With 2 bands with 6 albums each on this list..I thought one of them so...
6. Iron Maiden - Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden are the archetypal metal band. They have spanned generations and cultures, outraged parents and church-goers but their fanbase
will never ever be swayed by trends or fashion.
Nowadays they may owe a nod or two to prog rock but back in 1982 they were fresh metal and took the DIY attitude of punk and brought something new to the rock table.
Emerging as the leading light for the fledgling New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. The band were ambitious and Steve Harris (Bass) looked at the shortcomings of the band and recognised what they needed to do in order to reach a wider audience.
It was decided that the vocal department needed to change, so despite a successful previous album 'Killers' he singled out Samson's vocalist Brucie Brucie
as the key to step up to the next level. Backstage at Reading festival in 1981 the approach was made and accepted.
The difference between NOTB and the previous two albums was enormous. Martin Birch (Maiden's long term producer) seemed to go up a extra notch as well.
The first single from the album 'Run To The Hills' was Iron Maiden's first top ten uk hit and was a signal of intent.
The other well known song was the title track. The opening still makes my hair stand on end especially live when the intro tape starts. They originally wanted Vincent Price
to do the spoken word part but couldn't afford him (they settled on an unknown Barry Clayton)
Perhaps they had spent their budget on acquiring the rights to use Patrick McGoohan on the beginning of the raw & intense 'Prisoner'
I AM NOT A NUMBER BUT A FREE MAN.
'Children Of The Damned' is a track that wouldn't have worked so well if Paul Dianno was still there.The sound of the bass and drums galloping would become one of Maiden's
trademark sounds, however the next song 'Gangland' was a throwback to their previous two albums. This was the only track that to me seemed to be out of place on the disc.
The final track on the album is by far my favourite, the lengthy 'Hallowed Be Thy Name'. From the beginning bells and guitar strum it has an epic feel (especially following
the claustrophobic 'Total Eclipse'), It's at the 1.40 mark that begins Dickinson's vocal tour de force and the first of the time changes, another trademark Maiden trait.
This album set a benchmark for generations of metallers afterwards. It inspired many people to become musicians. Such has been the influence that bands such as Dream Theater
covered the album in it's entirety at a Paris headline show in 2002.
'Let him who have understanding
reckon the number of the beast'.
Hallowed Be Thy Name Live
WHY I ♥ THIS ALBUM
I grew up in the Popley area of Basingstoke. The area was built as part of a London overspill (New Town) program to help families find work and start a life in a new home.
One of my best friends was a lad called Mark Sims, his family were from the east side of London (Leytonstone I believe). For some reason my friends and I, despite our young age at the time, were
big music fans and tried to introduce each other to all types of music from Ska and punk to pop and metal.It was Mark who introduced us all to Maiden via his older brother of course.
with their new singer (Being 10 we didn't have a lot of access to the radio or new releases) We would have heard it earlier but Mark's brother thought that they had sold out
and didn't purchase it. I didn't buy it either as my pocket money at that age went on Panini football stickers, much more important to me at the time lol..
The countdown had begun, I cannot recall the chart number but do remember the words'New entry for Iron Maiden'. The drums kicked in, then that riff started and the charge began.....
Maiden Ruled!
Just a note to say Mark Sims passed away in 2003 and I never got to say what a good friend he was when we were children. His influence and generosity will never be forgotten RIP.
No comments:
Post a Comment