The Number of the Beast (album)

The Number of the Beast
LP by Iron Maiden
Released	29 March, 1982
Recorded	Battery Studios, 1982
Genre	Metal
Length	40 min 22 s
Record label	EMI
Producer	Killers (1981)		The Number of the Beast (1982)	Piece of Mind (1983)

The Number of the Beast is a heavy metal album released in 1982 (see 1982 in music) by Iron Maiden, and is widely considered to be one of the most influential albums in the genre. The "number of the beast" to which the title refers is the number 666, mentioned in the Book of Revelation in the Christian Bible.

Even though Iron Maiden was on the brink of worldwide superstardom after its breakthrough sophomore effort, Killers, vocalist Paul Di'Anno left the band at the conclusion of its 1981 world tour. The Number of the Beast is thus vocalist Bruce Dickinson's debut album with the band.

The album made UK Number 1, with the single "Run to the Hills" reaching number 35 and the title track reaching number 18.

On the Billboard Music Charts, "Hallowed Be Thy Name" hit number 50 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The album peaked at number 33 and number 150 on the Pop Albums and Billboard Top 200, respectively.

Track listing

1. "Invaders" (Harris) - 3:25
2. "Children of the Damned" (Harris) - 4:35
3. "The Prisoner" (Smith/Harris) - 6:04
4. "22, Acacia Avenue" (Harris/Smith) - 6:37
5. "Number of the Beast" (Harris) - 4:52
6. "Run to the Hills" (Harris) - 3:54
7. "Gangland" (Smith/Burr) - 3:48
8. "Hallowed Be Thy Name" (Harris) - 7:14

There is an extra track, "Total Eclipse" (Harris/Murray/Burr) on the "enhanced" version of the CD, placed before "Hallowed Be Thy Name".

It is little known that Bruce Dickinson was involved in the writing of this album, namely "Children of the Damned", "The Prisoner", "Run to the Hills" and "Gangland". This was because of his contract with Samson, so was not allowed to be credited.

Personnel

• Bruce Dickinson - Vocals
• Steve Harris - Bass
• Dave Murray - Guitar
• Adrian Smith - Guitar, Backing Vocals
• Clive Burr - Drums

• Martin "Farmer" Birch - Producer
• Nigel "It Was Working Testerday" Hewitt-Green - Engineer
• Rod Smallwood - Band Manager
• Ross Halfin - Photography (Main Photographer)
• Derek Riggs - Cover and Sleeve Illustration

• Enhanced CD Edition
  • Simon "Chope 'Em Out" Heyworth - Digital Remastering
  • Doug Hall - Producer

• Supplementary Photographers
  • George Chin - Photography
  • Robert Ellis - Photography
  • Denis O'Regan - Photography