Iron Maiden – “The Number Of The Beast”
Being the resident metal head banger of TNB, Slimedog asked me to say a few words about the next musical artist we’re gonna check out on our continuing stroll down punk, hardcore and metal memory lane. As most of you already know, heavy metal was born in the early 70’s in the UK by a band named Black Sabbath along with a handful of supporting bands like Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, to name a few. This first wave of heavy metal bands rocked out strong for around ten years without much change. Then, toward the end of the decade, we saw the insurgence of the so-called 2nd wave of British metal bands entering the scene. These new bands built upon the foundation laid down by the 1st wave by emphasizing powerful guitar riffs, adding more drum fills, increasing the velocity and adding overall precision. The band we‘re checking out today happens to be the pioneer of that 2nd wave. A band called Iron Maiden.
Andy- So this evening we’re gonna check out the third album by the incomparable Iron Maiden, named “The Number Of The Beast”. The first of their three consecutive albums that cemented them in heavy metal history.
Slimedog- Unlike yourself, I didn’t grow up with metal, so at first the vocals caused me to retch violently.
Andy- I can definitely understand your feelings.You have to remember this is the late seventies, early eighties, so most of the vocals were heavily influenced by bands like Led Zeppelin or Uriah Heep. Bruce Dickinson is Iron Maiden’s 2nd vocalist. They had a different vocalist when they started with a lower, growly voice but unfortunately he liked drugs more than singing. Some tout Dickinson as the best heavy metal singer ever. Other are like you. I’m somewhere in between.
Slimedog- I never did like high, operatic voices but the music is great and the rhythm section is superb.
Andy- I found that after you listen for a while, their instrumentation over shadows the vocals, and is what you remember.
Slimedog- True, as I clean up this mess-what’s the first song you picked for us to listen to?
Andy- Well, let’s start with the first tune on the album, “Invaders”. It’s a hard hitting, fast paced tune with great guitar licks that pretty much sums up what Iron Maiden is all about.
Slimedog- This song reminded me a bit of Scandinavian band, Hanoi Rocks. It has funk and prog elements as well.
Andy- The bass player and founder, Steve Harris, was obviously influenced by heavy metal, but also enjoyed other bands, like Genesis. So there you go.
Slimedog- He’s excellent.
Andy- Yes, I agree. So the next tune is taken from a sixties British TV series called, “The Prisoner”. It even captures an excerpt from the show at the start. Another medium to fast paced tune with Maiden’s trade mark slashing guitars and tight rhythm section.
Slimedog- I remember that show as one of the strangest shows of all time. Very existential. Did you ever see the show?
Andy- I think I may have seen it once a long time ago.
Slimedog- Basically about someone trapped in a town and no one will tell him why he is there. Anyways, this song reminded me of so much music that came after them- a hair metal groove, some Journey like pop. But when they kick it up a notch I can hear how Deep Purple must have influenced them.
Andy- For sure they do get exist somewhere in between the new and old worlds of heavy metal. I would say they are a bit of a transitional band, bridging the gap to the next generation of head bangers. I certainly think their tight rhythms were a huge influence on the thrash that followed.
Slimedog- Yes, a hint of thrash as well.
Andy- One of their most popular tunes and named after the album is, “The Number Of The Beast.” Here they take a page out of the Black Sabbath hand book of devil metal. A tune that caused a lot of angst when it first came out. A song that builds slowly into an eventual frenzy. I’m not one for high pitched voices, but I think Bruce Dickinson does a nice job on this one.
Slimedog- The Boston Public Library address was once 666 Boylston Street, now it’s been changed to 700 Boylston Street. LOL.
Andy- I’d say they’d get more users if they kept it the way it was. One other cool thing about Maiden is they’ve always had a mascot named Eddie that appears at all their shows and on their album art. Similar to how The Ramones had Zippy.
Slimedog- Neat, I like the modified Bo Didley beat of this song that’s put into a weird time signature. Also, there’s a great, Eddie Van Halen like solo.
Andy- Yeah not many bands can top Maiden’s guitar solos. With Dave Murry, Adrian Smith and later Janick Gers its hard to go wrong. The next song, “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” is another tune with cool, morbid lyrics that starts off slow than builds.
Slimedog- It’s great but at one point it reminded me of Heart- those vocals again.
Andy- Agreed. If there’s one thing that modern day metal did to further their cause was to eradicate all traces of high pitched, operatic vocals. Even so, it’s undeniable how awesome a band Iron Maiden is and the influence they’ve had on metal music.
Slimedog- My favorite part happens about five minutes into the song where they increase the tempo and really kick ass with another great solo. Not counting Sabbath, is this your favorite metal band of that time?
Andy- Certainly, at the time, they were one of my favorites. Even today after so many years, like Sabbath, they have a staunch loyal following. Along with Judas Priest, Iron Maiden paved the way for the thrash that followed. Today, both bands are held in very high regard and should be in the hall of fame.
Slimedog- And talk about metal! My pick for next time is Bread with their album, “Perhaps Our Flimsy Songs Will Just Drift Away?”
Andy- That’s kind of a contradiction isn’t it? I mean since bread is quite heavy and just sits in your stomach?
Slimedog- Come to think of it, I don’t think I can stomach Bread. I think I’m going to retch violently again!