Alright its time to start a new segment here on jm metal maniac and thats the Classic Album segment. What im going to be doing here is taking a really close look at classic albums from the 70's all the way up to 2005. Any album that has made a significant impact on the genre of heavy metal qualifys and im going to take a look at what made these albums great. By all means im not going to reveiw these albums. Thats already been done. What i am going to do is break each album down track by track. Ill usually do one of these when its a significant anniversary for an album. For example Iron Maidens Number of the Beast. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of this album im going to put it in the JM metal maniac hall of fame as my first inductee. (once i get the hall of fame up and running of course). But im also going to use this as my first classic album for the classic albums segment.
Now when you look at bands discography's you usually see one album that defines who they are. It is diffrent enough that each track stands out but stays to what the band is all about. It ussually has a smaller number of tracks and NO FILLER. It also gives you a sense of wonder every time you look at it. That is what i think about when i think of Number of the Beast. It showcase's all of Iron Maidens greatest parts. Their early punk rock vibe, Their long progressive epics, and their trademark gallop's. Why don't we take a closer look and see exactly what makes this a classic album.
TRACKS
1. INVADERS
This is the big starting point for the album. From the very first stacato chords with steve's weaving bass line you know you've stumbled on something great. The song then breaks down into a fast very punk-rock riff that drives the song. The song then moves into a punk style E chord riff with Bruce Dickenson's wailing vocals leading the way. The song just spirals out of control from then on with riff after riff leading the way. The catchy chorus of Invaaaaaaders also sticks in your head for quite awhile later. The song's guitar solo's are fast lightning quick spurts of speed that are very reminiscent of what thrash metal soloing would be years later. The song is basically just Maiden doing their late 70's early 80's punk thing but you know that this something a little diffrent from before. A great album opener.
2. CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED
This is where the first big woah of the album is. This is one of the greatest power ballads ever and the second best song on the album. The song starts with an acoustic intro and melodic guitar solo. Then it goes into a haunting acoustic verse that chills my spine and brings tears to my eyes. Then chorus is a very powerfull bit of singing by Dickenson, he really shows off his vocal ability and range on this song and how much better he was than Paul Di' anno. The song's up tempo part kicks in and the song really takes off. It has the spiting mad vocals, the intricite guitar harmonies and the staedy rythym work. The guitar solo although it may not seem like much it is a briiliant melodic tapping run that im still trying to play to this day.
They really show versatillitly on this track.
3. THE PRISONER
This is the another early Maiden punk track. It starts out with an exert from the classic tv show and then breaks out into punk style riffing. THe song is kind of a hybrid between punk and early judas priest and it meshs really well giving the Irons a third diffrent flavour on this album. The catchy chorus is great and the song has some great speed riffing from Smith and Murray. The standout on this song is the extremly masterfull guitar solo by Smith. It starts out with a melodic peice of tapping and then moves into some classic blues licks, melodic minor runs, harmonized melodies, and speed. It is one of Smith's best and is what makes this a standout track.
4. 22 ACACIA AVENUE
This is another standout and a diffrent flavour for maiden. The sequel to Charlotte the Harlot this song starts with some punk riffing like the last song. The power chords build and build until they break out into a full blown heavy metal chorus. About a minute thirty in though the song changes into what would be known as the trademark Iron Maiden gallop. Its actually one of their more intricite gallops with some string skipping form the two guitarists. The song goes full blown heavy metal and gallops its way into the iconic live Maiden setlist. Yes this song was played live almost every concert back in 82. The song has a slow break where a very powerfull melodic solo comes in and then the song picks back up from there. Iconic live song.
5. THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST
Well probably one of the most iconic Iron Maiden songs ever! The intro is like the prayer of Maiden fans, they all know it off by heart, and the guitar kicks in right in the right place. The song is another galloping sort of track that has very tight guitar work. The solo's are extremley tasty (especially Dave Murrays) and the song has an intesity that will always be there whether its played live or not.
6. RUN TO THE HILLS
Another classic iron maiden gallop this song is probably the most well known song by maiden period. It has a great Dave Murray guitar solo, a classic intro, and catchy chorus that sticks in your head. The message of the song is also brilliant its about the war between the first nations and the british when britan was colonizing america. I think even i know the whole song off by heart and its another iconic live song thats played at every Maiden show.
7. GANGLAND/TOTAL ECLIPSE
Gangland is the only real misstep on this album. Its a bluesy roack kinda song with lots of hooks and good instrumentation but nothing really stands out here like the rest of the album. Its a good track but its just not that great. All is forgiven however because on the remaster of NOTB they put the song Total Eclipse in its place and it is brilliant! One of the best songs on the album by far. It has an epic intro, a great riff, and doomy chorus. This song is much more like what Maiden put out in the late 80s.
8. HALLOWED BE THY NAME
What more can be said about the epic 7 minute closer. This is how you end an album folks. This is by far the best song on the album with great lyrics, riffs, and solo's. The tempo changes and key changes are perfect and everything just comes together perfectly. The closing moments of the album are some of the best notes ive ever heard and end this epic affare witha truely epic song. This song is the main reason why this is such a classic album today.
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