Monday Fresh: Iron Maiden's Number Of The Beast Voted Best Album

While Iron Maiden is undoubtedly a heavy metal institution, mainstream recognition is not something that they are often afforded. A recent poll conducted by music retailer HMV, however, is set to change all that.

In a poll to mark the Queen of England's diamond jubilee, the store has been asking its customers to vote for their favorite British album of the past 60 years.

Winning 9.2% of the 30,000 votes cast, Maiden's landmark 1982 album Number Of The Beast went on to trump such heavyweight acts as Oasis, Pink Floyd and The Beatles.

The full top ten list is as follows, along with percentage of votes, is as follows:

01. Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast (9.18%)
02. Depeche Mode - Violator (6.30%)
03. The Beatles - Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (5.69)
04. The Beatles - Abbey Road (5.67%)
05. Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon (5.23%)
06. The Beatles - Revolver (4.01%)
07. Queen - A Night At The Opera (3.98%)
08. Oasis - (What's The Story) Morning Glory? (3.91%)
09. Adele - 21 (3.07%)
10. The Beatles - White Album (2.60%)

Blabbermouth has published the following statement from HMV's Gennaro Castaldo:

"You often tend to see the same artists and albums dominate album polls, but with social media increasingly giving the most ardent and passionate fans a powerful voice, I think that's all going to change, and so it's no surprise that Iron Maiden have come out on top as their fans are renowned for being the most loyal and dedicated around. Congratulations to Iron Maiden — we now know the number of the beast is, in fact, …1."

Iron Maiden are set to tour the US next month.

Comments

[iommi600]

No Radiohead, really?

[ninfan200]

oasis should be off the list and radiohead should be in second but other than that not bad

[Deny_everything]

Someone should have started a campaign to make "The Queen is Dead" the number 1 album.

[mpk3432]

it pains me to see an adele album which has been out for like a year next to real classics like these
fantastic news tho, up the irons!

[jhaneline]

Black Album????

[SkepsisMetal]

Far too many beatles.

[anjan14]

I'm really glad ! Maiden deserve this .Even though number of the beast is not my favorite record but I'm glad Iron Maiden have got this .I'm just little disappointed for not seeing Guns N Roses or even Metallica .
Metal Forever .Peace people.

[Mr.McTaco]

Are you people ****ing retarded? Why would Metallica or Guns N Roses be on the list if it was only UK-based? Some people...

[m4ss3 m/]

What the f Adele is doing there?

[Scarto]

...And justice for all?????

[Scarto]

shit... uk based

[btimmer313]

Good to see Iron Maiden getting recognized, would have been cool to see Anarchy in the UK up there too though

[Lightning_Ray]

In a poll to mark the Queen of England's diamond jubilee, the store has been asking its customers to vote for their favorite British album of the past 60 years.

People, please read the article first. The key word here is "British"!

PS: Am I the only one who finds it strange that Radiohead's not in the Top 10?

[Zanos7]

as a British metal head its great to see things like this, that the top 10 is mainly rock.

Britain is full of shit generic music spewing out on the radio and its great that Iron Maiden, part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal is at the top!

Come on Britain! Get your metal out!!

[LeakyFlask]

btimmer313 wrote:

Good to see Iron Maiden getting recognized, would have been cool to see Anarchy in the UK up there too though

Wouldn't have made much sense either, seeing how it's not an album.

[Kenjamin91]

Derp Master of Puppets???!!! Jk I actually read the article. Led Zeppelin II.

[btimmer313]

Wouldn't have made much sense either, seeing how it's not an album.

meant never mind the bollocks my bad

[Zoltan1251]

well this list is better one..... at least no boy bands or teen bands, but proper music

[anjan14]

Mr.McTaco wrote:

Are you people ****ing retarded? Why would Metallica or Guns N Roses be on the list if it was only UK-based? Some people...

My bad there .But still I'm quite happy that maiden have got this

[fede01_8]

FAIL!

[scott82]

Black Sabbath anyone?

[fede01_8]

Zanos7 wrote:

as a British metal head its great to see things like this, that the top 10 is mainly rock.

Britain is full of shit generic music spewing out on the radio and its great that Iron Maiden, part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal is at the top!

Come on Britain! Get your metal out!!

i think you confused British music with American music

[Sherlock_Bones]

Depeche Mode beating The Beatles: did not see that one.

[HARTATTACK69]

Adele is better than Black Sabbath? what realm is this?

[iommi600]

Also... Britain?

CARCASS!

[Countsluggo]

A win for heavy metal!!! That's awesome to see. Surprised with Adele and the lack of some other bands, but Iron Maiden for the win. Good news to start the day off with. Up the Irons!!!!

[SmittyMan90]

Didn't even read this, just sick of any "best of" article.

[Zeldrack]

Did NO ONE understand this is only UK-based!?

[Oblivion_Rps]

No Zeppelin? I'm disgusted.

[Maiden95]

Even though it's not my favorite Maiden record, this is great recognition and it's very well deserved. Open your god damn doors Rock Hall.

[MetalMullet]

Well, an aspect to these kind of votes that should be considered is that the "original" fans of let's say Beatles, who actually grew up in that era who might appreciate their music more than today's generation are all 50+ years old. People in that age are less likely to engage in online surveys and polls. Since Maiden is a lot newer band it gets obviously more votes. Just a thought...

That rock music is still going strong is a fact though, good to see.

[Rastapunk]

Where the **** is Sabbath??

[withoutanyname]

Led Zeppelin?

[alx305]

btimmer313 wrote:

Good to see Iron Maiden getting recognized, would have been cool to see Anarchy in the UK up there too though

I think you mean "Never Mind the Bullocks, Here's the Sex Pistols" (unless you're talking about a different album), but yeah, it would be cool.

[NHECOS]

Led Zepp should be on that list.

[daken_1]

THE ROLLING STONES? Hello?

[Bsoffski]

Zep and Sabbath?!

[sroze478]

Well this is just dumb. No offense to anyone, but Iron Maiden made the best album to ever come out of the UK? I'm sorry, but apparently not many people voted on the poll they're getting their information from. I literally don't know ANYONE who would agree with this.
I mean; The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, etc. etc. etc. Iron Maiden is WAY down on the list of best UK albums (not because they're terrible, just because so many great albums come before them). This isn't news, it's a really poorly done survey.

[BirdieBoy264]

we now know the number of the beast is, in fact, …1.

Anyone else appalled by this joke?

[purplexing]

Every time I see the UG picture of Maiden on the front page, I think it's Horatio Cane from CSI Miami

[suicidalpoptart]

What's with everyone sucking off radiohead??? They're ****ing terrible

[Way Cool JR.]

I would of picked "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son" myself but "The Number Of The Beast" kicks ass to.

Congrats. Up the Irons!

[MonsterMetalMus]

jhaneline wrote:

Black Album????

Metallica isn't british...

[Metalmatha]

good for them...i'm a huge maiden fan myself..but pink floyd,sabbath,led zep definitely has better albums...too much beatles and no queen...sad

[Metalmatha]

wait there is queen...didn't notice

[mckenna64]

The only one that is questionable on that list is Adele - 21, that album has only been out a year and critically and generally in the mainstream it isn't regarded as a classic album. It sold extremely well, but I'm not sure it is anywhere near strong enough to be heralded as a classic in 20-30 years time, unlike all the other albums on this list.

Sure it is missing albums that people may like, but this is a top 10, so it is pretty difficult to pick 10 albums considering the amount of great music that has come out of the UK in the last 60 years.

I can certainly accept this over if the list included a bunch of pop idol and x factor winners like these none genre specialised public list often do.

[jannick]

best album ever made next to appetite and back in black!(imo). hell yeah maiden! and to all who disagree with maiden on top. go bieber yourself.

[zorba_the_cat]

Sooo nice to see Iron Maiden as top news on the front page

And also, despite from the actual list, it's comforting to see finally a poll made by the people rather than by so called "Experts"!

[KingNothing666]

anjan14 wrote:

I'm really glad ! Maiden deserve this .Even though number of the beast is not my favorite record but I'm glad Iron Maiden have got this .I'm just little disappointed for not seeing Guns N Roses or even Metallica .
Metal Forever .Peace people.

You do know the difference between America and Britain don't you?

[a1sauce]

I'm sorry but am I the only one that thinks Maiden's best album was Powerslave??

[arabmetallion]

faith in humanity, restored

[arabmetallion]

a1sauce wrote:

I'm sorry but am I the only one that thinks Maiden's best album was Powerslave??

+1 but imo though the best brit album for me was defenders of the faith or screaming for vengeance but still it's nice to see a good metal album topping the list regardless

[Nero Galon]

The public have actually managed to vote something worthy of a number 1 for the first time in my short life.

I am suprised Led Zep weren't included at all though too like most of you guys.

I love those guys that didn't read the whole point of the vote being for british albums though XD

[guitaristtobe40]

iommi600 wrote:

No Radiohead, really?

FINALLY! Radiohead are a good band at all, but they are so overrated.

The Bends is a classic but OK Computer (often no.1 on these type of polls) is soooo overrated, its ok, but certainly not great. Personally I felt there was too much filler material on that album for it to be considered a classic.

[yogui]

FUCK IRON MAIDEN

[raphgrinder]

guys don't worry, led zep is just off the top ten, sabbath too. Just appreciate the fact that rock and metal dominated that chart and not all the other crap.

[Sweet Laddio]

Zanos7 wrote:

as a British metal head its great to see things like this, that the top 10 is mainly rock.

Britain is full of shit generic music spewing out on the radio and its great that Iron Maiden, part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal is at the top!

Come on Britain! Get your metal out!!

British music is doing great at the moment.
This song reinforces my point.

[karstaag666]

Im quite a big fan of Led Zeppelin, they have influenced my tastes in music since the day I was born and heard my Dad playing his vynls to me in my sleep. However I must say whilst they have some INCREDIBLE songs, album wise they werent so good. Too many tracks that werent really great at all surrounded the awesome songs on the albums.

Thats my opinion anyways.
I don't really care too much though since I love the music I love and this ranking doesnt change that at all

[lucas_eddie]

I didn't read all the comments but everyone seems to just be arguing.

WHY?????

I just want to say that this is amazing news!!!

[anjan14]

KingNothing666 wrote:

anjan14 wrote:

I'm really glad ! Maiden deserve this .Even though number of the beast is not my favorite record but I'm glad Iron Maiden have got this .I'm just little disappointed for not seeing Guns N Roses or even Metallica .
Metal Forever .Peace people.

You do know the difference between America and Britain don't you?

I hope you know the difference between acting arrogant and accepting your mistake !
I didn't read the full article ! Happens man ,CHILL !

[rhs5110]

Adeles on there wtff!!!

[rhs5110]

and where's led zeppelin and black sabbath?!

[Sign of War]

Also... Britain?

CARCASS!

While I do agree Carcass are great and that Heartwork is easily the best Melodic Death Album ever they're just not going to get any mainstream recognition.

I for one am disappointed that there are loads of Beatles albums on there and not any Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Cream, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull or any of the other great British Bands, also Adele? GET OUT!

[GlacierMan]

Naawwww, I was fond of Wish You Were Here

[robo37]

How the **** are Queen and Adele actually capable of writting good albums? And where the **** are Radiohead?

Seriously, I don't think I've seen a single of these lists UG shows that hasn't managed to profoundly pissed me off.

...and Number Of The Beast... seems pretty average, though I've only heard 1 or 2 songs from it so I'll try yo keep an open mind.

[ctb]

Surprised The Who didn't make it, or the Sex Pistols, or The Jam.

[TheEducatedFool]

Bruce Bruce: "We're astonished and delighted to hear The Number of the Beast has been named No.1 in HMV's Diamond Jubilee survey for the greatest British album category. Some of the most influential and classic albums from the past 60 years were in the running so it's a testament to our incredibly loyal and ever-supportive fans who voted for us. Iron Maiden is a proudly British band, so to win this category as voted for by the British public, in Jubilee year, is very special. Thank you to all our wonderful fans!"

Maiden's have been my favorite band for a long time, but I am a little surprised at this, and I even find it a bit of a stretch. I think that, as albums, Sgt. Peppers and DSOTM are a little more complete and consistent than The Number of the Beast, which a large number of Maiden fans, myself included, would argue was released just prior to their "Golden Years".

[randyISgod666]

Finally Maiden getting recognized!!! The best metal band ever no but seriously, WHERE THE FUCK IS ZEPP OR SABBATH???

[robo37]

raphgrinder wrote:

guys don't worry, led zep is just off the top ten, sabbath too. Just appreciate the fact that rock and metal dominated that chart and not all the other crap.

Oh great, now the list is evem worse than I expected.

Still, no pop or rock nonsense (except for what I mentioned above), there are MANY popular acts that could have been listed that are a lot worse, so I guess I should be greatful.

[TheEducatedFool]

I think it should also be noted that there are tons of bands on this list whose votes were probably divided amongst several albums, such as The Beatles, Queen, Sabbath, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Pink Floyd, etc, and therefore didn't have any one individual album doing as well as The Number of the Beast. I for one seriously doubt that too many other Maiden albums did half as good as most of the albums by those artists, though in my opinion there are certainly more deserving efforts from Maiden.

[Megadeth99]

What the heck is Adele doing on that list???

[Edyspaghetti]

But I already knew this xD

[IronTallicaDeth]

Where is British Steel!?!?

[robo37]

Leaving nationality aside, I would have gone for:

1. The Fragile - Nine Inch Nails
2. Hail to the Thief - Radiohead
3. Cruel Melody - Black Light Burns
4. 10,000 Days - Tool
5. See You on the Other Side - Korn
6. Elect the Dead - Serj Tankian
7. 13 - Blur
8. Concentration - Machines of Loving Grace
9. Songs for the Death - Queens of the Stone Age
10. Unholy - Martin Grech

[Blew1]

Where the hell was Motorhead!?!!?

[GameSkate]

From these 10 albums Dark Side Of The Moon should definitely have first place...

[SirWurscht]

Blew1 wrote:

Where the hell was Motorhead!?!!?

At the bar drinking some whisky-cola.

ba dum tss

[jackjb94]

Maiden!!! Fuck Yeah!

[thebigredjj10]

I hate lists like this.
Why did I comment then? To give UG a hit and a comment, because that's what type of fellow I am. I want the site to keep running.

[K33nbl4d3]

I'd say both Paranoid and British Steel are just plain better, but I don't know... I used to like Maiden but I just can't get into it anymore...

[HarrySound]

The Almighty - Crank
That would be mine I guess.
British music isn't good.
And i'm english

[Reddaz]

Don't wanna sound like a queer or nuthin, but Depeche Mode is a pretty sweet band!

[Malgefor]

BLACK ALBUM WTFFF

[GenerationKILL]

mpk3432 wrote:

it pains me to see an adele album which has been out for like a year next to real classics like these
fantastic news tho, up the irons!

It pains me to see that some people who don't like a specific genre think they're not worthy of the same amount of recognition. 21 is one of the best JAZZ albums ever made.

quit being so narrowminded.

and yes, I am a huge metal fan, just like you.

[robo37]

robo37 wrote:

Leaving nationality aside, I would have gone for:

1. The Fragile - Nine Inch Nails
2. Hail to the Thief - Radiohead
3. Cruel Melody - Black Light Burns
4. 10,000 Days - Tool
5. See You on the Other Side - Korn
6. Elect the Dead - Serj Tankian
7. 13 - Blur
8. Concentration - Machines of Loving Grace
9. Songs for the Death - Queens of the Stone Age
10. Unholy - Martin Grech

- Can the 8 dislikers please explain?

[rokr258]

I know there's already too many Beatles albums up there, but I really wish one of them would have been Rubber Soul. I love that album from the bottom of my heart.

Also, where is One Direction????? COME ON YOU GUYS BOY BANDZ RULE

[Reddaz]

GenerationKILL wrote on 05/28/2012 - 04:21 pm / quote |
mpk3432 wrote:

it pains me to see an adele album which has been out for like a year next to real classics like these
fantastic news tho, up the irons!


It pains me to see that some people who don't like a specific genre think they're not worthy of the same amount of recognition. 21 is one of the best JAZZ albums ever made.

quit being so narrowminded.

and yes, I am a huge metal fan, just like you.

What's that whirring sound? Oh must be Miles Davis and Les Paul spinning in their graves!

[hihi7]

Wait a second... Isn't Zeppelin from the UK? How are they not up there?

[Showiddlydiddly]

So no Zeppelin, no Stones, no Who, no Radiohead...

What was the point of this poll exactly?

[MidniteHaze]

Priest and Purple shouldve been somewhere near this list..

[guitargodwannab]

anjan14 wrote:

I'm really glad ! Maiden deserve this .Even though number of the beast is not my favorite record but I'm glad Iron Maiden have got this .I'm just little disappointed for not seeing Guns N Roses or even Metallica .
Metal Forever .Peace people.

hey dumbass, Metallica or GnR ARENT from the UK.....this was based on UK bands over the past 60 years. ****

my question is why no Who or no Sabbath

[saint_berzerker]

Ha...first Heavy Metal album I ever bought. I was like 12. Couldn't stand the music (at that time), but the album cover made me buy it.

[robo37]

I forgot to mention Coil too...

[tanooj2]

MAIDEN FUCK YEAH!

[tanooj2]

And then tanooj2 realized there was another comment by jackjb94 which was exactly the same...

[hidd4n]

Appetite

[stonedhippos]

doesn't matter if Maiden is number one on the list. no zeppelin means this list is irrelevant.

[anjan14]

guitargodwannab wrote:

anjan14 wrote:

I'm really glad ! Maiden deserve this .Even though number of the beast is not my favorite record but I'm glad Iron Maiden have got this .I'm just little disappointed for not seeing Guns N Roses or even Metallica .
Metal Forever .Peace people.

hey dumbass, Metallica or GnR ARENT from the UK.....this was based on UK bands over the past 60 years. ****

my question is why no Who or no Sabbath

First read all the comments carefully and then answers ! Arrogant freak !

[pokerhappy]

The only reason is because Beatles split the vote, but still awesome.

[bobathin]

FUCK YOU!

yogui wrote:

FUCK IRON MAIDEN

[ChemicalFire]

I call BS. Iron Maiden are one of the most recognised Metal band in the mainstream.

[ctb]

robo37 wrote:

Can the 8 dislikers please explain?

Because you randomly posted your favourite probably and you knew it was UK-only. :p

[mpk3432]

GenerationKILL wrote:

mpk3432 wrote:

it pains me to see an adele album which has been out for like a year next to real classics like these
fantastic news tho, up the irons!

It pains me to see that some people who don't like a specific genre think they're not worthy of the same amount of recognition. 21 is one of the best JAZZ albums ever made.

quit being so narrowminded.

and yes, I am a huge metal fan, just like you.

adele....jazz? ye, and slipknot is 80's funk
and i love blues and jazz, so you cant comment on another person's taste
pretty much any album released in the last 10-15 years cannot be judged on sales and whatnot, because pop culture has made it so that music doesnt sell well because its good, but because its "popular" its "the best album of the year"
adele is a massive example of this. personally, i dont like her voice, i dont condone those who do, but anyone who says shes this amazing artist who is as good as maiden or queen or the beatles.... just give it 20 years and we'll talk, we'll see who's "popular" then, coz her fans will move on to the next craze, the next "best album of the year"
also im not a fan of people who dont write the music and take all the credit from the team of writers who produce stuff that pales in comparison to what one good musician can do

but anyway... maiden ftw once again ;D

[!..!_Rock_!..!]

No Black Sabbath's Paranoid album?
No Led Zeppelin?

[mcmuffin999]

if i was british, i would be damn proud of my countrymen for this

[dial-a-death]

robo37 wrote:

How the **** are Queen and Adele actually capable of writting good albums? And where the **** are Radiohead?

Seriously, I don't think I've seen a single of these lists UG shows that hasn't managed to profoundly pissed me off.

...and Number Of The Beast... seems pretty average, though I've only heard 1 or 2 songs from it so I'll try yo keep an open mind.

SERIOUSLY? I prefer half of Queen's album tracks to their "Greatest Hits". Queen made a lot of AMAZING albums. Have you listened to Jazz ? A Night At The Opera? Sheer Heart Attack? The Miracle? A Kind Of Magic? Innuendo? Those are some of the best albums ever made! Queen are the most diverse band ever, listening to one of their albums, you can hear aspects of Led Zep, The Who, Rolling Stones, you name it, with arguably the greatest rock singer of all time at the helm.

[TimTheWizard]

mpk3432 wrote:

it pains me to see an adele album which has been out for like a year next to real classics like these
fantastic news tho, up the irons!

You should listen to the album, there's a reason it has sold so many albums already. It's one of the greatest "pop" albums since... idk, Thriller? I agree with the Radioheads, it should be in there instead of Oasis but yeah it's a poll so what ya gonna do

[dewitt]

robo37 wrote:

robo37 wrote:

Leaving nationality aside, I would have gone for:

1. The Fragile - Nine Inch Nails
2. Hail to the Thief - Radiohead
3. Cruel Melody - Black Light Burns
4. 10,000 Days - Tool
5. See You on the Other Side - Korn
6. Elect the Dead - Serj Tankian
7. 13 - Blur
8. Concentration - Machines of Loving Grace
9. Songs for the Death - Queens of the Stone Age
10. Unholy - Martin Grech

- Can the 8 dislikers please explain?

Well, if you really want to know, I think your list is shit, and I hope I never have to spend time listening to your soundtrack of choice.

Also, your list is almost completely irrelevant to the article. Maybe your list would have less down-votes if you had stuck to the format used in the poll (i.e., British music), but judging by your taste in music, I'd still guess otherwise.

But no one is saying you can't listen to what you like and enjoy it. We just don't have to agree with you.

[dial-a-death]

To note, I think the list is pretty good, mine (in no paticular order) would be:
Queen- Jazz
Iron Maiden- 7th Son Of A 7th Son
Oasis- (What's The Story) Morning Glory?
Saxon- Denim And Leather
Pink Floyd- The Wall
Supertramp- Crime Of The Century
Onslaught- Killing Peace
Def Leppard- Adrenalize
Thunder- Backstreet Symphony
Deep Purple- Machinehead

[Robfreitag]

spinal tap, smell the glove. No 1!

[Wppa]

While "The Number Of The Beast" has some absolutely great songs like: Run To The Hills, Children of the Damned, etc. I still don't think it's that good of an album. Songs like: Invaders, Gangland, are pretty good but not amazing. And the two songs "22 Acaia Avenue" and "The Prisoner" are okay, but that's about it.

[dewitt]

mpk3432 wrote:

GenerationKILL wrote:

mpk3432 wrote:

it pains me to see an adele album which has been out for like a year next to real classics like these
fantastic news tho, up the irons!

It pains me to see that some people who don't like a specific genre think they're not worthy of the same amount of recognition. 21 is one of the best JAZZ albums ever made.

quit being so narrowminded.

and yes, I am a huge metal fan, just like you.

adele....jazz? ye, and slipknot is 80's funk
and i love blues and jazz, so you cant comment on another person's taste
pretty much any album released in the last 10-15 years cannot be judged on sales and whatnot, because pop culture has made it so that music doesnt sell well because its good, but because its "popular" its "the best album of the year"
adele is a massive example of this. personally, i dont like her voice, i dont condone those who do, but anyone who says shes this amazing artist who is as good as maiden or queen or the beatles.... just give it 20 years and we'll talk, we'll see who's "popular" then, coz her fans will move on to the next craze, the next "best album of the year"
also im not a fan of people who dont write the music and take all the credit from the team of writers who produce stuff that pales in comparison to what one good musician can do

but anyway... maiden ftw once again ;D

I actually like Adele just as much as Iron Maiden -- maybe even a **** hair more.

I'm not a big fan of Adele, by any means; i actually think most of her music is shit. But Iron Maiden isn't really any better. They've always just been a poor man's Judas Priest, to me, with less interesting songs and [generally] less-skilled musicians.

I'm not upset that they topped the list. I just figure this poll must have been featured on a Maiden fan page somewhere, and, as others have said, they probably didn't get many votes for any other albums of theirs.

Number of the Beast is their most widely recognized album, and there's quite a dropoff between it and the next in line, in the eyes of the general public. Bands like Zeppelin, the Stones, the Who, the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen, Black Sabbath, etc., etc. -- all better bands with a more recognizable, more widely acclaimed catalog of music to choose from. Their votes were split amongst many albums, whereas most casual Maiden fans prompted to take part in this poll would simply just select this album, since it's the most well-known.

[Enix165]

Don't get me wrong. I love Maiden. But where I live, at the very least, every angsty 12 year-old kid and their brother, mother and dog have an Iron Maiden shirt. All of them have signature instruments, there's a movie about them, they've been in video games, been hailed as one of the biggest and most influential metal bands ever and Bruce Dickinson has enough money to run his own private airline. HOW IS THIS NOT MAINSTREAM RECOGNITION?

Also, surprised Depeche Mode's there above bands like The Rolling Stones, Judas Priest and Led Zeppelin considering I actually know who the latter three are.

[Metallidethca]

Awesome! probably the best list I have seen since I joined UG. Up the irons!

[)v(egaFan90]

It's funny to see a couple people bitching about non-British albums that aren't in the list (notably the guy complaining about the Black Album, lol). I was misled by the title quickly read the first paragraph. Problem solved!

[SkepsisMetal]

robo37 wrote:

robo37 wrote:

Leaving nationality aside, I would have gone for:

1. The Fragile - Nine Inch Nails
2. Hail to the Thief - Radiohead
3. Cruel Melody - Black Light Burns
4. 10,000 Days - Tool
5. See You on the Other Side - Korn
6. Elect the Dead - Serj Tankian
7. 13 - Blur
8. Concentration - Machines of Loving Grace
9. Songs for the Death - Queens of the Stone Age
10. Unholy - Martin Grech

- Can the 8 dislikers please explain?

Maybe that The Fragile and 10,000 days are the only noteworthy albums on there, and as much as I love Tool; they are far from regarded as classics.

[6-String_Madman]

yogui wrote:

FUCK IRON MAIDEN

Look! A "Die Hard" Kpop fan right there!

[TheExterminator]

Eh, I know I shouldn't expect much from people voting on a -HMV- poll, but even if you were just picking from Metal albums that came out in the same time-frame as Number of the Beast, you could find dozens better. Hell, Motorhead, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath all fall in that 60-year time span and they've all done better things than anything Maiden's done, and they're popular enough to actually be known by HMV's consumer base. I love Iron Maiden probably more than the next guy, but c'mon. Number of the Beast isn't even Iron Maiden's best album.

Again, though, I shouldn't expect much from HMV's fans/consumers. It doesn't surprise me they mistook "most well-known" and "best"

[headbanger32594]

Adele topping The White Album?! What happened to this world?

[GasPipe]

Imagine if all the people who voted for Beatles album got behind one Beatles album though? Says a lot about the Beatles, true musical greats, whose fans are all spoiled for choice for good albums. Still a bigger fan of Iron Maiden personally though haha.

[FMVG96]

robo37 wrote:

How the **** are Queen and Adele actually capable of writting good albums? And where the **** are Radiohead?

Seriously, I don't think I've seen a single of these lists UG shows that hasn't managed to profoundly pissed me off.

...and Number Of The Beast... seems pretty average, though I've only heard 1 or 2 songs from it so I'll try yo keep an open mind.

Queen is so much better than Radiohead

[guetaminute]

Lol, so many close-minded idiot "metalheads" calling anything that isn't metal or rock SHIT GENERIC MUSIC WAHH.

What amazes me is that while Adele is praised for actually having talent in today's industry of no talent "generic" mainstream artists, some of you morons are making her out to be a shit pop singer. Fuck is wrong with you people?

And Iron Maiden not being mainstream? What? If anyone actually thinks Iron Maiden is NOT mainstream, and is some niche obscure underground metal band, then.. well, just plain ****ing LOL.

[6-String_Madman]

SirWurscht wrote:

Blew1 wrote:

Where the hell was Motorhead!?!!?

At the bar drinking some whisky-cola.

ba dum tss

clap! clap! clap!

[Maiden95]

Deep Purple's Machine Head..anyone...anyone?

[ShackledDevil]

Wow... the beatles got 4 spots from the top 10...

[Maiden95]

dewitt wrote:

I'm not a big fan of Adele, by any means; i actually think most of her music is shit. But Iron Maiden isn't really any better. They've always just been a poor man's Judas Priest, to me, with less interesting songs and [generally] less-skilled musicians.

I'm not upset that they topped the list. I just figure this poll must have been featured on a Maiden fan page somewhere, and, as others have said, they probably didn't get many votes for any other albums of theirs.

Number of the Beast is their most widely recognized album, and there's quite a dropoff between it and the next in line, in the eyes of the general public. Bands like Zeppelin, the Stones, the Who, the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen, Black Sabbath, etc., etc. -- all better bands with a more recognizable, more widely acclaimed catalog of music to choose from. Their votes were split amongst many albums, whereas most casual Maiden fans prompted to take part in this poll would simply just select this album, since it's the most well-known.

I respect your opinion but you are really wrong about Iron Maiden. If you think they are a poor man's Judas Priest with less interesting songs you are sadly mistaken.

Listen to Revelatoins or Infinite Dreams or The Man Who would be King, I love Priest but those songs are much more interesting than most of Priest's catalogue.

Also IMO, Dickinson > Halford, McBrain > Travis, Smith and Murray > K.K. And Tipton. And let's be real Steve Harris blows Ian Hill away. Check out Maiden's live show compared to Priest's also.

[joestrat5000]

Goes to show roock isn't dead, although I prefer Piece of Mind. As much of a beatles fan i am tho, they should not have had 4 albums on that list, they should have just kept revolver and pepper. Sad there is no Zeppelin.

[-Wraith]

iommi600 wrote:

No Radiohead, really?

YOU MADE ME LOL!

[Andrew C. S.]

m4ss3 m/ wrote:

What the f Adele is doing there?

A lot of people liked it, obviously.

[HeavyMetalSonic]

POWERSLAVE

[FMVG96]

The fact that there's no Led Zepellin really amaze me.

[Diran123]

Adele was voted higher then The White Album? What the **** is this

[gunsnroses#1]

anjan14 wrote:

I'm really glad ! Maiden deserve this .Even though number of the beast is not my favorite record but I'm glad Iron Maiden have got this .I'm just little disappointed for not seeing Guns N Roses or even Metallica .
Metal Forever .Peace people.

BRITISH album!

[NickBernzz]

No Sabbath or Zeppelin = this list is invalid. At least Maiden and Floyd are on it, though, so that kinda saves it. But still. dafuq

[suikogarden]

Um.....Killing Joke?

[KerNeL_KLuTcH]

Paranoid or Machine Head?

[Guitar_Nuge04]

Where the hell is Led Zeppelin? No Led Zeppelin at all? What a joke!

[Chronologo]

Maiden95 wrote:

dewitt wrote:

I'm not a big fan of Adele, by any means; i actually think most of her music is shit. But Iron Maiden isn't really any better. They've always just been a poor man's Judas Priest, to me, with less interesting songs and [generally] less-skilled musicians.

I'm not upset that they topped the list. I just figure this poll must have been featured on a Maiden fan page somewhere, and, as others have said, they probably didn't get many votes for any other albums of theirs.

Number of the Beast is their most widely recognized album, and there's quite a dropoff between it and the next in line, in the eyes of the general public. Bands like Zeppelin, the Stones, the Who, the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen, Black Sabbath, etc., etc. -- all better bands with a more recognizable, more widely acclaimed catalog of music to choose from. Their votes were split amongst many albums, whereas most casual Maiden fans prompted to take part in this poll would simply just select this album, since it's the most well-known.I respect your opinion but you are really wrong about Iron Maiden. If you think they are a poor man's Judas Priest with less interesting songs you are sadly mistaken.

Listen to Revelatoins or Infinite Dreams or The Man Who would be King, I love Priest but those songs are much more interesting than most of Priest's catalogue.

Also IMO, Dickinson > Halford, McBrain > Travis, Smith and Murray > K.K. And Tipton. And let's be real Steve Harris blows Ian Hill away. Check out Maiden's live show compared to Priest's also.

Sorry but your nickname makes any of your arguments invalid. IMO, I love Adrian Smith's playing style, but KK and Tipton blow the maiden's axemens away. You're right about Harris, right about McBrain, he's got more groove than Travis, but long time ago Judas had A FANTASTIC drummer called Les Binks who I think it could do a decent match against McBrain. For me Halford and Dickinson are both amazing, still you must understand by now that Halford is older. Bruce almost blew his voice in the early nineties but he started to take care of it and now he can still perform quite well.

Anyway I'm glad for Maiden, and I do understand the letdown that is the lack of Zeppelin

[k4rka15]

If theres a Dark Side of The Moon in one in five british homes, I thought it would've won...

[Wisthler]

Judas priest....?

[ds24601]

I love Maiden and all, but "A Night at the Opera" is a much better album than "Number of the Beast". Also, personal opinion again, but if I were to put a Maiden album in that list it'd be "Powerslave".

[MetalNova]

Faith in humanity restored

[MilosCleve]

There's a list of ten great albums and you people argue. Geez.

[ilikefood740]

!..!_Rock_!..! wrote:

No Black Sabbath's Paranoid album?
No Led Zeppelin?

this
IV is my favourite but all of zeps albums are worthy.
paranoid and black sabbath (album) easily outrank number of the beast

[robo37]

dewitt wrote:

robo37 wrote:

robo37 wrote:

Leaving nationality aside, I would have gone for:

1. The Fragile - Nine Inch Nails
2. Hail to the Thief - Radiohead
3. Cruel Melody - Black Light Burns
4. 10,000 Days - Tool
5. See You on the Other Side - Korn
6. Elect the Dead - Serj Tankian
7. 13 - Blur
8. Concentration - Machines of Loving Grace
9. Songs for the Death - Queens of the Stone Age
10. Unholy - Martin Grech

- Can the 8 dislikers please explain?


Well, if you really want to know, I think your list is shit, and I hope I never have to spend time listening to your soundtrack of choice.

Also, your list is almost completely irrelevant to the article. Maybe your list would have less down-votes if you had stuck to the format used in the poll (i.e., British music), but judging by your taste in music, I'd still guess otherwise.

But no one is saying you can't listen to what you like and enjoy it. We just don't have to agree with you.

1. You can't say the list is shit when I can pretty much I garantie you haven't heard a single song from about half of those albums, and only 1 or 2 for the others.

2. I know this article is about UK bands only, hence me saying "Leaving nationality aside" before the list. Seeing as the title is "Iron Maiden's Number Of The Beast Voted Best Album" it seems like a pretty relivent thing to post, especially seeing as the wholepoint of having a comment section is for people to voice their opinions on the matter.

3. I'm not saying yo have to agree with me. All I'm saying is that people shouldn't judge areas of music that they know next to nothing about, especially when that often comes down to making assumptions based on it having a bad rep. (not that I'm saying that's what you're doing, but I'm guessing that that's what the majority of dislikers did)

I find it funny tbh that mentioning Coil got 2 dislikers, even though hardly anyone knows anything about what their music sounds like. I'm tired sick of people assuming that just because they haven't heard of a band/musician it means they automatically aren't any good. Nonsense.

But yeah, in hignsigt I probably should have moved Korn and Serj Tankian down the list and put Coil's Musick to Play in the Dark on there.

[robo37]

you*

[link no1]

robo37 wrote:

dewitt wrote:

robo37 wrote:

robo37 wrote:

Leaving nationality aside, I would have gone for:

1. The Fragile - Nine Inch Nails
2. Hail to the Thief - Radiohead
3. Cruel Melody - Black Light Burns
4. 10,000 Days - Tool
5. See You on the Other Side - Korn
6. Elect the Dead - Serj Tankian
7. 13 - Blur
8. Concentration - Machines of Loving Grace
9. Songs for the Death - Queens of the Stone Age
10. Unholy - Martin Grech

- Can the 8 dislikers please explain?


Well, if you really want to know, I think your list is shit, and I hope I never have to spend time listening to your soundtrack of choice.

Also, your list is almost completely irrelevant to the article. Maybe your list would have less down-votes if you had stuck to the format used in the poll (i.e., British music), but judging by your taste in music, I'd still guess otherwise.

But no one is saying you can't listen to what you like and enjoy it. We just don't have to agree with you.

1. You can't say the list is shit when I can pretty much I garantie you haven't heard a single song from about half of those albums, and only 1 or 2 for the others.

2. I know this article is about UK bands only, hence me saying "Leaving nationality aside" before the list. Seeing as the title is "Iron Maiden's Number Of The Beast Voted Best Album" it seems like a pretty relivent thing to post, especially seeing as the wholepoint of having a comment section is for people to voice their opinions on the matter.

3. I'm not saying yo have to agree with me. All I'm saying is that people shouldn't judge areas of music that they know next to nothing about, especially when that often comes down to making assumptions based on it having a bad rep. (not that I'm saying that's what you're doing, but I'm guessing that that's what the majority of dislikers did)

I find it funny tbh that mentioning Coil got 2 dislikers, even though hardly anyone knows anything about what their music sounds like. I'm tired sick of people assuming that just because they haven't heard of a band/musician it means they automatically aren't any good. Nonsense.

But yeah, in hignsigt I probably should have moved Korn and Serj Tankian down the list and put Coil's Musick to Play in the Dark on there.

Dude, it doesn't matter how you try to defend it.

1) People don't like your list for a reason.

2) Even NOT counting nationality, your list is irrelevant. Why would you post your 'top 10 albums regardless of nationality' or whatever on a article about the top 10 BRITISH albums?
It's like a 'top 10 mammals' list where I go and tell everybody that I think the list should include my 'top 10 reptilians'.

[MacMan2001]

I love Depeche Mode's 90s stuff, where they moved into being more of an alt-rock band. I'm 20 and my mum has been a lifelong fan, otherwise I'd never have heard of them.

I have a limited edition numbered vinyl Violator album cover poster on my wall too, sadly not #101 though! (fans will get it).

Not a bad list too - a lot of Beatles on there, predictably.

[Maiden95]

Chronologo wrote:

Maiden95 wrote:

dewitt wrote:

I'm not a big fan of Adele, by any means; i actually think most of her music is shit. But Iron Maiden isn't really any better. They've always just been a poor man's Judas Priest, to me, with less interesting songs and [generally] less-skilled musicians.

I'm not upset that they topped the list. I just figure this poll must have been featured on a Maiden fan page somewhere, and, as others have said, they probably didn't get many votes for any other albums of theirs.

Number of the Beast is their most widely recognized album, and there's quite a dropoff between it and the next in line, in the eyes of the general public. Bands like Zeppelin, the Stones, the Who, the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen, Black Sabbath, etc., etc. -- all better bands with a more recognizable, more widely acclaimed catalog of music to choose from. Their votes were split amongst many albums, whereas most casual Maiden fans prompted to take part in this poll would simply just select this album, since it's the most well-known.I respect your opinion but you are really wrong about Iron Maiden. If you think they are a poor man's Judas Priest with less interesting songs you are sadly mistaken.

Listen to Revelatoins or Infinite Dreams or The Man Who would be King, I love Priest but those songs are much more interesting than most of Priest's catalogue.

Also IMO, Dickinson > Halford, McBrain > Travis, Smith and Murray > K.K. And Tipton. And let's be real Steve Harris blows Ian Hill away. Check out Maiden's live show compared to Priest's also.

Sorry but your nickname makes any of your arguments invalid. IMO, I love Adrian Smith's playing style, but KK and Tipton blow the maiden's axemens away. You're right about Harris, right about McBrain, he's got more groove than Travis, but long time ago Judas had A FANTASTIC drummer called Les Binks who I think it could do a decent match against McBrain. For me Halford and Dickinson are both amazing, still you must understand by now that Halford is older. Bruce almost blew his voice in the early nineties but he started to take care of it and now he can still perform quite well.

Anyway I'm glad for Maiden, and I do understand the letdown that is the lack of Zeppelin

Well ignore the nickname haha, cause I really took an objective look into the debate. I hate being the "fan boy" and I'm not trying to be here.

Oh yeah, Les was a great drummer, and nothing against Scott Travis or any other Priest drummer, but Nicko McBrain is one of the best and most underrated in rock history. Halford is INSANE. I will give you that. I honestly prefer Dickinson's vocals but if you want to say Halford is better, especially given the age, I have no problem

[mpshena]

So I have no idea how to comment on somebodies post I just made a profile. But robo37 I think no ones likes your list because most people here are rockers and metal heads. Those bands are just not close to metal lol

[robo37]

mpshena wrote:

So I have no idea how to comment on somebodies post I just made a profile. But robo37 I think no ones likes your list because most people here are rockers and metal heads. Those bands are just not close to metal lol

Fair enough.

[HollowPoint423]

Why the f'k is Adele on there? She hasn't even been potty trained compared to most of those artists on that list.

[HollowPoint423]

Sign of War wrote:

Also... Britain?

CARCASS!


While I do agree Carcass are great and that Heartwork is easily the best Melodic Death Album ever they're just not going to get any mainstream recognition.

I for one am disappointed that there are loads of Beatles albums on there and not any Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Cream, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull or any of the other great British Bands, also Adele? GET OUT!

The first time I heard Carcass' Heartwork, I was in love. That album has to be one of the best sounding albums I have heard. Shoot, I have it on my iTunes!! The guitars are so heavy and clear considering that album came out in '93.

[stealstrings]

Remember, it's just opinions guys. Just like half the comments on this page...

[mckenna64]

guetaminute wrote:

Lol, so many close-minded idiot "metalheads" calling anything that isn't metal or rock SHIT GENERIC MUSIC WAHH.

What amazes me is that while Adele is praised for actually having talent in today's industry of no talent "generic" mainstream artists, some of you morons are making her out to be a shit pop singer. Fuck is wrong with you people?

And Iron Maiden not being mainstream? What? If anyone actually thinks Iron Maiden is NOT mainstream, and is some niche obscure underground metal band, then.. well, just plain ****ing LOL.

Adele is pretty much a generic pop singer. What has she done differently than any other 60's diva, which she tries so hard to emulate? She sounds like a boring version of The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield etc. She brings nothing new to the table.

To compare her album to Thriller like someone did above is wrong on so many levels. Michael Jackson merged a lot of things into Thriller to make it something completely new and fresh, mixing all different genres (rock, metal, funk, disco, pop) and not being afraid to stick a long song on there (compared to the usual 3 minute pop song limit) with the song thriller.

I guess we will see in 20 years time if Adele makes any real impact, but right now I just don't see anything noteworthy. It is a solid album, but then again there are quite a few artist not selling as much doing solid albums that are actually pushing boundaries.

[mckenna64]

Also I think praising someone for being better than shit is not noteworthy at all.

Her voice is OK, but I think she is put on a pedestal as she is being compared to Rihanna, Kesha and other current pop drivel.

This isn't just being biased again pop either, all genres have their usual shite in the mainstream, but you always get that artist who comes out of nowhere and changes music, Adele is not that person.

[codyjt5150]

btimmer313 wrote:

Good to see Iron Maiden getting recognized, would have been cool to see Anarchy in the UK up there too though

uhhhh, for one, that's not an album, that's a single, for two, that song is just awful, vocals sound ridiculous, the chord progression and tempo sounds like a song that could've been on a barney musical episode.

[codyjt5150]

This list is awful. Why is Adele and Oasis up here, wth is Depeche Mode, and there's 3 beatles albums. I just don't see how they sound that great, they're an alright band with a few good songs like Day Tripper and Come Together, but still, why no Rolling Stones? AC/DC? C'mon...

[VanjaKarakas]

another mental institution based poll

[RGallagherFan]

No Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, or Rolling Stones.

But they put Adele and Depeche Mode in there. Goddammit.

[RGallagherFan]

No Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, or Rolling Stones.

But they put Adele and Depeche Mode in there. Goddammit.

[bobathin]

HALLOWED BE THY NAME

Wppa wrote:

While "The Number Of The Beast" has some absolutely great songs like: Run To The Hills, Children of the Damned, etc. I still don't think it's that good of an album. Songs like: Invaders, Gangland, are pretty good but not amazing. And the two songs "22 Acaia Avenue" and "The Prisoner" are okay, but that's about it.

[bobathin]

there not mainstream though. Do they have singles that are frequently played on the radio? No.

mckenna64 wrote:

guetaminute wrote:

Lol, so many close-minded idiot "metalheads" calling anything that isn't metal or rock SHIT GENERIC MUSIC WAHH.

What amazes me is that while Adele is praised for actually having talent in today's industry of no talent "generic" mainstream artists, some of you morons are making her out to be a shit pop singer. Fuck is wrong with you people?

And Iron Maiden not being mainstream? What? If anyone actually thinks Iron Maiden is NOT mainstream, and is some niche obscure underground metal band, then.. well, just plain ****ing LOL.

Adele is pretty much a generic pop singer. What has she done differently than any other 60's diva, which she tries so hard to emulate? She sounds like a boring version of The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield etc. She brings nothing new to the table.

To compare her album to Thriller like someone did above is wrong on so many levels. Michael Jackson merged a lot of things into Thriller to make it something completely new and fresh, mixing all different genres (rock, metal, funk, disco, pop) and not being afraid to stick a long song on there (compared to the usual 3 minute pop song limit) with the song thriller.

I guess we will see in 20 years time if Adele makes any real impact, but right now I just don't see anything noteworthy. It is a solid album, but then again there are quite a few artist not selling as much doing solid albums that are actually pushing boundaries.