THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST

My first official Metal album. I was into the glam metal of The Sweet and Kiss and so it was only a natural progression that I would try some of the harder stuff. I saw Iron Maiden on TV playing 'Number of the Beast' with that crazy film clip, and awesome lead break, I was totally in awe of this new band. I bought the vinyl record and raced home to put it on.

Soon I was being assaulted by the blistering breakneck speed of 'Invaders'. I had never heard anything so fast or brutal and I had to check my pulse as I think my heart was racing as fast as Burr's crashing drumbeat. I had to check the lyrics sheet as I couldn't even keep up with Dickinson's vocals. The lyrics are about Viking Norsemen raping, pillaging and killing everyone. OK, this is metal. I played the song over and over until it was a blood transfusion into my veins that I still have today. Every word was memorised, every lead break on this album ingrained into my conscious, it was essentially the beginning of my metal obssession. As such, this album is so important to me.

Each track brings back incredible memories even today. Due to my Christian beliefs I cannot listen anymore to the title track, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying 'The Prisoner', 'Run to the Hills' or 'Children of the Damned'. Murray and Smith's guitar duels are incredible and they are a joy to watch on stage.

I love the killer riffs of power metal and Dickinson's screaming 'Air Raid Siren' vocals. He buries Paul Di'Anno for sheer volume and power, and he is the only Maiden vocalist for me. The last track is a tour de force of atmosphere and building dread, one of the greatest Maiden tracks that the band still play live. 'Run to the Hills'; became an unlikely single and the clip with vintage Western footage is fun and shows the band were not taking themselves too seriously. Overall this album is an essential purchase. I do not like the album cover as it is puerile and juvenile by today's standards, but in it's day this was the one to get hold of; the music is simply awesome, changing the face of metal forever! As far as prog rock goes there is little on offer here, so only 3 stars for me in the prog realm, but its a 4 star metal album. Come on you Irons!