THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST

Everyone knows that this is the anthemic prog-metal album that launched the New Wave of Heavy Metal revolution. But for me it's a bit of a "Trojan Horse" - this is the album that "sneaked" progressive rock back to the radio and the mainstream, in the guise of Heavy Metal. It does not take much listening to detect the progressive elements in it, with the abrubtly changing meters and key, epic subject matter and tight dual guitar attack, and complex bass lines. The guitar sound is so full that we don't miss the keyboards much. The production is state-of-the art, which played a part in getting this album s much airplay, as well as the epic rockers Number Of The Beast and Run To The Hills. Great stuff!