The Number Of The Beast

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!

Love the album, so many great songs. Gym or walking music.

No skips, solid record

I would give this 5/5 just for "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and that's not even taking into account how massively influential "Run to the Hills" or "The Number of the Beast" is. Iconic album.

One of the best albums of all time in any genre. 5/5

5/5 - Hard to beat this album, makes me want to lower my scores for some others. The Prisoner probably my favourite among an album of favourites.

Love Iron Maiden. My favorite conspiracy theory is that Nico McBrain (drummer from maiden) is also Danny Carey (dummer from Tool). They look a lot alike and there is only one picture of the two together. Steve Harris' bass is awesome.

Finally some metal! Near flawless execution by possibly the most influential Metal band of all. Kind of a bummer that Steve Harris and Clive Burr didn't play on more records together because this rhythm section is massive. Bruce Dickinson is hands down the best metal singer of all time. Yeah, I said it.

i love this album. it's got some absolutely iconic tracks on it like number of the beast and run to the hills, and almost all of the other tracks are legendary to fans like myself. in just two years from their debut, they've really nailed down what makes their band different from others at the time and sharpened their sound. hallowed be thy name has been my favorite maiden song for years and is just such a phenomenal album closer here. favorites: children of the damned, the prisoner, 22 acacia avenue, the number of the beast, run to the hills, hallowed be thy name

Excellent!

holy shit. i’d only ever really dug powerslave/rhyme of the ancient mariner before listening to this.. the bass alone makes this a 5 star listen

The early albums are good, but it was Bruce Dickinson who solidified Maiden's sound with the rest of the band honing in on their craft. From here, they continued to make a string of excellent albums that progressed very nicely. This album is very consistent, which blends a dark and weird tone with defiant anthems and aggression veering into the positive. A good starting point if you want to get into this band with maybe the only filler track being Gangland, but even that one has some cool stuff going on. I wonder how many people notice (it took me a while) how the guitar and vocal melody on the song Number of the Beast borrows a little from the song When the Saints Go Marching In. It's a funny touch.

Nice and Heavy!

Bass driven metal that swirls in magic and poetry

Wow, what a surprise this one was! Totally blown away with how melodic the songs were, while still thumping. I’ll definitely be revisiting this one.

A top tier new wave of British heavy metal album.

Damn to think I missed out on Iron Maiden for so long just because I thought it was death metal...

This is required listening for metal. Run to the Hills is one of the best songs by any metal band and this whole album brings such a strong energy. You almost can't get a better example of metal. Great singing, technical and fast playing, over the top lyrics and attitude. It's cheesy and silly but it's straight on it all and rocks it.

Very little experience with this band and now regret it. This is a great Album. It works. It doesn't over stay its welcome. It's fun, high energy and has connective tissue through the songs. Look forward to hearing more.

So good

Loved this album. My partner is a metal head. I can't listen to some of his music, but some I actually like. Now I can add Iron Madien to the list of likes. The clear and intelligent vocals set them apart for me!

Classic

Sick album. Highly rate

LOVE IT!!! I just LOVE this kind of music, I love Iron Maiden, and this album is amazing!

At first, I was very skeptical because this was metal from the 80s. This album showed my skepticism the middle finger and exceeded my expectations. High energy, good flow, AMAZING riffs and the lyrics solidify this as an instant classic. I can see the influence this had in here as well. Anybody who likes metal needs to listen to this at least once. Outstanding!

this album contains basically all of the Iron Maiden songs I like! I don't exactly go out of my way to listen to Maiden, but I may start lol

Let's go! I'm not sure if I've ever listened to a full Iron Maiden album cover to cover before. Unsurprisingly to me, All of it was great. Brought me back to my formative metal head years.

Really good

Surprisingly my favorite songs from this album aren’t the ones that most people pick. “The Prisoner, 22 Acacia Avenue, Hallowed Be Thy Name” (reminds me of To whom the bell tolls). I like repetitive riffs assuming they are good which this album had plenty of. Hats off to the guitarist and drummer. I never figured myself to be a heavy metal fan because I didn’t grow up with it. I discovered it in my early 20s and slowly became more and more drawn to it. I will be looking out for more Iron Maiden songs for sure. I had to listen to “The Number of the Beast” a handful of times to really appreciate it. Now I see why it became the biggest hit from the album. Lots of great transitions. I found myself wanting to listen to this album a lot today. I liked every song on this album and that is deserving of a perfect score. 10/10

One of the greatest rock bands of all time and somehow they're not in the rock & roll hall of fame, that's dumb. Hallowed be thy name is one of my favorite songs of all time, 666 and Run to the Hills are also some of the most amazing songs in the genre. This is maiden in their prime, perfect instrumentals with amazing solos littered throughout with crisp vocals from Bruce, a vocalist so unique it's insane. 1 to 2 songs on here aren't that great and probably would be skips. 9/10

One of the albums which got me into metal. I had forgotten how amazing and perfect it is.

This is masterclass, album that everybody should listen because of unique style that many albums on this list simply lack.

Solid. Run to the hills still slaps

this is one of my all time favorite albums so my review is going to be biased. I don’t think it’s a perfect album but it’s definitely more than a 4 and so far in this generator thingy, it’s my favorite So….. my only slightly controversial opinion relating to this album is that the number of the beast (the song) is in the bottom 3 of the album for me. I just can’t get behind it like I can for the rest of the album. but MAN…..they really have like 4 of the greatest metal songs ever in a 8-9 (depending if you’re counting total eclipse) song long album like that’s so fucking insane….. the weakest songs are in the middle but then they throw in total eclipse and hallowed be thy name after and it’s like Woah………best recorded (metal) music ever? music that made me non binary because I feel like a shapeless formless energy vortex while I’m listening to this instead of a human

Hey Rock&Roll Hall of Fame! If you have The Cure and gawd awful Aerosmith in then IRON f-ing MAIDEN should have been in long ago. The length of their career and breadth of their catalog surpasses most of your members.... get off your arse and for this album alone PUT THEM IN!

one of my all time favs

Excited to listen to this one again. Going into this a bit biased because I'm expecting to give it 4 or 5, and just have to decide between the two. Yup, this is a good album. Every song is shreds, and Bruce Dickinson's voice in legendary. I love albums that are only 6-8 songs, they tend to blend together less in my opinion.

I have listened to this album so many times that it is going to be very hard to give this anything other than a 5. Starts off so strong with Invaders, it really just sets the tone for the whole album with the speed guitar and drums. 22 Acacia Avenue has some of the smoothest high-hat work during the chorus that for some reason I have always really liked in this song. Then the slow down after the first 2 times going through the chorus to just slowly melt your face, followed by it picking back up to melt your face quickly to finish the song is quintessential Maiden. Number of the Beast is the song that introduced me to Iron Maiden becasue it was featured in Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4, so no matter what I will always have a soft spot for that song. The drumming in Run to the Hills in the very beginnning and 3/4 of the way through get me so pumped up every time I listen. Combine that with the high energy drawn out lyrics and Bruce's voice make for such a fire song. Gangland is really the only knock I have on this album for some reason this song doesn't really do anything for me. Something about the cadence of the way he sings it just kind of throws off the album. If they would have just gone straight from Run to the Hills into one of my favorite songs of all time, Hallowed Be Thy Name, this would be a near perfect album for me. Speaking of Hallowed Be Thy name, the bells that start it off give me serious chills every time I hear them. Then the whole song just builds up with increasing speeds to the climax of the song which is right at the very end. Perfect way to cap off such an amazing album.

Always been a favorite.

Guys will hear this and just think “HELL YEAH”

Slaps, and slaps hard.

Fantastic metal classic

I listen to this while I work out and it puts me in the zone, great pump every time. Great concept, great lyrics, great music, great artwork. Incredible.

Hardcore shredding

Pretty good. Focused. Sounded like Rush but less heady. I like the vocalist over Geddy slightly more. Great songwriting. Have to be in the mood for it. Solid 4.5-5

One of my favorite metal albums and my favorite Iron Maiden album. Not a single skip for me.

Don’t even need to listen… 5/5 1982 8th grade Mrs Cianciolo’s English Class my friend Angelo handed me this album for a weekend listen. Almost didn’t give it back on Monday but by Friday that week had my own copy!!! The New Wave of British Heavy Metal hit me like a freight train and this album is at the top of the list!!!

Easy one. I already love Maiden and this is of course one of their best.

One of my favourite albums.

If I could, i would give 666 stars!

A Classic album. Not all the tracks are outstanding, but most of them are.

Released during the band’s legendary and iconic 80s run of albums New vocalist Bruce Dickinson provides a new sense of epic-ness to the band’s sound The band expand on their prog-rock style of songwriting on tracks like 22 Acacia Avenue and Hallowed that will be built upon in subsequent releases (Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere in Time) Favourite tracks: The Prisoner, 22 Acacia Avenue, The Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills, Hallowed be Thy Name

This album doesn’t stop!

This is the first Iron Maiden album with Bruce Dickinson on vocals and the last with Clive Burr on drums. It's the best line up Maiden ever had in my opinion. Excellent drumming, stand out bass, tight guitar, great vocal performance. Thanks to the dumb Americans getting all fired up about the album cover, this album got loads of free publicity and propelled Iron Maiden into stardom. It's always a good sign when I go to play an album on Spotify and over half the songs have already been hearted! Yes, Invaders and Gangland aren't up to the quality of the other songs, but the fact that Hallowed Be Thy Name is the last track is enough for a 5-star rating from me.

High energy and great guitar. On the trash-y side but not overall too hard or hair banger. Really liked this listen!

Brutal with a nice mix of melody.

Fuck yeah. Favorite track: Run to the Hills

I liked Iron Maiden's hits but never listened to their full albums. Absolutely loved every song on this record and it's definitely a favorite album now. Gonna have to check out their other works.

Love

First couple of songs are probably the weakest but once it gets going it’s bangers all the way through. Also Iron Maiden album art deserves a five in its own right

Maiden is fire

The premier album of one of the most iconic voices in metal music, for the band that defined what we think of it today? Yes.

muito bom

I'm a metalhead. 9/10 metalheads will cite this album as a favorite of the genre. The tenth has brain damage from the bleach.

Fun, albeit a bit repetitive.

i used to think that bands like iron maiden (read: old edgy rock bands) made music that was all screamo-y and un-musical. but after listening to this i've realized that the music they make is like... beautiful. the guitar riffs are so clean (idk if it's because i'm listening to the remaster) and every aspect of the song feels like it was placed perfectly. it's a bit different from the 'earwormy' music that i'm used to post 2000's post tiktok so idk if a specific song called out to me but this is definitely something i would listen to again. 4.5/5