IRON MAIDEN - The Number of the Beast 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Canadian Release

This is the Canadian release "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. This web-page has hi-res photos of the album covers, record label and a detailed description.

See the description of the record's label ( further down ) on how this Canadian release can be recognized.

 

large album front cover photo of: IRON MAIDEN - The Number of the Beast ( Canadian Release )

The Beast Roars Across the Maple Leaf: Iron Maiden's Canadian Conquest
Album Description:

From British steel to Northern shores, Number of the Beast, its legend soars.

In the frosty embrace of 1982, a British beast crossed the Atlantic, unleashing its metal fury upon Canadian soil. The Canadian release of Iron Maiden's *The Number of the Beast* on 12" vinyl marked a pivotal moment in the band's global conquest, solidifying their status as heavy metal titans.

A Sonic Expedition: Exploring New Territories

The Canadian release of *The Number of the Beast* was more than just a geographical expansion; it was a sonic expedition into uncharted territory. The album's thunderous riffs, soaring vocals, and apocalyptic themes resonated with Canadian audiences, forging a bond between the British metalheads and their Northern counterparts.

The Canadian pressing, a testament to the band's meticulous attention to detail, captured the raw energy and power of the original recording. Each note, each scream, each drumbeat reverberated with clarity and precision, transporting listeners to a realm where metal reigned supreme.

Genre-Bending Fusion: A Heavy Metal Melting Pot

The Canadian release of *The Number of the Beast* showcased Iron Maiden's ability to transcend genre boundaries. The album's unique blend of heavy metal, progressive rock, and even elements of classical music created a sonic landscape that was both familiar and groundbreaking.

The Canadian audience, eager for fresh sounds and bold experimentation, embraced the album's genre-bending fusion. The band's willingness to push the boundaries of heavy metal resonated with Canadian listeners, solidifying their status as innovators and trailblazers.

Controversy and Triumph: The Beast's Unwavering Resolve

The release of *The Number of the Beast* was met with controversy worldwide, and Canada was no exception. Religious groups accused the band of promoting Satanism, leading to protests and boycotts. However, these attempts to silence the beast only fueled its fire.

Iron Maiden's unwavering resolve in the face of adversity resonated with Canadian fans, who saw the band as a symbol of rebellion and defiance. The controversy surrounding the album only served to amplify its impact, solidifying its place in Canadian heavy metal history.

Production and Recording: A Transatlantic Collaboration

The Canadian release of *The Number of the Beast* was a testament to the collaborative spirit of the music industry. The album was produced by Martin Birch, a legendary figure in the world of rock and metal production. Birch's expertise in capturing the raw power and energy of Iron Maiden's music was instrumental in creating a sonic experience that transcended borders.

The album was recorded at Battery Studios in London, a legendary facility that had witnessed the creation of countless rock and metal masterpieces. The Canadian pressing, mastered with meticulous care, ensured that the album's sonic impact remained intact, regardless of geographical location.

Legacy and Impact: A Beast That Roars Through Time

The Canadian release of *The Number of the Beast* solidified Iron Maiden's status as global icons. The album's impact on the Canadian heavy metal scene was undeniable, inspiring countless bands and fans alike.

The beast lives on, its legacy eternal, a Canadian treasure, infernal.

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal, NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) Music 
Album Production Information:

Produced by Martin "Farmer" 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.
  • Sleeve Illustration 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.
  • Photos: Simon Fowler  

  • Simon Fowler – Photographer Simon Fowler is a British photographer celebrated for his striking portraits of rock and metal legends, including Iron Maiden, whose 1983 album “Piece of Mind” credited him as Simon “Bullseye” Fowler. His work spans the vibrant eras of the late 1970s through the 1990s, capturing icons at their creative peak.
  • Record Label & Catalognr:

    EMI ST-12202 

    Media Format:

    12" Vinyl LP Record 150 grams vinyl 

    Year & Country:

    1982 Made in Canada 
    Band Members and Musicians on: IRON MAIDEN The Number of the Beast
      IRON MAIDEN Band: members/musicians
    • Bruce Dickinson
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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: IRON MAIDEN The Number of the Beast
      Side One:
    1. Invaders
    2. Children of the Damned
    3. The Prisoner
    4. 22 Acacia Avenue
      Side Two:
    1. The Number of the Beast
    2. Run to the Hills
    3. Gangland
    4. Hallowed be thy name

    Album front cover of the Canadian release of "The Number of the Beast" by "Iron Maiden"

    Album front cover of the Canadian release of "The Number of the Beast" by "Iron Maiden"

    Album back cover of the Canadian release of "The Number of the Beast" by "Iron Maiden"

    Album back cover of the Canadian release of "The Number of the Beast" by "Iron Maiden"

    Close-up of the Harvest / EMI Record label of the Canadian release of "The Number of the Beast" by "Iron Maiden"

    Close-up of the Harvest / EMI Record label of the Canadian release of "The Number of the Beast" by "Iron Maiden"

    The Canadian release of "The Number of The Beast" can be recognized by the rim-text on the record label which contains the text "Manufactured and distributed in Canada under license by Capitol Records-EMI of Canada Limited.""  

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