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

    I first noticed Martin Birch on those early Iron Maiden sleeves—the ones with the typography that felt like a threat. At twelve, I didn’t care about "production value"; I just liked that the guitars didn't sound like mud. He was the man behind the sound mixer, the one who made the snare snap like a dry branch in a cold forest. He was "The Headmaster," and we were all just students of his high-voltage curriculum.

    Birch didn’t just record noise; he organized aggression. By 1972, he was already wrangling the messy brilliance of Deep Purple’s Machine Head, turning Ian Gillan’s banshee wails into something that didn't just clip the tape but lived inside it. In 1980, he pulled off the ultimate renovation, giving Black Sabbath a much-needed shower and a new spine. Heaven and Hell shouldn't have worked, but Martin polished that Birmingham sludge into something operatic and gleaming. It was a pivot that felt like fate, mostly because he refused to let the mid-range get lazy.

    Then came the long, obsessive stretch with Iron Maiden from 1981 to 1992. It was a twelve-year marriage to the fader. From the moment Killers (EMC 3357, for those who care) hit the shelves, the sound was physical. He knew how to let Steve Harris’s bass clatter like a machine gun without drowning out the melody—a sonic miracle that still feels fresh. You can almost smell the ozone and the dust on the Marshall stacks when the needle drops on The Number of the Beast. He stayed until Fear of the Dark, then simply walked away. No victory lap, no bloated memoir. He preferred the hum of the desk to the noise of the crowd, leaving us with nothing but the records and a slight sense of abandonment. But then, when you’ve already captured lightning on tape for twenty years, why bother hanging around for the rain?

    Martin Birch Wiki

    • 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.
    Derek Riggs Wiki

    • 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.
    Simon Fowler Wiki

    • 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 – Singer

      Samson forged the roar; Iron Maiden turned it into a global alarm system.

      Bruce Dickinson, Bruce Dickinson is the rare frontman who can sound like a human air-raid siren and still tell a story. Before the arenas, I track him in Samson (1979–1981) , where the voice sharpened into steel. He joined Iron Maiden in 1981 and powered their classic run through 1993, then returned in 1999 and has stayed ever since. Between the big chapters he kept moving: a solo career from 1990 onward, plus the short, sharp Skunkworks detour in 1996. On stage he’s theatrical without slipping into pantomime—commanding, precise, and oddly disciplined for heavy metal. Timeline: Samson ’79–’81; Maiden ’81–’93 and ’99–now; solo from ’90; Skunkworks ’96. And yeah, never boring.

      Bruce Dickinson Wiki
    • Dave Murray
    • Dave Murray – Guitar

      Maiden’s calm killer: smooth leads, twin-guitar harmony for days, and that melodic bite that makes the “gallop” feel cinematic instead of chaotic.

      Dave Murray (born 23 December 1956, Edmonton, Middlesex, England) is one of the defining lead guitar voices of heavy metal, and in my book he’s the melodic “second spine” of Iron Maiden. His timeline with the band starts early: joining in 1976, getting briefly pushed out in 1977, then returning in 1978 and staying locked in ever since—making him one of the longest-serving members in the whole Maiden saga. During that 1977 gap he spent around six months with Urchin (Adrian Smith’s band), which is a fun little historical glitch in the matrix if you like your Maiden lore messy and human. Beyond the main band, his most notable “outside the mothership” credit is the all-star charity metal project Hear ’n Aid (1985), because apparently even guitar lifers sometimes leave the bunker to do side quests. Dave Murray Wiki

    • Adrian Smith
    • Adrian Smith – Guitarist, Songwriter

      The melodic blade behind Maiden’s heaviest hooks.

      Adrian Smith, Adrian Smith, he writes riffs the way old street poets throw punches: clean, sharp, and memorable. Before the Maiden machine, I hear him in Urchin (1973–1980), already mixing melody with bite. He joined Iron Maiden in November 1980, helped define their twin-guitar gold through 1990, then stepped away as the band’s direction shifted. In the wilderness years he tried A.S.A.P (1989–1990) and led Psycho Motel (1993–1999), plus a stint in Bruce Dickinson’s solo band (1997–1999). Since his return to Iron Maiden in 1999 he’s stayed a key songwriter, while still stretching out with projects like Smith/Kotzen (2020–present). He’s the guy who makes speed feel singable, not just fast for fast’s sake.

      Adrian Smith Wiki
    • Steve Harris
    • Steve Harris – Bass Guitar, Songwriter

      Iron Maiden’s engine room: galloping bass lines, history-nerd lyrics, and “captain of the ship” energy baked into every riff.

      Steve Harris (born 12 March 1956, Leytonstone, England) is the rare bassist who doesn’t just hold the floor—he draws the whole blueprint. In my book, he’s the founder and primary songwriter who’s kept Iron Maiden on its rails from 1975–present, with that instantly recognizable “gallop” driving huge chunks of the catalogue. The pre-Maiden grind matters too: first band days in Influence/Gypsy’s Kiss (1973–1974, including a documented gig run in 1974), then the older, blues-leaning Smiler period (1974–1975) where his more ambitious writing basically forced the next step: forming Maiden. Outside the mothership, he’s fronted his own hard-rock outlet British Lion (2012–present), a project that grew out of connections going back to the early 1990s and finally hit the world as his solo debut in 2012.

      Steve Harris Wiki
    • Clive Burr - Drums
    • Clive Burr – Drums

      The early Maiden groove machine: big feel, sharp fills, and that “Beast-era” punch that still rattles the walls.

      Clive Burr (8 March 1957 – 12 March 2013) is one of those drummers who didn’t just keep time—he gave a band its early backbone. I mainly hear him as Iron Maiden’s rocket fuel from 1979–1982, laying down that urgent, swinging drive on their first run of classic records and helping make the whole NWOBHM thing feel dangerous instead of polite. Before that, he did the London grind with Samson (1977–1978). After Maiden, the timeline gets gloriously nomadic: Trust (1983–1984), a blink-and-you-miss-it week with Alcatrazz (1983), his own Clive Burr’s Escape (1983–1984) evolving into Stratus (1984–1985), the supergroup cameo in Gogmagog (1985), Desperado (1988–1990), and later work with Praying Mantis (1995–1996). His later years were brutally shaped by multiple sclerosis, but the playing legacy stays loud, human, and unmistakably his own—Clive Burr Wiki
    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 Cover Photo Gallery of: IRON MAIDEN The Number of the Beast

    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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