The Number of the Beast

Surely the most famous, influential and prolific NWOBHM act in the history of the genre, Iron Maiden needs no introduction. I remember listening to this album (as well as the rest of their discography) while first approaching to heavy music; I decided to spin it again a few years after my last listen, and I have to say that, as expected, it perfectly stands the test of time.

"The Number of the Beast" is one of the quintessential NWOBHM albums: fast, catchy, well-composed and arranged, it perfectly merges melody with an adequate dose of aggression, delivering to the listener fun and thrill through every note. Sure, a lot of heavier stuff was still to come, but such stellar levels of pathos, band performance and songwriting weren't and still aren't something you see every day - quite the opposite, because those we get here are nothing short of legendary.

The songs themselves all provide quite different moods from each other: from the epic and dark "Children of the Damned" and "Hallowed be Thy Name", going through the cathartic "The Prisoner", to end with the anthemic "Run to the Hills" or "The Number of the Beast", there is not a single dull moment to be found. Legendary frontman Bruce Dickinson delivers an emotional and theatrical performance, while giving proof of his astounding skills as a singer.

Adrian Smith and Dave Murray shift between tasty riffing and wonderful melodies, never forgetting to throw their trademark memorable soloing where needed. Bass player and leader Steve Harris never ceases to impress, his trademark style made of gallops, everchanging fills and embellishments setting him apart as one of the most brillant musicians and songwriters in the realm of heavy metal music. Finally, drummer Clive Burr delivers a not overly technical, but surely stylish, fitting and precise performance, that complements the whole platter with an extremely solid rhythm section.

This record has all you can ever wish from a heavy metal album: it's memorable, fun, emotional, tightly executed, melodic, and it has plenty of fantastic riffing. Given its undeniable historical value and influence, the real strength of "The Number of the Beast" still lies in the excellence given by the sum of its parts, no matter what any naysayer may argue. A milestone like few others.