IRON MAIDEN: The Number Of The Beast (HEAVY METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The album "Killers" released in early 1981 had largely confirmed the hopes placed in Iron Maiden. With this record, the band had proved that they were more than just a fashionable phenomenon in a booming British scene. However, the end of the tour was difficult. Indeed, Paul Di Anno had more and more difficulties to follow the frantic rhythm that the band had been keeping for the last 4 years, and he had a tendency to take to drugs and alcohol. The decision to replace him was quickly made, probably in the middle of the tour. The manager of the group, Rod Smallwood, then went to look for his replacement at the direct competition, Samson, in the name of Bruce Dickinson. This choice will turn out to be decisive, because, even if at the beginning Dickinson was welcomed rather coldly, his tone of voice close to an Ian Gillan is indeed radically different from that of Di Anno and his voice between punk and metal. Determining also, because it will allow the group to take its real flight, well beyond the English scene which it helped to create.

Because "The Number Of The Beast", written and recorded in a very short time, will be the cornerstone of the band's history and of heavy metal in general. Indeed, in the program of these 8 titles, no less than 6 will become future classics of the band, 3 of which still remain today absolute hits of the genre, immediately recognized by any heavy metal fan in the world.

Musically, the album is in the same vein as "Killers" but with more aggression and also, thanks to Dickinson's contribution, more vocal possibilities putting an end to the punk side of the band. Steve Harris, who composed most of the album, will take advantage of this new contribution to build tracks tailor-made for his singer, all with an excellent production by the band's now favorite producer, Martin Birch.

And even if it is sometimes obvious that this record was recorded in a hurry, it is difficult to find shortcomings. Indeed, only two tracks are a little bit flawed in this edifice: "Invaders" first of all, which opens the album in an energetic way but without much interest, being only the big brother of "Invasion" - a track written in the young years of the band - and "Gangland", co-written by the drummer Clive Burr with the help of Adrian Smith, which doesn't really take off, in spite of some good musical ideas.

The rest of the album is simply amazing, and the term is not an exaggeration. The Iron Maiden chemistry takes off here. The writing talent of Steve Harris is combined with that of Adrian Smith, who is really composing for the first time for the band. It is also worth mentioning the investment of Bruce Dickinson who, even if he is not credited for legal reasons, has largely participated in the writing.

We find two excellent tracks written by several people. First of all, "The Prisoner", inspired by the series of the same name of which it resumes the legendary introduction and which gives it a disturbing aspect to the image of the series. Very heavy, it is a track with drawers, carried by a Dickinson who sings the lyrics with a rare strength. Moreover, the solos are of excellent quality, among the best written by the Smith-Murray duo. The other track is "22 Acacia Avenue". It was originally written by Adrian Smith for his former band under a different name. With the help of Steve Harris, he was able to turn it into a great classic heavy metal song. Lyrically, we have the continuation of "Charlotte The Harlot" from the first album. It is also important to underline the soli once again very incisive, as well as a vocal that rises very high in the high notes.

Finally, we find 4 tracks written alone by Steve Harris. These ones deserve the respect when it comes to his writing intelligence, because 3 of them have become legendary and are still played by the band with the same success since 25 years. First of all, "Children Of The Damned", an epic song with a superb guitar introduction before Dickinson shows once again the extent of his talent, followed by the eponymous song with its legendary spoken introduction, another heavy metal classic with a chorus ideal for concerts and a perfect musical construction. Let's add "Run To The Hills", also made for live performances, with a high-pitched vocal and finally, "Hallowed Be Thy Name" which closes the record and proves to be one of the greatest epic tracks of the band, carried by an introduction played by Dave Murray and doubled by an almost mystic vocal part.

"The Number Of The Beast" is of course a beautiful album, highly recommended to anyone who wants to understand the very essence of heavy metal. This album will propel Iron Maiden into another dimension for many years to come, turning them into a teenage pet at the time, with a superb cover featuring their famous mascot Eddie. And even if the band will have the hard task of confirming their qualities with their next album, the enormous potential they show here doesn't leave any room for doubt. - Official website

IRON MAIDEN

THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST

EMI

HEAVY METAL