Iron maiden - The Number of the Beast

Iron maiden's first classic.Iron Maiden's third album and their first to feature their longest-running singer, the great Bruce Dickinson. Circa 1982: freshly out of his former band Samson, Dickinson would replace Maiden's original singer Paul Di'Anno,Bruce Dickinson is one of metal's best singers.Steve Harris, songwriter/backing vocalist also is one of the most talented bassists.Dave Murray and Adrian Smith they are efinitely one of the most perfect guitar duos out there.And Clive Burr is a highly underrated drummer.

"Invaders" is a fast-paced, attention-getting opener. It tells the tale of a Viking invasion upon a Nordic village, I think. The drums thunder like a thousand running feet, the bass and guitars like cries of fear and fury."Children of the Damned," I'm not so sure what this one's about. It starts off kind of slow and has great guitar work from Smith and Murray, and slowly gets more up-beat, but then in the bridge of the song."The Prisoner" has a little sample from the sci-fi sitcom of the same name, then breaks into a mid-tempo beat that is simply infectious for foot-tapping. Then it speeds up so suddenly and without warning, with a sweeping, powerful instrumental thrust. Dickinson snarls and barks out the tale of a man in prison who has one thing in mind: getting out. Very catchy chorus, too."22 Acacia Avenue," another faced-paced track, is a fable of a prostitution house and how truly insane and upside-down one could be. While the song is excellent and I could be stuck on a deserted island with it, it is probably one of my lesser-favorites.

"The Number of the Beast"..., the source for many a parent's apprehensions that their kids are listening to bad music. A streamlined and fast-paced tale of a man's encounter with an unholy cult performing a Satanic ritual, yes - but by no means promoting Satanism; rather, this takes a fearful outlook upon such practices, as the narrator within the song is trying to get away...but ultimately, unsuccessfully. After an eerie intro by the late Vincent Price, the atmospheric guitar riffs kick in, with Dickinson's worried-sounding vocals coming in with a now-classic opening line: "I left alone...my mind was blank..." The solos in the bridge of the song dazzle, and the little gap between them is amazing in itself as the pace slows down, then picks up again for a huge "shebang!" Parents may still want their kids to avoid a song that has "666" in the chorus, but regardless, this is one of Maiden's best.

"Run to the Hills" this time tells the story of the white settlers that came to this land we now call America, and as they mercilessly hunted down and slew the natives and deals with the troubles the American Indians had. The beginning drum beats lead into a great trio of guitars and bass, and then Dickinson comes in with his furies snarls. Then, like many Maiden songs, the song suddenly picks up pace and fires off into a blistering, galloping juggernaut.It is probably the catchiest and most famous song on here"Gangland" is yet another uptempo piece, this time focusing on living in the more ghetto side of town, and the fears of going outside, for the gangs might get you. Rather violent and up-in-your-face lyrics, too. Like "22 Acacia Avenue," one of my lesser favorites, but still a masterpiece.this song very catchy too.
"Total Eclipse" is a prophetic tale of nature taking revenge upon mankind for our decades of causing such damage to her. It starts off with mid-tempo, fairly heavy riffs that are like thunder in the sky, and then builds up the pace a little. Dickinson's vocals are at their most furious here, I think.

And then there's "Hallowed Be Thy Name," the ultimate masterpiece on this album.which has an main riff that has been ripped off by such bands as Papa Roach. A nice solo is included here, as well.This is the tale of a man's final hours as he is on death row and waiting for his time. The massive bridge is breathtaking with its powerful time changes and solos...and with the subject matter, this song is an excellent choice for an album closer.