IRON MAIDEN - The Number Of The Beast 12" LP ALBUM VINYL

- EEC Pressing

"The Number of the Beast" is the third studio album by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released in March 1982. The album saw the debut of vocalist Bruce Dickinson, and the final appearance of drummer Clive Burr in the band. The Number of the Beast met with considerable critical and commercial success and was a landmark release for the band, becoming their first album to reach No. 1 in the UK singles chart, and be certified platinum in the US. The album also produced the singles "Run to the Hills" and "The Number of the Beast", the former of which was the band's first top-10 UK single. The album was also controversial – particularly in the US – due to the religious nature of its lyrics and its artwork.

 

IRON MAIDEN The Number Of The Beast EEC Pressing 12" LP ALBUM VINYL  album front cover

The Beast's Roar Echoes Through Time: Tales from the EEC Pressing
Album Description:

In ancient grooves, a legend lives, Number of the Beast, its power gives.

The hallowed halls of heavy metal history hold a sacred relic – the EEC pressing of Iron Maiden's *The Number of the Beast* on 12" vinyl. This artifact, sought after by metalheads and audiophiles alike, resonates with tales of sonic prowess, historical significance, and passionate debate.

I. A Sonic Odyssey: Unveiling the Beast's True Voice

Within the vinyl's spiral embrace, a sonic odyssey awaits. The EEC pressing, renowned for its pristine audio quality, unveils the beast's true voice. Each note, each riff, each scream erupts with clarity and power, as if the band were performing in your very presence. The warmth of analog sound envelops you, transporting you back to 1982, when this metal masterpiece first unleashed its fury upon the world.

II. A Battle of Pressings: Clash of the Vinyl Titans

The EEC pressing stands as a champion in the arena of vinyl debates. Fans and collectors engage in heated discussions, comparing its sonic virtues to other pressings, dissecting every nuance of sound, every subtle variation in mastering. The quest for the ultimate listening experience fuels this eternal battle, as enthusiasts strive to uncover the most faithful representation of the beast's roar.

III. A Time Capsule of Metal Mayhem: Echoes from a Golden Age

The EEC pressing serves as a time capsule, preserving the essence of a pivotal moment in heavy metal history. 1982 marked the rise of a new wave of British heavy metal, with Iron Maiden at its forefront. *The Number of the Beast* solidified their position as metal titans, its controversial themes and groundbreaking sound pushing the boundaries of the genre. The EEC pressing captures this moment in time, allowing fans to relive the excitement and energy of a golden age.

IV. A Legacy of Controversy and Triumph: The Beast's Unwavering Spirit

The legacy of *The Number of the Beast* is intertwined with controversy. Religious groups condemned the album, accusing it of promoting Satanism. Yet, this opposition only fueled the flames of the beast's popularity, solidifying Iron Maiden's reputation as rebels and outcasts. The EEC pressing bears witness to this turbulent history, reminding us of the power of music to challenge norms and ignite passions.

The beast lives on, its roar eternal, etched in vinyl, a tale infernal.

Music Genre:

British Heavy Metal / NWOBHM 

Album Production information:

The album: "IRON MAIDEN The Number Of The Beast (EEC)" was produced by: Martin Birch

  • Martin Birch – Producer, Sound Engineer Martin Birch was the steady hand behind some of the most powerful rock and metal records of the 1970s and 1980s. As an engineer and producer, he shaped the sound of Deep Purple and Fleetwood Mac before becoming the defining sonic architect for Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Rainbow. His productions balanced clarity with raw force, turning heavy riffs into timeless statements and albums into genre benchmarks.
  • Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Nigel "It Was Working Yesterday" Hewitt-Green*

    This album was recorded at: Battery Studios, London.

    Battery Studios London has been a key recording centre since the 1970s, known for its high-end equipment and sessions spanning rock, pop, and metal. Countless artists shaped their sound here, leaving a production legacy that still influences modern studio work. Read more.

    Album cover design: Derek Riggs

  • Derek Riggs – Illustrator, Cover Artist Derek Riggs is the artist who gave Iron Maiden its visual soul by creating Eddie, one of the most recognizable mascots in heavy metal history. Since the band’s 1980 debut, his artwork fused sci-fi, horror, and dark fantasy into covers that were as confrontational and imaginative as the music itself. Riggs’ paintings didn’t just decorate records, they built a world that became inseparable from Maiden’s identity.
  • Album cover photography: Andre Csillag, P. G. "Wigan" Brunelli , Bob Ellis, Rod Smallwood, Ross Halfin, Toshi Yajima

  • Ross Halfin – Photographer Ross Halfin is one of the defining eyes of heavy metal, capturing the genre’s raw power on film since the late 1970s. His photographs of Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Led Zeppelin freeze live intensity, sweat, and backstage reality into instantly recognizable images. More than documentation, his work helped shape how metal looks and feels, turning fleeting moments into permanent pieces of rock history.
  • Record Label & Catalognr:

    EMI 038 15 7693 1

    Media Format:

    12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
    Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram 

    Year & Country:

    1984 EEC
    Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: IRON MAIDEN The Number Of The Beast (EEC)
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • Bruce Dickinson - Lead Vocals
    • Bruce Dickinson – Vocals Bruce Dickinson, born August 1958, is the powerhouse vocalist who propelled Iron Maiden to legendary status. Joining the band in 1981, his operatic range, sharp phrasing, and commanding stage presence reshaped the group’s sound and ambition, defining era-classic albums like The Number of the Beast and Powerslave. Beyond Maiden, he built a parallel career as a solo artist, commercial pilot, author, and broadcaster, giving his legacy a reach that stretches well beyond heavy metal.
    • Dave Murray - Guitars
    • Dave Murray – Guitar Dave Murray, born 1956, is the melodic mastermind behind Iron Maiden’s signature twin-guitar attack. A founding member, his fluid, expressive solos and perfectly locked harmonized leads have shaped the band’s sound since 1975. His playing blends bluesy phrasing with precision and restraint, never flashy for its own sake, always serving the song. That balance made him a quiet but essential pillar of heavy metal guitar.
    • Adrian Smith - Guitars
    • Adrian Smith – Guitarist, Songwriter Adrian Smith is one of those players I always associate with Iron Maiden’s classic sound and its later revival. Joining in 1980, leaving in 1990, and returning in 1999, his melodic solos and sharp songwriting helped define albums from The Number of the Beast to Brave New World and beyond.
    • Steve Harris
    • Steve Harris – Bass, Songwriter Steve Harris, born 1956, is the driving force behind Iron Maiden’s galloping bass lines and long-form, story-heavy songwriting. Founding the band in 1975, he defined their identity with ambitious compositions that mixed punk urgency, progressive structure, and pure metal muscle. Anthems like The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name carry his fingerprints all over them, making him one of NWOBHM’s most influential architects.
    • Clive Burr - Drums
      Clive Burr rose from East End beginnings to become Iron Maiden’s early rhythmic engine, shaping their sound with speed, swing, and sharp precision. His career blazed intensely before illness cut it short, yet his impact on heavy metal drumming still echoes through generations. Read it Here
    Complete Track-listing of the album "IRON MAIDEN The Number Of The Beast (EEC)"

    The detailed tracklist of this record "IRON MAIDEN The Number Of The Beast (EEC)" is:

      Track-listing Side One:
    1. Invaders
    2. Children of the Damned
    3. The Prisoner
    4. 22 Acacia Avenue
      Track-listing Side Two:
    1. The Number of the Beast
    2. Run to the Hills
    3. Gangland
    4. Hallowed be thy name

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