The Number Of The Beast - Iron Maiden

Last week I talked about a band who drew influences from a newly created genre. Continuing with this theme, I want to talk a little about a band that is usually credited with being one of the pioneers of their own particular style: Iron Maiden.
In the late 60's, heavy metal was just emerging as a genre in England with bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. As the style grew and accumulated fans, it branched off into sub-genres. One of these was the famous "New Wave of British Heavy Metal," pioneered by none other than Iron Maiden. Where Sabbath and Priest had focused on that "heavy, metal-laden" sound that lent its name to the genre, bands like Maiden wanted to pick up the tempo and infuse a little more rock into the mix.
If we jump ahead a few years, we'll find ourselves in 1982, and the release of The Number Of The Beast, Iron Maiden's third album. This album is pure thrill and adrenaline through and through. Maybe that's why it's one of my favorite albums to listen to when I need to get pumped up for something. It starts out with a hard-hitting, driving guitar lick in "Invaders" that eventually yields to Bruce Dickinson's amazing tenor voice. As a new addition to the band, Dickinson really brought the group to a new level. What I really love about his part is that he combines the shouted style of Rob Halford (Judas Priest) with floating high notes accented by a sharp vibrato. In my opinion, it's the most identifiable thing about the band as a whole. When "Invaders" finishes, though, we're treated to a style that sounds a little more like Black Sabbath: "Children Of The Damned." It's slower and heavier, but still has those high vocals that make it unique. Next, we have "The Prisoner." This song is one of a few on the album that tricks you with its intro. You think the song is going to be another slow song, but it erupts into a tune similar to "Invaders." It's one of the most melodic songs on the album. I think this comes partially from the harmonies in the refrain.
"22 Acacia Avenue" is another tricky introduction. It starts quiet, then erupts, and you just get into a groove when they throw a wrench (spanner) at you. The song switches on a dime from 4/4 to 6/8 time signature. And that's when the head-banging commences. It really is a great song. "The Number of the Beast" and "Run to the Hills" make great singles that, for the most part, are similar to the previous tracks. The track I really want to make sure you all listen to, though, is the final one: "Hallowed Be Thy Name." Starting with a chiming bell and haunting guitar lick, it's a very ominous opening. Dickinson's opening verse is something I could listen to over and over. The lyrics in the song are about a man who is moments away from being taken to the gallows for execution. He struggles with his faith, maintaining that he's not afraid of dying, until he realizes that he really is. After the opening, the song just keeps getting better and better. This is my favorite track, and a must-hear!
If you're going for a run, or you've got a big test coming up you need some confidence for, put on this album. It'll get you going for sure. Every single song on this album comes highly recommended from me, and I hope you love them too. Happy listening!

Free link to the album on Napster:
http://free.napster.com/view/album/index.html?id=12867029
(Note that although Napster (annoyingly) lists "Total Eclipse" as the 8th track of the album, it was not in the original release. I don't know why this bothers me. Maybe because it blends in too well, and shouldn't.)