IRON MAIDEN — The Number Of The Beast (review)

IRON MAIDEN — The Number Of The Beast album cover Album · 1982 · NWoBHM Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
bonnek
After their first two charming punk-metal albums, Iron Maiden replaced the rough bark of Paul Di’Anno by the operatic voice Bruce Dickinson. While I have no particular preference between both singers, but I feel that most of the material here would have been better suited for Di’Anno. Especially the simple hard-rock of the short songs misses that little rough edge that made Maiden so unique on the previous album.

But this album also introduces a more epic writing style that might not have suited Di’Anno all that well. Dickinson truly delivers on more dramatic songs like Children of the Damned and Hallowed be Thy Name.

Most of the material is rather average. Some of it below average. On Invaders, Dickinson struggles to hit his high notes here, Halford would pulverize him on a song like this. The Prisoner is another weak song jumbling all known hard-rock clichés together. It is a far cry from their previous uncompromising albums. 22, Acacia Avenue and Number of the Beast are examples of songs that might have been more convincing with a bit more punk flavour. Run To The Hills stands a good chance for being the most annoying hard rock anthem in rock history. Only Paradise By The Dashboard Light is worse. There’s also a song called Gangland that is entirely forgettable.

The sound hasn’t changed a bit compared to the previous album. The addition of Dickinson’s power vocals make it sound almost exactly like Rainbow’s sound on Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll. Well it's a Martin Birch product so that makes sense. Apart from Children of the Damned and Hallowed be Thy Name this album is way too commercial and mediocre for my taste.
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Stooge wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I can honestly agree with you about Run To The Hills. There are much better songs on that album alone. I could also hear Di' Anno singing on many of these songs myself.

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