Number 12: The Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden
One hell of an album
Release: March 22nd, 1982
Genre: Metal
Favorite Tracks: Children of the Damned, The Number of the Beast, 22 Acacia Avenue
Where I heard it:
Iron Maiden...the name conjures imagery of gothic fantasy and torturous agony, all encased within a heavy metal frame. What a fitting name for one of metal music's most prolific and successful bands throughout the 80's and 90's. Like many classic rock bands, I have Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock to thank for my exposure to Iron Maiden. The Number of the Beast was one of the hardest songs to play on the setlist, and I attempted run after run for a chance to make it past the solos and complete the song. Not long after the sudden rise in popularity of rhythm games came developer Harmonix to challenge the Guitar Hero franchise with their own entry Rock Band, which drew appeal for its full-band model that included drums and vocals. Even as a devoted Guitar Hero fanboy, I looked on in jealous rage at those who had the entire Rock Band setup. Even when Guitar Hero: World Tour introduced their own version of drum and microphone peripherals, I looked on in jealousy toward the overall user experience of Rock Band. It just looked so fun to get everybody involved and feel like a true rock star. One of my better friends in middle school had the whole Rock Band getup that I played at a Halloween party he hosted, and I couldn't put the sticks down after trying my hand at drums. With the blind confidence of a teenager, I figured that if I was already an expert at Guitar Hero, it should be a natural skill transition onto any instrument. I demanded that we try the hardest track on the setlist, Run to the Hills, and promptly got my ass handed to me by the steady hi-hat that proved too quick for my abilities. Humbled but undeterred, I returned to my friend's house on a near weekly basis to stay the night and play Rock Band some more, honing in my drumming in hopes of capturing my white whale. Both Run to the Hills and The Number of the Beast were titanic goals of mine to conquer in middle school, but I didn't really hear the album they reside on until the start of high school. I was prompted to take a listen to The Number of the Beast with encouragement from my stepdad at the time, who played Piece of Mind in his van on a random drive around town that caught my attention. I didn't know very much of the Iron Maiden catalog; I was more interested in thrash metal like Metallica and Slayer. However, one listen to The Number of the Beast showed me that there's more to metal than just playing fast.
For the Devil sends the beast with wrath
Because he knows that time is short
Let him who hath understanding
Reckon the number of the beast
For it is a human number
Its number is six hundred and sixty-six
~ The Number of the Beast
What to expect:
Since their inception in 1980, Iron Maiden have released a whopping seventeen studio albums, and are still going strong. An immense discography like this can be pretty intimidating, so what better place to start than the beginning? The Iron Maiden lineup of today looked a whole lot different upon the release of their first two albums Iron Maiden and Killers. Only bassist Steve Harris and guitarist Dave Murray have maintained consistency within the revolving cast of the band, acquiring their permanent pieces later in the process. Their first acquisition came in between Iron Maiden and Killers with the addition of secondary guitarist Adrian Smith, increasing the firepower of their arsenal with trade-off solos. Their next and perhaps most important change came after the departure of vocalist Paul Di'Anno. In his place, Bruce Dickenson was recruited on the spot after a stellar audition. Dickenson impressed both Harris and Murray with his high-flying vocal range, and the duo intrigued Dickenson with their professionalism in comparison to his previous operation. The new era of Iron Maiden had officially begun, launching into the stratosphere with the epic installation The Number of the Beast. The band's recent alterations are immediately apparent, as Dickenson's theatrical timbre injects a powerful energy to the production that compels every member to deliver a performance worthy of Dickenson's efforts. Iron Maiden rises to that occasion on every single track from this album, composing masterpiece after masterpiece with remarkable group synergy. Dickenson's sheer vocal intensity opens up the door for Harris' songwriting to take full form, weaving extraordinary tales involving mythical lore and triumphant battles. Steve Harris is one of the most involved bass players across all musical genres, shattering the stereotype of useless bassists in bands with subtle yet intricate interludes in 22 Acacia Avenue and Run to the Hills. The partnership between Adrian Smith and Dave Murray collectively double the length of solos in songs like The Prisoner and Invaders, each looking to outdo the other with a friendly competitiveness that pushes the duo to greater and greater heights. Although he would be replaced by the band's current drummer Nicko McBrian, Clive Burr deserves a nod for his excellence on the drums. Even in the quickest of tempos during Children of the Damned and Run to the Hills, Burr shows unwavering precision in keeping this careening ship on course. Iron Maiden is a spectacle to behold when the motor is churning, but I think some of the most gripping moments from The Number of the Beast are their sinister ballad-style intros from Children of the Damned and Hallowed Be Thy Name. These sections build enormous amounts of tension and anticipation before exploding into the electric riffs the group is known for. There's so much versatility among the members of Iron Maiden, and The Number of the Beast is a playground for such exploration. This album represents a rebirth for the group, and it's spawned from the very depths of hell. There's no other explanation for these otherworldly talents.
Catch my soul, it's willing to fly away
Mark my words, believe my soul lives on
Don't worry now that I have gone
I've gone beyond to seek the truth
When you know that your time is close at hand
Maybe then you'll begin to understand
Life down here is just a strange illusion
~ Hallowed Be Thy Name
Why it's my favorite:
I'm always surprised by how long it took me to become hooked on such a staple like Iron Maiden. I always knew they were good, but certainly never considered them among my favorites of all-time until I was well out of high school. Sometimes it takes listening to everything else that's out there to realize and appreciate what's always been there. Most of the time, all I have to do is attend a concert to understand the potency behind a band's legacy. This was the case for Iron Maiden in 2016, when I attended a stop on their Book of Souls tour as a birthday gift from my mom. I had tickets for the lower bowl, but I desperately wanted to be in the pit for this show. I bided my time before the show started until I successfully snuck my way through security onto the floor, where I got to experience one of the best concerts of my life. They played all the hits and didn't miss a single beat, even at their growing age. Every person on that stage was integral to the performance, and I think that's when the draw of Iron Maiden kinda clicked for me. With the omission of any of the band's members from 1982 onward, there's a significant loss within the creative vision of the band. Bruce Dickenson's voice has since become synonymous with the iconic Iron Maiden brand. Without Dave Murray and Adrian Smith (as well as Janick Gers later on), we wouldn't have some of the cleanest and most sensational licks known to man. Steve Harris is an unsung hero that provides enthralling narratives with a caliber of songwriting is second to none. Nicko McBrian might be the most expendable of the bunch, but there's years of chemistry with the band that go to waste without him. The Number of the Beast laid the foundation for the quintessential Iron Maiden album, and the band has tirelessly worked for decades to preserve it. Hell, they may have set the precedent for heavy metal as a whole. It's not shocking to me at all seeing them recording albums and selling out arenas after all this time. It's clear that Iron Maiden's love of the music drives them to continue their passion. That's the kind of genuine attitude that makes an album like The Number of the Beast so admirable: you can tell the musicians enjoy making the music almost as much as their audience enjoys hearing it. With how seriously metal acts can be perceived these days, maybe the genre could take a page out of Iron Maiden's book and just have a little fun for once.
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