is really bouncy and the main guitar riff sets a good foundation. Lyrically it's fine, just wish it did a bit more with the gang violence concept. Still got me moving, though it's hard to be the track that has to follow up the previous two. Good. 4/5 Hallowed Be Thy Name Another stunning intro. Great groove. The vocal performance here really knocks your socks off. Adding that to the superb guitar playing and you have a great foundation for an amazing track. The lyrics are such a clear inspiration to later bands, highlighting the religious themes and the questioning. Add in the themes of death and you've got some iconic lyrics. Amazing ending, the vocals coming back after the kick ass instrumental really seals off the song and the album tremendously. Banger. 5/5 It might not be the most sophisticated thing in the world, and you're not gonna get introspective, reflective or deeply personal experiences from it. What you are gonna get is a great classic heavy metal album which in its accessiblity and infectious energy delivers 40 minutes of pure condensed fun. And part of that success comes from how they write kick ass songs about things they genuinely find interesting. Invasions and genocide, sci-fi concepts, themes of religion and death as well as more current socital issues such as violence against women and gang violence. The topics are generally quite heavy, though presented in such a way which never comes across as unserious, and doesn't drag down the energy of the album. Some of the ways they present these topics are genuinely quite bold for the time. They draw from these themes well and implement them into their explosive sound adding some real edge and power to it. The vocals are amazing throughout, delivering lines with passion for the craft and a little bit of delicious 80's metal camp. Pair that with the gripping guitars, powerful, sharp drumming and basslines that have you nodding along, and you get an album which keeps the listener entertained all the way to the end. This is a timeless piece of music which still sounds great to this day. 5/5 Fave track. Run to the Hills Least fave track. N/A
IM makes the uk cool lol
Hell yeah. As metal as it gets.
Honestly really enjoyed this, I'd listened to a couple of songs previously but the whole album seems to be great.
Be excellent to each other. Party on, dudes!
Let's get a few personal nitpicks I have out of the way. Could this album have been sequenced a bit better? My answer is yes. I can imagine the album would have improved if they had included "Total Eclipse" instead of "Gangland" and had the title track open the album instead of "Invaders". That doesn't change how much I thoroughly enjoy these tracks, but yes, the album order would have better reflected what the band was going for. Would it have been preferred if they had chosen a later Iron Maiden album for inclusion on this list? I would also say yes. I consider Nicko McBrain's role as drummer on Piece of Mind onwards as the final key in unlocking the band's full potential. That said, Clive Burr was no slouch behind the kit, as his drumwork on this album is still top notch. Plus, I can recognize that The Number of the Beast was the album that broke Iron Maiden into a more global phenomenon, and thus, its inclusion in this list is warranted. With those nitpicks out of the way, The Number of the Beast still holds up remarkably well today. All the other trademarks of Iron Maiden are present on this release - Steve Harris’s galloping bass, the dual melodic guitar work of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, and Bruce Dickinson’s operatic vocals. The songs they wrote and composed with all these elements in play sounded grandiose and epic. Whether it's the encounter with the devil in one's nightmares on the title track, the genocide of active Americans by the hand of European settlers on "Run to the Hills", the plight of the "The Prisoner" in an adaptation of the British TV show of the same name, the slow-burn ballad "Children of the Damned" that crescendoes as the telepathic children are killed, or the gloom final hours until one's execution captured on the closing "Hallowed Be Thy Name", there's a rich dramatization that purveys throughout this album with the stories told. I love The Number of the Beast as an Iron Maiden fan, and it was such a joy to hear it again on this journey. Up the irons!
6...6 6.... THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST!
Timeless
Amazing music and an even better album cover. Unreal
Already a big yes! I know I love this one. It's still a winner
The greatest band in the world!
I truely believe it’s a metal masterpiece and an excellent depiction of its era. However, listening to it in 2025 I can’t help but think it’s theatre rock- it could and should be a Broadway musical. High energy and extremely animated. A good way to start the day, adds 2.5x speed to whatever you’re doing.
Santa merda
Hallowed be thy name pushed this to 5 stars for a 4 star album. Favorite track: Hallowed be thy name other picks: children of the damned, number of the beast
"The Number of the Beast" is the third album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was their first album with vocalist Bruce Dickinson and their last album with drummer Clive Burr. There was controversy at the time of its release due to the religious references in its artwork and title track's lyrics. The album was produced by Martin Birch. Other bandmembers included Dave Murray (guitar), Adrian Smith (guitar) and Steve Harris (bass and primary songwriter). Commercially, it hit #1 in the UK and #33 in the US and, critically, it was very well-received. Quick drums, a rolling melodic bass and fast guitar riffs open "Invaders." Dickinson thundering, soaring vocals arrive. The music is at thrash metal speeds. It's a song about Vikings raiding the British Islands. "Children of the Damned" was inspired by the films "Village of the Damned" and "Children of the Damned." There's slower drums and a more sludgy vibe. An explosive guitar solo and that would not be the last on the album. The title track "The Number of the Beast" begins with actor Barry Clayton reading a passage from the Book of Revelation, a guitar riff and Dickinson singing several verses and letting out a blood curling yell "Yeahhhhh!" The whole band kicks in...melodic and driving bass, drums and guitars, hooks and multiple thrash metal guitar solos. Yeah, this song rocks. It was inspired, so to say, by Steve Harris' nightmares after watching "Damien: Omen II." The band doesn't let up as they roll into "Run to the Hills." A galloping beat as Dickinson's sings about a battle between Native American and European settlers from both points of view. Catchy vocal choruses as Dickinson's shows off his octave range and powerful voice. Another metal classic. The album closes with "Hallowed Be Thy Name." Heavy bass and drums and you really hear the Black Sabbath influence. Dickinson singing about a prisoner being taken to the gallows. When you're in a heavy metal bad and all else fails just sing about being taken to the gallows and it will work out. Actually, a really good song: a repeating guitar riff as the song speeds up. For the most part, this is relentless, driving music with plenty of melodic riffs, hooks and vocal choruses. There's tempo changes. Harris' bass is a force as are Dickinson's vocals. As a first reaction the music reminded me of a mix of Black Sabbath, thrash metal and some prog rock with the beat changes. Ultimately, Maiden has forged their own style. This is a great album and surely up there with the best heavy metal albums of all time.
A milestone in Hard Rock. Wow
As a personal rule, I don't like metal, but for some reason I love Iron Maiden, can't explain it but I'm gonna give it full marks!
Classic Iron Maiden album!
An unexpected winner for me. I don’t know what it was about the combination of instruments, lyrics, and delivery, but the sum felt greater than its parts. I enjoyed the energy of this album and hearing some of the big hits made it really come together. I don’t know if I would like the rest of their catalog, but this album crushed it for me.
Really enjoyed this.
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Fav: 22 Acacia Avenue Least Fav: Hallowed Be Thy Name Just like the traditional Iron Maiden we see in pop culture, I assumed that a good metal album was a myth, but Iron Maiden the band have proven me wrong. Maybe metal isn’t so bad after all
Yeah
This album makes me want to turn my speakers up so loud that they explode. British legends. Fave tracks: The Prisoner, The Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name
FUCK YEAH!!! Fav tracks: The Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name
Favourite tracks - The Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name
Also das meg jetzt vilicht überraschend cho. Au für mii. Het mi nämli am afang biz aagschisse woni gseh ha was für es album. Ha denn doch mol aagfange lose und recht schnell recht vill spass debii becho. So dasi gar nüme ha wölle dases ufhört. Bi immer nöd so fan gsi vo so 80er johre metal. Aber vilicht hani das ez eifach scho so la g nüme ghört dasis uf zmol geil find. Aber i glaub nöd dases eifach s genre isch. I glaub tatsächli das isch es geils album. Immer abwechsligsriich und irgendwie machts eifach huere spass zum lose. Und wil i bis jetzt bi keim album so vill spass gha ha, werdet das mini erste 5 sterne!
One of the best metal albums of all time. And it pissed off evangelical Americans. Pure riffage
👍
Oh baby. Children of the Damned has a Fear of the Dark/Dance of Death vibe and I like it. The Number of the Beast is still one of the best metal songs ever. Hallowed be thy Name is a GREAT closer.
wtf this was awesome
Yeah this rips
Run to the hills is gold, powerful vocal harmonies!
Runn too the hiiiiiiillllls
The album where Iron Maiden BECAME Iron Maiden. Bruce Dickinson gives a masterclass in metal singing and Steve Harris flexes his songwriting and bass playing muscles to the max. A metal classic that is required listening for the genre.
Just a banger!
Great music for trail runs/skiing.
The start of a golden era that produced 5 stone cold classics in a row. With Bruce at the helm Maiden are ready for the big time and boy do they hit the mark. Hard for me to go track by track with songs I know so well already. There's some lesser known stuff on here that are some of the best Maiden tracks though, like the power ballad Children of the Damned and The Prisoner. If I have to be critical, Hills was never my favorite and the title track is overplayed too. Invaders isn't their strongest opener either. But we have Hallowed Be Thy Name to right all wrongs. The classic Maiden closer. In terms of complexity and songwriting, just a cut above what most metal bands were doing in the early 80s. Or any time in the 80s really. Steve's bass playing, the twin guitar attack, what can you say? And this isn't even the best of their classic albums.
Still as good as the first time 40 years ago.
Ahora, si. Toca nuevamente otro disco de Iron Maiden, esta vez con Bruce Dickinson en las voces. Un comienzo aplastante con "Invaders" (me recuerda en su voz a Geddy Lee de Rush), que luego continúa pasional y seguro en cada nota. Además de los singles, destaco joyitas como "The Prisoner" (y su mood para ir al frente, a batallar contra quien sea) y los riffs en "22 Acacia Avenue". Todo muy bien. Hasta el viernes, que mañana hay paro de trabajadores universitarios.
A classic heavy metal anthem
A shot of adrenaline in album form
An absolute classic, great riffs, brilliant production and legendary vocals.
They really ride the line between 80's camp and actual bangers, but overall this one had enough great songs that I could shamelessly enjoy it
Number of the Beast is in a really interesting place, seemingly squarely in the middle of the UK-North American rock and roll feedback loop. The influence of Sabbath plus Iron Maiden's UK contemporaries are clearly on display, but I don't think there's any denying that Harris, Murray, and Smith were listening to a fair amount of Rush leading up to this album. That's not to say this is a collection of lifted riffs; the song witting, the guitar harmonies, the galloping bass, and Dickinson's alternating snarl and operatic wailing are all Maiden. Not every track is exactly my jam, but this is a seminal album with no filler and very little to criticize.
Simply legendary!
When I saw that today's album was "The Number Of The Beast", I whispered under my breath "hell yeah". I'm a long-time metalhead and opted to listen to this album in vinyl today, as I already own an analog copy of it. Honestly I have no words; this was one of the first albums that I listened to in its entirety when I was first exploring the metal genre, therefore it brings back so many amazing memories. Instant 5/5, nothing more to say.
666
Really good. Enjoy listening to all of it. I could skip run to the hills. Will I listen to again: 100%
As long as you can ignore the simplistic lyrics, this is an absolute banger of an album
Never heard the album before but have heard a couple of the songs before. Pretty amazing album. Rightfully considered one of the greatest metal albums ever written. Great variety, at times quite melodic, and pretty good lyrics.
What an introduction to one of the greatest ever metal vocalists! Starts off with a bang with The Invaders, and doesn’t let down until Gangland ruins the impeccableness of the album, being the only dud here (I don’t count the arguably worse Total Eclipse, as it’s not part of the original album). The album ends with perhaps the best metal song in history, Hallowed be Thy Name. 5 solid stars
I had heard songs of this one and liked them a lot, so I was really excited to give this album a go. I loved the operatic bombast of the songs and the storytelling here. Normally, I'm not a big metal fan but this was really great and one I will revisit a lot.
The best IM album!!
OK, I love metal and I was a teenager when this album came out....so it was always getting a 5 score from me! BUT.....I also listen to and enjoy music from as many styles as I can and this why I'm here. Therefore I try to be a little more objective in my views. There is a reason that Iron Maiden are one of the most revered bands on the world of metal and even rock.....its because they are technically great, their songs are very well written and have interesting subject matter, their lead singer has a powerful and charismatic voice, and their album art is awesome! (OK, I only said I'll be 'more' objective haha!). This album absolutely fucking rocks 🤟🤘🤟🤘🤟🤘🤟🤘
Fuck yeah. This album fucks, it had me amped up at my desk the entire time. It's a classic and I don't think there is much more to be said. This album cover is iconic and it has hung on millions of walls as a poster, as well as on millions of sweaty metalheads as a t-shirt. I think Iron Maiden would be the first name out of many people's mouths when asked about metal. This album is easily their most well known. My metal reviews have been all over the place. I can't stand it when the singers voice is just angry yelling or screaming. Bruce has a cool voice and I liked listening to it the whole time. It feels like at least he put some effort into hitting notes? Iconic, holds up entirely. Also possibly rekindling its cultural relevance thanks to Stranger Things' appeal to non-metalheads? 666/10.
It’s Maiden, it’s Bruce’s first album and it’s epic and amazing - nuff said
Oh aye
The album that got me into metal - I had everything Maiden recorded between this and Fear of the Dark and have listened to this one regularly for the last 40 years.
Maiden is one of my favorite bands of all time and while this is a five star experience, it’s a bit baffling that this is the only Bruce Dickinson album on the list when it’s arguably the worst of his eighties run. The highs are as immaculate as ever, but both Invaders and Gangland are kind of bad in a way the band avoided for the rest of the decade.
This album was my introduction to heavy metal, and what a great introduction it was too! Nerdy references to cult sci-fi like Children of the Damned and the Prisoner, songs about marauding Vikings and Wild West battles, occult spookiness and a suspiciously detailed knowledge of the price list of infamous brothel madam Cynthia Payne. The music is top notch all the way through, with galloping drums, virtuoso guitar, solid bass , and Dickinson’s soaring vocals.
iiinVAAAAdeeeeeEEERS TÜLÜTÜLÜTÜÜÜ ersts album mitem dickinson und anschinend hets voll e neui welle vo heavy metal ide uk lostrete (NWOBHM-moment) ja sit ich mich mag erinnere hemmer das album glost und us guetem grund s riff vo children of the damned findi sooo geil, au wies im gegesatz zude ruhigere strophe staht TOMS IDE BRIDGE DENN SCHNELLI HIHATS UND DENN ZWEISTIMMIGS SOLO MMMMH I AM NOT A NUMBER I'M A FREE MAN wie hüfig ich das s mami scho durd wohnig/auto rüefe ghört han hahahaha grundsätzlich de ahfang isch cool wies am schlagzüg platz gebet (sie mached jz nüt crazy aber trz cool) NOT A PRISONEEEER I'M A FREEEE MAAAAN dass gschissni ami-chrisos mitem album es problem gha hend isch umso besser ich liebs solo und d drums wo so richtig ZIEHND und de pony vom bruce mussmer acho au respektiere😍 IF YOU'RE FEELING DOWN DEPRESSED AND LONELAAAAAAAY 22 ACACIA AVEMUEEEEEEEEE ouh es gaht um e prostituierti hahaha gar nie cheggt CHARLOTTE THE HARLOT AAAA jz macht slles sinn ich lieb de DÖ törötötö DÖ DAAMMM und denn s langsame solo BASS ahhhh das intro mitem schrei SIX SIX SIX THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST RUUN TO THE HIIIILLLS ja musikalisch nöd ufem gliche level wies andere aber eifach grundsätzlich chli öppis anders mitem rhythmus wo sich meh oder weniger s ganze lied durrezieht gangland findi jz am wenisgte speziell, isch au s einzige lied woni vom name her gad nümme gwüsst han wies gaht hallowed be thy name isch eis vo ihrne beste lieder, de langsam ahfang und denn d hihats und de bruce wo für gfühlti 5 min oooooooooooooh macht ganzganzganz klar es 5i, bis jz s klarste woni vergeh han
One of the true classic bands of metal, this album does not disappoint at all.
Absolute classic metal album which still sounds fresh as ever. Some masterful arrangements and every song is cris and tight
An essential metal album
6 of 5 Stars😍
Nice metal album, must-listen for beginners.
\m/
Oh Boy ….. …..”Whoa to you oh earth and sea, for the Devil sends the beast with wrath for he knows the time is short……………….. ….. Let Him Who Hath Understanding Reckon the Number of The Beast For ‘Tis A Human Number…………….. …… Its Number is Six Hundred Sixty Six………………” This album. It is indeed a RECORD. It is a record of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). It is a record of the introduction to the newest addition to Iron Maiden- singer Bruce Dickinson. It is the record that just absolutely blew the minds of Tipper Gore and the PMRC (Parental Music Resource Center). All Hail Satan. Or at least all hail Eddie (Iron Maiden’s SkeleGhoul Mascot). Here came the boys from Britain with one of the most ‘Metal’ albums ever made. Songs about the Devil? Check. (Although clearly about a bad dream). Songs about a Hooker. Check. (Although very much a tale of the pitfalls of such a life). Anti Authoritarain? I am not a number, i am a free Man!!! Hell, a song about death row AND a song about how the first British settlers were shiit and murdered all the native Americans. This is an album that every time I hear it I hear something new. It’s always fresh. It was and still is groundbreaking in the heavy metal genre. Now these ‘boys’ are in their 60s and 70s. Shit, their lead singer also flies their 747 Jet. (No shit, the man is a pilot). What’s more metal than a 65 year old piloting a jet airplane with all his granpa pals on board? Bottom line. This album rocks. Best Song: Take Your Pick … The Prisoner and Halowed Be Thy Name Worst Song: Invaders
When it comes to this style of metal, especially from this era, it’s not at the top of my list, but this album is definitely done right. Every single element that this style of metal aims for, this album hits on point. The music is high-energy and fast-paced, with plenty of catchy riffs and melodic hooks. The bass on this album has always stood out to me for some reason. This is definitely an album I go back to from time to time, and it will always be enjoyable no matter how far into the future we go because it’s timeless.
As much as I can endlessly complain about all the questionable album picks on this list, I find that metal, particularly from the 70s and 80s, is an extremely well represented genre. And this album is no exception. Reminds me a lot of Judas Priest and in the best way possible. I feel like there's nothing on this album that I can't headbang to.
Great album!! Loved listening to on my road trip!
Remember when I had #66, Judas Priest' "British Steel"? No, you don't but I do: that was great. This here works the same, only without any of the surprise, because Iron Maiden is a band I've always returned to, on the No.1 spot of 80ies Heavy Metal I Listen To Without Irony. Arguably, seeing other artists, this list could very well contain more than two of their albums, but "The Number of The Beast" is a proper pick for one of them!
Invaders - 4/5 Children of the Damned - 4/5 The Prisoner - 4/5 The Number of the Beast - 5/5 Run to the Hills - 5/5 Hallowed By Thy Name - 5/5 I adore the metal genre, so I am biased. However, this was a fun listen, especially as a first time. Surprised I haven't listened to this album before today. The riffs must be appreciated just as much as the vocals. Iron Maiden is one of the best to ever do it.
5/5 - running lowwwwwwww
Really fun album. Just the right amount of cheesiness. Dickerson’s voice is great and Adrian Smith guitar parts are very fun. Love the prog rock aspects and the themed lyrics.
I see why this is one of the biggest names in rock. Everything about this album flow so smoothly and just a joy to listen through especially in the gym setting. It will pump you through your workout
One of the greatest all time albums
High energy hits
Algjör veisla. Þetta fer af og til á fóninn og mun halda því áfram um ókomna tíð þegar mig langar að komast "in the zone". Þetta er bara rokktónlist sem gamli karlinn ég fíla. 5 stjörnur bara af því að ég fíla þetta svo mikið. Gjafmilt stuð í dag.
Classic metal, never get tired of run to the hills
Straight gas, all bangers
Everyone knows the devil has all the best tunes and he's channelled through galloping guitar attacks, face melting solos, insane lyrics and wailing vocal acrobatics. The fact that it could be so easy to laugh at Maiden makes them all the more awesome. This is a masterpiece of metal. Headbang along until your head falls off. Best Tracks: The Number of the Beast; Run to the Hills; Hallowed Be Thy Name
What energy! This was one of the funnest albums I've listened to yet, now 800+ albums deep. Incredible sound, instrumentals, and classic heavy metal voice. Run to the Hills was probably the most notable one but overall was good. Album pacing was also good too; not too long or have filler songs. 9/10.
HEAVY METAL DEL AUTENTICO
Great stuff
This album was rocking right from the start and as a lover of theatrical rock (think Meatloaf), I needed to accept how great this album is, which my husband will be thrilled to hear.
Not the absolute height of Iron Maiden, but instead the starting point of what Maiden would truly be; this brash, explosive, meaningful operatic metal, with a loud, melodic vocal, intense guitars, and some of the most underrated drumming this listener has ever heard. Run to the Hills is a perfect metal song. Repetitious, but build upon itself until you can't help but form a circle pit wherever you are and get. fucking. MOVING.
An absolute banger of an album. So many good songs on this record. Maiden at their peak.
Music made by smart guys but played by idiots. Love it
Another banger! Great album.
Listening to this at 2 o'clock at night is interesting :)
Wow I've been waiting for an Iron Maiden album on here, and boy am I happy to get one on a Monday morning where the coffee isn't getting me quite there. Iron Maiden is one of the most celebrated metal bands of all time and yet somehow are still underrated. You don't see people these days that say their name when they are asked what their favorite band is; and yet everyone who likes metal likes Iron Maiden. They have everything that you could want in a heavy metal band- amazing frontman energy in Bruce Dickinson, amazing vocal performances, amazing TRIPLE guitar playing, amazingly creative bass lines, and amazingly tight and unrelenting drum parts, soaring guitar solos, a cool and consistent aesthetic, and timelessly catchy songs. A pretty big litmus test for if a heavy metal band is truly great (IMO) is if they write songs that are "catchy"- this weird immeasurable element that people have been trying to define and better understand forever. Iron Maiden has somehow made music the right way and have achieved this insane level of catchiness to so many of their tracks. I would bet that a majority of heavy metal fans can recite Iron Maiden tracks from memory, which is great! Three of these songs are truly timeless and I genuinely believe will be listened to by heavy metal fans forever- "The Number Of The Beast", "Run To The Hills", and "Hallowed Be Thy Name". As a guitar player, I'll always be grateful for Iron Maiden because I spent so many summers as a teenager sitting and learning their guitar parts and having the time of my life. I felt like I entered one summer as a guitar-interested boy and then left that summer as a guitar-shredding man! For me, this album is adventure. The songs take you places, and they make you feel like you are alongside your favorite adventurer- whether it's Bilbo and Bard fighting Smaug in The Hobbit, or flying through Manhattan with Spiderman, or in my case, playing my own made up heroes in the game Everquest with my brother. I'm instantly teleported back to running around the world of the game, fighting monsters, meeting up with in-game friends, talking about girls, and rocking out to these songs. So vivid is this picture in my head that I can remember exact locations in the game world where we were while listening to these songs.
This is one of my all time favorite albums and second favorite Iron Maiden album, all songs literally shred. I cried the first time I heard Children of the Damned live.
As an avid Iron Maiden fan this is obviously going to be biased, but here we go. The Number of the Beast is Iron Maiden's 3rd Studio album, preceded by Killers in '81 and the self-titled Iron Maiden in '80. It's the first album with Bruce Dickinson - their longest running vocalist - and last with drummer Clive Burr, and showcases the more complex sounds Maiden are known for, such as the well known tracks The Number of the Beast and Run to the Hills, as well as Hallowed be thy Name - widely regarded as one of the band's best song to date. If there's anything to detract to this album, it's that with such heavyweight tracks in the middle and the end, the rest are unjustly overshadowed despite their quality.
Really, really enjoyed this! Brilliant musicianship, awesome songs, themes... just top notch for me. I love that they put 2 of the huge singles halfway in, just the sheer confidence in the rest of the album is brilliant.
I love this album. It is very good. I like the number of the beast best. (maybe)
Great album very solid. 4.7
Pure, unadulterated, fun British metal. Some of the best guitar work in the genre. Bruce Dickinson’s voice has grown on me, but it’s still not my favorite. Really my only complaint about Maiden. I’d rate other Maiden albums higher (Powerslave in particular) but since I believe this is the only Maiden album on the list, it gets a 5 from me.
Musicaly for me it's a 4.5/5 album. But given the whole surroundings of the performance, and what this album has given the future generations, the awesome cover, it deserves bonus half point.
Reminded me of my childhood.
It took about 68 albums but finally an album that I know is an instant 5. One of my core childhood metal albums.
Listened Before? Y One of my favorite albums of all time. A metal masterpiece from cover to cover and Bruce Dickinson's amazing voice is on full display here. Awesome! Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: Children of the Damned, The Number of the Beast
Hallowed Be Thy Name is one of my all time favorite songs. I remember downloading various live versions of it 25 years on dial-up and impatiently listening to the partly downloaded files. Invaders is quite a bad opener though, one of the worst Maiden songs imo. Not very happy that for many people doing this list, it'll be the first Maiden song they ever hear. I'm still going to give it 5*.
Again, another album full of classics.
So cool
This album is solidly heavy throughout the entire album. I loved this beast and I wish I was able to experience it earlier, as it was one of my late mentors favorite acts. I miss him, but I'm glad to know he's in a better place. Keep living the dream.
It's just kick-ass NWOBHM, simply put. Killer riffs, solos and vocals, front to back. It's no wonder this is the album they truly broke through with. I don't even know what else I wanna say, really. Just listen to "Hallowed Be Thy Name"—you'll get it.
Just kicks all of the ass throughout its runtime. The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal was a gold mine of artists.
That’s a 5. I don’t even think I want to expound on that. It’s a fucking 5. Just… ugh. Insanely good. I’ve never heard Iron Maiden before this; I might be fucking stupid. What an incredible album, genuinely. I don’t have the words; I’m writing this right after I listened to it, and I’m stunned, and all I know is that everyone should listen to this. Just beautifully visceral. This shit feels like hearing Thriller for the first time. To me, it feels like the cornerstone piece of a genre. That’s all I can say. Easy 5.
A classic. No skips.
The first few songs were ok, and then by about track 4 it absolutely lets loose. What an album.
Bangers
Children Of The Damned The Prisoner The Number Of The Beast Run to the Hills Hallowed Be Thy Name
wat ze noemen : a trip down memory lane. Maar wel een trip die nog steeds aanslaat en spijkers met koppen slaat. Veel killers (pun intended), weinig fillers.
Devastatingly haunting vocals, soaring guitars, bombastic drums and rocking bass lines to glue it all together. This is Maiden at their best and I fuckin' love this record. Can't overstate enough how important this was to me, growing up in rural Montana. Music that was technical, evil/epic sounding and most of all it felt good to play it LOUD. Iron Maiden goes so fucking hard.
Holy shit had never listened to anything other than the hits, this was so awesome
This is Maiden at their best! Energetic, Melodic, lyrically epic and flat out metal.
A part of me always tries to argue that this isn’t my vibe when it comes to metal, that I’m not into bombastic, shreddy, operatic ‘80s Heavy Metal™️; another part of me loves the nerdy, DnD, socially conscious, head-banging nature of a lotttt of metal from this era, regardless of subgenre [e.g. Anthrax is my favorite of the Big Four]. Every time I put on Number of the Beast, I can’t help but love it. My head bangs. I get jealous of Steve Harris, and wish I could play bass like that. I dig into the themes. I air drum. I have a blast! But I keep trying to lie and say I only think this album is okay. Part of the issue is that my brain tries to tell myself that I prefer later albums [Piece of Mind and Seventh Son, specifically]. Part of my issue is that deep down, I’m still a teenager, trying to show that I’m not a poser for liking nerdy metal, that actually Death and Cryptopsy and Gorguts are soooo much cooler than this dorky, feminine, poser bullshit because *I’m* not a poser 🤢 But who the fuck am I kidding? This album is so fucking good! Honestly, without “22 Acacia Avenue,” which is only okay, it’d be a flawless metal album. This album makes me want to drive down the highway in the middle of July, windows down, blasting it, banging my head, hair obstructing my driving abilities. I don’t care if it’s entry-level poser behavior to like this album, because I really like this fucking album! *EDIT*: Nevermind, "22 Acacia Avenue" is good, just like the rest of this album. It's not my favorite metal album, but it might be one of my favorites on this list. It's dorky but it also kicks ass, and I definitely was still being guarded during my initial review. I just needed to see what other lesser-metal albums actually made it on this list to be reminded that The Number Of The Beast is really that good. (Re-rated from 4/5 to 5/5 on June 2nd, 2025)
Perhaps THE defining New Wave of British Heavy Metal album. This is the album where Maiden began to embrace proggier sounds, but the tight, bass-driven songwriting remains. An all-time classic, and an easy five stars. 5.0/5.0: Iconic
Hell yes, some real music finally!
so great
The perfect metal album from start to finish.
To me, Paul Di'Anno is the voice of Maiden. As good as this album is, I started to lose interest in Maiden after this release. That said, listening to this made me remember when the album came out and dropping the needle. A nice trip down memory lane!
Classic
9/10, fantastic metal
Loved this album! From the jump it’s an immediate energy booster as I share all the pain, anger and just general head banging of this album. It felt like the perfect album as I navigate my kids temper tantrum for the 42663636363 time and feel myself slowly turning insane like the shining
as classic as heavy metal can get, Iron Maiden knocks it out of the park with this timeless album. From start to finish its cool as hell.
Oh fuck yeah bud. Had a flag of this album on my bedroom ceiling when I was in high school and this album kicks as much ass now as it did then
Scream for me Donnington. Iconic British metal album, one of the greatest unique voices in music. Amazing.
🤘
Yeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhh ! Metall from the finest
Mannen wat heerlijk Fantastische album cover ook De nachtmerrie van alle christelijke ouders in de jaren 80 Eerlijk is eerlijk, ook al luister je bijna geen metal is dit album toch echt een banger af en toe scheurende en jengelende gitaren luisteren is toch ook heerlijk
One of the early pioneers of heavy metal music. Thank you, Iron Maiden! \m/
Great sound
VERY COOL!!
ALL HAIL SATAN!!!!!
I can do all things through The Beast who strengthens me.
I mean….god damn. This album slays from the opening song to the last. I would give it 11 stars if I could
Every song on here is an absolute classic. It's funny, I actually think Powerslave is the better album, but 80s Maiden just didn't miss.
One of my all time favorite metal albums. Song 3-8 is probably some of the best metal ever. Great vocals and great cover.
\m/ MAIDEN
Reminds me of high school
Absolute classic album. Run to the Hills is such a good song and the album has so much power and set the stage for so many more Iron Maiden albums to come. Highly recommended and certainly a must listen for anyone looking for a very accessible metal/hard rock album.
- Bangers only - His voice is fantastic and the songs are all incredibly fun to listen to and jam to - Hallowed Be Thy Name is a perfect song
Goes hard but pretty
Favorite Tracks: Run to the Hills Hallowed Be Thy Name The Number of the Beast
4.5 stars. This is a lot of fun. Very foot-tapping, air guitar inducing. High BPM, drum-driven, high pitched and drawn-out vocals over screaming guitars. The standout title track sounds Judas Priest-y combined with the good elements of AC/DC. Will be coming back for more.
huge rock band 1 vibes
Hallowed be thy name: top tier
I had so much fun listening to this, I loved it
Great, classic metal album. Run to the Hills and Hallowed Be Thy Name are 10/5
9/10, not my favorite maiden but a stone cold classic of the era. Probably in top 5 metal covers of all time though
The 2nd best Iron Maiden record.
Dope album, never actually listened to it before. Goes hard - though IM’s singer’s voice has never quite landed with me.
Best Album and banda ever
4.5/5 rounding up to 5. I've heard songs off it before but never listened through. Captivating riffs, powerful vocals, solid rhythm section, great guitar harmonies, each song is a vignette. Hallowed Be Thy Name is a favorite, TNOTB and Run To The Hills are classics, but my favorite new song was probably Children Of The Damned or Invaders.
Esto sí es música de la que ha marcado nuestra adolescencia. Yo no soy la mayor fanática de Maiden del mundo, pero éste es sin duda un discazo, si no el mejor de Maiden, de los mejores
Soft 5
Well, one of the quitessential heavy-metal albums of all time, it has everything that made me listen to heavy metal. Vocals are on point, Bruce at it's best. Guitars are nearly perfect. The lyrics are not the best, I agree. But fuck it, the music is perfect. One of the best heavy metal work ever. Enjoy 5/5
Brilliant. Solid rhythm all the way through. A real good time.
Awesome metal rock on dude
Complex arrangements, cogent lyrics, and rapid pacing gives this album the ability to reach a broader audience. One of the best albums.
Amazing
Hallowed Be Thy Name
A true legend and classic!
Great way to kick off the Bruce Dickinson era fronting Iron Maiden. Another Metal classic. You've got the really well known tracks like Number of the Beast, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Run to the Hills. But then you also have awesome deep cuts like The Prisoner, Children of the Damned, 22 Acacia Avenue.