1001 Albums Generator
The Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden

The Number Of The Beast

Iron Maiden

1982
3.57
Rating
29377
Votes
1
5%
2
11%
3
28%
4
33%
5
22%
Distribution
Genres: Metal Styles: Heavy Metal

Reviews (page 6 of 15)

many biblical references - sounded a bit like epic poetry. very arcane language.

Sounds like van halen heavy Children of the damned The number of the beast

Doesn’t get much better than “Run to the Hills,” but I felt like other than that and “The Number of the Beast,” the record didn’t deliver front-to-back as strongly as I was hoping. Still, great listen. Best Track: Run to the Hills

There’s elements of Iron Maiden I can really appreciate. I think Bruce has a fucking phenomenal voice for this music, and Steve Harris is one of the best rock bass players of all time. Saying that, I find their output so dull. They have some great singles, but to listen to a whole album of this stuff is tough going.

It’s very dramatic. The guitar is good, and I like a metal album where the lyrics are decipherable. I’m not going to casually put this on, but it’s almost campy so I don’t mind it

This was actually better than I expected it to be. Definitely better than KISS Destroyer which I had yesterday and it squeaked out a 3 star but I can’t justify it getting the 4 star - a 3.49 star perhaps?!?

If you like epic guitar solos and brilliant musical and vocal work, you've come to the right place.

I wish I could hear this album live! It’s so well written. Some outstanding songs for me were ‘The Prisoner’, ‘The Number of the Beast’, ‘Run to the Hills’, and ‘Hallowed by Thy Name’.

this album is dorky but I don’t really care. These songs all have really good momentum and good drive, but there is still space in the music and it doesn’t overwhelm me the way most metal does. Run to the hills rips.

Wasn't expecting the clip of the Prisoner, that was a lot of fun. I AM NOT A NUMBER I AM A FREE MAN. Some of these albums (the Megadeth comes to mind) I wish I had really gotten into when I was a teenager. It's not that the music is juvenile it's that I no longer have the spare energy to head bang the way that this music demands of the listener. Still a rock solid 3.5.

I waffled for a bit, then 3 things: 1.) Number of the Beast solo 2.) Number of the Beast Screeachm 3.) seeing them live is the only way to listen. I really appreciated the guitar a lot more. Also, Run to the Hills is a bop.

ImI >.< ImI Meddl Leudde! 4 Sterne mit Sternchen

Legendär

This was really good! I never thought of myself as an Iron Maiden fan

I know some people love the Paul Di'Anno Iron Maiden. For me, Maiden was/is best with Bruce Dickinson at the helm. This album starts one of the best 5-album streaks in metal, if not all of popular music. This is not a perfect album, but it's damn close. If everything else on the album was mediocre, the title track, Run to the Hills, and Hallowed Be Thy Name would still be enough to make this a 4 star album. And yet, the only real let down on this album is Gangland. This is 4.5-4.75 stars. Rounding up to 5.

Okay what can I say about this group and this album. Love the group love their music. Just listen for yourselves

The first metal album I ever heard, and proof that British metal has a sound entirely its own. Between the overblown vocals, over-the-top guitar solos, and lyrics straight out of a B-level horror movie, I absolutely love it. Plus, you just can't beat Eddie!

4 Driving guitar . Classic metal

I could see it growing on me but I also don't imagine I'll revisit.

It is heavy and its metal. It is not the worst album. The title track is fantastic.

saknar lite i performance plus gillar inte när atleticism är idealet i musik. bättre än deras första, välproducerat, skrivet och designat. gillar skolåda-tonen från Steve Harris

YEAAAAAAHHH VILKEN JÄKLA STREEEEAAAAKKK. I mean, klassiska låtar, bra deep cuts, magnifik sång och produktion, länge leve maiden

** I wanna say, I've been listening to what's going on after finishing yesterday's album and... (the album's great) inner city blues is fucking amazing god! ... this means nothing to me Fav: Hallowed be thy name

Run to the Hills has been a fav since '82 Good to hear the whole album again

Mer roligt än bra, men det är väldigt roligt!

Förutom ett par lågvattenmärken och att jag tycker delar av detta åldrats lite för mycket, så är det här albumet proppat med bangers. Albumet avslutas på topp!

Tufft men inte bara bara tufft!

Ett par enstaka låtar som inte riktigt håller samma klass, annars ett gäng riktiga jäkla bangers. Hallowed be thy name är odödlig

Solid album for metal heads. Just not for me

This is not my flavour of metal. The music doesn't do much for me - its played very well though. My main issue is the vocals. Too damn showy. Too much wailing. It's like a musical stage show. I can't get into it at all.

This ripped.

Pretty sure I haven’t heard this one since middle school when my IM obsessed friend listened to it all the time. Not a record I’m ever gonna reach for but it’s definitely a great record and an absolute classic of metal. Run for the Hills is one of the all time great metal tracks, Bruce Dickinson is maybe the best metal lead vocalist, and the songs and lyrics are all really strong. It’s not my taste anymore but it’s a great record and defined a certain kind of metal, and a certain kind of metal satire as well. Bonus points for Eddie and the various great covers over the years

Overall: 10/10 Iron Maiden is truly one of the greatest band of all time (in my opinion). While their first two albums were great, this is the one where everything came together. The reason for that is the addition of the legendary vocalist Bruce Dickinson, who brought an epic voice to the music and gave Maiden the freedom to experiment and become even more epic than they had been. They even started to get borderline proggy after this album. There isn't a single skip here and I would honestly show this album to anyone who is interested in getting into metal but doesn't want to start with the super heavy stuff. Still, give me Powerslave any day. Fav Song: Run to the Hills

I'm surprised I haven't listened to this before. Great stuff.

Great album, some really good hits on here and overall I think it's a standout of the genre.

Honestly never really listened to Iron Maiden before and was surprised at how much I liked it. Rockin like Metallica, but hammy like Jack Black. This was a good listen

🤘run to the hills is peak Iron Maiden!!

I don't listen it but it was good

No doubt the instrumentation is amazing. It would make a great score for a movie. It feels like this was genre-defining however, it’s a genre I don’t love. The vocal stylings are just not my taste but I think this could easily pivot into something more punkish that I would enjoy

Besser als gedacht

Bin überrascht von mir selbst! Verstehe zwar kein Wort, aber die Musik ist nicht so übel ... Hardrock / Heavy Metal

Surprisingly decent. If partially stars were available I’d give it 3.25 stars.

I liked this more than I thought I would.

I liked it

Iron fuckin Maiden!

This takes me back to my Rock Band/Guitar Hero days.

A near perfect album and a high point for an iconic band

as a metal newbie, i've yet to find a niche that i truly enjoy. but the iron maiden i've experienced has been somewhat close to that. this album is pretty fun from front to back. never a dull moment. the musicianship is nice and the vocals are pretty good. although, my one gripe is that it does feel a little too... theater kid... for my liking at times (the vocals on 'run to the hills' are very over the top and not totally my thing).

If you think you might like iron maiden, you will like this. It is surprisingly well produced, and the musicians clearly have talent.

Fun riffs, great mascot, lots of running in place musically. Sounds like it was written to scare parents, which honestly worked better than the album itself. That's why I love it.

Too shrieky, too fiddly, too much. I should like Maiden, people think I'll like Maiden, I do not like Maiden. I'm sure it's all very technically impressive but it leaves me cold, does not stir a thing within me. I remember the title track of this charting among all the 80s synth pop, going straight in at number 1, and wondering wtf was happening to the world.

Not that bad actually. Run to the Hill is a decent song. Feels less generic than Metallica that's for sure.

Heavy Met🤮

Lies sich gut hören. Nix besonderes 3/5

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

Apparently this whole time Iron Maiden is the sound I thought Black Sabbath had. It rocks.

Funny how Iron Maiden is considered 'metal' but they're really more rock leaning than scream leaning like a lot of present day metal. I dig this album. I will never listen to it again.

Masterpiece

Solid album, closer to a 4.5 for me. Doesn't overstay its welcome.

Pretty nice heavy metal. Occasionally quite silly, yeah, but sometimes quite powerful too.

We come to this place for magic. The air raid siren Bruce Dickinson. The guitar harmonies. Lyrics about battlefields. This is Maiden.

Slightly ridiculous and of its time, but enjoyable in parts.

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. 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

Sometimes the random generator creates interesting juxtapositions. I enjoyed listening to this right after Fugazi – two bands that are philosophically in such different camps, whose fanbases and culture are quite distinct, and whose music are categorized into different genres – yet who are sonically not that far apart. Lots of blaring guitars, screaming vocals, and complicated drum patterns. Just the kind of stuff that get teenage boys excited and make older people angry. I only knew “Run to the Hills” before listening to this, and I feel like I got exactly what I expected. Nothing out of left field, nothing too challenging, but that’s ok. It’s an album that knows exactly what it wants to be, and it makes for some great listening. (I’m sure the album sounded much more edgy for audiences in 1982, but listening in 2025, this has given way to a charming campiness. Kind of impressive that it aged like that, though.)

In middle school there was a kid with mohawk, skin tight black jeans, combat boots and an Iron Maiden shirt. He saw my Bob Marley shirt and gave me the “name 5 songs” bullshit. I named them and said the same thing to him. We became friends for the rest of our school days. He turned me onto Iron Maiden. Later on he also tried to turn me on to heroin but I declined. He went onto have a successful military career and is doing well. I work at a grocery store. Anyway.. I’m not the biggest fan of the singer. Every other member of this band is stellar. They are tight throughout. “Number Of The Beast” and “Run To The Hills” are two songs that I’ve listened to for two out of my three decades on this earth. I’ve always liked them. “Hallowed Be Thy Name” is pretty cool too. I’d say it’s a 3.6 but I’ll round it up to 4 because of Brian.

Interesting themes, lyrics and art… not to mention epic sound

A very solid album. The one thing I especially like about Iron Maiden is the very prominent bass. Such as in their album Powerslave. I am excited for their self-titled debut also on the list later - I quite like that album That said, there is a very distinct lack of extreme metal on the list... the metal that is on here is generally quite tame. I think the list should be much more diverse, and push people's boundaries of what they can handle a lot more. Many albums on here are widely critically acclaimed, but nothing that is TOO different. The few albums that are quite different aren't rated that highly, so this 1001 challenge DOES do a good job of appealing to the masses... in that sense. I think rather than "1001 albums to listen to before you die" this is "1001 albums to get educated with popular western music". At this point, I find myself doing the challenge for the latter. I like the challenge for that though! It is a great source to discover and go through lots of stuff Nevertheless, I am happy when any sort of metal comes up. And Iron Maiden is always happily welcomed. My favourite track may be the title track, or the closing track Edit Apr 22 2026: 5 --> 4. I like other metal better

First full listen, but heard some songs before. 3.5 I actually enjoyed this album. I got this only one or two after getting Master of Puppets, and it's interesting to hear the difference in styles. To me this is a much more fun album, and I can even hear some similarities to later-era Black Flag, especially on the first track.

One of the greatest albums of all time.

An unexpected pleasure for someone who is not well-versed in the Iron Maiden universe.

I've never listened to Iron Maiden so I was glad to have the opportunity to give it a go. It's comically bad. Maybe it was relevant when it was released but, in this era, it's like a Spinal Tap spoof of early metal.

The lyrics are nonsensical. This is another album I'm liking far more than I thought I would when I started it. I don't love Bruce Dickinson's voice but it's a damn sight better than the growling, screaming and unintelligible vocal noises other metal bands pass off as "singing". Run to the Hills is the hit, maybe their biggest hit on any album.

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.

I can see why mothers in the 80s were scared of this music. Lyrically kinda grim but musically pretty great. Averages to a 3.

Ok so this album has some hits I was familiar with and really enjoy. The music is fantastic but the Singing I really don't love. It kind of bored me. However I tried a different album and listened to Powerslave and enjoyed it a lot more.

Not really for me but liked it slightly more than I expected.

Sounds funny now. Association with silly characters in comedy movies. Like jack black etc.

Liked it more than I thought I would! Solid high-energy cleaning music! 4/5

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!

At least the cover's good

Surprise, surprise - a heavy metal album I actually love

5 estrelas obra prima do Nwotbhm

I've heard so much about this band and didn't realize this was their most famous album. I listened to it and found it okay but nothing I would play again or consider iconic. A part of me suspects it's this bands aesthetic that really caught on. I couldn't tell you what each song had to offer but Hallowed Be Thy Name has some very interesting chord progressions and melodies at the beginning. The music is fine but I'm more interested in the artwork.

The lyrics are nonsensical. This is another album I'm liking far more than I thought I would when I started it. I don't love Bruce Dickinson's voice but it's a damn sight better than the growling, screaming and unintelligible vocal noises other metal bands pass off as "singing". Run to the Hills is the hit, maybe their biggest hit on any album.

Skilful but it’s metal

This is my first time listening to Iron Maiden and it was fun! Loved the energy, creativity, and Bruce Dickinson's voice. Some real great guitar solos and bass lines. Favorite songs: Hallowed Be Thy Name, Run to the Hills, and Children of the Damned. I definitely plan to listen to more.

This is one of those bands like Megadeth, Motley Crue and other 80's hair metal bands that I never got into later in life. I am always interested to hear these albums now that I know what they are like. I know of this album and the tracks off this. Just not my style of metal I dig. Also not a huge fan of "fantasy-like" lyrics. Pretty good album though.

29/10/2025 I'm not a Maiden fan, but this was okay. Spotify listeners: 8.2 million

Solid metal

Really not my sort of thing at all won’t lie

Another awesome album from Iron Maiden along with their iconic album art. This is the famous "Number of the Beast" album that got Christian conservatives upset (shocker) despite not looking at what the song was actually about (also a real shocker). Of course, this only brought even more publicity to the band. This album was just as good as their first album, but included Iron Maidens imo most iconic song for us normies in Run To The Hills. I was fond of The Prisoner as well as the theme of the song just feels more relatable. It's based on the old UK show The Prisoner where people are basically trapped in a government run idyllic village where people are just known by their numbers......but I think most people that work in some sort of white collar job can relate to just feeling like a faceless number. Anyway, another great album from Iron Maiden.

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.

okay I can see why people get REALLY into metal. not for me personally, but the guitar solos are still sick as hell

Iron Maiden instrumentals > 👍🏾 Iron Maiden vocals > 👎🏾 Not that they were bad but his voice kinda got annoying there for a while. Some songs were pretty alright. The album as a whole was better than I expected.

Solid foundational metal album

I can understand the cultural impact Iron Maiden had, and not just on metal as a genre, but the sound and lyrics are so corny and boring. Still better than Metallica though.

Iron Maiden sounds like the most approachable metal ever, not sure if it's a thing for me and not sure if it's a thing for fans. I feel like the songs that are most well known of theirs are not in the included albums, and that's a shame! Because I were learning them on the guitar lessons. 3 or 4, really.

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

I swear a thousand albums ago I reviewed Iron Maiden, but here we go again. With all this stuff I just can't get past Spinal Tap. Any, and I mean any, credibility this strange genre had was destroyed by Tap. And then Some Kind of Monster just hammered in the nails in the coffin of this strange, strange form of music. So I thought ok smartarse, drop the attitude and have another listen. And listen I did. Now the slow songs in this genre; they slow down, really slow down, the singer stops screaming and works through the lyrics in a hushed tone, the lyrics of course being about some dark, dark theme. So while that's happening you can make yourself a soy decaf machiato, what I like to call a perche disturbarsi, and get ready for....whoa hold onto your seats... the guitars to come er er er ering in and the singer to start screaming! They.All.Do.It. I mean come on. And the big ones, well listening to RUN TO THE HILLS! er er er..for the first time since the early 80's, it seriously sounded like Stonehenge from Spinal Tap, which of course... I just don't get it, the whole thing. Big bottoms, big bottoms, talk about butt cheeks my girls got em. Perche Disturbarsi!

There was a boombox in the weights room of my school's gym. At the end of PE classes, we could play "our own music" while we worked out. But a faction of bullying dude-bros monopolized the boombox, and the only tape I ever remember getting played was Number of the Beast. I hated PE, I especially hated doing weights, I hated those dude-bros, and I learned to hate Iron Maiden. Listening to this forty years later, I can appreciate the technical achievement and high drama of it all, and it really does set the highwater mark for 80s metal; the galloping riffs, the lightning-fast 'typing' solos, the histrionic vocals. But it really comes down to whether you like that sort of shit or not. Update: I just bought a copy of this album for my 22-year-old nephew for Christmas. I think he'll dig it, even if I don't. And that cover is pretty cool.

For an album with a new vocalist, it's a strong effort. When it works, it really works. This album was the springboard for the rest of the Bruce Dickinson era. A good album, but not great.

Okay, I did not expect that, but I really enjoyed this Album. Well, maybe except the high pitch tremolo singing, but I heard outstanding bass playing, nice harmony guitar leads and really good songs. The lyrics are goofy, but they could be worse. Nice. Fav: Children of the damned

**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.

5/5 for pure rock and roll ethos. I love the attitude and I love the cover art, I just can't help but hear the music as almost a parody of itself. Maybe it's form watching too much tenacious D and spinal tap as a kid growing up but I really have a hard time taking this album as seriously as it is intended. Maybe Im wrong and it's supposed to be a bit tongue and cheek, in which case it's great, but I really think Iron Maiden it's trying to be sincere in their approach to songwriting and unfortunately to me it just comes of as a bit cheesy.

My knee jerk reaction on my first listen of The Number of the Beast was, “damn, this is some corny as hell 80s metal”. I was ready to give it a 2, maybe 3, but I was convinced to give it another listen. Turns out it’s actually a damn good time! The guitar playing, the bass playing, and the drumming are all great! I even started to appreciate the singing by the end. I kind of wish I grew up as a metal head in the 80s now.

The bass on this album is so good

One of their best albums for sure

Great, a classic.

Great album, I really enjoyed having that on the side, it was probably just perfect timing because I really felt like listening to that kind of music at the time. I didn't really enjoy the vocals when I was younger, but nowadays I appreciate how not-too-hard it is, and also the instrumental is just beautiful, and it overall doesn't feel extreme. There are three popular songs in this album, but the rest were nice just having in the background.

I mean it's fine. Jesus Christ Superstar is basically a better version of this

Honestly enjoyed it more than I thought that I would. Some pretty symphonic melodies. Not sure if it could become a go to band but I was pleasantly surprised.

Meh, not into the vocals. I get that it was probably groundbreaking for its time, but I personally can't get into it.

My metal days are over, but this one still really holds up.

Perfect iron Maiden album

Hell yeah, cranking my hog to this

Great classic metal album. Prisoner is a highlight song and a wild-ass show if you have not.

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

Heard before. Starts great first 3 songs. Ends great with Hallowed be Thy Name. Middle is ok, no bad songs. Best Songs: Children of the Damned, The Prisoner, Hallowed be Thy Name Bad songs: none, 22 Acacia Avenue is just ok

Not as good as I had hoped, but better than I expected

Solid metal album. I didn’t love the vocals on this one and it wouldn’t be an album I played again, but I can appreciate the sound for what it is. 3/5.

Admittedly, Iron Maiden’s vocal style has never really been my favorite, but there’s no denying it’s a genre-defining classic. (Also: “Run for the Hills”—wow!

Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: Children of the Damned, The Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills Honestly, this was another banger by Iron Maiden. Just as good as their debut album. Great guitar riffs and choice lyrical content (especially Run to the Hills and 22 Acacia Avenue)

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.

There’s something comforting about Bruce singing Opera over metals best impression of Status Quo.

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…

Another my dad favorite, this thing rips and rolls. Really nice dual guitar hair metal bs that is enjoyable all the way through, except prisoner, I thought that one was very weak compared to the rest. 33 acacia is so good. Good 4, hoping for more!

I am writing this while on a meeting, but this is a classic for a reason. I love the galloping even if this isn't really something that I'm typically into. I think this is enough Iron Maiden for me, I enjoyed every track here and I'm also glad they didn't add anything else. Cool band, lame album design 4/5

Fantastically fun. However, I just realized The Prisoner sounds like Van Hagar.

There’s something so unique and almost flamboyant about the sound of heavy metal to me. The vocals are often really impressive, expressive, and melodically beautiful, as they are in this album. It’s such an exaggerated form of expression, and Iron Maiden really takes that exaggeration to an almost cartoonish level. It’s kind of a juvenile idea of “evil,” and hardcore, simple lyrics and references to the devil and such. I almost wish it were a bit goofier to really sell it. I generally don’t love the metallic, grinding sound of the electric guitars as much as I like the brooding sound of the early Sabbath album I listened to recently. But the slow/fast compositions are fun and the timing and high level of control are very impressive. This isn’t gonna be for me but I get it.

listened to this on my way to the tax office sleep deprived after having filled out the amount of paperwork which probably took an entire congolese rainforest to produce. needless to say the bloody bureaucrats have seen WRATH!! I only like one heavy metal band and IM is NOT it. the absurdly squeaky vocals, the lyrics which sound like they were written by a 12 year old me…instrumentals are ok though.

Best songs: Children of the Damned, Hallowed Be Thy Name Short but packed metal album, which etched itself within the most representative of the genre. The guitar riffs and solos shine through, and despite some repetitiveness the album overall deserves its acclaim by metal enthusiasts.

Better than the first. Banged my head all the way thru! 7.0

Great, classic metal 🤘🏽

Children of the Damned was the stand out song for me. Whole album is quite tough to take a leisurely stroll to though

I get why it’s important and the influence it had. Just not my cup of tea.

Not bad at all

Initially, I thought to myself "here we go again" - feeling like CJ dropped off on a street corner with only a walkman and a cassette tape of NWOBHM music to listen to. I don't think I'm any stranger to voicing my disdain for power metal and despite not being tagged as such, since musically it's not really, the vocals by Bruce Dickinson are exactly the same as many power metal bands. Now, that being said, I do understand why Iron Maiden is popular and it became even more clear to me after hearing Children of the Damned. I'm not confident on this statement but I do think Metallica's Metallica is heavily based off this song. While I enjoyed the aforementioned song and Hallowed Be Thy Name, the rest of the album is the kind of heavy metal that I don't really care for. This combined with Mr. Dickinson's voice, doesn't really make this a relistenable project for me.

Really not my cup of tea. Objectively he has an amazing powerful voice. I just don't gravitate towards Metal etc. Was okay, won't listen to it again tho.

Run to the Hills might be one of the best songs ever.

This is not a bad album and metal isn't per se a bad genre, but I find most of it incredibly boring and I know again why. A nice riff here and there, a bit of power in the rhythm section, yes, but the singer sounds boring and the tracks are too similar to each other.

Not my cup of tea. It is a well made album though. I just don’t like the style.

Another “hell yeah” as far as I’m concerned. Just cool and fun and goes hard. (4.5 stars)

I can hear the talent and I love the genre, but each song sounded a bit same same to me. A weak 3.8.

As a guitar player I can appreciate the extremely high level of guitar mastery. The blend of hard riffs with driving solos is really hard to pull off well. As a bad singer I can also appreciate when someone shouldn’t be singing. This album is a perfect example of why metal had so many bad singers for so many years. Also lyrics were written by someone who played too many table top RPGs. If submitted to a high school poetry class he would fail. So cringy.

Sometimes feels like Journey but heavy.

Absolutely not

One of their best albums

Solid high octane rock. Fast paced, big vocals, lots of the “evil rock” imagery. Pumps you up

Continuing on from my previous '80s heavy metal album, I still haven't understood the genre, still haven't taken any lessons in its history, still don't understand its critical appeal, etc. This was okay, better than other metal offerings so far. Both singles "The Number of the Beast" and "Run to the Hills" were good, full of energy, tightly played, etc. I understand the technical skills needed to play guitar and keep time and wail, but... it is still always cheesy to me. I constantly think that Spinal Tap hit the nail on the head for the genre, and this album isn't silly enough to get into it from a playful or satirical angle. It's not bad, but not my style.

The album has some good moments but overall not for me. I thought the vocals got a bit monotonous and the music was kinda cheesy in parts.

Along side with many other metal genres (like 'Power Metal','Speed Metal' or 'Glam Metal'), 'New Wave Of British Heavy Metal' is a style I have never invested my time into neither I was interested to. And this applies to Iron Maiden, as they fall into this category. What I disliked the most about the record is Bruce Dickinson kind of operatic singing. I find it to be a bit irritating, but it is not a particular problem I have against him, it is something to do with this style of voice in general. For the rest, it is very decent. The band certainly feels like is having fun and that they are very talented musicians. In addition, I wouldn't say that there is a bad song in here. Nervertheless, this album didn't change my opinions and feelings about this genre.

its certainly better than their debut because of the involvement of bruce dickinson. 4/5

Not my favourite Iron Maiden album, but definitely has some of their best tracks on it. The pair of guitarists work great together. It took Bruce a bit to get his bearings, and some of the songs feel like he's trying to keep up as he sings, but the Bruce Dickenson era is definitely the best era of Iron Maiden.

Number of the Beast is one of my fave songs from Iron Maiden. The album as a whole is okay. They’re definitely a better singe maker than they are album makers, which seems to be a trend in most “old-school” metal bands

Definitely not a fan of metal. Run to the Hills is a 10/10 banger.

This album JUST creeps in to be a 3/5 as it has 3 of Iron Maiden’s 5 good songs. They’re a real shrug shoulders band for me, like someone’s drawn a caricature of metal. 3.0/5.0 Best Song: The Number Of The Beast

The number of the beast is alright, but this album is a stinker for stinkers. They sound so much like spinal tap or a parody of actual music it’s hard to take seriously. At least there are some decent riffs

Love Number of the Beast, Run for the Hills and not much else

A couple songs were good. Not something I would go out of my way to listen to.

Great album. We covered on IGTOV. 4 *

Strong 4

Gosh, even now, almost 45 years later, this album sounds like pure freedom. It's in the tapping, wildly over-the-top guitar solos of "The Prisoner", in the the shifting rhythms of "22 Acacia Avenue" (a Black Sabbath homage if I ever heard one), it's in the genius heavy cinematic grandiosity of "Hallowed Be The Name". With the title track, you're transported into a different realm - Steve Harris' genius bass catapulting you down into hell. It's fun there - warm, sweaty, and you can head bang all day long. I'm all for it.

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.

Not my jam, but had some good tracks.

Sounded just how I remember it. It's very metal. Nothing special.

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.

By far the most Iron Maiden I’ve listened to. They sounded exactly as I thought they would and had a lot of fun listening to this album.

Essential listening only for teenage boys in the 1980s. It’s not completely terrible but the songs are juvenile and it just goes on. The lyrics to Hallowed Be Thy Name are like a 12 year old trying to write a version of The Mercy Seat.

One of my all time favourite albums! This is metal at its energetic best!

I havent listened to much Iron Maiden. I always find it surprising how melodic they are given the reputation. This one was alright.

This is pretty camp. It's definitely a step up from Black Sabbath but it's still incredibly unserious music.

Very good heavy metal. I definitely don't love this type of metal but I had a good time. Strong 3*

This was so camp and I really liked it. Probably would never listen to it again but that one listen was definitely worth it.

I like this type of metal more than many others as it turns out. Fave Tracks: The Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills 3.9/5

I did not expect to enjoy this anywhere near as much as I did. I didn’t think Iron Maiden would be up my alley, but I had a great time blasting this on my way home from work. I don’t think I could listen to a lot of Iron Maiden, but one album was a fun diversion from my usual listening habits.

Hasn't aged that well but I suspect inspired a lot of 80s hair metal. Some great cheesy tunes.

Fun metal album. Nothing groundbreaking but still a good time. 3.5/5 Might listen again

F*cking solid! I don’t have this on vinyl but I will soon.

6/10 Favorite: The Prisoner

I AM A FREE MAAAAAAAN!!!!!! não gosto de metal

Love an album that doesn’t overstay its welcome. I’m by no means a fan of metal, but this is by far the most accessible record I’ve heard to date. And again, that run time makes it all the more easier to get involved. I enjoyed this listen and saved every song. Would recommend to anyone who is on the fence about metal- this will surely get you to understand the appeal!

I never got into Iron Maiden. “Run for the hills” and “The number of the beast” are absolute bangers though.

I dig the songwriting, but not the genre itself

You don’t have to like it but, you have to respect it.

Like a combination of thrash metal and hard rock. Not quite what I was expecting. Not terrible, but would likely not revisit it. A true 2.5 stars.

You know that scene in "School of Rock", where Jack Black as Dewey Finn (as Ned Schneebly) is running through the song he wrote for the battle of the bands, to a group of bemused children? We're not supposed to think it's good. It's over-the-top, corny, stadium rock nonsense. The character arc is that Dewey learns about creative compromise, and chooses the better song, written by Zach, one of the students (and sounding like peak AC/DC), instead of choosing his ego. Well, this isn't a review of "School of Rock", but this entire album sounds to me like Dewey Finn's songwriting in that movie. In fact, I'm pretty sure Jack Black was parodying Iron Maiden in that scene. Over-the-top, warbling, screeching, with repetitive riffs and lyrics about Vikings and demons, it's all very predictable nonsense. Feels like the type of music that Dewey Finn would have kept writing if he hadn't committed identity fraud.

Gave this a go despite my previous reservations. Objectively its a good example of early 80s British Heavy Metal and carries off some memorable hits like, 'run to the hills'. The rest of it is just don't get.

Rock and roll

Only sabbath can overcome the corniness of metal lyrics with the power of their rock. Everyone else tries real hard, and does ... ok. However, traitor/faggot/soft boi Petey Hegseth would do well to listen to Run to the Hills on repeat and meditate on how mammothly goddamn stupid and weak he is.

Classic Metal Album

Enjoyed it more than I expected but not something I’ll have on repeat. Children of the Damned and Run to the Hills for the playlist.

It's fun, you know what you are getting with a Maiden album

Fucking metal bitches

It's fine

Overwrought prog done right, not my jam but lovable.

"Invaders" promises much that the rest of the album fails to deliver, getting increasingly silly and leaden. "22 Acacia Avenue" is terrible, so dumb. Dickinson's vocals are an improvement over the earlier bloke, but it's still adolescent pablum. Shame, I was briefly excited.

Zuhause, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Ganz gut, joa.

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)

One of the stronger metal albums out there, ESPECIALLY for the early '80s. Iron Maiden is more melodic, more memorable, more grand, more operatic, and better sounding than most of their peers, which makes for a great album. Not perfect - but still an enjoyable listen. The lyrics are juvenile, but such is most metal music, I feel. It's profoundly life-changing poetry when you discover them in like the first year of high school, then you listen to it again a couple years later and go "this is kinda dumb, I'm too mature for this", then you listen to it again a couple years later and go "this is kinda dumb, I'm not too mature for this". Still, the words and some themes remain clunky and "kinda dumb", and the music and sound retreads most of the same ground over the course of the album. The Children of the Damned intro sounds like The River by Bruce Springsteen, for what it's worth.

That blasphemous!

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

Decent, fundamental, metal.

What a great listen. I’m not the biggest metal fan but I feel like every metal riff I’ve ever heard was cribbed from this album.

I really liked this one. Classic maiden

Heavy metal classic. I now know where Tenacious D get their inspiration from!

This made me think happily of those 1982 episodes of Top Of The Pops, where you'd get a line-up that included, say, Adam and the Ants, Bananarama, Iron Maiden, and frequently something schmaltzy from a bloke with a bushy moustache who thought it was still 1976. Brilliantly eclectic, the UK singles charts back then. And my only exposure to Iron Maiden was on those episodes of TOTP, when I decided that they, and their denim-clad fans, were very much not for me. I was synth and indie all the way, and remained averse to Iron Maiden throughout the 80s and beyond. (Although I do remember secretly thinking Run To The Hills was a bit of a banger.) But never mind what I thought then, they're rock legends, aren't they? And now I listen to it, this album brilliantly straddles (now there's a rock term) the heavier British/prog-leaning acts of the 70s and the lighter, more fun hair metal that was still to come. It's fast, but not overly aggressive; takes itself seriously but not ridiculously so; and is full of well-crafted songs. (I include 22 Acacia Avenue in that, despite the daft lyrics.) Bruce Dickinson has a heck of a voice. Considering the eye-roll I did at yet another album of hairy blokes playing guitars, I enjoyed this, and can definitely see the value in it. It might even be better than some of the Van Halen I now listen to quite willingly every so often. Fast, rocking tunes.

Totally shocked by how utterly amazing this was

Feels very much like a continuation of Sabbath, heavy but accessible. Enjoyable listen.

4/5. A classic and yet it sounds pretty good, could be the Remastered version I have, but the bass and guitar are at the forefront and it enhances everything. There is a melodic energy in each song, that almost makes them radio-friendly, save for the lyrical content. The lyrics are serious but the way it is sung/written feels a little heavy-handed, like the message needs to get out there, by any means necessary. Granted the album is fast-paced but it could have been better handled I think. With the lyrics as well, it's bordering on progressive but kind of feels more edgy than anything. It's a great album but some stuff the Remastered edition can't fix completely. Best Song: The Prisoner, Run To The Hills, The Number Of The Beast

Great listen.

Gallops along in a rather fun way, even if it is all a bit of nonsense. Dickinson is a better singer than Di'Anno, but he's a bit too operatic for my tastes.

JAAAAAAA

Rockin' out with my cockin' out!

I really liked this album! I had no idea what to expect going into this as I am not a listener of metal, but I enjoyed the singer's voice (based on my preconceived notions of metal, I did not expect this) and I liked the politically-charged lyrics!

Great album, great band, one of my favourites. Glad this is in the 1001.

Nicht meine Musik, aber gut gemacht.

The era is good; I was 17-18 in 1982. Never really listened to this back then and could have gone another 43 years without missing much. My metal started and ended with Judas Priest.

Classic stuff. Quality early metal.

Hasn't aged all that well, but some great tunes. Might have given it 5 stars except for the terrible first song "Invaders."

The good: The singer can SING. Some of the songs have cool riffs and are worth revisiting. The not-so-good: The lyrics are really bad. They're not even good in a campy way. Just bad. The mastering is awful. Beside the 2-3 songs that are relistenable, the rest isn't.

Having grown up with this music since my school band days, it’s probably partly sentimental, but I just love playing Iron Maiden’s songs. The Number of the Beast will always be a true classic.

“Hallowed Be Thy Name” and “Run to the Hills” alone cement this album’s status as a cornerstone of heavy music. Paired with Derek Riggs’ unforgettable cover art, it’s a masterclass in both sound and visual identity. Still, it falls short of perfection. Certain vocal moments don’t land, and there’s an intangible spark missing that kept me from giving it a full five stars. Whether that’s down to the mix or just the listening environment, the result is the same: powerful, but not flawless. 8/10.

I love Maiden…..but in very small doses. i.e. two songs max at a time. “Run to…. “ and “Number” are classic galloping, pantomime horror Maiden. The other tracks? No thanks.

Maiden are great. In small doses. The main tracks Number of the Beast and Run to the hills are great galloping, pantomime horror lyric fuelled Maiden metal. 🤘🏻 The rest is the usual galloping, pantomime horror lyric fuelled Maiden metal but dull.

Den ersten track muss man durchstehen, danach hört sich The Number of the beast aber doch erstaunlich gut weg. Leider werde ich mit dem Gesang nicht so wirklich warm auf Dauer.

Ya mis canas me delatan, innegable metal que lo llevamos en las venas, tal vez ya son historia, pero está en nuestro torrente

I don’t like this. Sounds like a heavy metal musical. This is disgusting. I hate that I like the music. But the singing and the lyrics are terrible. I mean, he’s got a good voice obviously, but it’s sounds like it’s more fit for a broadway musical. Maybe that’s his secret dream. He’s pressured into this heavy demon stuff, when really all he wants is to play in hamilton. To me, it’s not very interesting. Boring in fact. There’s nothing to talk about. Just the same shite again and again. Like I get it, devils and despair and whatever. I mean, if you’re into that stuff I’m sure this album is great. But if you’re not, this album is the equivalent of listening to a really religious and christian album. But just the opposite. And the guitar is good but the singing. The lyrics. All the songs could be demos of the same song. Okay, that’s exaggerating it of course, but I’m trying to make a point here. I’m not saying I hate it. Some songs are catchy. And maybe I’m just not in the right state of mind to be listening to this. But thats the thing, I feel like such a strong and angry and aggressive album should be able to force you into the right state of mind. Anyway, it’s okay. I must say the music, despite all the songs sounding similar, is good. Those riffs do get me a little riled up. But the singing almost makes me cringe. But I can get behind what they’re about. I just think it’s silly. This last song? Hello? By far the best track on the album. Finally I received what they were trying to deliver this whole time. I don’t know what it is about this song that got me going. I feel like if I listened to this a couple more times, It’d grow on me. The thing about this album is, I don’t think it’s crap. It’s just… not my style I guess. I can’t find it in me to resonate with this album. And yeah, I thought some of the lyrics were corny, and I found myself wishing there were more parts where the singer would shut up. But honestly, I’m okay with just letting this album be. I don’t have to like or dislike it. I don’t have to get it. I’m glad I listened to it. I definitely appreciate this albums intention and impact. But since I have to rate it based on how much I enjoyed it, I’ll have to give it two stars.

Very enjoyable. ★★★★

Je ne suis pas un fan de métal vintage. C’est intéressant d’un point de vu historique, mais c’est pas mal ça.

It was kind of torturous... I think you need to be in a very specific mood to listen to an entire album of operatic heavy metal and I just wasn't in it. Got a nostalgia bump from a 1 to a 2 for some specific childhood love of "Running to the Hills."

I was in bad need of some riffage this afternoon.

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

so early 80's, but not 80's glam, more theatrical speed rock.

This was another solid album from Iron Maiden that I had a good time listening to! Typically metal isn’t my thing but I’m trying to broaden my music horizons a bit. I think my favs from this album were ‘The Number Of The Beast’ and ‘Run to the Hills.’ This was a great album to work out to and I would listen to it again to get pumped up!

I’d give it 666 stars if this thing let me but it doesn’t so I’ll give it 3.

YAAAAAAAAARRRRHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Classic heavy metal album. Although Iron Maiden is usually not my jam, there are some killer tracks on this. Favourite is Hallowed be thy Name.

I love maiden. This is one of the best if not the best album they've made.

Didn’t expect to like this…and I don’t. Also the vocals sound like Rush. Basically, metal is not my thing.

Iron Maiden has a kind of campiness that I appreciate. The imagery and intensity is all great, it doesn't take itself too seriously but it commits. There are a few songs that raise it up to 4 status.

I never really listened to Iron Maiden when I was the age that they were really appealing to. I did see them live more than once at festivals and they were always pretty good, and their music is definitely high energy and made for live performances. This record is a lot of fun in the sense that it never really slows down too much. Lyrically it’s a bit ridiculous but it’s only noticeable because Dickinson has great enunciation and a huge range for a metal singer. The rest of the band is tight and complex; the bass in particular is mixed really well and the talent comes through. This is a riff heavy, speedy, metal album that doesn’t pretend it’s anything else. Not everyone’s favorite thing but I enjoyed it a lot.

Pas mon style, trop ressemblant et rock pour moi

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.

So far, this is the album that most reminds me of Spinal Tap. Almost (ALMOST) every strong starts out strong. The musicianship is there. But as soon as the vocals kick in... it sounds like a parody. How did this get an average rating over 3.5?? Maybe because people like me will have a soft spot for that drummer and guitarist (who are doing some good work). Also, the cover art. I don't think it ages well. Just plain black - none more black - might have served them better. The exception to my various complaints might be the closing track "Hallowed Be Thy Name." Another reason to round up instead of down, I suppose, so I'll give this 2.51 and it will get logged as 3...

Norse mythology, apocalyptic literature, unjust imprisonment, and the slaughter of the Cree, Iron Maiden feels like the soundtrack to a alternative medieval theme park where all the snacks are served from spits, the carnival games involve torture devices, and the roller coasters are made of rotting wood. Musically, it is well done, but content-wise it is a hodgepodge of adolescent inquiry.

great album, short but sweet. loved the aggressive vibe of iron maiden

Very sick

Ya. Ya. Ya.

capas foda mas música mid...

One of the biggest revelations for me in doing this list is that heavy metal isn’t all that bad. It just gets a bad name because it’s the music of choice of many of the arsehole teenagers who occupy public spaces on the British high street, drink Monster, and vape. They wear hoodies that are two sizes too big for them, and all know a tattooist who doesn’t ask for ID. Anyway, good album.

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

Heavy metal is probably one of my least favourite genres. Its done ok here but i just cant get past the cheesyness of this genre. Uhm hallowed be thy name is pretty good. Invaders is a terrible chioce for an intro track. 7/10 Favourite: The Prisoner Least Favourite: Invaders

Fuck yeah

Even with two duff tracks still and all time great

It’s OK

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*

Not menacing at all. Sometimes they sound like a polka band.

love this shit

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.

Children of the Dread is my song pick of this album.

A classic of the genre, that still sounds great nearly 45 years later.

some great songs, but album only ok

I mean it’s fuckin number of the beast, tf am I supposed to say about it

All very samey and felt outdated

4 Too early in the morning for this

Straightforward metal

Run to the hills classic song I remember listening to from video games. Everything else sorta similiar sounding. Hard rock man. 6/10 some good stuff great vocals but I am a bit more of an alternative guy.

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 !!!

An individual Iron Maiden track can be wonderful. An entire album can be a bit too much. Incredible players - Nicko and Steve may be the Sly and Robbie of 80s British metal. Run for the Hills is a classic. First heard it when I was 40 - I couldn't believe that I had somehow missed til then.

Супер класика. Давненько не слухав, то залюбки прогнав

Я дуже люблю цей гурт.

Gear: HEDD Audio HEDDphone Two Artwork: 😈🧵🔥 Production: 🤘😎👍 Music: 🕕🕕🕕 Rating: 🍟🍟🍟🍟(🍟)/5

I knew 2 songs on the album (The Number of the Beast and Run to the Hills). This was not for me. I don’t like Bruce Dickinson’s voice.