Break out the birthday candles Maniacs for today marks the 40th birthday of Iron Maiden's game-changing third studio album The Number Of The Beast.
Released on the 22nd of March 1982, The Number Of The Beast is home to some of Iron Maiden's most celebrated works including undeniable metal classics Run To The Hills, The Number Of The Beast and Hallowed Be Thy Name. A landmark metal album that is held dear by metalheads worldwide, The Number Of The Beast holds a special place in the hearts of the band as well, speaking to Maniacs last year, guitarist Dave Murray named the album closer Hallowed Be Thy Name one of his two favourite contributions to Iron Maiden's legacy.
We've had a bit of a debate on our socials recently about what is the best Iron Maiden guitar riff or guitar part. I'm curious, what's your favourite?
“Oh, well there’s two actually. I love the intro from Hallowed Be Thy Name, it’s always really nice to play that. The second one takes us back to the early ‘80s, and it’s the solo from the song Killers. I remember that we used to play that one live a lot before we actually recorded it and I always really enjoyed playing it back in 1981, and it’s funny but it still stands out to me for some reason now, all these years later. There’s something about that song.”
Watch Iron Maiden play Hallowed Be Thy Name live in 1985 below.
To mark the 40th anniversary of The Number Of The Beast Iron Maiden have launched a commemorative cassette that is available to order right now from Maniacs!
This seminal recording and the first to feature Bruce Dickinson as a vocalist – catapulted Iron Maiden to international stardom and set them on course for the spectacular trajectory of success that the band continues to enjoy and develop to this day, selling over 20 million records to date and counting.
Watch the video for The Number Of The Beast below.
The cassette is comprised of the 2015 remastered recordings of the original eight songs on the album as listed below, with front cover colour art based on the 1982 C-60 cassette release plus a re-designed & updated inlay. Ultimately it’s a tribute to a watershed album that sold in its millions in record stores all around the world; a celebration of those bygone times and a fitting souvenir for the fans who have loyally followed the band ever since.
The Number Of The Beast (40th Anniversary Cassette)
Tracklisting
Side 1
1. Invaders
2. Children Of The Damned
3. The Prisoner
4. 22 Acacia Avenue
Side 2
1. The Number Of The Beast
2. Run To The Hills
3. Gangland
4. Hallowed Be Thy Name
Watch the video for Run To The Hills below.
The Number Of The Beast continues to be a favourite for metalheads young and old, with a new generation of metalheads discovering the record as evidenced by this cover of the titular track by the kids from the O'Keefe Music Foundation.
Iron Maiden released their 17th studio album Senjutsu earlier this year.
Listen to The Number Of The Beast now
