Great Metal Albums of 1982: Iron Maiden- The Number of the Beast

 

Honestly, I didn't intend to make the post of Iron Maiden's killer 1982 album "The Number of the Beast" coincide with the release of their latest album "Book of Souls." I was just simply going down my list of albums for 1982 and it was next. However, the gods of rock operate in mysterious ways and so it must have been their will that the post would be made in light of the new album. Especially since "The Number of the Beast" was the first album to feature Bruce Dickinson as lead singer. It has already been established that the new album is a personal triumph for Bruce after his battle with cancer so maybe it's fitting that appropriate tribute is paid to his first album with Iron Maiden.

Unlike several other bands who were around in 1982, Iron Maiden was not one of those who escaped my attention. Quite the opposite, it was this year when I discovered them while on liberty in Toulon, France. Somebody played an Iron Maiden song that was on a juke box in a bar there and the rest was history. I can't even remember which Maiden song it was, too much alcohol, but I know I liked it. It probably wasn't even from this album.

What can I say about this album that hasn't already been said? For me, it has all the wonderful tracks that led me to love Iron Maiden. This album features such classics as "Run to the Hills," The Number of the Beast," "22 Acacia Avenue" "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and "The Prisoner." See, I heard each of these songs other places such as live albums and videos before I ever heard this album and they were stand out songs on those. Hearing all of them together on one album was simply a mega bonus. Even the track least known to me, "Gangland," is a very cool track that has every bit of the grit that Iron Maiden puts into all of their songs. I have already declared that "The Number of the Beast" is my favourite Iron Maiden studio album.

There are many things that make this album so good. Obviously all of the classic kick ass tracks that are on the album. However, I agree with many thousands and thousands of others who said that the vocals of Dickinson was what took it up to the summit of great albums. His voice is fresh and ferocious, a combination that many singers don't have together in abundance. Still, I won't take anything away from the rest of the band. The guitars of Smith and Murray are just superb with the rhythm section of Harris and Burr keeping things all together. With all of these things, it is no wonder the songs are so good.

Track Listing:

1. Invaders
2. Children of the Damned
3. The Prisoner
4. 22 Acacia Avenue
5. The Number of the Beast
6. Run to the Hills
7. Gangland
8. Hallowed Be Thy Name

[caption id="attachment_2879" align="aligncenter" width="284"]                                  Iron Maiden[/caption]

Along with all the great music associated with "The Number of the Beast" from Iron Maiden, it is also had it's share of controversy. Without even bothering to listen to the album, the religious right in America branded the band 'Satan worshipers' due to the title of the album. This led to record burnings and protests at their concerts and why when I finally got to see them two tours later, they felt the need to tell every audience they played to in America they weren't Satan worshipers. I highlight this point in "Rock And Roll Children." One listen to the album will provide plenty of evidence they aren't. "The Prisoner" was inspired by the popular British television show. "22 Acacia Avenue" is about a house of ill repute, and I am pretty sure it was inspired by the trial of Madam Cyn in London who was acquitted of running a house for prostitution. The more famous "Run to the Hills" is about the plight of the Native Americans. I could go on here but the point is that the songs aren't Satanic. In fact, the subjects of many of the songs of Iron Maiden is another reason why I like them so much.

Next post: Ted Nugent- Nugent

To buy Rock And Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

The Queen's Jubilee- Some Thoughts

This weekend, Great Britain has been celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The Queen has reigned for sixty years making her the second longest reigning monarch in British history, Victoria is the longest. Now, I'm not a royalist, far from it. As an American, I remember reading about the struggle my forefathers had against what they saw as royal oppression and haven't forgotten that. I know in reality, it was really Parliament who was taxing the colonies up the wazoo, but this isn't the point.
What does bother me is that Monday was the Jubilee concert and from what I can see, there were performances from great British acts like Paul McCartney and Elton John as well as Austrailian born Kylie Minogue. What I don't see is any metal acts on the bill. Now before anyone starts wagging a finger at me and saying they don't need to play such bublegum events, I have a good argument why they should. You see, the jubilee is about celebrating things British and heavy metal is definitely that. With the exception of Jimi Hendrix, four of the five founders of heavy metal are British and so were many of the metal influences from the 70s. Therefore, it is only fitting that this great contribution to music gets its due credit in the celebrations of all things British.
The above album is another reason. You see, last week, "The Number of the Beast" album by Iron Maiden was voted the best British album in the last 60 years. That means it beat out the classic great albums from Led Zepplin, The Who, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, plus all the Stock, Aiken and Waterman crap as well as all the other bubblegum pop acts. It is only fitting that Iron Maiden should perform at the jubilee.

There are other reasons why Iron Maiden should be allowed to play at the Diamond Jubilee. They represent British metal to a tee. I can think of at least two songs of theirs off the top of my head that are about British history. "Aces High" is about the Battle of Britain and "The Trooper" is about the charge of the light brigade. Both are significant events in the country's history. Furthermore, Iron Maiden is one band who are definitely proud to be British! Therefore, not letting them play the jubilee is somehow wrong.
Looking at the reverse here, if Iron Maiden were to play the Jubilee concert, some metalheads would accuse them of selling out. I don't agree here. This is about the Queen and being British and not some bubblegum pop event arranged to line the pockets of opportunists like Simon Cowell. I wouldn't think any less of Iron Maiden if they took their rightful place on stage today. As I said earlier, Iron Maiden celebrates all that is great about British metal.