Track Listing

1. Invaders
2. Children Of The Damned
3. Prisoner
4. 22 Acacia Avenue
5. The Number Of The Beast
6. Run To The Hills
7. Gangland
8. Total Eclipse
9. Hallowed Be Thy Name

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1578 in Music
• Released on: 1998-09-14
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced

Amazon.co.uk Review
Times might have changed, now--with the advent of new-metal acts like Korn--but throughout the 1980s, a damning generalisation held true: English heavy metal rocked, while the American variant--with a few notable exceptions--sucked. The difference went beyond aesthetics--the Yanks' avowed penchant for big hair and eyeliner--though that was certainly part of it: British metal was essentially working man's food, loosely descended from biker-meets and Northern pubs; whereas, in the States, it was an outgrowth of stadium-rock, which traditionally subordinated substance to spectacle. Plug-ugly, cartoonishly morbid, Iron Maiden were typical of the local effort: emphasising a driving, no-nonsense approach to the music. And it worked: among metal aficionados, this album ranks as one of the defining moments of the entire genre. Of the eight songs here--including Maiden classics like "Run To The Hills" and the title track--only "Gangland" falls flat, though it's immediately overshadowed by "Hallowed Be Thy Name," acknowledged by many as this band's apotheosis. --Andrew McGuire

CD Description
1982's THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST remains one of heavy metal'sall-time classics. Although the British quintet was in the midst of enjoying its first taste of global success, original singer Paul Di'Anno abruptly quit in 1981. Though stunned,the young band wisely agreed to soldier on, making ex-Samson singer Bruce Dickinson their new frontman. Nicknamed "The Air Raid Siren", Dickinson's voice was to become one of the band's most prominent signature characteristics. It also didn't hurt that the band had composed some of its best songs ever, such as the haunting title song, and its first U.K. Top-10 single, "Run to the Hills". Other highlights include thesinister "Children of the Damned", the melodic "The Prisoner", and the album-closing epic "Hallowed Be Thy Name".

Customer Reviews

Number of the beast
Iron maiden are one of the best heavy metal bands out there. After owning this albulm and listening to to it a lot i can see why it was voted one of the best ever heavy metal albums. It openes with the fast and furiors invaders which sets the tone for the rest of the album. Some of the true classis are 22 acacia avenue, number of the beast and run to the hills. The last thing i have to say is how good Hallowed by thy name is. It is one of the best songs ever written and has so much emotion in.

I hope you do decied to buy this album because if you like heavy metal you we like this.

Classic maiden type thing
I own nearly all the Maiden CDs, and this one still stands out as one of my favourites. Over the band's history of albums (is it 23 now?) this is definitely one of, if not, the best.
Now, in the classic words of stephen_armstrong_sa, whoever you are:
Track by track analysis? Why thank you.
(there, i gave you credit, so don't sue me)
Invaders: Strangely viewed as filler by a great deal as fans, but for me it's a classic play-me-loud brainless heavy metal tune. And that's no bad thing. 8/10
Children of the Damned: Brilliant riff throughout, and haunting lyrics from brucey. A tune brilliantly written and composed, stands out on the album. 8.5/10
The Prisoner: What other band could do a song based on an old show from the 60s and make it actually worth listening to? Probably quite a few bands, but maiden do it better. 9/10
22 Acacia Avenue: Another great song, even if it did kinda freak me out a bit at first. Packed with atmosphere and outstanding guitar work throughout. 8/10
Number of the Beast: Hooray! The famous title track doesnt fail to deliver. From the legendary words of the passage read at the start to the blistering solos (and everything in between), this is one of the best songs maiden ever wrote. 10/10
Run to the Hills: Another amazing song here. The simple but oh-so-effective riff at the start leaves other bands wondering why they didnt think of it first, and the pounding chorus is just amazing at max volume! Hilarious video, too. 10/10
Gangland: Well, after the last two songs, it would be nearly impossible to create something worthy of following after. Not to say this is a bad track, but it just seems a bit poor in comparison, that's all. 7.5/10
Total Eclipse: The only song on the album that went thru one ear and out the other when i listened to it. Give it a chance - it may not be able to stand up to the classic anthems a bit earlier on, but it's still quite good... 7/10
Hallowed be thy name: That's more like it! An explosive 7 minute finale to the CD. Mind-blowing twin guitar work from Dave and Adrian, and Bruce's voice can't be topped. How can anyone hold their breath for that long?! 10/10
Overall, this is a landmark offering from the band we all know and love. Or if you're a new fan, you will know and love them after this. Excellent bassage from the mighty Steve Harris and awesome guitars make for an energetic performance from start to finish. Bruce's introduction into the fold gives the band almost a different identity, but its a good direction to be going in. The signs are clear: buy this now!

Brucy and the Beast
When Paul Dianno imploded in a puff of cocane, and Iron Maiden were in need of a new singer, Bruce Dickinson immidiatly stepped in, completly revolutionizing rock music forever. In 1982, when the album was released, "The Number of the Beast" debued and stayed at number one. The results speak for themselves:
This is, without doubt, one of the greatest album of all time, by one of the greatest bands of all time.
The albums two singles, "Run to the Hills" and the title track itself were, and still are, widley regarded as the two best songs by Iron Maiden, and consiquently the two most popular.
Other classics on the album include:
"The Prisoner," inspired by the cult 60s TV show, and a panteded Maden classic.
"22 Acacia Avenue," the smut-ridden sequal to "Charlotte the Harlot" on their debuet album.
"Children of the damned," the slow, seductive, and potentially genius classic which was inexplicably never released as a single.
Ans last but not least, "Hallowed Be Thy Name," the best song on the album that ends with a bang, rather than a whimper.
The other songs on the album are by no means "Album Fillers." They are all equally impressive, and whoever says otherwise needs their head examined.
This is Maiden doing what they do best, and you would be hard-pushed to find a more exhilerating 45 mins of pure entertainment...