Album released in the 1980s positions itself as the greatest highlight of the group’s career, in the opinion of the team responsible for the American magazine
What would be the best album in Iron Maiden? The answer to this question is not easy to get, not only by the subjectivity involved, but also for the high level of quality offered by the English band throughout its 17 studio records.
The catalog of the group led by the bassist Steve Harris It is full of nuances. The first works, with Paul di’anno In vocals, they are more “raw” and straightforward. With the arrival of Bruce Dickinsonthe material became more elaborate and began to explore different subgenres and branches. In the 1990s, the group returned to the most visceral origins with No Prayer for the Dying (1990), but with Blaze Bayley Instead of Dickinson, he plunged even more into a progressive sound that would mark work in the 21st century, already with Bruce back.
Still, in the opinion of the team of Rolling Stone USAthere is a record that can be considered the definitive career of Maiden. It is about The Number of the Beast (1982), third studio album and first with Dickinson on vocals.
The choice was revealed in a 2017 article aimed at listing the 100 best heavy metal records in history, in the opinion of the American magazine staff. The Number of the Beast It obtained fourth overall and, among Maiden’s work, is in a higher position. Powerslave (1984, 38th place), the premiere Iron Maiden (1980, 13th) were also remembered.
About The Number of the Beastjournalist Steve Smith writes initially:
“When he arrived at the studio with the veteran producer Martin Birch To record their third album in 1982, Iron Maiden had already striving to reach the forefront of the so -called New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Having replaced the previous vocalist Paul Di’anno by Bruce Dickinson, a charismatic artist with an operated voice, the stage was ready for creative advancement. ”
The text recalls that the group had to overcome a much greater challenge than the exchange of vocalists. At the time, they suffered from using all the stock of songs on their first two albums. Soon they would have to really compose new material, something Dickinson liked.
“There was only one problem: the band had exhausted their stock of songs. ‘They had used all the good things they had and had been on the road since then,” Dickinson told the biographer Mick Wall. ‘So it was very good, in that sense, because they wouldn’t ask me to sing words that had already been written by Paul or Steve songs [Harris, baixista e compositor chefe] had written with him in mind. We had time to think about the songs first ‘. ”
The article finally cites the highlights of the album, highlighted as responsible for making the band to get in the United States, as it was the first to enter the top 40 of the national parade. Steve Smith Elucuida:
“Harris and his companions (including Dickinson, not credited for contractual reasons) stood out at the time, producing complex songs and intoxicating lyrics that filed perfectly to the dramatic reach of the new singer. The resulting album, recorded and mixed in just five weeks, is one of the historical milestones of metal: the rampant single ‘RUN TO THE HILLS’ It achieved success practically everywhere except in the United States, where the video, however, became one of the first hits of MTV; the title track continues guaranteed presence in the setlist; and the closure, ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’it was the first of the characteristic epics of Iron Maiden – and one of the most lasting. ”
What Steve Harris says about The Number of the Beast of Iron Maiden
In an interview of 2007 to the magazine Revolver (via Igor Miranda website), Steve Harris was invited to share reflections about each Iron Maiden album released there. When discussing The Number of the Beasthe commented:
“It was the fate with Bruce as our singer. He was fantastic, could reach notes and do things that most other singers could not. But at the time, it was a very scary change! We were already the main attraction of most countries and we didn’t know if people would like it or not. But sometimes the pressure brings the best of you.”
According to the database Setlist.fmthree of the five songs most played by Iron Maiden live throughout its history come from The Number of the Beast. THE title track It is in second position, behind only the song that names the band. “Hallowed be Thy Name” occupies the third place, while “Run to the Hills” It is in fifth place, right after “The Trooper”from the next album PIECE OF MIND (1983).
Rolling Stone Brazil Special: Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden on the cover: A Rolling Stone Brazil He launched an edition of unpublished collector for fans of the Heavy Metal band. The biggest albums, the list of shows in Brazil, the power of the group’s market and even a tour of the band’s plane you can see in the printed special, for sale at Profile store.
+++ Read more: Iron Maiden will release documentary about his 50 years of career
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+++ Read more: the strong point – and the weak point – of Paul Di’anno, according to Steve Harris
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+++ Follow Rolling Stone Brasil @rollingstonebrasil on Instagram
+++ Follow journalist Igor Miranda @igormirandasite on Instagram
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
