THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST

Of course, the music played by Iron Maiden is neither progressive rock nor progressive metal, but one cannot deny the influence the band has made to the development of modern progressive and symphonic metal (Dream Theater, Symphony X etc.).

The Number Of The Beast, one of their most well-known albums and the first one with Bruce "Air Raid Siren" Dickinson, offers 8 classic, technically brilliant heavy metal compositions, including such all-time hits as Run To The Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name and the title track, The Number Of The Beast. Although you'll find no poor songs there, the album in entirety makes a quite monotone impression: it's all based on fast or sometimes mid-paced guitar riffs and drumming, and, besides that, many guitar solos sound alike to me (don't misunderstand me - they are by no means bad). Fortunately the album is too short to become really boring. Only Hallowed Be Thy Name is a must-hear song on this album - and it's the most "progressive" one, too.

I'd like to give this album three stars, but looking from an historical point of view it IS essential, so let it be an "excellent addition to any prog music collection".