The Number of the Beast [ECD] by Iron Maiden (CD, Jan-2006, Sony Music Distribution (USA))

Iron Maiden's biggie. Regularly appearing in polls as one of the greatest heavy metal albums ever and, unusually for Maiden, seeming to cross over into mainstream audiences as well. Even my seven year old son loves Run to the Hills (and tries to emulate Bruce Dickinson's ear shattering scream)as do (embarrassingly) my mum and even people who, on mentioning the name Iron Maiden, pull a facial expression as though they'd just found something rank on the sole of their shoe! Why? Well, part of the reason is undoubtedly newly arrived vocalist Bruce Dickinson. Aptly nicknamed the 'Air Raid Siren', his vocal performances on Run To The Hills, The Number of the Beast, Children of the Damned and Hallowed Be Thy Name are startling. And add to that the fact that the rest of the band were probably the best and tightest outfit in metal at that time (or ever?).
Try to picture the twin guitar approach of Thin Lizzy combined with Black Sabbath on amphetamines and add a touch of the old English 'Hammer' horror films and you're part way to envisioning the Iron Maiden sound. Aside from perhaps Invaders there's not a bad track on it. Buy it, listen to it three or four times and you'll be miming the vocals and air guitaring without caring how foolish you look.

If only I could give more than a 5/5... What an incredible album! This is just another album that makes me thankful that I can't wear out a CD like you could tapes. I enjoy it now even more than when I first heard it (which is difficult to believe). If I were to try to pick out my favorite songs, I would just end up typing the list of songs as they appear on the album. As this is a later release, this also includes "Total Eclipse," which was originally a B-side, but really deserves a place on this album. This was Bruce Dickinson's debut album with the band, after the departure of Paul Di'Anno. On top of everything else, this album became huge not only due to it's sheer great quality as an album itself, but also by the controversy that needlessly surrounded its release. In typical Iron Maiden fashion, largely thanks to Steve Harris, much of this album is based upon history, film, and television, but people who judged it before understanding the songs wrongly labeled it. Just get it, and you will understand! The album artwork can't be beat - probably one of the greatest covers of all time. Finally, it ends with "Hallowed Be Thy Name" - arguably the greatest song of all time. You won't be disappointed. ECD videos are a great addition.

Iron Maiden was one of the premier metal bands of the 1980's. Buy The Number of the Beast and you'll see why. Standout tracks are Run to the Hills, Hallowed be thy Name, the title track and the previously unreleased Total Eclipse which was only available on the Run to the Hills 45RPM single. This is amust for all fans of 80's metal.

Classic rock defined. Iron Maiden is one of the ultimate ground breaking metal bands of the 80s. As most albums, Number of the Beast has it's jewels. Personally, this C.D. has 3 of the most amazing rock anthems ever recorded. #1 Run to the Hills, #1 hallowed be thy name, Yea, I know there are two #1s, but if rock is in your soul, You know. #2, number of the beast. Why #2? It's so good the follow the drone leader radio stations played it too much. It's too good. The reast of the album, good listening. Ready to step up to rock done with tallent and intelligence? Find your number. Grounds Keep.

Iron Maiden's The Number of the Beast, is by far the best metal album in heavy history since the band's debut!